Phire Phox
Banned
That's one pet peeve of mine with the voice commands. You have to say "Xbox Go To EA Sports NBA Live 14" or it won't work. "Xbox go to NBA Live 14" won't work.
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Polygon: MS needs to admit the XB1 Kinect is a peripheral, not a pack-in. [Opinion]
- Thread starter SwiftDeath
- Start date
That's one pet peeve of mine with the voice commands. You have to say "Xbox Go To EA Sports NBA Live 14" or it won't work. "Xbox go to NBA Live 14" won't work.
Not sure how much it would even help now. Fly off the shelves compared to the bundled one sure. They're very rapidly losing this battle in the minds of customers and that's hard to come back from.
Yesterday (on another forum) one of my friends who is a staunch Xbox/MS supporter posted news out of the blue about MGS V having a higher resolution, and asking if people thought this situation would improve at all. When your most vocal supporters start losing faith there's something wrong.
I did what any right thinking individual would, and mentioned Thief.
illustri0us
Banned
Mattrick sunk the ship and bailed
If its weaker than ps4 it has to be cheaper, no ifs or buts
If its weaker than ps4 it has to be cheaper, no ifs or buts
Pancakes R Us
Member
Unless XBO has a price cut to reach PS4-level, with Microsoft taking a hit on the console, it'll be well behind PS4 worldwide in two years. I don't think Microsoft wants to be in this position.
Pegasus Actual
Member
Hmm, I want to check out some daytime Olympic coverage. "Xbox, watch CNBC!"
Xbox turns on CMT.
Fuck you Kinect.
Xbox turns on CMT.
Fuck you Kinect.
Spider_Jerusalem
Member
I'm sure by the holidays MS will have ready a new system update that will allow to do everything without kinect (automatic log-in, controller shortcuts for "record that" and "snap", and so on). And they'll market a kinectless console with price parity to PS4. They know it's the only way.
I remember the same thing being said about the DRM.
I don't think you read it properly, he said
Kinect has been out over 3 years and it still hasn't had any amazing games or experiences. I think that tells us something.
Why can't Microsoft get this message ? Jesus Christ.
Neutralfanboy
Banned
I can't believe that Titanfall doesn't use Kinect at all. I know Respawn is just starting up but come on... If your biggest and likely most popular game of the year doesn't even use it then you have a huge problem. Halo 5 better have some crazy Kinect functionality or else Kinect is dead in my eyes.
It's really cool shouting "Timeout" in 2K14 and "Pick and Roll" but yet again that's just voice recognition, how about Kinect being useful in other ways.
It's really cool shouting "Timeout" in 2K14 and "Pick and Roll" but yet again that's just voice recognition, how about Kinect being useful in other ways.
Sir_Crocodile
Member
polygon said:
This is pretty stupid. The attitude wasn't "presumptuous and consumer-hostile", it was absolutely accurate for the industry.
Microsoft's problem is the lack of decent software (and apparently it still doesn't work that well?), which is absolutely their fault as if you come out with something so different, you have to support it well with your first parties, and they haven't done that.
Does it recognise a zack morris timeout command
because that would be the best thing
Dreams-Visions
Member
10/10
Never has there been such a powerful, yet utterly underused piece of tech in my living room. Why would Microsoft build it if they didn't have the ideas for software that make use of it and could blow us all away? If they did/do have ideas, where is the follow through? Results? QThere's no excuse for the abject lack of software made by Microsoft proving Kinect2 should exist. Even the cheap ass PS Eye Toy has carved out a purpose with Twitch.
ThIng is, it might be for MS. If people don't buy it because of Kinect then that hurts them. That is what they are getting at.
Bloodworth
Member
I almost forgot to check for Kinect compatibility in Tomb Raider because out of habit I just don't plug it in. If a game doesn't offer anything better than voice commands and awkward hand waving, I've got no use dealing with that annoyance.
This is from the PS4 version, but it sums up my thoughts on voice command pretty well.
You simply can't even call out the names of the weapons faster than you can tap the D-pad.
This is from the PS4 version, but it sums up my thoughts on voice command pretty well.
You simply can't even call out the names of the weapons faster than you can tap the D-pad.
That sounds eerily a lot like Iwata talking about the "value" of the GamePad that the consumers just dont "get".
Maybe consumers do get the value and simply see it not worthy of their money, hence the sales of the Wii U and latest NPD number for Xbox One.
Kinect use in games was always going to be little more than bolted on features, having the Kinect in the box was never going to change how developers make games for the Xbone in any kind of meaningful way. The Kinect in regard to the XB1 was never for games, it was there as a way to try and change how people interact with their entertainment center. MS is basically trying to make Kinect the "touch screen" of TV's in the living room. To think that developers were going to try and use the Kinect to create new ways of gaming was, and still is, delusional. Hell, it is even more delusional now that the PS4 is selling better than the XB1, as developers are not going to cut off the majority of potential customers simply to experiment with Kinect.
As for the always online stuff, sorry, but that was always about DRM. They fed you a line to convince you that it was to make sure that developers could count on that internet connection, but that is complete BS. If a developer has a feature that they absolutely need an internet connection for, then there is nothing stopping them from making their game online only, and we are already seeing that. From a business perspective it makes no sense to make your entire system require an internet connection, and limit your potential customer base, when you could have individual games that require the connection instead. That is, it doesn't make sense unless your motive has nothing to do with the features of the games themselves, but rather some other reason for making sure that everyone is connected. Make no mistake about it, the always online requirement was absolutely always about DRM and advertising, to think it was to create a better experience for gamers is simply delusional. Developers don't have to have that choice made for them, they are fully capable of deciding if their game needs to require a connection.
Consumers do know what they want.
They don't want the WiiU and still not sure about the XBone.
jimbobsmells
Member
I want to hear more about these water cooler discussions.
Metalingus5150
Member
What kind of implementation do people think kinect can have in games that make it a killer app? I'm genuinely curious.
I'm very much of the opinion that it's one of the things making it stand out as an Xbox device, something that you can't get from any other machine. It's part of the console, just as a camera is (nowadays) part of a phone. You don't use your phone camera all the time, but it's there when you need it.
I agree that it needs to be packed in with every console sold, for the simple reason of not having a fragmented audience. Not only did 1st gen Kinect developers have to take into account they were only going to have an Xbox only audience, they were only going to have a fraction of that audience to sell to. What's the point of putting all your efforts into a title that was only going to have a limited number of potential customers?
Putting the camera with every Xbox One guarantees that every owner of the console is a potential customer to any Kinect game developed. If Microsoft truly believes in it's product then, as others have said, it's up to them to make us see that vision. In that respect they have dropped the ball by not releasing a title at launch to showcase the potential. But to strip it out now I think would be a mistake.
I agree that it needs to be packed in with every console sold, for the simple reason of not having a fragmented audience. Not only did 1st gen Kinect developers have to take into account they were only going to have an Xbox only audience, they were only going to have a fraction of that audience to sell to. What's the point of putting all your efforts into a title that was only going to have a limited number of potential customers?
Putting the camera with every Xbox One guarantees that every owner of the console is a potential customer to any Kinect game developed. If Microsoft truly believes in it's product then, as others have said, it's up to them to make us see that vision. In that respect they have dropped the ball by not releasing a title at launch to showcase the potential. But to strip it out now I think would be a mistake.
At best you will have a very vague answer, no different than the answers to the GamePad.
This is what tells me the devices are ill conceived, both the Wii U GamePad and Kinect are all talk, its all theory, promise, if's and maybe's, but nobody has yet to use either in any meaningful way that actually results in a better game.
Words and phrases like: Unique, innovative, revolutionary, special, quirky, interesting, are all empty fluff PR words. And they are attached to these devices, yet no game uses them to any great measure, nor does it improve the experience in any meaningful way to justify their costs.
Did you read the rest of my post?
Thank god there's no X1 version of "Peter Jackson's King Kong - The Official Game of the Movie".
fastballspecial
Member
The Kinect ship sailed a loooooong time ago. A Kinect-less SKU was the way to go and they bkudgeoned that idea to death while forcing the lame peripheral down everyone's throat with the overpriced box.
A $349 Xbox One with a controller and headset and I'm in.
Or Dangananranpa (?): Trigger Happy Havoc on the Vita. I can't even spell the thing, let alone say it.
A $349 Xbox One with a controller and headset and I'm in.
Or Dangananranpa (?): Trigger Happy Havoc on the Vita. I can't even spell the thing, let alone say it.
I think MS need to take the hit on the hardware to get them into homes, $399 with the Kinect in as well.
My kids loved Kinect so I'm a little disappointed there is no decent software on the horizon for it.
The OS and voice commands are utter shit , though. I'd say my hit ratio for voice commands is ~50% , every time it go to show it to someone I inevitably end up repeating myself 5 times before using the pad.
And yes I had my volume turned high when doing the calibration.
The OS and voice commands are utter shit , though. I'd say my hit ratio for voice commands is ~50% , every time it go to show it to someone I inevitably end up repeating myself 5 times before using the pad.
And yes I had my volume turned high when doing the calibration.
Even if they removed Kinect and took $100 off the price it would just become a console that is underpowered when compared to the PS4 but the same price.
If they were to turn the Kinect into a more peripheral/add-on device and release a console SKU without it I think they would have to take a lot more than $100 off the price.
If they were to turn the Kinect into a more peripheral/add-on device and release a console SKU without it I think they would have to take a lot more than $100 off the price.
its entirely too early for them to abandon such a key differentiator for the xbone this ealy in the life cycle. they either need to drop the price with the camera included or bundle in a game (im looking at you titanfall) and keep the same price. its one or the other or the gulf will just continue to get wider between the competition if you ask me.
Bananajama
Banned
I'd love for a Heavy Rain*Minority Report Type game with the Kinect
Why hasn't that been shown yet!?!?
Why hasn't that been shown yet!?!?
Until MS releases a Kinectless skew it is still a pack in. You can't just redefine words because you don't like the product.
*Golf claps* Great journalism. You're 5 months late to stating what should've been said to your audience who was interested and did ended up buying an xbox 1.
Wii U actually had Zombi U which was a mildly compelling product and Nintendo Land for anyone else who was interested in that sort of game. MS came out with games that were obviously broken if you had the integrity to point out they were broken before the launch while you were reviewing them.
*Golf claps* Great journalism. You're 5 months late to stating what should've been said to your audience who was interested and did ended up buying an xbox 1.
Wii U actually had Zombi U which was a mildly compelling product and Nintendo Land for anyone else who was interested in that sort of game. MS came out with games that were obviously broken if you had the integrity to point out they were broken before the launch while you were reviewing them.
-MD-
Member
This is true too. Even if they did drop the price $100 I'd still choose a quad over a bone because of the performance difference.
MS are in a bad spot this gen.
Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
$349 with no kinect would be a bit of alright
For games, pbbbbbth. Kinect does nothing that I can think of.
As for the OS though, I mostly love kinect. Sometimes it doesn't understand my slight Southern accent, but usually it's snappy. I haven't had the thing a week and i've memorized everywhere I'd wanna go within it like Netflix, Hulu, games, and the store.
I do agree it should be an optional buy though.
Oh, and gestures somewhat rock. I can't sit comfortably under a blanket or it loses it's mind.
As for the OS though, I mostly love kinect. Sometimes it doesn't understand my slight Southern accent, but usually it's snappy. I haven't had the thing a week and i've memorized everywhere I'd wanna go within it like Netflix, Hulu, games, and the store.
I do agree it should be an optional buy though.
Oh, and gestures somewhat rock. I can't sit comfortably under a blanket or it loses it's mind.
larrybird33
Banned
As someone who doesn't own an Xbone... does it need Kinect to function (ie. some parts of the UI) like the Wii U needs the gamepad or does it work perfectly without it?
MS made a huge mistake in treating the kinect as a seperate control paradigm from the traditional game controller.
By itself, it's an inferior laggy alternative that can open different gameplay experiences that are filled with their own frustrations.
Combined with a split traditional controller - it serves to extend gameplay experiences that can take from the strengths of both.
e.g. navigating menus - fucking horrendous on Kinect - voice or waving. Absolute cinch on the gamepad.
OTOH, throwing grenades - better with motion controller if you need to determine angle and heft of throw.
New experiences can include the action RPG fitness game - where you combine a fitness game with a system dependent on heavy menu navigation.
Oh well... someone will do the motion control paradigm justice some day - and when it happens, we'll look back and say that was fucking obvious, while glossing over the fact that we've gone for nearly a decade (and most probably over by the time it's done right) with incomplete motion control systems.
By itself, it's an inferior laggy alternative that can open different gameplay experiences that are filled with their own frustrations.
Combined with a split traditional controller - it serves to extend gameplay experiences that can take from the strengths of both.
e.g. navigating menus - fucking horrendous on Kinect - voice or waving. Absolute cinch on the gamepad.
OTOH, throwing grenades - better with motion controller if you need to determine angle and heft of throw.
New experiences can include the action RPG fitness game - where you combine a fitness game with a system dependent on heavy menu navigation.
Oh well... someone will do the motion control paradigm justice some day - and when it happens, we'll look back and say that was fucking obvious, while glossing over the fact that we've gone for nearly a decade (and most probably over by the time it's done right) with incomplete motion control systems.
GoofsterStud
Member
No...It's just unnecessarily convoluted.
UpsideDownAce
Member
This line gave me nightmares about playing Uncharted 1 with Sixaxis grenade aiming. You're implying taking you hand off the control and making a motion to throw a grenade would be better than tapping a button?
secondspace
Member
Packing it in to avoid fragmentation seems futile anyway. It was obvious that the market would be split between the consoles and PC, the 360 was never strong enough worldwide that the One could have eclipsed the PS4 the way the PS4 actually is outselling the One. You're then left with the One audience and surely only a fraction of that number were ever going to be keen on even the most compelling Kinect software.
In a world where developers focus on multi-platform games to maximise profits, third party AAA Kinect support was always going to be unrealistic.
In a world where developers focus on multi-platform games to maximise profits, third party AAA Kinect support was always going to be unrealistic.
Yankee Ruin X
Member
Do you think if MS would of had a Live Streaming service like Twitch ready at launch like PS4 then it would have lessened the perceived cost of Kinect? I mean a lot of people bought a camera for the PS4 just so they could put up live streams so maybe if something like that would have given the Kinect a bit more value.
I still think it was very silly of MS to put Kinect in the box without having some kind of killer app ready for it so people would understand its purpose and why they need it because as it is now it for the average person it just doesn't seem to justify the added costs when there are no major uses for it.
I still think it was very silly of MS to put Kinect in the box without having some kind of killer app ready for it so people would understand its purpose and why they need it because as it is now it for the average person it just doesn't seem to justify the added costs when there are no major uses for it.
Yep, and my statement still stands. I don't believe the Kinect has any meaningful use in games. You think it does.
Tapping a button doesn't allow for the degree of finesse he was talking about. You can't control the power of your throw in most games and no game allows you to have more than 2 arcs.
That may be the case, but a good controller scheme will allow you to control the arc and I would prefer that to a motion control for grenades.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Im sick of hearing this arguement. Didnt Microsoft redo the interface of the 360 a billion times?
The interface was built for the Kinect, not that the functionality could not be had without it. It just takes a little more thought of how to make things more intutive for people navigating by controller.
There is no reason the Xbox one cant have a interface that is almost as speedy to navigate by controller as it is by speech.
Let's say they do take out Kinect, and price the system exactly the same as a PS4. What should they sell you on now? Mere exclusive can go a long run, but the system itself won't have a distinctive selling point. I myself use the Kinect for EVERYTHING I can possibly can. It works great and it just offers a very different dynamic compared to any other system I own. If Kinect is gone, the Xbox One feels just like any other piece of hardware. We know that the PS4 is much more powerful than the Xbox One, so unless you really love Microsoft's core franchises, there is virtually nothing there to persuade you to choose an Xbox One over a PS4.
DeviantBoi
Member
Microsoft's media arm is paving the way for this summer's announcement of a Kinect-less SKU.
digoutyoursoul
Member
Agree with the article, wish they would of put the same amount of effort building first party studios as they have pushing Kinect over the years. I'm bored of gimmicks.
secondspace
Member
Games and your friends have a much better chance of selling the One than Kinect I'd say. If anything Kinect is a barrier to people buying the One.