90°

STATESMAN: Microsoft Kinect is a hit in the making

Conclusions: Skeptic that I was about the resurgence of motion controls this holiday season, my opinion of what Kinect is and might be changed drastically after a week of play. The technology is clearly well-implemented here and, unlike all the fiddling and readjusting I had to do while using the PlayStation Move recently, Kinect was a much more streamlined, user-friendly experience. Kinect brings a fresh take on what the Wii introduced four years ago with motion sensing that works surprisingly well.

So far, Kinect has a few strong games, some great features that enhance the Xbox 360 experience and a lot of potential.

Read Full Story >>
statesman.com
blackburn55344d ago (Edited 5344d ago )

Another Kinect review that has to lie about Move to make it look better. Have read many reviews and I hear nothing about having to endlessly adjust or fiddle with Move. and of course look how approved this junk, bigpappy with his usually anti Sony behavior.

I have heard about Kinect having to be adjusted several times to get it to work as well, including having to adjust lighting and sometimes just not working in the room or space that you are in as well as having to move furniture around.Can't believe the desperation people go through to try to make Move look bad and Kinect look good despite the fact that Move got reviews just as good as Kinect's or even better.

Bigpappy5344d ago

He only mention Move in the conclusion. This is not a Move bashing review.

He is probably refering to the little calibation you need to do for each move game. You only calibrate Kinect once for the area you have. The games calibate themselves base on where you stand.

I do not bash Sony or their products. I own several Sony products and they are great. If you call liking and promoting Kinect "Bashing Sony" then I am guilty.

SkyGamer5344d ago

I have Kinect. A buddy of mine played Adventures, too broke to buy another Kinect game, most likely be Sports and Dance Central when I get more dough. We played almost to the Ultimate challenge and whew, I am feeling it in my legs. Just not that young as I once was and Kinect has shown me that, lol.

BTW I own a 19-21" sony bravia lcd tv (pink, unfortunately but I use this for travels as it has a handle)
launch date ps3 60 gb premium which I plan on using it as a grill
series 5000 ps2 w/modem which I plan on using HDadvance with a 300 gb hdd
limited edition psone clear green
sony 8 gb thumb drive

heck I haven't even used my X360 til I got Kinect and I just recently picked up Castlevania LoS (normal edition), Halo Reach Legendary Edition and Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition. To tell you the truth, I have been on the pc most of my time. (16 gb ddr3-1600 ram, yum)!
Just recently I have downloaded Fable 2 as I lost my limited edition so that was awesome! Fable 2 for free!
Not touting that any system is good or bad, they both have their strength and weaknesses, just have much more for my X360 so I tend to invest in that more. Heh, I am more of a PC guy anyway, I am sure you would understand with Antec 902, 16GB DDR3-1600, GTX470.
Bottom line is that I have had a blast with Kinect albeit it has rendered most of my joints weak and I lift weights regulary! Man Kinect really puts me to my knees on some of the jumping and dodging!

psn=grillstation3 (never on, won't upgrade my bios and no I do not have it hacked)
xbl=Ninja SkyMan

uxo225344d ago

Well said.

The real problem with most people on this articles is simply going to be that he likes Kinect.

DERKADER5344d ago

Kinect is making a lot of people feel really insecure, I wonder why?

testerg355344d ago

Here comes the expert blackburn5. He loves to tell people how great something is or how bad something else is, but he has neither products.

Inside_out5344d ago

If you want to complain about a game or a system maybe you should at least OWN one first.

" I have heard " ...O_o

lowcarb5344d ago

Sony's the company that hired a comedian and always talk down about Kinect and needing buttons. If you want to talk about a company talking down the competition then you need to look no further then Sony.

fooltheman5344d ago

yeah it will be a hit... but will it stay that way?

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5344d ago
8-bit5344d ago

I can't believe a blind people are. Following the hype train like sheep. Kinect over promises and under delivers.

Weaksauce11385344d ago

Your opinion is overhyped but doesn't deliver

Coogi5344d ago

Kinda like this site.

It's only Sony fanboys that actually complain and insult Kinect I mean seriously...If you didn't care then why would you post ignorant things like this?

GROW UP.

giovonni5344d ago

I had a chance to play it for many hours, and it is a great device

dtrain215344d ago

I'm very happy with my purchase of Kinect as well as millions of others

cmrbe5344d ago (Edited 5344d ago )

and repeat this "I'm very happy with my purchase of Kinect as well as millions of others" 3 times and then click your red shoes together 3 times.

If you do this it will come true.

Skadoosh5344d ago

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, your sadness and frustration is still showing cmrbe. Dude your in every Kinect article whining about the success of Kinect. You are sad.

Lord_Doggington5344d ago

haha why do people still troll kinect articles...don't they have anything better to do?

fvkin losers

cmrbe5344d ago

Not as sad as people scouring the internet looking for positive articles on Kinetic from unknown sites and to keep them warm at night.

@Lord_Doggington : Why?. Why do you guys make it so easy?.

Weaksauce11385344d ago

Moves success is threatened and some of these people take that insecurity personally

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5344d ago
SMW5344d ago

Hmm. With all these positive reviews, I wonder why Microsoft felt they needed to spend half a billion dollars on advertisement or what they've Been spending it on.

Oh..... Wait.....

Show all comments (38)
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
Knightofelemia1251d 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.

Magog1251d 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.

CaptainHenry9161251d ago (Edited 1251d ago )

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

1251d ago
CrimsonWing691251d 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.

ThatsGaming1251d 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.

Gamer791251d ago

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

septemberindecember1250d 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.

Magog1251d 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.

porkChop1251d ago (Edited 1251d 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).

Magog1251d ago (Edited 1251d 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.

porkChop1250d 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.

Rhythmattic1250d 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

porkChop1250d 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.

Rhythmattic1249d ago (Edited 1249d 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 1249d ago
Aloymetal1251d ago (Edited 1251d 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.

Rhythmattic1250d ago (Edited 1250d 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....

lonewolf101251d ago

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

SullysCigar1251d ago

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

lonewolf101251d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell1251d 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.

lonewolf101251d 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.

darthv721251d ago

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

LWOGaming1251d 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.

Magog1251d 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.

LWOGaming1251d 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,

LWOGaming1251d 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
darthv721428d 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.

PrimeVinister1428d ago

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

1428d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901428d 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_finch1427d 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.

PrimeVinister1427d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1427d ago
TheEnigma3131427d ago

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

PrimeVinister1427d ago (Edited 1427d 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_finch1427d 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.

kayoss1427d 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.

PrimeVinister1427d 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.

Thundercat771427d ago

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

PrimeVinister1427d ago

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

Godmars2901427d 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.

kayoss1427d ago

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

Godmars2901427d 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.

brewin1427d 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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