Now you can preorder the new Xbox controller, Kinect, that is all the buzz in the video game world.

The showdown over movement-controlled video game playing has shot one more step ahead with Microsoft introduction of the price on its Kinect Xbox 360 accessory.

The firm has put together the system, which connects into the Xbox 360 gaming console, obtainable for pre-orders on for $149 US. The pre-order conditions said the Kinect’s price tag could change prior to its Nov. 4 kick off. The company, however, will honor whichever cost is the lowest.

A spokesperson for Microsoft was not able to officially verify the Kinect’s price, but the suggestion will probably end rumors about the maximum cost. Gaming industry advisors had indicated the Kinect, which delivers advanced voice-recognition and motion-sensor technology, could be priced at up to $399.

Microsoft hopes the new Xbox controller, which makes it possible for gaming and movie playback without any sort of handheld device, will help it grow the Xbox 360′s current audience over and above core video gamers. The gaming system console add-on is to be introduced with 15 games, varying from racing to fitness titles.

The Kinect will be competitive against Nintendo’s Wii, which made popular movement control when it came out in 2006, and Sony’s Move controller, starting this fall. Naysayers have said Microsoft and Sony are taking part in catch-up to Nintendo, which is being victorious the struggle over the present generation of video game consoles. All the while, Nintendo has sold more than 70 million Wii units, compared with Microsoft’s 40 million Xbox 360 consoles and Sony’s 35 million PlayStation 3 units.

Kinect may have an edge over challengers due to the fact it is the only one that doesn’t require a controller of any kind. Microsoft has also done wonders at securing the assistance of third-party developers, something Nintendo has had trouble doing.

“If you look at the innovative experiences we’ve been able to pull off with Xbox Live [online gaming] and third parties in general, we really expect to have some pretty amazing games and some really great support for this,” Craig Flannagan, Xbox Canada platform manager, said at media demonstration of Kinect in Toronto on Tuesday. “Those factors are all going to roll in the most robust support you’ve ever seen for a motion platform.”

Some experts have said that a current slowdown in Wii sales could suggest hard times for Microsoft’s and Sony’s motion-control efforts, while others expect sales to be good. One possibility is that the crowd is waiting (like me), to see what pans out for the Christmas season offerings. Microsoft hopes to sell three million Kinect devices by the year end.

At E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) 2009 in Los Angeles, Microsoft unveiled Kinect using the code name Project Natal. They announced Kinect’s official name at this year’s E3.

The concept is riveting although it certainly needs a lot of one-of-a-kind top quality software to ensure a great user experience.

Of course, if the Kinect is successful this may be the beginning of a multi-generational product cycle.

You can preorder your own new Xbox controller at Microsoft.com , by clicking here: Kinect

In a short piece in “The State Press”, author Shanen K. Lloyd shared thoughts about the present state of XBOX video gaming and the media:

Project Natal is a controller-free, motion-sensing game, created for the Xbox 360. They haven’t set a release date, but it is rumored to be out sometime by the end of 2010.

Without a controller, users are able to control the screen and the game through body movements, voice commands and even by using other objects or images they have around them. The game recognizes the player, can differentiate between people and objects in the room and even between different players. The technology of this new interface even includes facial recognition for player sign-ins.

I saw a few demo videos on YouTube [see new XBOX Controller videos below], and I’ll admit, it looks pretty cool. I suggest everyone to check those out to be able to fully grasp what Project Natal is. Words don’t really do it justice. Following in the footsteps of Nintendo’s Wii, it seems this new form of interactivity with video games is the way of the future.

Read more of Shane’s thoughts here:  The State Press