Just hours before the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360 in the heart of Times Square, actor/producer Mark Wahlberg joined Microsoft Corp. and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to set down the controller, get off the couch and stand up for kids across the country. Beginning today, Microsoft will donate Kinect for Xbox 360, 4GB Xbox 360 consoles and two games — “Kinect Adventures” and “Kinect Sports” — to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.
A perfect complement to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s commitment to health and fitness, Kinect for Xbox 360 gives kids a whole new way to get active as they dance, dodge, leap and have fun using their whole body and voice to play — no controller required. The consoles and Kinect sensors available to the Boys & Girls Clubs will reach millions of young people across the country.
Wahlberg is an alumnus and advocate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and credits much of his personal success to the afternoons and evenings he spent at his local Boys & Girls Club growing up. He continues to support local Clubs through the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and sits on the board of directors of the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester, Mass.
“I’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people,” Wahlberg said. “When I heard Xbox 360 wanted to give Kinect to Clubs across the country, I had to jump in and help.”
Completely controller-free, Kinect for Xbox 360 introduces a new way to play that lets you use your whole body, encouraging active, immersive and social experiences. Simply step in front of the revolutionary sensor, and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and learns how you play. See a ball? Kick it. Want to watch a movie? Say “Xbox, play.” With 17 games launching before the holidays, Kinect gets kids and parents, gamers and newbies alike, off the couch and on their feet by making YOU the controller.
“The first time we saw Kinect, we knew it would have a special ability to bring kids, their families and mentors together. This is gaming and entertainment that encourages teamwork, fair play and creativity,” said Cyndi Court, executive vice president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We’re so excited to provide Kinect for Xbox 360 to our local Clubs, and are thankful to Mark Wahlberg and Xbox for supporting our mission to keep kids healthy and active.”
Today’s announcement was part of a daylong celebration in Times Square leading up to the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360. At midnight tonight thousands of retailers across the country will open their doors to give consumers the first opportunity to purchase Kinect and experience the freedom of controller-free games and entertainment. More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/Kinect or http://www.facebook.com/xbox.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. With the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 will forever transform social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play — no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a network of 25 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.