Skyrim getting Kinect support on Xbox 360

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is getting Kinect support for the Xbox 360.  As part of a free title update slated for release this month, Skyrim Kinect for Xbox 360 Support will feature "more than 200 Voice Commands…including the game's dragon shouts."

The new Kinect integration spreads far beyond Dragon Shouts, however.  Other voice commands includes Hotkey Equipping, Follower Commands and all Menus (Items, Magic, Map, Barter, Container, Favorites, and Skills).  You will also be able to quickly create and load saves during gameplay and access menus and inventories.  In addition, Skyrim Kinect for Xbox 360 support also adds new functionality including special map functions, additional hotkey options, and the ability to sort inventory items by name, weight, and value.

According to CNN, Bethesda began formulating the idea of merging Kinect's voice commands to Skyrim shortly after the game's release last November.

"Working closely with the talented team at Bethesda, they have done an amazing job of honoring the core gameplay functionality fans of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim know and love and using Kinect for Xbox 360 voice control integration to complement and strengthen the core experience without changing the fundamental game mechanics," said GM of Xbox Marketing Matt Barlow.

In the video below, you can get a first-look, provided by programmer RIcardo Gonzalez, at the preliminary concept for Kinect for Xbox 360 Support which was first shown off during the Skyrim Game Jam.

The Kinect functionality in Skyrim will be available in five languages – English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.  A full list of Voice Commands will be revealed in "the coming weeks".  The English version is said to release during the week of April 23rd with other versions following shortly after.

"We’ve got more Skyrim news coming," Bethesda added. "Bethesda Game Studios has been hard at work on creating the first set of game add-ons that will be exclusive to the Xbox 360. This additional content will add new quests, locations, features, and much more to the world of Skyrim. Stay tuned for more details."

While I'm sure Xbox 360 owners are pleased with the announcement, PC and PS3 players have to be somewhat disappointed.  While not a necessary feature, I'm sure everyone would've liked the opportunity to shout "Fus Ro Dah" while playing Skyrim.  Do you plan on using the Skyrim Kinect functionality when it releases?