Xbox Design Team and LucasArts
Xbox 360 Kinect Star Wars
Xbox
Xbox 360 Kinect Star Wars
Xbox 360 Kinect Star Wars
The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Star Wars Kinect Bundle is a unique custom designed Xbox 360 Console, Controller and Kinect that includes the Kinect Star Wars game. The bundled offering was made available at retail locations in North America, Europe and Asia and through online retailers.
2. The Brief: Summarize the problem you set out to solve. What was the context for the project, and what was the challenge posed to you?The challenge was to design a limited edition Xbox 360 hardware bundle that evoked everything StarWars. A unique product offering that would launch in tandem with the Kinect Star Wars game. Xbox and LucasArts wanted to create something that Star Wars fans would really get excited over and desire. The Kinect StarWars game was the first time LucasArts designed an exclusive game for Xbox 360. It was also the first time that Xbox had ever created a limited edition product that celebrated StarWars. It was a great opportunity to create something special. This design had to be unique, special and desirable for everyone who loves StarWars.
3. The Intent: What point of view did you bring to the project, and were there additional criteria that you added to the brief?The Kinect star wars game is a 1st person game that takes the player (as a Jedi or Rancor Monster) on a journey into the Star Wars universe. Drawing on iconic moments from the motion pictures, Kinect Star Wars allows players to enter the Star Wars universe and experience a wide variety of physical play. Swing your arms to wield a Lightsaber, reach out and use the Force, jump, dodge or kick to defeat your enemies. Lightsaber combat, Force moves, piloting Speederbikes and iconic ships and even Podracing . During the game, the droids R2D2 and C3PO are always the players faithful companions along for the journey, guiding the player along the journey. To embody the droids through graphical elements and color, materials and finishes in the console hardware was solid direction. Our goal was to use authentic colors and finishes and graphic elements from the characters, but still embrace the design of the Xbox hardware to complete the design approach. We wanted elements like the controls and vent to still feel balanced and appropriate with the design language of the droids. We created a brushed finish for the trim rings on the console to match the top of R2. Additionally we added custom R2D2 sounds to complete the experience when you power on the console. For the C3PO inspired controller we used the wires from his midsection in the mid section of the controller. A subtle way to bring the character or C3PO into the game controller.
4. The Process: Describe the rigor that informed your project. (Research, ethnography, subject matter experts, materials exploration, technology, iteration, testing, etc., as applicable.) What stakeholder interests did you consider? (Audience, business, organization, labor, manufacturing, distribution, etc., as applicable)Xbox and LucasArts worked together to create artwork assets that accurately depicted the characters from the Starwars universe. A great deal of research was done to find even the smallest elements that would complete the hardware design. We applied the Industrial Automoton logo on the back of the console. In the Star Wars universe, Industrial Automoton was the company that made R2D2. This was something that hardcore Star Wars aficionados would enjoy. The exact colors and finishes for R2D2 (Blue and White) and C3PO (Gold plating) were carefully designed to help bring the droids to life. We used multiple processes to achive the effects including custom plastic resin colors, multiple pad printing operations and screening. We also achieved the right gold finish with Vacuum Metallization in order to ensure high quality performance and wireless conductivity in product. When the disc tray on the console is opened, users will find a special message from Princess Leia. Her famous cry for help she recorded onto R2D2. "Help me obi-wan, your my only hope". No detail was left to chance, our team flew to asia to iron out every last detail all the way through to production to ensure the hardware quality was as perfect as possible. We even worked with the team to create a unique package for the bundle that would stand out on the shelf for customers.
5. The Value: How does your project earn its keep in the world? What is its value? What is its impact? (Social, educational, economic, paradigm-shifting, sustainable, environmental, cultural, gladdening, etc.)Other than selling out, and hearing nothing but great feedback from customers, the market, Microsoft and LucasArts, here is some feedback directly from the market: "This is the coolest limited edition console ever conceived, period". "I already had an old Xbox 360 elite and another backup unit to boot - so really I didn't NEED it. But when it comes to being an Xbox & Star Wars fan - it's not about reason, it's about WANT!!! So what did I do? I bought it". http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=star+wars+xbox+360&view=detail&mid=C57CD0B15C3367A337CEC57CD0B15C3367A337CE&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJfEKB5YAmU