390°

Unlike Sony and Nintendo, Microsofts Wants More than the Gamers

Tribune writes: "It’s 2011 and by now all three major console manufacturers have released their hard-ware with their peripherals. The Wii with it’s remote controller, the Playstation with it’s move and of course Microsoft with their Kinect. While all three now have their gimmicky additions, Microsoft is looking to expand it’s non-controller technology the Kinect to the businesses. How you wonder?"

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playtribune.com
ThatGuyInTheHat4559d ago

Sounds like Microsoft..always wanting to be ahead of the competition.

Ziriux4559d ago

You have to offer more than just gaming on a console these days. This is why the long term life and software for the Nintendo will not make it a prime consoles a year or so from now.

saladthieves4559d ago

Precisely, and Microsoft is a prime example of your statement. They started out with a main focus on games and gaming. Then they started broadening their horizons into other ventures such as TV shows, movie rentals etc.

Now with the integration of Kinect + Big on Xbox 360, I say they can do more stuff now.

4559d ago
darthv724559d ago

That isnt the point of egidem's statement. In fact it usually isnt about who does it first its about who can sell it best. So far MS has turned their foray into the video games business into a fully vested interest into entertainment.

Does anybody care that it was AMD that hit the magic 1000MHz mark before Intel? Not really as we have long since moved on. So as you say it was sony that did this first or that is a moot point. Entertainment has evolved beyond that time and we are starting to see what the future holds.

4559d ago
Wh15ky4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

@egidem and darth72

The article is about Microsoft releasing a commercial version of kinect, what are you guys on about?

It doesn't sound too dissimilar to sonys move.me, so I really don't know what the articles title is all about either???

mcstorm4558d ago

@burt

You need to look back at console history before caliming sony offered more on there consoles 1st before anyone else the amiga32 cdo would play music amd video cds and were out before the ps1. Yes the ps2 offered cd and dvd playback but the xbox offered playing mp3 files of your own in your game as well as online gaming before the ps2 did. But the point is sony did not do everything we see today no company has its all a mix of each other and a few of there own ideas.

But the xbox was cerated by ms to be the device bill gates talked about for years. This was a device that woud play games videos music as well as be linked to the internet and friends. With the new xbox dash offering full voice control and bing it also brings the console closer to bill gates dream too.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4558d ago
smurfz4559d ago

Until Apple eventually releases a gaming system.

morganfell4559d ago

I have to discount this article immediately. Sony made as the centerpiece of their console a hardware item that wasn't about gaming but about a different entertainment genre - movies. The PS3 was used to market (successfully) a new disc format aimed at movie fans. Yes it has gaming advantages, but the focus was a new MOVIE format.

Sony committed their new game console to assist in this venture. It isn't possible to deny this move went after non-gamers.

lorianguy4559d ago

They did once..but it failed... they dominate mobile gaming though. At least until the Vita :P

saladthieves4559d ago

Nobody wants an Apple game console. Heck, Apple is arrogant enough to think that their iPhones, iPads and iPods are more than capable of playing in the big leagues now.

gamingdroid4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

***I have to discount this article immediately. ***

What about the article are you discounting?

***Sony made as the centerpiece of their console a hardware item that wasn't about gaming but about a different entertainment genre - movies.***

Well, Sony made who knows what initially! I don't think Sony even knew as they touted it as not a gaming console, but some kind of supercomputer with multiple HDMI outputs that you would work extra to afford. Just ask Ken Kutaragi!

Sony was definitely successful in driving Blu-Ray into the market via PS3 and then later with a huge bag money to buy over the movie studios.

However, as it stands PS3 is definitely marketed as a gaming console and less of an all in one entertainment device, despite it's broader capability.

Godmars2904559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

@gamingdroid:

Sony started with the PS2 and its DVD drive. Had it playing movies right out the box where MS introduced a kit after people figured out how to hack it.

They've also been talking about media centers since then as well.

Edit:
Honestly, between BR and the browser while MS couldn't wait to install HD-DVD yet made an add-on, needed five years to implement system applications, you really think that its MS who have been leading the MM charge all this time?

Edit@egidem:
For all the $1-5 game sales apple has managed to generate they certainly think they can compete with $60 title [/sarcasm]

nondecaf4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

@gamingdroid

Oh really!then what is this.

darthv724559d ago

sony's biggest success with adding in movie abilities was not with the ps3. It was the ps2. We all should know this. The bluray in the ps3 was a givin but it was not adopted at the same rate as DVD.

PS2 helped put DVD into many peoples homes that couldnt afford the more expensive stand alone units. The ps3 had somewhat of a stalled effect. It helped but stand alone units were cheaper. No discredit to the ps3 as it did help the cause but even sony knew they had a problem when it wasnt flying off the shelves at the same rate their highly successful PS2 did.

Now it's as if it isnt marketed as much for its bluray which is understandable because you can get basic players for real cheap. They do have the advantage in marketing of movies as there is no other console that can be proudly displayed as (Plays on your bluray and Playstation 3".

Wh15ky4558d ago

@gamingdroid

I seem to remember sony marketing the ps3 in the early days as an all in one entertainment hub and more than just a gaming console. The adverts in those days seemed a bit disjointed and confusing IMO, but in hindsight I think they were just a bit ahead of themselves.

When I first bought the ps3 it was by no means an all in one entertainment device (although it was the most affordable blu ray player on the market, it came with a HDD as standard so I was able to upload music and it gave me the ability to search the internet on my tv), but since then we have seen some major additions here in the uk including: Home, Vidzone, psn movie store, bbc iplayer, itv.player, 4od and lovefilm. With the exception of Home I use all those services regularly.

"However, as it stands PS3 is definitely marketed as a gaming console and less of an all in one entertainment device, despite it's broader capability."

Here in the uk every lovefilm advert mentions the ps3.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4558d ago
showtimefolks4559d ago

but than don't complain when Xbox becomes more of a living room machine than a true gaming console. I mean seriously open your eyes MS is trying to turn all their ganmes into kinect games look at next Fable

next year is halo 4 and that's in fall what about rest of 11 months?

I have a dish/cable for TV
computer for browsing web and stuff
bluray/dvd for entertainment

I want my gaming console to provide games. In the USA people hold MS to different standards than Nintendo and sony just because MS is an american company

So if MS want to sell me a home entertainment system with xbox360 than that's all and good but make sure it gets a healthy dose of exclusive games, because wii-u and next ps will also have all the 3rd party content so each system has to do something different otherwise if next xbox will be about the same 3-4 exclusives and rest of the time its about multi-platform games than why not buy a ps4/wii-u for something different

invest some money and buy some small studios and let them work on some budget 39.99 games for xbox to get into the action

and i know many will disagree with me but all the money MS pay to activision for exclusive dlc could go towards making a complete exclusives game

gamingdroid4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

I like Kinect, but realize a lot of "hardcore" gamers don't, but there are plenty of games coming out for the Xbox 360.

That said, you don't have to look to far to see that Xbox 360 games are dominating the sales chart. Clearly there are games and people are buying it droves.

I have never once had issues finding games to play as there is a huge library out there. It's not like it's the first year of the console release here... We all remember that, don't we?

You were lucky to get a dusin of games, and usually only a few of them would be worth playing.

Either way, personally I really like all the extra services MS is providing. I really look forward to try out the new dash with LiveTV/DVR, beacon (let's people know what you want to play) and fully integrated Kinect dashboard.

However, if you don't like MS, it's easy to jump ship and the PS3 has never been better priced!

If you look at MS history, they traditionally only have a few major exclusives each year, with the one odd year in 2009 that they had quite a few. Otherwise, they just deliver a couple of AAA titles every year.

4559d ago
guigsy4559d ago

Well I use my 360 for other things as much as I do games, so I'm personally loving all these new entertainment partnerships they've made. I don't see how anyone can have a problem with broadening the functionality of any device.

Oh and unlike you, I don't care whether games are exclusive or not, they just need to be loads of fun.

_Aarix_4558d ago

Microsoft is one developer or publisher...there are literately dozens of great game developers supporting our gaming needs on any and all platforms...kinect isn't mandatory. Just don't buy it and shut the hell up about it..easy.

papashango4558d ago

All that money they are paying for dlc is probably making them more than exclusives.

The only ones to blame for lack of exclusives is the 360 gamers themselves. But do you think they really care?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4558d ago
4559d ago
miyamoto4558d ago

I remember Kudo Tsunoda's claim that Kinect was the first gaming device of its kind, and the smoke and mirrors presentation of Molyneux. ... grandstanding is MS big business. and even the Japaneze devs were made to believe that Milo was already possible with Project Natal. Where is that technology now? JoyRide?

SilentNegotiator4558d ago (Edited 4558d ago )

"Unlike Sony"? Is the author even aware of what features the ps3 launched with?
Particularly a 'blu' one?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4558d ago
Cinotix4559d ago

Yea, you know it's one of those situations where the technology is made different there is nothing a Move or Wii controller can do for a business besides let them play Just Dance 3 during break.

the Kinect has deeper non gaming capabilities.

smurfz4559d ago

The Kinect was made more than just for games. The technology is bound to take things to a whole new level, i honestly see it going deeper within any other industry but the gaming.

Ziriux4559d ago

Exactly how I feel about it too. Educational systems could do a lot with the device and make it a lot more fun to learn.

masteroftheclaw4559d ago

I remember playing games like Oregon Trail and The Incredible Machine in school. I'm not sure how much they really "taught" me but they were definitely cool and everyone wanted to play them.

If there is some educational Kinect software developed (beyond like Sesame Street) then it would fit perfectly into schools!

iamnsuperman4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

Maybe fun but I remember playing some computer games for learning. These things never work. Its an unnecessary expense for schools to have when active learning can be done with proper teaching. Schools should worry less about the kinect and make sure teachers are up to scratch. I have had some bad teachers when I was at school. They just needed an up to date teacher training course which could be supplied/funded by the school instead of buying Kinects

jeeves864559d ago

Haha @ educational games

I remember playing Word Rescue and Math Rescue in school, as well as Cross Country Canada. We'd tell the machine to eat-shit and it would come back with "You can't eat that!"

And that's what we learned.

masteroftheclaw4559d ago

You know, a few months ago I saw a segment on my local news about a local business using the Kinect. It seemed that they worked at making their Kinect store program (it was some sort of digital dressing booth) without any pushing from Microsoft and even the people who tried it out in store thought it was pretty neat.

I guess they were just using the current SDK stuff but if they start pushing a new business version I'm sure some more people will jump on board. I'm curious though if people will really find the business uses of Kinect really worthwhile down the road or if it's just the novelty of it.

iamnsuperman4559d ago (Edited 4559d ago )

"The Kinect has been used across many hospitals and educational institutions" I am assuming these are private and so can afford it. Seems a bit unnecessary to have this introduced into the NHS where there are job cuts like every year.

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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
Knightofelemia823d 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.

Magog823d 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.

CaptainHenry916823d ago (Edited 823d ago )

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

823d ago
CrimsonWing69823d 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.

ThatsGaming823d 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.

Gamer79823d ago

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

septemberindecember822d 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.

Magog823d 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.

porkChop823d ago (Edited 823d 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).

Magog823d ago (Edited 823d 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.

porkChop823d 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.

Rhythmattic822d 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

porkChop822d 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.

Rhythmattic821d ago (Edited 821d 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 821d ago
Aloymetal823d ago (Edited 823d 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.

Rhythmattic822d ago (Edited 822d 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....

lonewolf10823d ago

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

SullysCigar823d ago

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

lonewolf10823d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell823d 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.

lonewolf10823d 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.

darthv72823d ago

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

LWOGaming823d 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.

Magog823d 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.

LWOGaming823d 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,

LWOGaming823d 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
darthv721000d 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.

PrimeVinister1000d ago

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

1000d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901000d 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_finch1000d 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.

PrimeVinister1000d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 999d ago
TheEnigma3131000d ago

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

PrimeVinister1000d ago (Edited 1000d 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_finch1000d 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.

kayoss1000d 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.

PrimeVinister1000d 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.

Thundercat77999d ago

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

PrimeVinister999d ago

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

Godmars290999d 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.

kayoss999d ago

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

Godmars290999d 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.

brewin999d 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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