BioWare: Mass Effect could enter 'next phase' of Kinect titles

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, BioWare's Greg Zeschuk has expressed interest in the use of Kinect in hardcore games - such as the developer's own Mass Effect games - provided it's in tandem with a control pad. He's even hinted at the possibility that Mass Effect 3 could be among the first of the hardcore titles to embrace Microsoft's soon-to-be-released motion-control technology.

"The new motion controls are very interesting and quite powerful," said Zeschuk to GamesIndustry.biz. "Phase one of those is the dancing, fitness and party games, the sword-swinging games. The next phase is where it gets really interesting when developers like us can tear it all down and ask: 'What can we actually do in a game like Mass Effect?' Can we create a greater sense of immersion during conversations by using gestures?"

"I think we probably could and I think that's where we'll explore," he continued. "We're not going to do a party game; we're not going to do Dance Dance Krogan for Mass Effect. The reality is it's going to have a really positive impact. There's that impediment of a controller but hardcore gamers are never going to give that up. It might be nice to see a hybrid of a controller used with additional gesture on the side for immersive elements. So we'll see it go from family entertainment and then broaden out."

So, Mass Effect fans - what are your thoughts on the possibility of Kinect-based, motion-control integration into Mass Effect 3 (bearing in mind that your beloved controllers should remain intact)? And PC Mass Effect players - feel left out?