150°

Ditching Mandatory Kinect Would Benefit Microsoft

An opinion piece on Microsoft and the Xbox One's Kinect "Accessory"

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digitalwhip.com
golding894590d ago

Lol MS is not planning on releasing Xbox one without Kinect. That rumor was shot down a few days ago.

Like you said in the article, you won't get xbox one because you do not want kinect. That's great.

I am actually looking forward to xbox one features with kinect, so I will get an xbox one along with ps4 :-p

Shadonic4590d ago

Not to mention it would is cost them millions of dollars if they did sell it without kinect. Thing is people are looking at it from the ignorant redneck perspective with the spying and all that when if they wanted to spy ve a they have a lot of other ways trust me.

instant_ramen_noodle4590d ago

I can agree with you there, but some rooms arent even big enough to use Kinect. Personally, my tv is 3 feet off the foot of my bed. so now i am forced to pay the money for this product that I will hardly be able to use.

Chaostar4590d ago

Wait, people are "ignorant rednecks" because they have privacy concerns?

Shadonic4590d ago

Hmm thats weird I edited it and it didnt save

creatchee4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

@Chaostar

"Wait, people are "ignorant rednecks" because they have privacy concerns?"

There is a very big difference between "privacy concerns" and "continuing to claim that Kinect will monitor you 24/7, report to the government every detail of your life, and never turn off," even though Microsoft has stated many times that none of those are the case.

Edit: and if you're afraid of Kinect, you should also ditch your cell phone, throw away your computer, and cut yourself off completely from any utilities and live off the grid in the woods somewhere. And just when you think you're safe...BOOM. Drone strike.

Shadonic4590d ago

At above comments yea you have a point I'm not sure about new space constraints but kinect use wont be limited to motion controls but yea I understand. to the redneck thing yea that was just my mind wandering so just ignore that.

wynams4590d ago

Thing is, wise people are really looking at Kinect as OPTIONS ARE GOOD! Who hates options? Love kinect, buy one ... don't ... you shouldn't have to pay for one.

Pretty simple, no need for names of baiting.

4590d ago
user55757084590d ago

@wynams

actually a wise person would point out that a mandatory peripheral is not actually an option

options come into play when things that go along with the console are sold...separately

BallsEye4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

@instant_ramen_noodle

What are you talking about? New Kinect got very big camera angle and can pick up people standing just 1 meter away from the camera. But lets put that aside. For core games you can sit on your couch or chair like you do normally and kinect will pick up all the things it neeeds to pick up such as your hand/head/eye/finger movements and you can do that even in the smallest room. Check out their FPS demo and you will see what I'm talking about. Tapping your temple with 2 fingers for X-RAy vision doesn't require a huge room.

trafalger4590d ago

if they dont want kinect then i guess they dont want a xbone. fair enough. thats why we have choices out there. no reason to be upset about it. the xbone will sell well regardless.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4590d ago
Shadonic4590d ago

Its a 50/50 between the games and kinect. Kinect for its functionality and the games for t here all around horridness. The streetfighter mod for kinect on PC looked like it worked well though and even though it was movement heavy it looked so fun. DBZ kinect COULD of been good but we were dealing with spike then even there non kinect games were trash.

creatchee4590d ago

I honestly don't want a non-Kinect Xbox One. The Kinect, love it or hate it, is part of the One's identity. Making it an option will mean less integration and advancement. I don't care about saving money on it - I want the full experience that they are going for with it.

GodGinrai4590d ago

I dont own a kinect for my 360 but I too am glad it is bundled. MS got plans. anybody that does not want a kinect on their console can just go buy a PS4 or a wii. I dont see the issue seeing as the gripes are coming from people that never had any intention of buying an X1 anyway.

fermcr4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

Microsoft should release a X1 without Kinect and a X1 with Kinect, let the consumer choose witch to purchase. Most gamers don't care for Kinect and are not willing to pay 500€ for a console with a add-on that they are not interested, when they could by a X1 without Kinect at much cheaper price like 350-400€.

I honestly don't understand Microsoft. Why the hell are they trying to shove Kinect down gamers throats, when most gamers don't care for Kinect. They will lose sales and it's just bad business. When Microsoft finally realizes this, it might be to late.

After all the bad press, Microsoft needs a 350-400€ console to compete.

Tyre4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

Well said femcr. They are alienating 80% of their fanbase by making it mandatory. I am an Xbox gamer and a PS gamer. I loved the Xbox360, Kinect was a superficial innovation and it sucked hard after using it for a while(all my friends left it collecting dust and were VERY dissapointed in the functions and the games, they felt like they were fooled by MS) Most people think it wasn't worth the Hype. MS has the wrong impressions because of the initial sales. They think people loved it, but that isn't so. Unfortunately MS thinks it is FANTASTIC and MS will leaves us gamers in a world with bad interfaces/repetitive strain injuries/back strains/broken furniture/a database of people's biometrics & voice profile for the NSA to blackmail you later & before i forget TV TV TV TV TV! keep hyping your up your lord Saruman, Blind N4G Xbox Trolls

Hicken4590d ago

Agree with you, fermcr. Motion controls just don't do well with me. (Yes, even the Move.)

It's pretty clear a lot of people would be more interested in the XB1 if it didn't have Kinect; I find it odd how many people around here say they'd be less interested if the XB1 DIDN'T have Kinect as a mandatory part of the system. I don't get that.

s8anicslayer4590d ago

The whole architecture of the xbox one was built with the Kinect as an integral component of the systems functionality and for them to ditch the kinect would take away not only their dignity but would also blindfold their visions of combining total living room immersion. Eventually people will see the idea if Kinect is successful next gen and once the system is established price cuts will come.

SilentGuard4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

since Kinect is such an integral component than you must not believe MS when they say you can turn it off

Tyre4590d ago

s8anicslayer You keep saying that, but do you really know that or believe that for certain? We don't know much, MS hasn't explained a GD thing. You sheeple are quoting Marketing nonsense, but the fact is you can do EVERYTHING with the controller too, why not make Kinect an option? MS should spread their chances and aim for a separate settopbox with Kinect instead of hijacking/using the gamers to infiltrate the living room, use another sucker for your cause, why invoke it on the gaming community? Plus we will not forget that they almost tried to kill our gaming freedoms for their Kinect cause. Here you are hyping the Kinect cause....Are you really THAT shallow? Do you really think they have changed? They do not give a $ht about the gamers, for real.

n4rc4590d ago

Ya screw this..

Heres the facts.. The people that want a Xbox one are seemingly all for kinect being included.. Most people that want it gone are the people that will find some other reason to not buy one..

Having kinect included is good for Microsoft and their customers.. If you don't like it, there is another option for you..

Tyre4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

@N4rc You keep telling yourself that, to make you feel better. I hate to burst your bubble, but most people i know (including me) were certain to buy the next XB UNTIL after the reveal, so we all had intentions to buy it. Not wanting it was because of the DRM & Mandatory Kinect. The Mandatory Kinect is the final argument. period. This is no simple hating, can't you get that through your thick skull? if Kinect is optional, i'll buy the system, it is THAT simple. I'm a gamer and have been a 360 gamer for 7.5 years now, i'd like to continue with Xbox, but Kinect & dishonesty gets in the way of gaming on Xbox. CAN'T YOU GET IT? Kinect makes gaming wack and Kinect will be the art of the MS war TO OWN OUR HOBBY, DA!

n4rc4590d ago

The second you said wack, I stopped paying attention..

Get this through your thick skull, kinect is part of Xbox now.. While your probably full of shit anyways, but even if your telling the truth..

Everyone that has helped Xbox one sell out want kinect.. Do you honestly think people want their plans ruined so you can save $100 of your parents money?

It not being included will kill its support.. Just like the move and kinect 1

Deal with it.. Or buy a ps4.. The idea that your wishes come before those that HAVE ordered it are childish and arrogant

JokesOnYou4590d ago

Nope Kinect isn't going anywhere and X1 is going to be better because its included in every box vs X1 with a optional Kinect peripheral.

MasterCornholio4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

I dont want to be a jerk but wasnt there a rumor of Microsoft reversing their DRM policy? And didnt Don Mattick (or was it Major Nelson) say it was impossible for them to reverse it?

When Microsoft shoots down a rumor i dont really believe them because they have been known to misinform the consumers in the past.

All im saying is that with the amount of policy reversals that Microsoft have been doing i find it extremely difficult to believe in anything that they say.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4590d ago
steves11264590d ago

Older story, but though i'd get your opinions.

HyperBear4590d ago

It would benefit Microsoft in the fact that I would be buying one, along with many others, who don't see the Kinect as part of their gaming experiences.

Plus, it would tell the world that Microsoft are committed to stand by the consumers and drop their NSA/PRISM/collecting data practices.

Tyre4590d ago

HyperBear, exactly. Making it optional will show they mean business in relation to the snooping and will remove all customer concerns about their integrity.

MasterCornholio4590d ago

Sometimes i ask myself if some people opinions are even valid in N4G........................... .

Dont get me wrong i love seeing other peoples opinions but sometimes those opinions end up being a bunch of mindless jarble.

MasterCornholio4590d ago

Sometimes i ask myself if some people opinions are even valid in N4G........................... .

thrust4590d ago

Please no, that would mean all the whiners would come back to Xbox and am looking forward to Xbox live being a nicer place without all the kids that could not afford the extra £80.

JBSleek4590d ago

No. When will these articles stop. There will be no sku in which there is no Kinect.

You either buy it with Kinect or you just are without an Xbox One.

Some of us actually want the Kinect and the features it brings.

Insomnia_844590d ago

Without Xbox One then, if that what Microsoft prefers.

Wanted Rogue4590d ago

A lot of people DO want Kinect and most of those being negative about it are missing the whole picture. It's not just about jumping about the room; it's about voice control, the subtleties of movement with the controller and yourself. For example, tilting yoru head to look around a corner in a FPS game, looking left and right whilst racing, moving the controller to activate another weapon and a bucket load more that the best developers in the world can come up with. I already use voice control to change team tactics in FIFA and it adds a humorous element when the commentary picks up my disgust at a bad refereeing decision.

As many have said, if you don't want it, don't buy it. I, like many, are quite excited by how the Kinect will enhance the more mainstream games. I think it is disappointing that Sony chose to drop the playstation eye as a method to undercut MS in the price war; if both platforms has the same features, developers would treat motion and voice as much of a given to gaming experiences as a game controller is today.

instant_ramen_noodle4590d ago

ok, but if i turn my head then im not looking at the TV... how will it help me if my kinect recognizes it and makes my character in game turn too? ill still be looking away from the screen. if it moved my tv, now that is an idea worth money. also, again, voice control is a great thing but a mic for voice control isnt worth the extra $100 above a ps4. If i turn my head away from the screen in an fps game... im dead. this isnt the oculus rift we are talking about. my tv is still in the same position that it was. I can go buy a PS eye for $60, still $40 cheaper than an Xbox One.

Tres214590d ago

give it up ppl r set on this hoping 4 a seperate sku hopefully it doesnt happen i look at it the same way wii was & no 1 can really deny that there were a few cool tricks it pulled off & some not so. at 1st i didnt think the wii would work but i got 1. its just some ppl lik features & some dont but it seems alot of ppl havent played a game before where u hav the option not 2 use those features if u chose.

devwan4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

How are ms supposed to make millions from targeted advertising and customer profiling if there's no camera watching you and your family while you watch TV and play your games?

Kinect 2.0 IS Xbox One, it cannot function without it.

There are reasons why it won't happen.

fermcr4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

Just like the always online and DRM on disk is the Xbox One! ... Oh wait...

It's software, they can reprogram the OS to remove the mandatory Kinect.

SilentGuard4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

You've nailed the real reason for mandatory Kinect. I understand the privacy/spying concerns people have with it in regards to the NSA, but the big issue with Kinect is it will be a data mining tool to allow MS to charge higher premiums for advertising. Example: MS will know how many people were in the room and how many saw the Doritos commercial. MS could also sell data it collects on its own to third parties. Example: how many people watched that new tv show. Think of the implications for ratings. This could supplement, if not replace, the Nielson ratings box.

Kinect is a gold mine for revenue and even if they sell fewer Xbox Ones they will more than make up for it. Of course MS isn't going to come out and say it, so they have to try and sell the consumer on it by touting the hollow features it "might" bring as an integral part of the experience. MS isn't including Kinect for what it can do for you; it's including it for what it can do for them.

Tyre4590d ago (Edited 4590d ago )

@SilentGuard Well said! Well said!

Show all comments (78)
90°

That’s It, I’m Calling It, Xbox Is Dead, Time Of Death February 20

If you read Kotaku even semi-regularly, you already know that Xbox has been in a weird spot for some time now. And with today’s news that both Xbox boss Phil Spencer and President Sarah Bond are leaving and the new head of the brand will be a former Meta exec who previously lead Microsoft’s AI division, I think it’s time to call it. Xbox is dead. Time of death: February 20, 2026

beerhound2d ago

"The report of my death was an exaggeration." = Mark Twain

derek1d 14h ago

"You would have to be alive first before dying" =
Me

Cacabunga1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

This brand died in the last 2 years of 360 since Kinect announcement.. downfall started all of a sudden until reaching the point of no return with xbox 1 DRM disasters

beerhound2d ago

"The report of my death was an exaggeration." - Mark Twain

BehindTheRows1d 20h ago

So ready to defend that you posted it twice.

In any event, I have a more accurate quote: "It's dead, Jim".

S2Killinit1d 18h ago

Also Mark Twain:
I have never wished death on anyone but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.

Zerobalance2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

God! Xbox dead again! Boring! Boring. Heard it all before.

InUrFoxHole2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

While I normally agree... The future of xbox is on shaky ground. Well, xbox as we know it. Im not sure what they are shooting for but who they put in charge mixed with Phil retiring and bond just flat out leaving. It's not looking good.

REDDURT2d ago

Im with you but in western countries I have noticed a trend to put women in control to prevent any kind of critics.

F0XH0UND9221d 20h ago

Does this coping mechanism normally work for you?

bsingle401d 18h ago

Get ready to hear it a lot more as the final nail goes home.

derek1d 14h ago

Copilot is running the xbox division now, its first official act was fire Spencer and Bond then sell Xbox for scraps.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 14h ago
Levii_922d ago

Oh come on, Xbox has been dead for at least 10 years now. I think what’s more important right now is Playstation’s death that is very slowly but surely happening through mismanagement and greed.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

Some what agree. Sony is in a better position to unf#$k themselves. Xbox isn't.

Levii_922d ago

True i agree with that, xbox's got nothing

ocelot072d ago

I actually agree sooner Hust is gone the better.

Levii_922d ago

He's being clowned on by the entire internet but i have been clowning on him way before he became CEO. I hate modern PS so much man. To this day i have no idea how Astro Bot happend in this terrible PS era but that was clearly a miracle.

Grilla2d ago

Delusional take, why do xbots always project Xbox’s problems onto PlayStation?

BehindTheRows1d 20h ago

Every. Time! They compare the closing of a studio (one I liked, mind you, but they know their business better than internet dwellers) to the departure of not one but TWO major figureheads at Xbox. On top of Xbox's other problems, they are also now selling their games everywhere (not just PC).

Sorry diehard Xbox fanatics, we've been down this road before. PlayStation has closed studios. It happens. Maybe they weren't pulling their weight. Maybe they have a restructure in place. What ever the case, it won't come any close to tanking their brand. Xbox isn't in that boat. As a piece of hardware, it is all but irrelevant (hanging on only because of Game Pass at this point). It serves no other purpose because you don't even need that console to play its games. If it was just Xbox/PC, that would be different, but here we are.

So, this isn't the SonyToo that y'all love to hang on. Things are not good for Xbox hardware. At all. It is about time to start accepting that.

0hMyGandhi2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Respectfully, This is probably one of my least favorite tactics in making an argument.
I'll give you an example: If I like the color red, it doesn't mean I hate the color blue.

People lamenting the (potential) demise of the xbox brand has nothing to do with sony or playstation. It has everything to do with xbox. Now, for the sake of argument, you could say that Sony and Microsoft are two peas in a pod, and that they've both made absolutely baffling and worryingly stupid decisions in the recent past. But I truly believe that Xbox would be shooting itself in the foot regardless of Sony's presence (I look at you, Xbox One reveal with always online DRM and the inability to share games).

Sony, on the other hand, is making stupid decisions to stay competitive with the market, and like Microsoft, is seemingly forcing by proverbial gunpoint talented developers to try to make the next GAAS experience and never learning their lesson. I believe that Microsoft squandering RARE is the equivalent of Sony squandering Naughty Dog. Neither platform really knows what they want to be, BUT Sony is alot further along in figuring it out before Microsoft pulls out another revolver and takes aim at another of it's own toes.

Agent751d 22h ago

Xbox died after the Xbox 360. The Xbox One was mediocre, the Series X was game shy. I'm glad Phil is retiring.

S2Killinit1d 19h ago

Exaggerated projection of xbox problems onto Sony. This is what gave xbox the extra slack all these generations to eventually run themselves into the ground.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 19h ago
The_Blue2d ago

This is why the views and comments are low, with lame articles that use divide-and-conquer pretensions.

ApexLanding231d 18h ago

To be fair "divide and conquer pretensions" have been present in the comment section of this website for years regardless of the articles title, composition or intent. It's therefore unlikely that's what's playing a part in low viewership and commenting.

Show all comments (41)
40°

Microsoft has revoked the DMCA takedown that forced an indie Minecraft-like off Steam

Microsoft claimed the indie game uses "Minecraft content."

90°

Microsoft Expects More Xbox Content and Services Revenue Decline Despite Game Pass Growth

During the conference call for Q2 of FY2026, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood talked about the future of the xbox business.

Read Full Story >>
simulationdaily.com
dveio25d ago

«partly offset by growth in Xbox Game Pass.»

I take it with a big grain of salt. They've been reporting nothing about GP, only words.

We still don't have any hardware numbers, no software units sold, no subscription numbers, no PC vs console GP, we don't have any profit numbers ... we literally have nothing but overall revenue and words.

Reaper22_25d ago

Does it really matter? Are you shareholder? Gamers have to stop acting like these companies owe us something. Its obvious everything is down. Thats completely normal in all businesses. It will be up and down again.

dveio25d ago

Yes, since they don't get tired spewing out word salad 12 months a year.

"Biggest launch", "millions of players", "growth of", "here look our revenue", "We buy ABK", "We'll bring you 1st party every quarter", "Biggest this, biggest that", "We always wanted to share games with everyone", "We're growing", "biggest launch", "millions of players", ... you get the point.

They either shut up.

Or deliver numbers like Nintendo, Playstation, hell even Tencent does.

On a sidenote:

Just years ago, Microsoft wanted to buy out a whole lot more than just Zenimax and ABK. They even wanted to push Sony out and collect Nintendo in.

You bet your butt I'm demanding numbers.

25d ago
Christopher25d ago (Edited 25d ago )

In an article discussing industry matters, telling people to not worry or want better information on the industry is antithesis to the whole point of it. I'm going to try this out with all those review articles. I mean, who cares about scores, just try it out for yourself, that's the only opinion that matters.

dveio25d ago

«In an article discussing industry matters, telling people to not worry or want better information on the industry is antithesis to the whole point of it.»

Well.

That's it.

Case closed!

Profchaos25d ago (Edited 25d ago )

He might be a shareholder you can get a etorro or whatever online platform about and throw 20 bucks into Microsoft boom shareholder

BehindTheRows25d ago (Edited 25d ago )

Yes, it matters. This is business! Some gamers have to stop acting like it only matters when the company they prefer wants to play ball.

Eonjay25d ago

The fact that shareholders are also in the dark im sure is also completely fine with you and Microsoft doesn't owe them anything either amirite? Not withstanding how silly and potentially inappropriate it is for someone to defend a public company from hiding sales information, you are also completely wrong.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 25d ago
dveio25d ago

@varora

Thank you.

For over 10 years we've been in those quarterly discussions.

Yet Nintendo and Playstation are the only manufacturers that deliver numbers, that deliver proof, that give us numerical baselines to either brag about or compliment them.

The only fraction that's been pulling doooozens of doooozens, hundreds and thousands of word salad bribberish comments out of their Xbox'clestotitis fan cloud is the die hard Xbox community.

And by doing that they're even defending that downward spiral Xbox is suffering from.

Bring the numbers buddies, or else just stfu.

Reaper22_25d ago

Nintendo and Playstation can deliver all the numbers they want. It doesnt matter much because hardware isn't the only way to make money in the industry. Maybe decades ago but not now. That's why you see sony putting more and more games on PC. They know its the games that keeps the money coming. Consoles stagnate but not the software.
The fact is that Microsoft was and is never gonna outsell them. The competition's console sales doesnt really affect Microsoft"s profit margin much if at all.. Look at how many more consoles sony sells and then go look at what they report in profit. The gap is nowhere near the gap in console sold. Hardware doesn't dictate market trends.

IRetrouk25d ago

Microsoft doesn't report xbox profit, so how can we compare them.......
Console sales lead to those software sales, thats not a theory its a fact, old days, these days... doesn't matter, one company is doing much better than the other, and thats partly because of said console sales...

rlow125d ago

I really think Call of Duty underperforming, the raise in subscription prices and Hoods ridiculous expectations of 30% return. Is what led to the lower numbers.

Reaper22_25d ago

Maybe, but COD sold 8 million on xbox which counted for 40% of the sales.

IRetrouk25d ago

Not even close to being true

BehindTheRows25d ago

Show us the article/sources with these sales numbers.

Chevalier25d ago

Could you show us the profit charts while you're at it? Would love to see this 'gap' you mentioned. Should be easy to show that right?

Eonjay25d ago

This whole report is confusing to me until I remember content and service are separate. Content went down... okay we get that because COD 'bombed' but Services went up because of the price increase which mitigated most of the lost from the cancelations. Okay got it.

I wouldn't blame the results on Amy but she sure as hell had unreasonable expectations.

GamePass has put Xbox in a bad position where the absolutely need PlayStation to make their numbers. So if a big game like COD bombs... they got a problem.

The fact that their service revenue (GamePass) can't drive growth on its own is a huge red flag. That was supposed to be the whole point.

25d ago Replies(1)