500°

Molyneux: Kinect “Feels More and More Like a Joke"

GR: Former Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux is confident that Microsoft will eventually offer a Kinect-less SKU of Xbox One, saying that not doing so would be "unthinkable."

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gamerevolution.com
3681d ago Replies(18)
stuna13681d ago

The problem with Kinects comes down to choice! It should never be offered as the only option.

acharlez3681d ago

Agreed. It's working amazingly well for Sony with PS4.

GarrusVakarian3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

I agree with you, i choose to not use Kinect....but now that im using the X1 more and more, im realising that certain things have been restricted or made more inconvenient for people who only want to use a controller.

For example, i can't upload or edit my awesome Titanfall clips with Upload Studio, because you need Kinect in to use it....wtf, what possible reason could they have to limit those things to Kinect users only? I could do it with a controller just as easily,

Also, if i want to record gameplay without a Kinect, i have to constantly have the Game DVR snapped while i run the game if i want to capture anything. Why can't it just be like the PS4, where it constantly records your gameplay silently in the background, then if you want to save any of it to your HDD, you just press the share button? I would love it if it was the same on X1... snap DVR, choose how long i want to record from, then just unsnap the DVR and it carries on running in the background.

Maybe (hopefully) that will be the case in a future update as i would love to make a new YouTube account and start getting my clips on there. Every time i do something awesome on Titanfall i think to myself "damn, i can't record that", MS need to realise that not everyone has an interest in Kinect. I'm happy for anyone that is loving controlling their X1 with their voice, but not everyone does, and we shouldn't be cut out of certain features because we choose not to use it. What is the harm in giving consumers choice?

Gazondaily3681d ago

"Also, if i want to record gameplay without a Kinect, i have to constantly have the Game DVR snapped while i run the game if i want to capture anything. Why can't it just be like the PS4, where it constantly records your gameplay silently in the background, then if you want to save any of it to your HDD, you just press the share button?"

Yeah this is just stupid. This needs to change imo, even though I actually like using the Kinect for this stuff.

vallencer3681d ago

Is it that much work to just yell Xbox record that? I don't get why people are so against plugging it in. Even if it's plugged in you DONT have to use it for everything. You already have a x1 so why keep the kinetic unplugged? Are you trying to prove a point that NO ONE will ever see?

Trust me no one is going to spy on you if that's what you're thinking. It's your choice if you want to use it or not and that's fair I get that but at the same time if you own a X1 why leave it unplugged haha. You hinder yourself more then anything else.

Ittoryu3681d ago

@Vallner you're naive the NSA was using the first kinects to collect data and it is, has and will be using the damn kinects 2.0 with the xbone.

GarrusVakarian3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

@ vallencer

I get what you're saying man, but it's simple, i don't want Kinect plugged in.

I'm not afraid of being spied on, i don't hate voice commands, i don't hate Kinect in general, im not opposed to change.....i simply do not care for it. I just want to do what i have done since i was 6 years old....use a controller.

Why should people's experience of the X1 be hindered if they don't want to use Kinect. I could understand if certain apps couldn't be controller, or couldn't be controller *as easily* with a controller as they could with Kinect...but those 2 things i just mentioned above could easily be done by a controller, there is just no reason to restrict non-Kinect users from those things.

I also don't agree with the "you have an X1, which means you have Kinect, just plug it in!" mentality. I'm a gamer, i really couldn't care less about anything but playing games on either of my consoles. I would much rather sell the Kinect online and make an easy £60+ to spend on other games. But hey, that's just my personal preference, as i said above, if you are loving your Kinect then im happy for you!:)

@Septic

Yeah ive noticed you love using Kinect to record clips of TF, some of those clips are awesome btw ;)

LordMaim3681d ago

@Lukas_Japonicus: Well said, sir. There's no reason to exclude a manual functionality for recording except to incentiveize using Kinect. It doesn't add any utility.

vallencer3681d ago

@lukas

That's fair. I understand what you mean.

@ittrouy

I guess I just don't care if the nsa spies on me. I've got nothing to hide. And I've heard all the arguments before so if you'd like to debate it's cool but in reality I just don't care.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3681d ago
Rickgrimes953681d ago

My brother has an Xbox one first day he had kinect plugged in to set it up, day 2 he unplugged it an hasn't touched it in 5 months it's a total joke an if they had taken it out in the first place it would have been same price as ps4 an could compete a little better with it but it just shows where the smart people are working at

Ausbo3681d ago

The reason its in there to stay is because they don't want a developer who makes a Kinect game to have a limited install base within the xb1 install base.

not hard to figure out

kneon3681d ago

I understand that, but if the xb1 continues to lag behind the ps4 in sales the way it has been then they will need to reevaluate whether it's worthwhile to continue forcing people to accept kinect as part of the bundle.

Dropping kinect from the bundle doesn't mean kinect is dead. They just have to give people a compelling reason to want to own kinect.

stuna13681d ago

So where are they??? When the original Kinects came out, Microsoft pretty much switched focus to everything Kinects, even though it released 5 years into the Xbox 360 life, but now it's included, its barely made a blip on the radar. Sure I'm about to get disagrees out the anus, but Kinects purpose is not about gaming at all! It's a distraction.

Ausbo3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

@stuna we are 4 months into the console lifecycle. Still plenty of games to be announced

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3681d ago
lelo3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

I agree with Molyneux. Kinect feels more and more like a expensive worthless accessory... and the reviews of it's latest game proves Molyneux right, Kinect Sports Rivals. There aren't games that prove that Kinect is essential for the X1.

Smartest thing Microsoft could do is release a cheaper Kinect-less SKU of X1.

acharlez3681d ago

And the sooner, the better. I'm holding off on purchasing one until they do so... or if the new Halo is really amazing.

JeffGUNZ3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

I love Kinect for the OS. It was cool for Dead Rising 3, but I control everything in my living room with it so it's nice to be able to voice around the system, especially if I come home from work I walk through the door and say "Xbox On" and my tv, sound bar, and X1 are on by the time I get to my office. When I am around my home, ie, in the kitchen I can say "xbox go to netflix" and wah-la, I am in netflix in the other room. It makes things so much better. I had my TV remote, sound bar remote, and then the controller all needed prior to X1 to get to netflix. Now, I am there in seconds with my voice while I am getting home from work.

I really think Kinect is going to lead to Cortana upgrade that MS OS devices are getting. That would be insane if that occurred. I might get Kinect Sports Rivals when it's onsale in the marketplace for my girl and I to play, but kinect to me is more of a feature I was pleasantly surprised with after dealing with the awful Kinect 1.0 and now can't picture my living room without voice command.

lelo3681d ago

And yet you didn't need a expensive device like Kinect for that... a simple cheap microfone would do all that.

JeffGUNZ3681d ago

The Kinect is $100 and I think the entire console was worth the price tag. I don't want a "cheap microphone", I like the Kinect and how it is incorporated with the console/os. I doubt a cheap microphone will be able to sign me in by me just walking by the TV.

I get it if you don't like Kinect, that's fine, but actually try it before judging it. Comments like "a cheap microphone would do all of that" just leads everyone to believe you never used it before. I hated the first kinect, absolute garbage. I was hesitant about the new kinect but after really seeing it in action at my brothers house, I was convinced. Is it 100% flawless? Nope, but it sure is very nice and a great addition. It makes the console FEEL next gen., to be able to run the entire thing, control my living room with a few simple commands.

It's not a knock on the PS4 as I think that's a great system, but I solely love kinect for everything it does outside of actual gaming. I truly love having something rare happen in Titanfall and be able to say "xbox record that" and show it to my friends instantaneous. It is a nice thing to have.

amiga-man3680d ago (Edited 3680d ago )

JeffGUNZ: I had my TV remote, sound bar remote, and then the controller all needed prior to X1 to get to netflix. Now, I am there in seconds with my voice

Jesus ALL NEEDED!!! you make it sound like a huge problem even with those 3 controls I'm there in seconds too

The funny thing is you forgot to mention that to access Netflix on xone you NEED to be signed up to live, on the PS4 Netflix isn't hidden behind a paywall.

JeffGUNZ3680d ago (Edited 3680d ago )

@ Amiga-man

Why are you so mad at my opinion? I never said using three controllers was the end all of end all here. I simply said Kinect is a great addition for convenience. When I get home from work, I put my bag away, change and start dinner, so it's nice to be able to walk in the front door with my bags and my lunch container in hand and just say xbox on as I walk through the living room. I can give it voice commands while im in another room, that's all I am saying.

Why do people get so upset if someone enjoys their xbox one? It's nice for the little things. Like my phone ringing and I can just say "xbox mute" or "xbox pause" instead of looking for the remote. I never said it was essential, but simply a great addition that I am personally having a blast with.

Also, what does Netflix subscription and gold have to do with this topic? I have a mac book, Windows Surface tablet pro (provided by work), 2 Samsung 1080P LED 240hz smart TV's in my apartment, a PS3, and an apple tv, (also my iphone) that can stream Netflix for free, so your point is irrelevant. I buy gold to game online and since Netflix is incorporated as an app, why would I switch to my ps3 or smart tv to run it when I can just say "xbox go to Netflix" on the X1. Stop making it sound like people who have Xbox's are buying them as streaming devices for netlix.

amiga-man3680d ago (Edited 3680d ago )

Not mad JeffGUNZ I just find it amazing people will bring up having to use controllers as some sort of huge problem there may be a little more convenience but in all honesty pressing a button on the remote is convenience enough and hardly warrants the price of Kinect.

As for Netflix I bought it up as you mentioned it and as you point out it is very easy to access on all sorts of devices which is how it should be, the fact M$ hide it behind a paywall is not needed whether your already paying for live isn't the point.

I'm happy your enjoying your Kinect but honestly most people will get on watching Netflix etc just fine without it.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3680d ago
Sev3681d ago

I have to agree with him. Kinect and Move never did much of anything.

acharlez3681d ago

No doubt. It sold well for MS on Xbox 360, but fool me once...

stuna13681d ago

That is exactly why so many are disenchanted with Kinects! Although some will argue that they were satisfied with the performance of the original Kinects, how many could say that it performed on the level that Microsoft said it would!? Which is in truth why so many now refuse to buy into the hype of the new and improved Kinects 2.0. To make matters worse, selling the Xbox1 with it bundled in is akin to forcing people to deal with that disenchantment whether they like it or not in order to enjoy the console itself .

We have at some point experienced this concept to a degree when we were younger, and our parents forced us to eat our vegetables. If anyone was like me, I waited until their backs were turned, and I flushed them.

Hellsvacancy3681d ago (Edited 3681d ago )

Lol, you liked Kinect here http://www.youtube.com/watc... when you was being PAID to like it

I wish this fool would do a Phil Fish, or shut up and make games, perhaps finish Godus

Infamous2983681d ago

took the words right out of my mouth haha.

HacSawJimThugin3681d ago

Exactly. I wish he would just STFU. If he would of finished Milo and Kate he would be singing praises instead of hate. Really hate this cocky ass has been.

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest6d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN5d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan5d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor5d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic5d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv725d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts5d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares6d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv725d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka5d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion5d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer5d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow15d ago (Edited 5d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer5d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

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news.xbox.com
bionicstar6d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn6d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18815d ago (Edited 5d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast6d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

6d ago
Lightning776d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole5d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

6d ago
6d ago
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6d ago Replies(1)
Lightning776d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

6d ago
anast5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning775d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast5d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning775d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast5d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5d ago
darthv726d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes6d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7211d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle10d ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188110d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7710d ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga10d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv729d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19929d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff218310d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga10d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan10d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit9d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2310d ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv7210d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica9d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier9d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan9d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 9d ago
purple10110d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos10d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-10d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac10d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10110d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic10d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead10d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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