Microsoft Exec: Kinect Still Phenomenally Important

[Raven]

Microsoft Exec: Xbox One Kinect Still Phenomenally Important, DX12 Enhances Gaming Experience «  GamingBolt.com: Video Game News, Reviews, Previews and Blog

This is a great example of why I roll my eyes almost every time a Microsoft executive talks up something about their gaming division. You effectively abandoned Kinect almost a year and a half ago. Even approaching the end of Year 2, there are maybe 7 games available right now that require it on Xbox One and only a couple more upcoming. Both of which are digital-only. Only a single first-party developed title released for it. None of your studios are currently developing anything for it and haven't been.

The one and only Kinect-required game Microsoft Studios actually made for Xbox One was Kinect Sports Rivals by Rare. A game that was delayed by 6 months from its initial release date as a launch title that bombed so hard Rare had significant layoffs afterwards. Which was also a clear indication of incompetent management as nearly the entire development staff of the then 200-person studio was put to work on a content-light game because you were scrambling to release something of substance for the peripheral. Why? Because even earlier mismanagement left you with nothing else to release for it within the launch window and the first year.

The biggest slap in the face is how instead of simply admitting that Kinect was a total screw up on your part, you go on to tell people who bought it for games that they should basically be excited that they can Skype with it. Yeah, because that's what gamers bought it for. That is exactly what gamers spent $100 extra for at launch. That is exactly what they want to go spend $150 on now. You sold them on the experiences and told them it was going to be important to the core. You were so far from delivering on that promise that it really should go down as one of the most embarrassing failures in the industry and serve as a constantly reminded lesson of how a company can sucker you into something.

Kinect is not some important portfolio piece. It should never be called that. It should be called what it is. A big, ugly stain on Microsoft's record and one that should only grow bigger and more hideous every time one of their Franz Ferdinand executives opens their mouth and tries to battleship the gamers they screwed.

WARNING: This is a Gamingbolt article.

[Legend]

That's Microsoft's PR problem at least for me. Chalk it up to being between a rock and a hard place, but everything comes across as faux and unhonest.

[Aura7541]

Making the Kinect mandatory with the XBO showed how much Microsoft misunderstood its audience and the success of the original Kinect. The original Kinect was successful not because it was a good product, but because of its novelty. Unlike the Wii and PS Move, the Kinect offered hands-free motion control, which sounded awesome on paper. However, it never came close to what it was advertised and the novelty factor wore off. Microsoft could not rely on that tactic again with the Kinect 2 and the lack of practicality doomed the peripheral's chances of success.

[Ludicrous Speed]

Phenomenally important to whatever crud he said about offering users exciting ways to interact with Microsoft products, sure. I love using Kinect commands on the Xbox One.

For games and such, obviously not, and he says as such in the article.

[Raven]

Phenomenally important to whatever crud he said about offering users exciting ways to interact with Microsoft products, sure. I love using Kinect commands on the Xbox One.

For games and such, obviously not, and he says as such in the article.

It's not important. Not in the least. It's an overpriced device for what it's used for now and represents an incredibly embarrassing failure on their part to follow through with their talk. Anyone who calls it "phenomenal" to their portfolio is a fudgy idiot and anyone who defends them the same.

[Ludicrous Speed]

So much animosity for such an irrelevant piece of hardware.

[Raven]

So much animosity for such an irrelevant piece of hardware.

Animosity towards idiots. Not the hardware.

[Ludicrous Speed]

Whatever you need to call it

[Raven]

Whatever you need to call it

I knew you'd see it my way.  

[Aura7541]

I believe you can do voice commands on your PS4 without the need of the PS4 Eye, as long as your headset has a microphone. What an inexpensive way of offering users exciting ways to interact with the PS4, am I right?

Oh, you want me to talk about Microsoft products, only? Well... Cortana on Windows 10. No need for an expensive peripheral for that ^_^

[the-pi-guy]

Phenomenally important to whatever crud he said about offering users exciting ways to interact with Microsoft products, sure. I love using Kinect commands on the Xbox One.

I don't think Kinect really adds anything to the OS that can't be done without it.  It makes things easier absolutely, but it seems very pricey for just making things easier.  
I think it has a lot of potential for games though, just not a lot of it is being put out though.  

[Raven]

I believe you can do voice commands on your PS4 without the need of the PS4 Eye, as long as your headset has a microphone. What an inexpensive way of offering users exciting ways to interact with the PS4, am I right?

Oh, you want me to talk about Microsoft products, only? Well... Cortana on Windows 10. No need for an expensive peripheral for that ^_^

Having a hard time remembering when I needed something that costs $150 to Skype with someone. Also having a hard time remembering when it was ever okay for a company to make hundreds of millions on a gaming device they told everyone would be well supported and then took 2 years to get less than 10 games out. While turning around and telling them, "Hey! At least you can Skype with it!" and then having the balls to call it "phenomenal" under any context. Like I said, fudgy idiots.

[Kerotan]

I believe you can do voice commands on your PS4 without the need of the PS4 Eye, as long as your headset has a microphone. What an inexpensive way of offering users exciting ways to interact with the PS4, am I right?

Oh, you want me to talk about Microsoft products, only? Well... Cortana on Windows 10. No need for an expensive peripheral for that ^_^

And to think Microsoft and some others defend it.  The ps4 doing voice commands so cheaply just shows up what an overpriced joke it's become.  

Sony should release a controller with built in voice commands.  That's really all you need.  Not a 150$ peripheral lol

[Xevross]

Don't kid yourself Microsoft, we all know its even less important than Raven's feelings.

[BananaKing]

I believe you can do voice commands on your PS4 without the need of the PS4 Eye, as long as your headset has a microphone. What an inexpensive way of offering users exciting ways to interact with the PS4, am I right?

Oh, you want me to talk about Microsoft products, only? Well... Cortana on Windows 10. No need for an expensive peripheral for that ^_^

i actually forgot PS4 has voice commands. thats just how useless they are.