Twisted Pixel announces The Gunstringer

'Splosion Man developer Twisted Pixel has formally taken the wraps off The Gunstringer, its eccentric new Kinect exclusive.

According to a post from lead designer Dean Teasdale on the game's official site, "The Gunstringer is a Kinect game where you get to marionette a kick-ass undead cowboy puppet through action packed stage performances. Everything is set as if it's an actual play performance, complete with hand crafted 'actors' and props.

"Through a bunch of on stage performances, you get to marionette the Gunstringer through an awesome western themed revenge story filled with action, drama, and mildly creepy puppet love."

Judging by the reveal trailer below, the game is half third person shooter, half 2D platformer.

Twisted Pixel has promised The Gunstringer will offer a nice core gaming counterpoint to the current mass market-friendly Kinect line up.

"There are no minigames, forced gestures, or end of level photos of you in your underwear here," Teasdale explained. "You can play it sitting down, which is great if you just want to play and relax rather than burn crazy calories.

"Most importantly, you can aim and move with precision not seen in any of the Kinect launch titles, and with a speed and feel that's just not possible with a traditional controller."

There's no confirmation just yet as to when the game will be on sale or whether it'll be a full retail title or an Xbox Live Arcade download.

Twisted Pixel sure is a hive of activity right now. In between conducting a measured war of words with Capcom over the latter's copycat MaXplosion iOS title, the studio recently announced Ms 'Splosion Man for Xbox Live Arcade, due this Autumn.