Microsoft’s Kinect Sports Rivals is finally on the way and with it will come plenty of speculation and argument about just how useful the Kinect is to the Xbox One platform.
Regardless of the general apathy consumers have had toward the new Kinect, Microsoft is still pushing Kinect Sports Rivals as the next big release for its new console. The game is set for release on April 8 and Microsoft’s advertising has shown that people still look incredibly silly while playing Kinect games.
To help market the game to the Xbox One’s install base, largely populated by more dedicated than casual gamers, Microsoft today announced a Kinect Sports Rivals tournament that will pay cash and prizes to the the winners.
The tournament, called the “Kinect Sports Rivals World Championship” will begin on the day of the game’s launch. Players can pre-register for the tournement starting today through a special website set up for the tournament.
Once signed-up, players will have to compete in the championship modes for wake racing, climbing, and bowling. Though this does mean buying the game, and taking time to unlock the events and championship courses, afterwords players will be able to climb the leaderboard in their region for a chance at several prizes.
Total leaderboard rank will be determined by combining scores in the three different events. A live final match-up will take place at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in July where finalists in each country (those in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, France, Germany, and Brazil are eligible.) will play against each other.
Prizes will be awarded for those who place 11th and better. Most of the prizes consist of cash payouts, with fifth through eleventh place receiving $500, fourth place receiving $1,000, third place receiving $2,500, and second place receiving $5,000. The first place grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and a choice of one of four different vacations to either Bora Bora, China, Peru, or Switzerland.