260°

Xbox One : Kinect Included - Wise Marketing or Costly Mistake?

As announced at E3, Microsoft will be bundling a Kinect sensor with every Xbox One. Did Microsoft do this just to raise console prices or was there method to their madness?

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JokesOnYou3945d ago (Edited 3945d ago )

Wise...actually the original Kinect was $150 at launch, Kinect v2 is selling for $400 on pc by itself so I believe the extra $100 is a bargain price. Now more importantly this means that kinect will be fully supported over th X1 life cycle with cool options that will not only improve dedicated kinect games but also truly add to the experience of X1 core games which will benefit from more immersion. Its already being used in subtle ways for many of the announced games and if you read about what devs are doing I think there is some cool implementation can be done in core games. Finally Kinect makes the X1 X1 functionality for the UI freakin sweet, the intergration is hands down the best I've ever seen for a home console.

PirateThom3945d ago

That's one way of looking at it, the other way is that is adds $100 to the base price of the system for a peripheral not everyone wants.

JokesOnYou3945d ago (Edited 3945d ago )

True but thats like saying nintendo should cut the new wii u gamepad because they could sell the console cheaper...NO, its a part of their vision, if you don't want it then you don't want a wii-u.

Also in reference to your theory about there being 78mil 360 sold vs 24 mil kinect(as of feb) #1 kinect hasn't been available nearly as long #2 and more importantly you really are making my point for me, aside for a few core games the 1st kinect catered only to a very casual crowd who bought it specifically for kinect only games= it was barely used in core games, the devs making AAA popular titles like Dice/Battlefield didn't take it serious because it WAS a add-on peripheral not everybody had now they can be confident if they use it properly ALL gamers will notice and they might do well in the future because gamers want the added options/experience.= proofs in the pudding already many devs are talking about using kinect in core games including Dice of course.

4Sh0w3945d ago (Edited 3945d ago )

Agreed Jokes but you should try more kinect games they are really fun especially if you have some kids or young relatives, also Dance Central is a blast for a small get together like a Bar BQ, I just cut it on and people naturally gravitate to it and start messing around. Yeah but I'd love to see big games like COD, Battlefield, take advantage of Kinect but really for me I think somebody like Remedy could truly show it off in a game like Quantum Break because of the type of action I imagine makes up that game: you know things like a quick hand off the controller out in front of you to stop time, a swipe to move those glass fragments etc.

JokesOnYou3945d ago

Yeah I've tried a few, not my thing but it was OK for about 2 min, lol, no seriously I actually just got it to mess around with the UI/Skype/menu navigation stuff. Its cool tech no doubt.

Kanzes3943d ago

It's really cool to utilize the machine with voice commands or sign in with facial recognition

maniacmayhem3943d ago

Not everyone will want it now, but if the games or features for the Kinect 2 prove to be very good and adds more engaging elements and design then everyone will be glad it was included.

3943d ago
user55757083943d ago

@piratethom

actually it added more than $100. recent articles are saying it cost as much as the rest of the xbox one which would mean xbox one without it could have probably costed around $300-$350

ziggurcat3943d ago

@ jokes:

"True but thats like saying nintendo should cut the new wii u gamepad because they could sell the console cheaper...NO, its a part of their vision, if you don't want it then you don't want a wii-u."

terrible analogy.

there's a difference between a controller that you need to play the games, and a camera peripheral that is not even required to navigate the system menu or even required to play any of the non-kinect games.

tuglu_pati3943d ago

I think its a costly Mistake.

3943d ago
GrandTheftZamboni3943d ago

@edonus

If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to play games on Nintendo pad itself, while you can't do that on Kinect alone.

JokesOnYou3943d ago (Edited 3943d ago )

GrandTheftZamboni, what difference does that make? Nowhere did the comparison say that the wii game pad and kinect both work the same way. So that doesn't negate the point here which is that both while yes using different methods are still part of a vision of how each company wants you to interact with games other than a standard controller.

GrandTheftZamboni3943d ago

@JokesOnYou

I replied to edonus because he defended your analogy:

"True but thats like saying nintendo should cut the new wii u gamepad because they could sell the console cheaper"

I disagree that's the same because in case of Wii U cutting the gamepad you'd lose ability to play on a handheld, while in case of X1 cutting the Kinect you wouldn't.

But I see what you're trying to say. Actually to be honest you used "like" which is not the same as "the same".

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 3943d ago
tubers3943d ago

Yes. I am very interested on how devs will make use of the high end sensory camera from UI manipulation to actual gameplay elements.

Damn it. Would have been so much cooler without the weird strings attached like those NSA stuff and MS targeted adds via cam.

Kanzes3943d ago

Kinect spying is just ridiculous.. If you got a cell phone, it also has a camera and microphone, and it follows you around everywhere and anytime

Colzer013943d ago

MS is already trying to clarify that NSA thing now, so it won't be a matter again soon

YNWA963943d ago

This is very civilized here... Unusual.... As for NSA, they know everything they need to know about us anyway.... If you own a smartphone or a cell connected tablet, you have no secrets.

RM-TatoTiburon3943d ago

Kojima said that he is looking forward to work with kinect this generation, DICE also and kinect is getting a better support than the 360 generation. Now KI is confirmed to use kinect for players detection, i'm looking forward for this newgen for kinect

Colzer013943d ago (Edited 3943d ago )

If the cloud thing is a real deal, and Kinect got more support, I'm sure MS gonna win the next-gen on a the long-run.

It's much better than just an X360 with steroids though, if you know what I mean.

QuickdrawMcgraw3943d ago

Joke I hope your faith in MS supporting the Xbox1 and Kinect though it's life cycle is rewarded.Myself I'm not so sure,I feel they drop their support of the Xbox when the 360 came on to the scene.And I feel MS exclusive games dried up a few years into the 360's run.For those reasons I don't even trust them to release all the exclusive titles they say they will in the 1st year.

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kingdip903945d ago

This will be up to developer utilization of the device in games to decide. If devs can coax gamers into wanting to use this instead of/in conjunction with a controller to the degree that its marketable then yes its genius. Likely not though otherwise we would have seen it on kinect one last gen :/

PirateThom3945d ago

Costly mistake due to the fact it's made the console more costly.

The fact there's 77m XBox 360s out there and 24m Kinects should pretty much tell you that not everyone wants or needs it and, yet, if you want to play Halo you have to pay a Kinect fee.

moparful993945d ago

I don't agree with it. They are forcing a feature on us that most of us don't want. But From a business standpoint Microsoft knows that unless they force it on us the market penetration will never be significant.

Insomnia_843945d ago

Exactly! It's good for them to not give us a choice.

+1 for intelligent.

moparful993945d ago

It remains to be seen whether this was actually a good decision. Seeing as there is a larger majority of the 360 audience that do not have a Kinect it's safe to say they don't want it..

Will these people be willing to pay the extra $100 to have Kinect 2 or will they jump ship? I am personally not getting a One at launch..

I might do like I did with the 360 and wait for a while to see how everything shakes out...

Thepharaoh3945d ago (Edited 3945d ago )

More like complete and total blunder

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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.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest3d ago

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

GamerRN3d ago

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

Number1TailzFan3d 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.

1Victor2d ago

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

Kosic2d ago

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

darthv722d ago

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

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts2d 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.

KicksnSnares3d ago

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

darthv723d 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.

mudakoshaka3d 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.

PassNextquestion3d 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.

TiredGamer3d 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?

rlow13d ago (Edited 3d 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.

Traecy3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

TiredGamer3d 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
bionicstar3d ago

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

PhillyDonJawn3d ago

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

RaidenBlack3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

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

Sonic18813d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast3d ago

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

3d ago
Lightning773d ago

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

Make smarter comments for once.

anast3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

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

3d ago
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3d ago Replies(1)
Lightning773d ago (Edited 3d 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.

3d ago
anast3d ago (Edited 3d 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.

Lightning773d 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.

anast3d ago

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

Lightning773d ago

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

Again make smart comments for once.

anast2d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
darthv723d ago

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

jimb0j0nes3d 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.

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theverge.com
darthv728d 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.

solideagle7d ago

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

Sonic18817d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7d 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:

Lightning777d ago

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

Cacabunga7d 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.

darthv727d 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.

neutralgamer19927d 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

shinoff21837d 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.

Cacabunga7d 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

itsmebryan7d 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

S2Killinit7d 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.

romulus237d ago

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

darthv727d 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.

TheEroica7d ago (Edited 7d 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.

Chevalier7d 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/...

itsmebryan6d ago

@chevalier

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 6d ago
purple1017d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos7d ago

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

DOMination-7d 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.

XBManiac7d ago

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

SimpleDad7d ago (Edited 7d 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.

purple1017d ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos7d ago (Edited 7d 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

Kornholic7d ago

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

MrDead7d 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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