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Rome Total War on Kinect With Voice Recognition

demize2010 released yet another Kinect hack and this time he is playing Rome Total War. The special feature of this hack is that he is also using voice commands. Microsoft designed Kinect with a mic and Xbox 360 already supports voice commands to a great extent and now we are seeing it on PC in this hack which is good progress. Check out the video…

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kinecthacks.net
eggbert5596d ago

Kewlio.

So far I haven't seen a single kinect hack that would make me think I'd rather use the kinect than my mouse. So far it looks like it'd be a fun change for a while, but the Mouse+ keyboard would much better control over things.

disturbing_flame5596d ago

Ok now that's interesting, we see that having a controller can be more effective in terms of gameplay, that's interesting because kinect is totally not about that, it's its negation.
So what we do ? We continue to say that controllers are not necessary ?

eggbert5596d ago

Using a controller is probably the only effective way that they'd get movement into games like FPS's, TPS's, etc.

I'm not against the idea of a separate controller (or even using the 360 controller for that matter) but it doesn't seem like Microsoft is steering in that direction. It looks like microsoft is focusing solely on the casuals with kinect, so the only "core" games you'd get for kinect would probably be from 3rd party developers. The problem I see with this is that none of the 3rd party developer's seem interested in making an actual core game, especially if it is going to require a separate peripheral for movement (as Disturbing_flame and I mentioned) that Microsoft might not even endorse.

I've had fun with my cousin's Kinect sports and Dance Central games, but after playing it for a few hours I don't see myself playing those games ever again unless there is some kind of social event going on. This is nothing against the 360/kinect though, there are tons of Wii titles and some Move titles that suffer from the same problem. Many of the Wii games are simply not fun to play when by yourself, and games like Start the Party/Sports Champions suffer the same low replayability as Dance Central/Kinect sports once you hit the high scores/beat the challenges.

Kind of unrelated, but I keep thinking of that Virtual Reality glove from Heavy Rain now.

disturbing_flame5596d ago

@ eggbert : agree.

And i'm not anti Kinect, just i see the negation of possibilities for a marketing strategy with kinect, it works then it's cool for microsoft.

But Kinect is better with a controller that's what the video shows us.

MAJ0R5596d ago

yeah Kinect + controller would definitely be interesting

Ryudo5596d ago

@eggbert

So it would be better to control this avatar using a mouse?

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Be honest no it wouldn't.

livinwitbias5596d ago

Ryudo- That is cool, imagine an RPG with that type of character control.

Some of these guys see a chance to say something negative about Kinect and they can't resist.

You don't see 1/4 as many 360 fans whining about Move. Hell you don't even hear much from PS3 fans praising move, they'd much rather bash Kinect.

eggbert5596d ago

Guess I should've specified that by hack I meant game. Sorry for the misleading post.

>_<

I mainly play RPG/Strategy games, with the occasional FPS thrown in there. Most of these require either character movement or camera movement.

iamnsuperman5596d ago (Edited 5596d ago )

still needs some sort of mouse. nice try tho works good but if u gunna use a mouse u might as well use a keyboard

Kon5596d ago

These hack are improving. Good work.

Godmars2905596d ago (Edited 5596d ago )

And still MS has not bothered to respond to the obvious question: if regular people are doing hacks on this level with Kinect, why wasn't such shown or even hinted at in demos much less the launch titles?

And yeah, I know I'm going to get disagrees just to get disagrees.

Ravenor5596d ago

Your comment doesn't deserve any disagree, the kinect games released on the consoles haven't shown anything really "new". Maybe at least trying to integrate Kinect into games that it makes sense to do so? Something like RUSE might have been a decent start, I can see games like that possibly working well.

livinwitbias5596d ago (Edited 5596d ago )

Unless you know what Microsoft is doing behind the scenes, you are simply running your mouth.

Perhaps they should spill all of their development secrets to the public so that you will feel better?

Godmars2905596d ago

I know that with the amount of time they've spent hyping it, its sad that they've left such an obvious gap for the question to be asked.

Ravenor5596d ago

Because the current line up of Kinect games and announced Kinect enabled games really shows that Microsoft is interested in pushing boundaries.

http://www.giantbomb.com/ki...

Of those games the only one that looks vaguely interesting is Steel Battalion. A good portion of it is child friendly party games or Fitness games, this is a brand new peripheral something that MS wants to catch on. It needs games that are worthy of the hype that it's built up and it needs to show that interesting things are being worked on, MS MUST talk about whats coming to the Kinect or why is anyone going to continue suggesting it?

livinwitbias5596d ago

Godmars, Ravenor,

Damn dudes pump your brakes! The device only came out this past November, you dudes talk as if it's been out over a year.

Godmars, the same thing can be said about many things. I mean seriously they way sony and ps3 fanboys hyped God of war 3 and especially GT5, they should both be over 10 Million sold each by now. Using your "hyping" theory that is. (I personally think they are both doing fine and I like them both.)

Ravenor, first off what is wrong with Child friendly and fitness games? I have kinect and I love it, let me see you play kinect sports with a leveled up Avatar and come out claiming it's child friendly.

Me personally, I enjoy playing a game that my Son can play with me, perhaps the reason I disagree with you is because I am in a different place in my life than you are. I have compassion for all gamers, old, young, male, female, etc. And for me the games that provide me with the most fun are the games where my entire family is having a blast.

I catch up with my boys to play halo, call of duty, Madden and things like that also, but that's the "OTHER" type of fun I have gaming. (core gamer fun, the hardcore monicar is complete bullshit.)

Open your mind to something besides yourselves and you would better be able to realize that you're not the only person that developers and publishers need to appeal to.

Let's allow all gamers to have fun and stop being such bitching bettys.

sp1deynut5596d ago

These are just hacks...nothing more. They'd already announced PC support, when Natal was first shown, and again when Kinect was announced last year. This really has nothing to do with the 360, other than showing potential uses of Kinect in future titles, barring any PC-centric limitations.
At this point, NOBODY knows exactly what is in the works, aside from the titles announced in Tokyo last summer. We DO know Ghost Recon: FS will have some support, which will likely come in the form of voice and/or hand controls for commands. An RTS would work with Kinect, no problem.
MS trolls like yourself will be eating crow soon enough though...of that, I'm sure.

kevnb5596d ago

They are mods, not hacks. nothing was circumvented here.

kevnb5596d ago

Because the pc mod.community has more talent than anyone working at microsoft. And again these arent hacks, nothing is being circumvented.

ATiElite5596d ago

Dam right the PC Modding community is smarter than everyone at Microsoft (well except Bill Gates) but they may pass him any moment if they continue improving the CORE abilities of Kinect.

If it wasn't for the PC Modding community Kinect would only be good for exercise games and Dance Dance whatever the hell that game is. PC gamers have given Kinect a CORE use. As a PC gamer I plan on buying the Asus version of Kinect cause I have several uses for this tech in regards to my HTPC plus other mods.

If Kinect was a Valve product, Valve would have hired some of these Modders but unfortunately Kinect belongs to Microsoft so I expect more PC denouncing or a lawsuit because M$ is not too bright.

livinwitbias5595d ago

Using your same ridiculous logic, does that also mean modders/hackers of the PS3 are smarter than "anyone" at Sony?

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kevnb5596d ago

This is not a hack at all, sorta neat but not a hack.

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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
Knightofelemia1578d 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.

Magog1577d 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.

CaptainHenry9161577d ago (Edited 1577d ago )

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

1577d ago
CrimsonWing691577d 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.

ThatsGaming1577d 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.

Gamer791577d ago

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

septemberindecember1577d 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.

Magog1577d 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.

porkChop1577d ago (Edited 1577d 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).

Magog1577d ago (Edited 1577d 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.

porkChop1577d 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.

Rhythmattic1576d 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

porkChop1576d 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.

Rhythmattic1576d ago (Edited 1576d 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.

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Aloymetal1577d ago (Edited 1577d 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.

Rhythmattic1576d ago (Edited 1576d 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....

lonewolf101577d ago

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

SullysCigar1577d ago

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

lonewolf101577d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell1577d 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.

lonewolf101577d 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.

darthv721577d ago

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

LWOGaming1577d 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.

Magog1577d 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.

LWOGaming1577d 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,

LWOGaming1577d 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.

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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.

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techstomper.com
darthv721754d 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.

PrimeVinister1754d ago

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

1754d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901754d 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_finch1754d 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.

PrimeVinister1754d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1754d ago
TheEnigma3131754d ago

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

PrimeVinister1754d ago (Edited 1754d 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_finch1754d 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.

kayoss1754d 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.

PrimeVinister1754d 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.

Thundercat771754d ago

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

PrimeVinister1754d ago

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

Godmars2901754d 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.

kayoss1754d ago

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

Godmars2901753d 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.

brewin1753d 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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