I saw something strange at the bottom of the invitation:

"We encourage you to bring your family and friends, up to three (3) guests."

That's a first -- a game publisher proactively inviting outsiders to a press event. But this was Microsoft's Kinect Showcase, and it made perfect sense.  Why fill a room with jaded hardcore journalists when you can have the more casual-gaming people in their lives remind them why Kinect exists in the first place?

And it worked. While I'm turning up my nose at Dance Central, my girlfriend (who was reluctant to try it at first) actually had fun with it. (You still won't catch me dead playing it, though -- er...you know what I mean.) I actually laughed out loud with her while plugging leaky holes with our hands and feet in an underwater tank in Kinect Adventures!.

We didn't, however, completely connect with Kinect. A few issues might prevent the motion-controls device from being the Wii/PlayStation Move killer that Microsoft wants it to be. Here's a closer look at our evening with the device (due out Nov. 4), via an old Bitmob tradition: made-up awards (with additional reporting by Demian Linn and Brett Bates).

Better than expected: No real gamer wants to play Mario Kart Wii with motion controls (or the wheel attachment), right? Well, we don’t want to play Kinect Joy Ride with our body, either. Since this game doesn't give you a choice in the matter, however, I have to admit, it controlled really well by reading my outstretched hands grasping a pretend steering wheel. I didn't look cool doing it, but I did win a couple of races.

Most surreal moment: Seeing Sony PlayStation representatives at the Microsoft Kinect event, looking like they're having a good time with Dance Central.

Wanted it to be good: I wanted Adrenalin Misfits to fill that big void in my life that is the snowboarding offseason, but alas, I could not get my on-screen persona to do much of what I wanted him to do. Either the game was having trouble reading my body, or I just stink at it. Ah well... the cast of animals have way too much '90s 'tude for me. (Notice "Adrenalin" is missing the "e" similar to the term "xtreme"?)

Felt bad for the demo guy: While showing us the upcoming Kinect-driven Xbox 360 dashboard, the demonstrator wanted so bad to make the voice recognition work (to pause, rewind, fast-forward movies, to navigate menus, etc.). But a loud environment like this event wasn't the place to do it. The Kinect had trouble picking up his voice over all the background noise, meaning you probably won't be using voice controls during big parties.

When it worked, however, it worked. I can picture a time in my lazy future when finding the remote or controller is too much work, and I'd rather just yell out what I want the system to do.

Can't wait! But... ESPN 3 on Xbox 360 was great (and proved that the Oregon Ducks' unis look terrible no matter how I'm watching them). Being able to catch college football games this way may be what finally gets me to cancel my cable service. But no NHL? How else can I see my Red Wings in action?

Strangest reveal: During our Mobcast interview with Kudo Tsunoda, creative director of Kinect, he told us that he has an "EA Chicago" tattoo on his body somewhere, which he got to profess his love (and I suppose his dedication as well) for the studio when he used to work there. Catch more of our chat with him on the Monday, November 8 edition of the Mobcast.

I'm not playing that here: Besides Dance Central, the other titles I wasn't about to demo at this event, in front of everyone: The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. Do I need to explain why?

What's that? At one point I wondered why such a big crowd was gathered around the second demo station of Adrenalin Misfits...turns out it was showing the Giants and Phillies game five.(Demian Linn)

Not for the lazy: Kinect Sports' track and field events. The last time I pumped my knees that high, it was that recurring dream where I'm a drum major in the Fallout universe. Long jump was the worst: Run in place, jump, then windmill your arms the only way you can -- like an idiot. (Demian Linn)

Make sure you stretch first: Demian's not kidding about Kinect Sports' track and field events not being for lazy folks -- like me. I threw my whole body into them in an effort to beat the demo guy and shatter a few world records. I snagged the gold medal, but my calves were still sore days later. (Brett Bates)

Cutest Halo player evar: The virtual-pet simulator Kinectimals will likely cause thousands of teenage girls to squeal in unison. But it may also warm the heart of even the most jaded hardcore gamer: During one demo, I watched a girl pilot her tiger cub companion around a race course on top of a miniature Ghost. (Brett Bates)