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[Lamptramp]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Although I've still yet to be "sold" on the notion of replacing my 360 with an XBox one post reveal, this single post goes a long way to mending that bridge.

You've done a better job of selling the One to me than anyone else to date Albert, clearly written and concise. You should be getting paid more than you are.

*tips hat

 

[soul creator]

Thanks a lot Albert. Really nice to see that you guys are giving us the option to decide if we want to have Kinect plugged in or not, really eases the mind in terms of the "being spied on" worry.

May I ask a question, I will most likely have my Kinect plugged in, has Microsoft finalized what the "playable" or "required" space for Kinect will be? My room is pretty small, I can't use Kinect 1 in my room, whenever I wanted to play or use Kinect I was required to play in the living room where space was optimal. Is the space requirmenet for Kinect 2 the same as Kinect 1, or is it different?

In the Wired article from back in May that said someone 6'4" could stand about 3 ft away, and it still recognized his whole body.

Todd Holmdahl, demonstrates for me by walking his 6' 4" frame toward the sensor. Even 3 feet away, the Kinect's onscreen display clearly registers his entire body, and he still has room to lift his hands above his head.

 

[shinobi602]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

Uh, the PS4 is their move.

 

[VanWinkle]

I didn't imply anything, it was just an example of a scenario in which the Xbox One would be more succesful sales wise.

Well sure. How about we up the ante: let's have the Xbox One at $199! Maybe $99? Heck, you know what, I bet that if Xbox One included 10 free games, it would destroy the PS4 then too!

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

That would be great.

I almost want to say their redemption isn't complete without it. They've rectified every issue but the price tag at this point.

 

[Alx]

wait if this is true then why even include the kinect?

Because it still adds many features that are supposed to be selling points of the console ? Being able to run without kinect doesn't mean that kinect is pointless.
If you want voice activation, user identification, Skype, gesture/voice browsing or IR blast, let alone motion gaming, face tracking etc, you still need a kinect.

 

[farisr]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

Don't worry, you just have to wait till next week for some more Sony news. They don't need to come out with more news in between, MS needed it.

 

[MCD]

Can the NSA crazies take the tin-foil off now???

Go ahead and remove it guys....wait, the Aliens that built the pyramids are still out there. Better leave that tin-foil on to keep you safe.

The system can still send data over Ethernet or wifi.

Even if you disconnect it completely, it might be storing the info somewhere in the cache ready to be sent whenever the system gets online.

Don't be fooled by this.

 

[NullPointer]

I would hate for the take-away from this to be "we can pull whatever the hell we want, as long as we reverse it if people are not willing to swallow it."

That's not an easy lesson to replicate. For every reversal, which is a positive in my book, they still have to deal with the fallout of a very confused message going out to their potential customers.

How many people do you think even know about these reversals? The original shitstorm bubbled up to the mainstream surface, but have the 180s? And there have been more than a few so far, which means any actual Xbone messaging is still in flux and confused.

In short, I'm sure these reversals come at a cost.

 

[Tripp Daily]

Xbone is starting to look good
now add two free games and ill bite

Killer Instinct
World of Tanks
Project Spark

???

 

[Dead Prince]

It's not going to happen, people.

they say alot of things. doesn't mean it might not happen.

 

[watership]

Kinect needs to be with every XBO. It's the thing that sets the box apart. All it takes is a few great pieces of software to make it worth it.

 

[RMI]

Yep.

180 1: online check in relaxed, game selling/sharing etc to be like on the 360
180 2: indie game devs can self publish
180 3: headset included with every system
180 4: Kinect no longer mandatory for system operation

Two more and we'll have a full 1080.

Snowboarding? I'M IN.

 

[vpance]

So the console still functions with Kinect removed. Has it been clarified what "functions" is?

 

[Quadraphonic]

Although I've still yet to be "sold" on the notion of replacing my 360 with an XBox one post reveal, this single post goes a long way to mending that bridge.

You've done a better job of selling the One to me than anyone else to date Albert, clearly written and concise. You should be getting paid more than you are.

*tips hat

Yeah. There's a huge gap between the PR people and Albert, who's actually ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

This IGN article completely ignores the original question that started this thread of "What happens if it breaks?"

 

[aravuus]

That'll be next, just watch. Their entire strategy this gen is so damn reactionary.

"Quick, let's do what Sony's doing! People seem to like Sony!"

Maybe, but I don't think it's a bad thing. Sony has done a lot right so hey, why not? I will get Xbone too at some point anyway.

 

[Guymelef]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

Sony did the right moves long time ago.

 

[VanWinkle]

This was why I said, "for me..." I don't care about how many games there are gonna be. I just want good games. I can't wait to play Titanfall and Forza.

Unless Sony somehow announces a next-gen Last of Us remake, I don't have any interest in any PS4 games. I don't own a PS3, so I couldn't play the Last of Us. This is the only Sony ip I am interested in.

Okay, so its not about the quality of the games but rather your inherent biases. Got it.

 

[NullPointer]

Killer Instinct
World of Tanks
Project Spark

???

I think he means free-to-play games.

 

[vcc]

Why couldn't they say that in the first place. Jesus Christ.

Probably marketing, they wanted to justify it's inclusion. If they didn't make it 'integral' then the question of why it was packed in with the system would come up. A lot of early adopters aren't into it and they know it but they want to push it as a product differentiator.

 

[fallingdove]

Sony listened to the fans etc and we got what we wanted in the PS4.

It has taken a while and a lot of moaning but I am glad Microsoft is listening to the fans...

Now make a Viva Piñata and ill buy your system...

I still don't buy that Microsoft listened to the fans. My guess remains that Microsoft listened to the pre-orders and when they saw that pre-orders were far below expectations they attempted to right the ship.

If pre-order sales had met or exceeded expectations, there is no way in hell they would have adjusted their policies.

 

[Alphahawk]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Are all Kinnect required games labeled as such (like on 360) or will I have to take the game home to find out?

 

[Logash]

I feel like this is going to lead to a $400 Kinect-less bundle at Gamescom.

 

[StoopKid]

$399 and I'm in.

 

[Not]

MICROSOFT JUST BE RENEGIN' ON ALL THAT

 

[Silky]

last generation people not only bought the inferior console but many did at a $300 premium.

Logic doesn't really matter when marketing and years of brand loyalty and experience are on the line.

You're reffering to the Wii right? Because I'm sorry, I can't for the life of me call the 360 or PS3 superior over one another. Too similar.

 

[gamechanger87]

I feel like this is going to lead to a $400 Kinect-less bundle at Gamescom.

Albert just said they aren't splitting the user base.

 

[Floex]

I honestly don't know why Microsft haven't planned some killer app to atleast give reason why Kinect is included in the box.

 

[shinobi602]

Are all Kinnect required games labeled as such (like on 360) or will I have to take the game home to find out?

They're labeled.

 

[farisr]

wait if this is true then why even include the kinect?

To ensure developers that (nearly) every single owner has a Kinect (there will be those second hand owners who may not have a kinect sold to them alongside the xbox one). Also, many people who were against the plugged in requirement will give it a try now due to having the option of leaving it unplugged.

Also may boost sales for Kinect-only titles, as people might buy 1 or 2 to try out the kinect now that may never have bought the system if Kinect was required.

I know I for one will probably end up having it unplugged most of the time, but then bring it out in parties or in a gathering to play casual games like Kinect Sports and what not that the family enjoys.

But yeah, all this will be after the console drops to $400 in price.

 

[ironcreed]

Why would someone buy an inferior console at the same price as a superior console? That's what the kinect is for. Adding more worth to the purchase IMO

For the games. That is why some of us like to be multi-console owners. It's PS4 first for me, but I eventually want an Xbox One as well. The more appealing they make it, the sooner I will buy one. But the bottom line is that, just like with the 360, there is simply no value in Kinect for many of us and we should not be forced to pay for it if it is not required.

 

[Quadraphonic]

I still don't buy that Microsoft listened to the fans. My guess remains that Microsoft listened to the pre-orders and when they saw that pre-orders were far below expectations they attempted to right the ship.

If pre-order sales had met or exceeded expectations, there is no way in hell they would have adjusted their policies.

Well, yes. Everything is driven by money, but the Xbox One wasn't magically low in pre-orders simply because it was low.

Bad word of mouth SPECIFICALLY driven by these issues is what lead to that.

If people still complained and still reserved it, yes, the issues wouldn't change. But pretending the people complaining and spreading bad word of mouth didn't cause this is disingenuous.

 

[BigDug13]

It is strange that Sony's strong showing has not caused MS to innovate more or provide more value. It has only caused them to gimp their own vision one step at a time. It's like the reorganization has caused their entire console vision to crumble away.

 

[Guevara]

Boy it's going to be a hell of a thread when MS finally throws Kinect under the bus

 

[Kinyou]

I still don't buy that Microsoft listened to the fans. My guess remains that Microsoft listened to the pre-orders and when they saw that pre-orders were far below expectations they attempted to right the ship.

If pre-order sales had met or exceeded expectations, there is no way in hell they would have adjusted their policies.

I kind of fail to see the problem with that. Sony also didn't just make a machine to make their fans happy, the made a machine they knew would sell well.

People voted with their wallets and MS got the message.

 

[Jomjom]

Wow MS definitely should get credit for winning the humble pie eating contest, but wow it's unprecedented for a device to change basically every single thing that was announced to the public prior to its actual release.

Next time MS wants to release a product, rather than paying out millions to engineers, designers, etc., they should just announce a product name with a general gist of what it's purpose is and then ask people what they want. It would save them a load of money and result in a much better product. They have done exactly this except that they already blew probably a billion dollars (seeing as how the controller was already $100 million), for a bunch of R&D that is all getting overturned.

 

[eastmen]

You're reffering to the Wii right? Because I'm sorry, I can't for the life of me call the 360 or PS3 superior over one another. Too similar.

no, the xbox 360 had the superior online and the vast majority of multiplayer games had higher frame rates / resolution than the ps3 games.

Yet people still paid $500 to $600 vs $300-$400.

 

[Ozzykamikaze]

Why should a change that positively affects me be a bad thing?

It isn't a bad thing. I just don't think they should be so easily forgiven.

"I tried to bomb you, but I missed. We are now against bombing! If we had hit you, you'd be fucked, but we're still friends, right?"

Their change of heart is massive flailing right now. I'm not gonna forget it any time soon.

 

[Alebrije]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

Why ? Sony delivered a great console and bussiness model months ago , including better hardware and lower price.

MS needed to do the moves that did recently in order to save Xbone. I like what is doing MS but PS4 is still the best console at launch.

 

[jayu26]

Uh, the PS4 is their move.

Damn straight.

 

[Garrett 2U]

That's not an easy lesson to replicate. For every reversal, which is a positive in my book, they still have to deal with the fallout of a very confused message going out to their potential customers.

How many people do you think even know about these reversals? The original shitstorm bubbled up to the mainstream surface, but have the 180s? And there have been more than a few so far, which means any actual Xbone messaging is still in flux and confused.

In short, I'm sure these reversals come at a cost.

I think it is pretty clear that to make all this happen the engineering team needed to push back some OS features like the family sharing plan in order to put in these reversals before launch.
The reversals are probably one of the reasons for the required day one update, whereas before it might have just been optional.

 

[VicDaMoan03]

Netflix out of the paywall next 180

 

[VE3TRO]

What move? They still have the more powerful product at a lower price point with a greater value in their paid online system and they have greater worldwide brand power outside of US and UK.

Why ? Sony delivered a great console and bussiness model months ago , including better hardware and lower price.

MS needed to do the moves that did recently in order to save Xbone. I like what is doing MS but PS4 is still the best console at launch.

It's a joke. ಠ_ಠ

 

[Amir0x]

Oh fuck yeah, more brilliant 180s. I am going to toss that shit right in the trash the second I unpack it. Down to only a few more demands and we'll be square for a purchase before the end of the gen

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

Sony made their move in February. It's still a valid move.

 

[xHunter]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

I dont work for Sony but i can confirm that Kinect dos not need to be connected to the PS4 to make it work. I hope thats enough...

 

[b0neshank]

It's getting to the point where I almost feel sorry for Microsoft. They change the direction of their console design so fast they should change the name to Xbox All Over The Place. From online required, to not. Kinect a must, but you can turn it off. To the whole DRM reversal. I am worried that all of these designs changes are going to lead to a weaker platform for them. They received tons of shit for the direction they were trying to go, but a least have some determination to stay the course a little bit.

 

[psrock]

Yo move Sony.

Every week some news gets me more excited for the Xbone.

I don't think the PS4 requires Kinect either.

 

[Pop]

So kinect is still needed for the majority of the system. I don't know why you guys get so hyped about this, we've known about settings to turn off the kinect during games. But then you won't be able to use skype or whatever else is needed for kinect. I still believe Kinect is the system. Until they give us the option to completely not need kinect for anything, I'm out still.

 

[TheRealTalker]

this is nice to hear... good on them for changing it