Ghost Recon: Future Soldier armed with Kinect

Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier has been delayed a handful of times since it was first introduced in January 2009. Now, one possible reason for at least one of those delays has emerged: Kinect functionality.

Microsoft has updated the game's Xbox.com gamespace with official box art for the modern-military tactical shooter, and prominently displayed at the top of that package is Kinect branding.

Speculation of Future Soldier's Kinect compatibility dates back to April 2010, when French gaming site JeuxVideo reported that the game will include a mode dedicated to the peripheral. According to those reports, the mode sees one player holding an Xbox 360 controller in one hand to control movement, while the other hand interfaces with Kinect.

Unfortunately, it will be some time before gamers learn how Future Soldier will incorporate the Xbox 360's camera-based motion-sensing add-on. Responding to GameSpot's request for clarification, Ubisoft declined to elaborate.

Though Microsoft has thus far struggled to release core games for Kinect, the publisher has recently signaled a greater emphasis on the market segment. Earlier this month, word emerged that Microsoft had opened a new studio in Vancouver that shifted its focus from casual gaming to a AAA, Kinect-enabled shooter. The publisher expects to triple the number of Kinect-enabled Xbox 360 games by year's end.

Following on from its most recent delay, Future Soldier is now expected to arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, and DS during the first three months of 2012. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.