190°

Kinect is not for you

Recently there has been a lot of discussion around the launch titles for Kinect, mainly around the fact that there are no hardcore or core games being released and the video footage that we are seeing isn’t filling anyone with much confidence about the device.

But here’s the thing, Kinect is not being designed for you. If you are reading this you are a core gamer, you spend part of your free time playing games or reading about games and you are not the target market for Kinect.

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lazygamer.co.za
Wizziokid5429d ago

i think i can decide on my own what is for me and what isn't thanks...

GavinMannion5429d ago

Did you read it? The point is that Kinect is being marketed and targeted towards casual gamers for now so complaining about how it doesn't enhance the core experience isn't going to get you anywhere.

This isn't an anti or pro Kinect rant it's merely an opinion

0mega45428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

as it points out that kinect is targeted towards the casual cash cow

as microsoft just wants a piece of the pie

even if in the process they've forget about the core audience and fail to secure exclusives

nveenio5428d ago

I was at my in-law's house for dinner tonight, and we played Wii Bowling. My wife, my 5-year old son, my 11-year old nephew and my mother-in-law's 70-something mother. The Grandma was using the Wiimote for the first time, and it showed. But she was having fun. I told her about the soon-to-release Kinect, and she thought that it sounded really cool. Not having to worry about buttons really appealed to her. I told her that I didn't know for sure if it would work as good as they wanted it to, but she still sounded interested.

And it makes sense. No buttons works for that audience. It just doesn't work for me.

I like buttons.

5428d ago
Immortal3215428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

I thought casual gamers play games casually, not turn on a game system and get sweaty, or "move around."

most parents that want an active child don't buy games, they put them sports.

what boy wants to play with an virtual animal that don't kill? +

well at least MS is doing one thing I appreciate. when the kinect sells millions, I will know how many stupid parents are out there.

nveenio5427d ago

The reason my in-laws have a Wii is because my nephew is fat.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5427d ago
Newtype5429d ago

some people need info before deciding for themselves. You only go based on what Microsoft shows you? The fake demos from e3?

Wizziokid5429d ago

i never said anything about my thought's on kinect, I said I will decide for myself if I want it or not which currently I don't I would rather have a personal hands on with the tech before making my final call.

Anon19745428d ago

The author isn't trying to decide what's best for you to buy. He's offering his opinion and experiences. How is sharing that his 5 year old daughter is hyped about Kinectimals somehow telling you how to spend your money?

There's no doubt that Kinect is being marketed towards the casual gamer. If you think that notion is flamebait somehow, I don't know what to tell you.

JsonHenry5428d ago

I had no intention of buying this. Until my 3 year old daughter saw that "Kinectimals" demo with the tiger...

Now I have been informed by my wife that I must buy (waste my cash) on this device.

My original goal was to boycott ALL the motion devices until an actual hardcore game came out that I wanted to play.

skrug5428d ago

get the pseye with eyepet it would be cheaper xD

callahan095428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

@inveni0: I hear what you're saying, but at your grandmother and anybody else out there who thinks similarly, I mean, come on... surely they've operated a television before. THAT requires more buttons than Wii Bowling! And you have to operate a TV to operate a Wii or Kinect or any other console application. If they can turn on the power, change the channel and adjust the volume, I don't see how pressing A to confirm selections and using the B button to simulate holding onto and letting go of the bowling ball could possibly be too much to handle.

Persistantthug5428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

When a Wii is already on the market.

People have had 4 years to buy a Wii, and the casuals who would want such an item, most of them already have it.

Kinect is an add on device.
Major Add on devices never sell more than 10 to 20 percent of its total install base.....never, never ever.

Because of history, I'm not convinced this is going to be "home run, hit it out of the park" add on device Microsoft seems to want it to be.

Couple that with the fact that it also doesn't seem to work very well....but we should save that for another time

jaytv-pyro5428d ago ShowReplies(1)
EVILDEAD3605428d ago

The author of the article is right..Kinectimals is going sell Kinect alone for all the families who own the 360 and have young ones in the house..

Everyone is complaing that Microsoft went after the casuals..but look at ALL the MOVE games released in 2010 and they are all casual too. The fact that you can use Move as an alternate control device for Heavy Rain doesnt make it a Move title..

It's all about the Wii Sports copies and supplying thwe casual market for both peripherals..

We will all see how it truns out for Microsoft and Sony by the end of the year..

Evil

aceofspades5428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

but move is actually good and fun, thats the difference. ok off to work bye

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 5427d ago
GamerEdie5428d ago

I have to agree with Darkride. This is clearly an opinion piece from a mother of a five-year-old who, quite correctly, points out that the ambivalence that Kinect has received from core gamers isn't reflected in the mom-and-dad set.

I'm not sure why people think this is flamebait. There's no baiting here. She's quite clearly saying "This peripheral is not made to be popular with core gamers... but casuals and family gamers are already salivating."

If you're complaining about the provocative lede or first graph, then maybe... I don't know... you're a bit sensitive?

aceofspades5428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

man ps eye is the shiz, getting eyepet E D I T

DJMarty5428d ago

I like my tech to actually work.

MOVE all the way.

cereal_killa5428d ago (Edited 5428d ago )

Right now no it's not, the games are crap and childish if this is they way M$ is planning on going with Kinect I will never purchase it. With them not giving any support to any of there hardcore market (Halo and Gears) and maybe the possible support for Fable 3 but we will see what happens. I had high hopes for Kinect when it was 1st announced this is what the Wii should have done in the first place but time and time again kinect is proving to be another rushed product by M$ (massive lag, smoke n mirrors demos) just like the 360 maybe they should really take there time with this and make sure it works right in stead of using the same old slogan "who cares if it works right the Muppet's will still buy it over and over again".

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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
Knightofelemia1257d 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.

Magog1256d 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.

CaptainHenry9161256d ago (Edited 1256d ago )

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

1256d ago
CrimsonWing691256d 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.

ThatsGaming1256d 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.

Gamer791256d ago

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

septemberindecember1256d 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.

Magog1256d 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.

porkChop1256d ago (Edited 1256d 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).

Magog1256d ago (Edited 1256d 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.

porkChop1256d 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.

Rhythmattic1255d 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

porkChop1255d 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.

Rhythmattic1255d ago (Edited 1255d 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 1255d ago
Aloymetal1256d ago (Edited 1256d 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.

Rhythmattic1255d ago (Edited 1255d 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....

lonewolf101256d ago

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

SullysCigar1256d ago

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

lonewolf101256d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell1256d 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.

lonewolf101256d 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.

darthv721256d ago

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

LWOGaming1256d 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.

Magog1256d 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.

LWOGaming1256d 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,

LWOGaming1256d 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
darthv721433d 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.

PrimeVinister1433d ago

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

1433d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901433d 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_finch1433d 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.

PrimeVinister1433d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1433d ago
TheEnigma3131433d ago

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

PrimeVinister1433d ago (Edited 1433d 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_finch1433d 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.

kayoss1433d 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.

PrimeVinister1433d 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.

Thundercat771433d ago

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

PrimeVinister1433d ago

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

Godmars2901433d 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.

kayoss1433d ago

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

Godmars2901432d 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.

brewin1432d 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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