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Dear Kinect... please forgive me

When they slapped a price tag on you the wrong side of £100 I nearly choked on my lunch. That was it for me: they'd knocked you out before you'd even had chance to sing the bum note I was so sure you would.

Anyway, my point - and this isn't easy for me to say - is that I was wrong. At least, I was sort of wrong.

All right, you sold millions instantly. Good for you - you're not a flop in the technical sense, and you spent a long weekend with my boss and managed to win him over. Well played - cunning tactics, but I still think you're a bit of a family floozy with a lacklustre library of games.

Sorry, this is supposed to be an apology.

What I'm trying to say is... when I watched a video of you last night controlling a fully functioning robot by reading someone's movements in real time, I have to admit I was impressed.

Real time 3D worlds? Virtual reality? Flying AI robots? You never told me you could do any of this.

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computerandvideogames.com
NoobSessions5602d ago

I love the way he talks to Kinects like its a person.

Made my day, but then again, its still morning.

Dark_Charizard5602d ago

Yeah.. well written article, good read.

Maybe I should kill you with my flamethrower... Will that be enough?

NoobSessions5602d ago

Silly Charizard, you are a flying type.

Dark_Charizard5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

lol... but I have the higher stats, and can learn Earthquake.

Below: point taken. Looks like I'll see u at the gym in cinnabar!

NoobSessions5602d ago

Ash's Pikachu is like level 500 by now, so Im prety sure I have better stats. :]

RBlaze5602d ago

Bubbles, Bubbles for both!!

"Silly Charizard, you're a flying type". Response "I can learn earthquake!"

LOVE THAT! Anyone who doesn't know Pokemon would be like 'Flying type... The F**k?!'.

And yeah it was a pretty good read! (The article I mean!)

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5602d ago
darthv725602d ago

it does respond to voice so I guess it makes sense to talk to it like that. Sweet talk it a little and it will nod in response.

Edito5602d ago

Yeah i liked that too its a very creative way of talk about it.

Godmars2905602d ago

The thing is we don't know if it can do any of that - on the Xbox. That if it can then to what extent and level. Nevermind how long it will take to implement the many features hackers have found into an actual game.

ProjectVulcan5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

Arguably it cant do a lot of this on 360 because of it's USB controller bandwidth limitation http://www.eurogamer.net/ar... That won't stop it on PC or on a next gen microsoft machine. It also has no games on Pc yet that exploit it anyway, just rather gimmicky hacks. These reasons are why i'll not buy one until it has real practical use and impressive games.

I fear despite the likelihood it'll perform better and be able to exploit more of its potential on PC or another generation console platform microsoft will only end up creating kinect 2 and making this obsolete after just a few years.

darthv725602d ago

I believe both the pc and 360 use the same usb spec. Perhaps you are meaning processing power of the 360?

ProjectVulcan5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

''The Kinect camera is quite a high res camera, so we actually asked that we have access to the higher res picture. But they can't give the full resolution picture, at the full frame-rate, because of the USB 2.0 connection. It's just the technicalities of the Xbox''

Most new computers are shifting to the USB 3.0 standard, or will this year. PC with USB 2.0 ports do not share bandwidth in that their maximum bandwidth appears to be heavily strangled when used simultaneously as has been demonstrated on 360. Its certainly the sort of thing you might do on a console to save money when building it, as at the time all these full speed USB ports would not seem important.

darthv725602d ago

when connected to a pc, the kinect could run at full usb speed but on the 360 it runs only at full if it is the only thing connected to the usb? I always wondered what mode the 360 usb ports run in. I know it isnt low (USB 1 speed) but if you are saying it isnt high either then how much bandwidth does the 360 usb xfr?

Not sure if it mattered but those who had the hddvd player were getting the movie streamed through the same usb and the processing and output were done by the 360. Or so it would seem simply by how it is all connected. HDDVD movies in high res 1080i/p were possible and at 24-30 fps.

Kinect with its processing and 360 with its processing should be able to work things out to produce the high res the unit is capable of at the very minimal of 24-30 fps.

ProjectVulcan5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

I dont know how much bandwidth USB is on offer on 360 exactly however we do know it is supposedly USB2.0. Theoretically on a USB2.0 PC if you use them all up then they will slow down sharing the bus but generally most people dont need to have a load of hard drives connected like that at once via USB, generally the quality of such a bus on a PC would be better and faster anyway I.e components, controller.

However, the article claims microsoft have capped the bandwidth for kinect @ around 20mb/s on 360, one can only assume this is because they probably have to account for the lowest common denominator. Possibly older machines using USB wifi adaptors or even people using a USB drive for saves/installs and such that kinect games would presumably want to be accessing these features simultaneously at some point...not a problem that the HD DVD add on would have to deal with.

Physically it seems 360 just does not possess the USB bandwidth to allow kinect to run full resolution like it would on a PC because microsoft have to account for other peripherals sharing that bandwidth.

USB3.0 would easily fix this potential weakness, its maximum practical throughput is 10 times that of USB2.0. Course that would mean a new console.

darthv725602d ago

I have my wifi hooked to the hddvd drive and always thought it was running the full speed shared by both devices. I know that the more usb devices that get attached, the speed adjusts to balance all in use.

In fact I have a usb flash drive for my profile as well as the wifi/hddvd connected. Makes me wonder if kinect would lag more with all that stuff connected to the same bus.

USB 3.0 most likely will be a part of the next gen of consoles like it is pc's.

ProjectVulcan5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

Real world, practical maximum speed of USB2.0 is only about 40mb/s. USB2.0 as a standard is over 10 years old! The average sort of performance you are likely to get over it is 35mb/s, engineers probably would not count on having any more than this at one given moment.

Most of these USB flash drives have already hit that ceiling in read speed, so as you have noticed no doubt, a lot of them are labelled USB3.0 because they can deliver superior performance over the newer standard.

HD DVD's maximal total AV bitrate is around 30mb/s (Bluray is around 50mb/s). Even if a wireless internet connection achieved 50 meg or around 6mb/s, USB2.0 could handle it reasonably well

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5602d ago
Kon5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

That was very strange...

Close_Second5602d ago

All the good Kinect stuff seems to be happening on the PC.

Kon5602d ago

True. I hope Kinect get an official release on PC soon.

Wikkid6665602d ago

True... but the point of the pc hacks is the potential that is shown. With a little creative work the future is bright for Kinect.

ALFAxD_CENTAURO5602d ago (Edited 5602d ago )

Already PrimeSense (the same company of Kinect) will release the camera for PC, WAVI Xtion:
http://www.pcworld.com/arti...

darthv725602d ago

where everything game related gets its start?

I just realized something. There is a movie from many years ago called "Toys" with robin williams. In that movie there was this secret project that involved kids playing video games but it was a cover for them actually flying and controlling robotic military craft.

Kinect....the link to robotic warfare from your living room.

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20°

Joy Ride Turbo - The Beginning of the End for Xbox Kinect

Joy Ride Turbo launched 10 years ago today. The first title was Xbox Kinect exclusive, yet this sequel failed to support the device at all.

300°

10 of the Biggest Video Game Hardware Failures Ever

Cultured Vultures: "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal, and no matter how much developers might try, some gaming hardware just fails to hit the mark. We’ve compiled a list of 10 gaming hardware fails, and boy did some fail hard."

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culturedvultures.com
Knightofelemia1579d ago

I would label the Power Glove, Kinect, and that Tony Hawk skateboard more as hardware addons hardware failure would be like the Virtual Boy and one day Stadia.

Magog1579d ago

Kinect was bundled with every Xbox One and inflated the price on an already underpowered and low RAM machine so for the One it wasn't an accessory as much as a white elephant.

CaptainHenry9161579d ago (Edited 1579d ago )

Definitely the RROD but that power glove had a lot of issues as well. The Kinect just didn't work

1579d ago
CrimsonWing691579d ago

Hardware add-ons are more like RAM or a video card, basically components that enhance capabilities or performance of the computer.

If you really want to get technical the Kinect is more of a peripheral device, kind of like a keyboard or mouse to a computer.

ThatsGaming1579d ago

The person in this article obviously is not up on their gaming history....

Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Coleco Gemini, Commodore 128, Commodore Amiga, Atari 5200, Atari 7800 were all massive failures and in most cases cost their companies participating in future gaming generations.

Gamer791579d ago

Sega saturn (successful in Japan) and dreamcast were not failures.
Seems like you're not up on you're gaming history

septemberindecember1578d ago

@Gamer79

How in the world are the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast not seen as failures? They both sold around 8M each, which is much lower than the ~30M that the Genesis had sold before it, and even the Master System before that. They were both the worst selling consoles in their respective generation (PS1, N64 outsold Saturn, PS2, GC, and Xbox outsold Dreamcast). Both of the consoles were incredibly short lived. The Saturn was discontinued in every territory but Japan after just three years. In Japan the console was discontinued after six years. Meanwhile the Dreamcast was discontinued worldwide in 2001 after launching in most territories in 1999 and in Japan in 1998. The failure of the Saturn and Dreamcast lead to Sega pulling out of the hardware market. Which, by the way, all of this occurred when Sega was massively dropping the price of their consoles quickly to compete. Sega was hemorrhaging money at this point.

None of this indicates a successful console. Saying the Saturn was a success because it did better in Japan is like saying the Vita is a success (they both sold around the same amount of units in Japan). Even the Wii U outsold these consoles worldwide.

Magog1579d ago

The picture should be the 360 RROD. When I think of gaming hardware failures that's what springs to mind. Kinect and it's bundled price tag definitely hobbled the already underpowered Xbox One though for sure so I would give it a close second place.

porkChop1579d ago (Edited 1579d ago )

That's not what the author means by failures. It's about hardware that failed in terms of sales (Wii U) or just failed to deliver on its promise (Kinect).

Magog1579d ago (Edited 1579d ago )

Given that the 360 had a year head start, much easier hardware to develop for, was cheaper, and still ended up in third place I think it qualifies especially when you factor in the frustration and huge losses incurred by RROD.

porkChop1579d ago

Selling over 80 million consoles isn't a sales flop. We get it, you don't like Xbox, but that doesn't mean the 360 is suddenly a failure.

Rhythmattic1578d ago

Porky....
You know how many people I know bought a 2nd or third 360 due to RROD? Even when MS had to confront the issue with replacement systems, my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in, and waiting for a replacement.,,..,..
If that's how you consider it a win... OK.. but so is having 5 , of which 3 don't function.... Its a win win....mwhahahahaha

porkChop1578d ago

"my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in"

You're acting like it would take months. When I sent my 360 in I got a new one literally 5 days later. As soon as MS had tracking confirmation that you sent yours, they'd send a new one to you the same day. No one is going to spend hundreds to buy a new console instead of waiting a week. I swear you guys pull some of the dumbest shit out of nowhere and think people will actually believe it.

Regardless, none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about.

Rhythmattic1577d ago (Edited 1577d ago )

Porky
"You're acting like it would take months"
Sometimes it could.. FFS.. 'Strya here...
Best turnaround I reckon was 2-3 weeks.....
Either way, My mates experiences still exist.. So Sorry, no point trying to earn Xbox Achievements when it doesn't feature in what was a situation you never dealt with,,,,
3 of my friends would disagree (overall, 10 extra Xboxes purchased)
Regardless.. MS sold a lot of 360's that was due to this reason.. That is sales. Fact

"none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about."
Headline says HELLO !
Oh and "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal," that's enough to pass this on without taking your article bias into consideration.....
As for the rest.... Ok.. But you've actually gone out of your way to give MS a Pass... Fap on.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1577d ago
Aloymetal1579d ago (Edited 1579d ago )

Yup, and because of that big fiasco MS had to fork out 1 billion but knowing them I think they're very proud of the 360, it's the only time a MS console reached 80mil+ sales, RROD played a big part of that and a record they will never break again.

Rhythmattic1578d ago (Edited 1578d ago )

So true.. Even when MS accepted they where caught out in the biggest lie of any generation, The wait for a replacement was outweighed by just buying another, and having one be returned as a backup, which, btw, generally failed on first swap.
I own honestly can't believe MS tards are just supporting , or arguing why and what MS did by just dismissing it....

lonewolf101579d ago

Lol I had the Atari Jaguar, surprised its "competition" the 3DO isn't on the list too, both as "popular" as each other.

SullysCigar1579d ago

Lol same. Played the crap out of Aliens Vs Predator and Tempest 2000 .... aaand that's about it really!!

lonewolf101579d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell1579d ago

Agreed, I never actually saw a 3DO make it to retailers in the UK. At least the Atari Jaguar was sold for around 6 months.

lonewolf101579d ago

It made it to some my brother got one, fared just as well as the Jaguar so most probably hard to find in general.

darthv721579d ago

3do had way better games. Jaguar not so much. Neo Geo sold less than both and yet isnt considered a failure. Go figure.

LWOGaming1579d ago

Stadia is a weird one. It hasn’t sold at all well but in terms of how it works it’s still miles ahead of Xcloud in terms of stability and performance. Xcloud is still a way behind and that needs sorting but it will be in time. Stadia for me is one of those things that will go down as a what could have been moments. With better marketing it could have been a roaring success. I still play it and it remains the best place in my opinion to play CyberPunk 2077. Only platform I have played it on without having any issues at all. The tech is great. The concept is fine. Marketing terrible. Shame really.

Magog1579d ago

The sales model was awful. They should have teamed with an existing player to allow for local and cloud access to games or a gaming subscription service.

LWOGaming1579d ago

It was a strange mess from such a huge company, as I said, as a system it works really well but without gamers it’s nothing. Such a waste,

LWOGaming1579d ago

The Xbox One was Microsoft’s Nintendo Wii U. Undercooked, undersold and just an unholy mess. The thing is with any of these failures is to learn from them and thankfully both Nintendo and Xbox did just that to the benefit of gamers everywhere.

Show all comments (39)
120°

Pivotal Decisions in Gaming History - Xbox Goes All-In on Kinect

Xbox 360's Kinect had flopped yet Microsoft insisted on mandatory Kinect for Xbox One, driving the price up and alienating their potential customers.

Read Full Story >>
techstomper.com
darthv721756d ago

the tech was pretty damn good but their focus on making it the centerpiece was not. Had they opted to keep it as a secondary or even tertiary device, it may have found new use for AR/VR.

PrimeVinister1756d ago

Maybe. But they were two early for VR and too late for motion control

1756d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901756d ago

Their focus was marketing metrics. Information gathering for targeted advertising. Also "event curating" or head counting for special TV events. If MS had had their way with always online and mandatory Kinect pre COVID, as and during it they'd likely be turning into dominant presence in many Western homes. Be getting subsidized by Disney and other streamers as well as the NFL.

Thing was, Kinect as an actual game system, its games, just weren't ready. MS moved on it too soon. Thankfully.

Atticus_finch1756d ago

Sorry but it was incredibly bad for gaming. The thing barely worked as intended and the games were broken shovelware. And let's not forget all the lies from Xbox to try and sell it. What happened to Milo?
It's like Xbox it's a perpetual lying machine.

PrimeVinister1756d ago

I had almost forgotten about Milo. It looks so unbelievable in retrospect. How did anyone believe it?!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1755d ago
TheEnigma3131756d ago

Kinect requirement, TV focused, DRM, and $100 buried Xbone before it even stared.

PrimeVinister1756d ago (Edited 1756d ago )

I think Kinect was the worst of the bunch. They reversed DRM overnight and try to play down the TV stuff when they realised it made them look disinterested in gaming.

Kinect stuck around for six months, preventing sales and making more and more people upset when they dropped the Kinect and the price.

Atticus_finch1756d ago

Don't forget the inferior hardware which affects their game development to this day.
And the constant boasting and lying that hasn't change very much to this day.

kayoss1756d ago

I was kind of excited for the kinect. It had potential. That was until i tried it at one of their Microsoft store. The thing was so laggy and worker who was there, had no clue what he was doing. It kind of made rethink about buying an Xbox One with Kinect.

PrimeVinister1756d ago

I had already been turned off of the idea by Kinect for 360. Even when it worked, the games were bad and showed no potential.

Wii made you understand what they were going to do with it within about 10 seconds of Wii Sports. It went on to become a bit of a joke but at least it worked and had a purpose.

Thundercat771756d ago

The damage to the Xbox brand was so hard that til this day they are just the last place brand in the market.

PrimeVinister1756d ago

Totally. They haven't been really all that relevant since.

Godmars2901755d ago

That has to do with repeatedly failing, having to reaffirm only to again fail at creating a competent flow of decent games.

@PrimeVinister:
Until Game Pass and BC are mentioned. Only for the point to be missed.

kayoss1755d ago

thats because they dont know what they want to be. A gaming console, Television, or a gaming service?

Godmars2901755d ago

@kayoss:
They wanted, expected, to be Steam. To have everyone coming to them and paying for the privilege. That's the exact mentality on display when they tried to push always online.

brewin1755d ago

Its sad because the Xbox one version of Kinect was actually pretty solid. Not for motion games, I couldnt care less about those, but for the other features that are now commonplace in the gaming ecosystem. Things like voice control and optional motion features in games. Stuff that Sony did with the PS camera was pretty sweet and they could have done some of that stuff with Kinect.

The tech was pretty sweet when implemented right though. Who remembers the implementation in Dead Rising 3?! You could lure zombies away by saying stuff into the kinect, it was a bit hokey at first, but it actually enhanced the game significantly once you learned all the different voice commands. There was and still is nothing else like that!

The focus on TV seemed to be an issue for people, but the TV pass through had some real potential. They could have had cable companies giving the XBone out instead of cable boxes! I understood what they were trying to do, but they needed to show the games too, and thats where they lost the core gamers. Being able to jump right to a sports event or TV show with out leaving the console was actually a pretty cool thing. I spent many nights switching between NHL games or TV shows and jumping right back into my games seamlessly, just by telling Kinect to do so. It was better than people care to admit, but I loved it!

People say XBone had no games, but on launch I got Dead Rising 3, AC Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Killer Instinct, Battlefield 4, Forza 5, and Ryse. That was actually a pretty solid lineup in hindsight! Then later on it got gems like Quantum Break, Dead Rising 4, Sunset Overdrive, Gears 4 and 5, the Ori games, Rare Replay, Forza Horizon 3/4, State of Decay 2, ReCore (SUPER UNDERRATED GEM), Halo 5, Halo Wars 2, and all the great 3rd party stuff as well! I dare anyone who sat on the Xbox One to go back and give it a shot now.

It was actually a pretty great console all things considered. Yes the PS4 had better 1st party stuff, stuff that MS just couldnt top or even compete with, but there are some really great games that a lot of people missed out on that they would probably really enjoy if they actually played them. Thats why I recommend a Series S and Gamepass to a lot of people, as its a great way to get an awesome lineup pf games for super cheap!

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