UPDATE: Low preorder rate for Kinect

According to Eurogamer, UK retailer ShopTo is so fearful of low sales based on current Kinect preorder figures that it's calling on Microsoft to lower the price point. The retailer currently lists the device at the price of  €153.75 (approximately NZ$335). ShopTo CEO Igor Cipolletta pointed out to Eurogamer that a Nintendo Wii console complete with the popular Wii Sports can be purchased for €140. The current New Zealand recommended retail price (RRP) for the Nintendo Wii is $369. "We believe that with this current economy [Kinect] should be around £70," said Cipolleta.

However, Microsoft is yet to confirm that the listed price currently used by retailers will indeed be the actual launch price, with many speculating that it's merely a placeholder price point for the purpose of preorders. However, Cipolleta insists he has been told the price point will be final.

UPDATE - 9.20am: In a further blow to consumer confidence in Kinect, Gamespot now reports that the peripheral will support only two "active" players simultaneously. By contrast, up to seven sets of Sony's motion peripheral are said to be supported simultaneously on the PlayStation 3. The claim regarding Kinect's multiplayer support originates from the following leaked tech specs courtesy of another UK-based retailer, Play.com:

KINECT TECH SPECS (UNCONFIRMED)  Sensor  Color and depth-sensing lenses  Voice microphone array  Tilt motor for sensor adjustment  Fully compatible with existing Xbox 360 consoles  Field of View  Horizontal field of view: 57 degrees  Vertical field of view: 43 degrees  Physical tilt range: ± 27 degrees  Depth sensor range: 1.2m - 3.5m  Data Streams  320x240 16-bit depth @ 30 frames/sec  640x480 32-bit colour@ 30 frames/sec  16-bit audio @ 16 kHz  Skeletal Tracking System  Tracks up to 6 people, including 2 active players  Tracks 20 joints per active player  Ability to map active players to Live Avatars  Audio System  Live party chat and in-game voice chat (requires Xbox Live Gold Membership)  Echo cancellation system enhances voice input  Speech recognition in multiple