iTech Fitness, Softkinetic collaborate

iTech Fitness, an active gaming developer, and Softkinetic, a 3D gesture recognition software provider, have partnered to develop technology that will allow users to exercise in a virtual world by simply moving their bodies, without the use of a controller or peripheral, reports SOA World.

In the game, users enter a virtual boxing gym where their avatars punch workout bags, following the users' actual movements in real-time. This active gaming breakthrough was achieved using gesture recognition middleware from Softkinetic, a depth sensing camera, and the XRKade immersive fitness platform developed by iTech Fitness.

The innovation will premiere at the Club Industry 2008 conference and trade show in Chicago.

Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime has confirmed the company is developing a new Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game, says IGN.

Job listings for artists and designers posted on Blizzard's official Web site had lead to rumours of a World of Warcraft sequel.

But Morhaime says the MMO in development is not going to be a World of Warcraft sequel and will be different from previous Blizzard projects.

Dell has released a new gaming PC, the Alienware Aurora Desktop which is fitted with an AMD Phenom X4 9550 2.2GHz quad-core processor, dual ATI Radeon HD 4850 video cards with a total 1GB of GDDR3 RAM, and 4GB of DDR2 RAM, says Slash Gear.

Early reviews for the PC have been poor, with reviewers complaining of overheating graphics and frequent crashes and freezes.

The Aurora will only be available at Best Buy retail locations and through the Best Buy online store.