110°

Game Scoop 303: Can A Kinect-Free Xbox One Win?

DAEMON HATFIELD: Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game talk show. We've got a great show for you this week. Here are the topics:

0:00 Microsoft has announced a version of the Xbox One without Kinect will be available on June 9 -- the first day of E3. We're discussing what that means for Microsoft's E3 plans and whether or not people who already bought the Xbox One should feel betrayed.

9:00 A new NPD report reveals that there are 34 million "core" gamers in the US playing an average of 22 hours of games a week.

13:15 Are T-rated games becoming a thing of the past? One Game Scoop! fan thinks so.

18:40 New Game Scoop! segment: The Game Scoop! Ratings Board (GSRB), where I read the ESRB's description of the mature content in upcoming games like Wolfenstein and Watch Dogs.

27:00 Local multiplayer games might be making a comeback.

lifeisgamesok3627d ago

Yes and E3 is the beginning of the tide turning in Microsoft's favor

Malphite3627d ago

They surely can catch up. I think they should've gone with a slightly lower price for the Kinect-less X1 though just to be cheaper than the PS4.

Now that the price disparity is gone it'll come down to the games. So E3 definately can be the deciding factor.

AKissFromDaddy3627d ago

In my opinion, Microsoft and Phil would be heavily criticized for devaluing their brand. Personally, I don't think lowering the price below Sony's PS4 would help in any. In fact, it'd look desperate, even if they are. Perception is key.

Agreed?

Malphite3627d ago

@AKissFromDaddy: Well I think they kinda look desperate anyway tbh. They basically completely turned away from their original vision of the console. It was an always online multimedia centre with DRM and Kinect. Now it's a gaming centered console. I think MS did the right decisions by admitting the mistakes they did with their console design and fixing most of them.

tuglu_pati3626d ago

Can a Kinect free xbox win?

Not globally. It won't happen.

Ballsack3626d ago

@lifeisgames just like how you said titanfall will turn the tide ?

the funniest thing is you talk like Sony will not have an event an e3...fanboy mentality a funny thing indeed

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3626d ago
showtimefolks3626d ago

look i am a huge pro sony/ps4 fan but bottom line is this was needed. As gamers most of us don't want to pay an extra $100 for kinect. They should have introduced 2 SKU's so people who want kinect can buy the system for $499 and others can get the $399 system

E3 is gonna be big for all 3 to be quite honest, as we saw last year you can make or break/tarnish your brand at E3. Before last year i never believed that E3 could be won or lost but sony proved the fact you can

also since sony is going after MS i believe MS should go all out, we need a gamers impact, and that's coming from a sony fan. I fully Believe in Healthy Competition and when ms competes with sony we as gamers win. If you don't believe sony has pushed ms to do many things right with xbox one just look at the list of things:

psn-plus offers better value so now MS is trying to match now, and that's only because both are trying to say look we offer better service with better content

always online gone
once 24 hours online gone
used games stuff gone

MS needs to work on getting Indies back on board

at E3 please don't mention the word TV,Movies,Cable box etc, just games.

That's the way i feel.

can MS beat sony no in my honest opinion, sony has the better console. but could we have another generation where both companies/consoles sell 80 plus million yes

aceitman3626d ago (Edited 3626d ago )

no they wont , they are losing the battle in there own territory they just had 2 exclusives launch in march titanfall and plantz vs zombies and that didn't even put a dent in the sales , they are going to lose money on live cause the people who don't want to pay behind the paywall don't have to pay anymore , and are given refunds to those that would like there money back . they are losing people who feel as thought ms has lost touch with Kinect and fear that they will not support it much longer , and some people feel that they cant be trusted cause all the flip flopping , and bs like ms saying they are listening to the fans and that's y they came out with a no Kinect system , but with the news yesterday with the npd 115,000 in a month in there home turf and sony with 200,000 a 85,000 difference in home turf . heck X1 has been on sale for 399$-449$ with a game and Kinect ( and its only sold 115,000 for april ) so what will a bare bones system at 399$ going to sell . imo not much more or a lot less .I know 6 people that have x1 and 3 of them are trading in the x1.one of them already did it,hes only out 100$ bucks gamestop has a promotion going on and are giving 345$ for it and with game trade in hes got enough for ps4 and infamous ss so the other 2 one guy and one girl are following his footsteps tomorrow . and hes not lying here is a link to gamestops trade in. http://www.gamestop.com/tra...

GHOSTxx4203626d ago

Wrong, I felt so ripped off today I went and traded my xbone for a ps4.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3626d ago
kingdip903626d ago

It's to soon to say right now. I am going to reserve my prediction until after the first month of the kinectless xbox one sales come in. Everyone who has been waiting for this to happen will pounce around then and if it still can't outsell the ps4 then xbox is in some hot water indeed.

neogeo3626d ago

The answer is and has always been right in there face. games games games. It could be $899 with less power and beat ps4 if the exclusive games were amazing and had tons of them. Thats a long shot. The games would have to be like super nintendo great or ps1 ps2 great. look at history and show me any console that lost in sales and had better games, name 1.

tuglu_pati3626d ago

Didn't meant to disagree. Agreed.

Aussiebeachbabe3626d ago

No but i'll say it can remain more competitive. Good to see gamers now have a choice like PS4. Not everyone wants a camera should have been optional from the start.

The EDGE3626d ago

win what? U.S sales... here's what I do know, they will become more competitive. Both consoles will produce their fair share of games. The question is which company will remain the most consistent in the production of said games.

combolock3626d ago

Microsoft takes US and somehow takes the UK(that is still Xbox territory) and rest of the world goes to PS4.

Show all comments (18)
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."

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
Knightofelemia818d 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.

Magog818d 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.

CaptainHenry916818d ago (Edited 818d ago )

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

818d ago
CrimsonWing69818d 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.

ThatsGaming818d 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.

Gamer79818d ago

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

septemberindecember817d 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.

Magog818d 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.

porkChop818d ago (Edited 818d 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).

Magog818d ago (Edited 818d 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.

porkChop818d 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.

Rhythmattic817d 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

porkChop817d 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.

Rhythmattic816d ago (Edited 816d 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 816d ago
Aloymetal818d ago (Edited 818d 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.

Rhythmattic817d ago (Edited 817d 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....

lonewolf10818d ago

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

SullysCigar818d ago

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

lonewolf10818d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell818d 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.

lonewolf10818d 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.

darthv72818d ago

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

LWOGaming818d 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.

Magog818d 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.

LWOGaming818d 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,

LWOGaming818d 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
darthv72995d 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.

PrimeVinister995d ago

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

995d ago Replies(2)
Godmars290995d 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_finch995d 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.

PrimeVinister995d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 994d ago
TheEnigma313995d ago

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

PrimeVinister995d ago (Edited 995d 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_finch995d 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.

kayoss995d 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.

PrimeVinister995d 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.

Thundercat77995d ago

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

PrimeVinister995d ago

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

Godmars290994d 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.

kayoss994d ago

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

Godmars290994d 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.

brewin994d 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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