80°

Has Kinect made Microsoft cool?

Excerpt: With Kinect, Microsoft has a chance to capture the dumbed-down future of computing. Now, all a user needs to know is how to move a finger, how to say “Kinect: Do this,” “Kinect: Do that.” It could one day fundamentally alter the way people communicate with all their digital devices, from desktop computers to robot vacuums.

Suddenly, in the here and now, the only thing users (and, in some ways, creators) have to worry about is the experience.

The process of creating a traditional video game is usually split 80-20, with the minority of the time spent considering what the game experience should look and feel like, and the vast majority of the time spent actually developing the code. With a Kinect game, it’s the exact opposite. “Kinect made us think about what it’s like to be human beings,” says Joe Nickolls of Microsoft Game Studios. “And that makes us think about games differently.”

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theglobeandmail.com
Yi-Long5059d ago (Edited 5058d ago )

... at least not yet.

In the end, it will depend on the software that's coming out, and the experience gamers will have with it.

So far, those memorable experiences aren't here yet.

Personally, as someone who isn't into motion-gaming AT ALL, I don't really see anything on the horizon which uses Kinect in such a way that convinces me that I'm missing out on something cool.

Maybe that might still happen in a few years orso from now, and maybe in ways I can't imagine yet, but AT THE MOMENT, that interest from me just isn't there yet.

Just give me a normal controller and a couch and I'm good to go.

dark-hollow5058d ago

Those corny E3 shows are not cool.
Am not hating on kinect as I own one myself. But I'll reserve my judgement till better games release.

FIST PUMP!!!

Yi-Long5058d ago

... just really REALLY poor. All focussed on how 'COOL' Kinect was yet it was pathetic to watch those hired actors making a fool out of themselfs showcasing some boring demos...

Like I said, I'm not into motion-gaming, so I had the exact same feeling when Sony did it with MOVE and Wii did it a few years ago when they were showing of their Wii, but people waving around and jumping and gooing ooooohh and aaaaaah just look stupid to me.

gamingdroid5058d ago (Edited 5058d ago )

***Personally, as someone who isn't into motion-gaming AT ALL***

Well then you aren't the target demographic AT ALL... If you aren't even open to it, no amount of coolness will convince you.

I think Kinect/Xbox 360 brand is definitely cool in young gamers mind. It's definitely a strong brand now, a far cry from the early and original Xbox days. Back then it was the butt joke!

Personally, I don't care about brands... so being cool isn't a concern for me.

thebudgetgamer5058d ago

only if it's opposite day on n4g.

iamnsuperman5058d ago (Edited 5058d ago )

Maybe for the casual but its the 360 brand that has made them cool. Microsoft has always had trouble with their cool image. I remember a programme on the BBC that where looking at super-brands and they ask these kids about Microsoft and the 360. They said Microsoft is uncool but the 360 is cool and couldn't believe Microsoft are behind the 360. I think the 360 brand is helping Microsoft cred because that was flushed down when they released god awful Windows 7 party ads

Rowland5058d ago

maybe Bioware should merge with Microsoft game division as 'dumbed down' is what it's all about right now.

zinki335058d ago (Edited 5058d ago )

Yes, all the cool kids want grandma hip injury rehabilitation center games and games for 3-6 year old children.

I wish I was that cool,..

“Kinect made us think about what it’s like to be human beings,” says Joe Nickolls of Microsoft Game Studios. Yes because you definitely consider your self superior beings, to useless eaters,.. or what you call us,..?
MS you suck so bad,.. and it really is sad people don't see trough your BS and spin,..

Show all comments (13)
190°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

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twistedvoxel.com
13h ago
lukasmain8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

7h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer7h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif5h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

5h ago
Obscure_Observer3h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

1dmj59m ago

He doesn’t have any sources lol

He also forgot that Sony does layoffs too

Hereandthere6h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

6h ago
Lightning775h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot5h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer882h ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer2h ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

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240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

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videogameschronicle.com
2d ago Replies(3)
Goodguy012d ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

2d ago
GamerRN1d 9h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga1d 8h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6381d 7h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein1d 6h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN1d 1h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 1h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 7h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

2d ago
Futureshark1d 18h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (66)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
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