Kinect not supporting sign language at launch

Hearing-impaired gamers got some welcome news last week, when patent documents revealed that Kinect would recognize American Sign Language . One of the more hilarious patent filings made, the document outlined how a deaf person could "be able to tell the other user that he had been 'PWNED'" through gestures that would be translated into speech at the other end.

If such capabilities sound overly ambitious, it is because they apparently are. Microsoft has confirmed to GameSpot that its motion-sensing system will not support sign language out of the box when it launches on November 4.

In a statement the company said, "We are excited about the potential of Kinect and its potential to impact gaming and entertainment. Microsoft files lots of patent applications to protect our intellectual property, not all of which are brought to market right away. [The] Kinect [system] that is shipping this holiday will not support sign language."

When it launches, the controller-less, camera-based Kinect will cost $150 in the US and £129.99 in the UK by itself. It will also be available as part of a $300/£249.99 bundle that will include the recently revealed 4GB Xbox 360 and Kinect Adventures minigame compilation.