Our debut column on Kinect gaming reveals how OXM’s managing editor and resident dance- and fitness-game tyrant views the results of the past year’s motion-based games…

As one of the most active Kinect users among our motley crew, I’ve waded into some interesting territory while sampling what the hardware has to offer. There was that time where I kept grunting at my desk because I’d just spent the last four days marathoning two fitness-game reviews, and my quads burned with the fire of an unholy hell anytime I even twitched. Or that moment in late October 2010, when we were finishing our scramble to hit every Kinect release title, and I was flailing to J-pop in sweatpants as our company president walked by. Or the evening spent staring at the TV in utter disbelief when being told, for easily the sixteenth time inside of ten minutes, to nail my “attacker” in the groin.

The Gunstringer's charming "opening act" caught my attention right away.

It’s not all been weird and wacky (or just plain terrible), though. Dance Central and Dance Central 2 have been shining beacons of sweaty fun, and The Gunstringer, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster, and Child of Eden all had a charm of their own. I even found myself really liking a fitness game (UFC Personal Trainer). But I have to admit, after this past year of Kinect-induced adventures, there’s a question that’s been weighing on my mind lately: When will the level of consistency finally start to even out?

For every Dance Central, there’s been easily two games equivalent to Self-Defense Training Camp or Kinect Joy Ride to make me groan inside. Raving Rabbids: Alive & Kicking? Hole in the Wall? Those awful, separate Kinect segments of Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 1? Look, developers, just because you can make someone move, doesn’t mean you should.

And that’s the thing: I consider myself a fan of Kinect, but I’m not a mini-game fanatic or having motion controls replace tried-and-true controller-based activity. Truth be told, I don’t actually like getting off my couch for gaming.  Case in point: after I bought a Wii, the very next thing I did was to buy the GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. (And then eventually abandoned that system altogether for a 360.) While I’m the lone dancer on the OXM team, it doesn’t mean I’m dying to be on my feet all the time.

I know it's popular, but Zumba Fitness is not the epitome of what Kinect can do — not even close.

I don’t think I’m alone — I’m willing to bet hard cash that not every Kinect owner bought it for Zumba Fitness. I just like fun games, and if I happen to be on my feet while playing them, that's fine. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you feel the same way, too. And not only that — you’re looking for a casual, comfortable, and welcoming community. Kind of like how the hardcore Halo or CoD folks clump together, but with far fewer racial slurs.

Because my favorite part about Kinect so far — besides the games that draw me to the living room even after three hours of dance practice, like Dance Central 2 or The Gunstringer — has been witnessing how positive the fans are, and how supportive. And not just that, seeing the full breadth of who those gamers are: whether it’s an adorable 5-year old playing with her dad, or watching a hip-hopper totally kill a Dance Central 2 routine (and make me seriously think about expanding my own real-life hobbies to include a few hip-hop classes), it’s nice to just share in a gaming experience that doesn’t necessarily involve competition. (Of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t be working to stay ahead of my friends on the DC2 leaderboards.)

So, I’m in it for the long haul, meaning I’ll get to see where this winding path ends up, and what the ultimate answer to that question weighing on my mind will be. Will we keep getting more shovelware? Or will developers finally get a sense of when it’s good to add a bit of Kinect implementation, and when to hold back? I’m really hoping they do, but also not at the expense of regular controller functionality, a la Microsoft and the new “Metro” Dashboard update — which was beautiful and better tailored for Kinect upon launch, but not so good for the controller crowd.

I could use some good company as we see how things shake out — so, fellow Kinect fans, sound off: let me know what made you buy a Kinect. What you’ve been using it for. And, most importantly, what you want to see from it next.