Xbox 360 camera spies September release

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It's been a long, long time coming, but after momentarily plopping off the radar, it seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the long awaited Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera. The US edition of Official Xbox Magazine is reporting that the peripheral has been granted a stateside release of September 19 release date, and will be available in two bundle deals.

In case you don't know, the Camera is designed to abet online gamers communicative methods with the added bonus of video messaging for games compatible with the device. Although such games seemed focused towards specific Live Arcade titles, certain developers have begun tinkering with its capabilities in mind. Ubisoft, for example, is integrating support in its Rainbow Six: Vegas for visual hand gesturing. And we don't mean the sort of gestures you might wag to a moron who's just driven over your foot in a clapped-out, family Volvo.

The two bundled deals rumoured to be available from September 19 are:
STANDARD KIT(expected RRP $39.99 - £21)

-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-One 'free' month on Xbox Live Gold
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade Game

GOLD KIT (expected RRP $79.99 - £42)

-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-'Free' Xbox Live Gold subscription for a year month
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade Game
-A third Xbox Live Arcade Game (tbc)
-200 Microsoft points

Personally, we're not entirely sure how the two Live Gold subsciptions can be described as 'free', when such a service seems to be the most substantial reason behind the 100% price hike between the two bundles. Hmmm, yes. Somebody needs their head testing on that one.

As for what the TotemBall game entails, well, it supposedly works along similar lines as the PS2's EyeToy games, with you balancing or guiding balls on the end of a totem pole, culminating in entry to some kind of giant pinball game. Two-player co-op options exist for this one.

So, overall, good news then that the Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera appears to have returned to the scene. No news on what the European release date will be, mind. There was originally talk of the hardware being launched simultaneously across the globe, but we certainly don't recommend you take that as a given. Don't worry though, we'll be right back as soon as we hear something more concrete.

Stephen Daultrey