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We have no plans to introduce an Xbox One without Kinect - MS

I won't even be buying an xbox one right away, if ever, but them making kinect mandatory is a good thing. It will make for better uses of the kinect in the OS and games because developers can assume everyone has one.

That issue is unrelated to the privacy and cost concerns. Let's try to separate ourselves from the hyperbole people.
 
I bought the Kinect soon after it came out. I was never drinking the kool-aid on it, but I thought it looked kinda fun. It was, and I had some fun with Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, Fruit Ninja, and a couple other downloadable games.

So I am not a Kinect hater at all. However, I still do not understand the optimism some people have for it, even though it's been years and we've seen basically nothing new from the Kinect since it's launch. Nothing really innovative that is going to make anyone with a PS4 jealous they can't play it.

How do you know this? Just from the tech demos so far I could see Kinect being implemented, even in small ways, in big budget titles that enhance the experience. I am not talking Kinect only titles but uses for the dashboard, small enhancements in core games is where MS has an opportunity to bring something different to the table.
 
What I said was pretty clear cut.

Please address my second point then in that post. Are they or are they not going to make all their non-kinect games playable without kinect in use? If they do not make their other games kinect required, then it eliminates the need to have it bundled as it's once again an "optional" accessory and shows their true intent with its inclusion.

Will every XBO game need Kinect running and fully enabled to function? A - If every XBO game needs Kinect running and fully enabled to function, then they can never remove Kinect from the XBO box as it makes every prior game unplayable. B - If nearly all XBO games do not require Kinect at all to be fully playable, then Kinect could have just as easily have been an optional accessory from the start.

So the only option that makes sense is A. Otherwise Kinect should not have ever been a requirement.
 
How do you know this? Just from the tech demos so far I could see Kinect being implemented, even in small ways, in big budget titles that enhance the experience. I am not talking Kinect only titles but uses for the dashboard, small enhancements in core games is where MS has an opportunity to bring something different to the table.

It would have been nice for them to do some of those enhancements in core games for at least one of the launch titles... or the first-year exclusives...

Seriously, it bothers me to hell that there is not one reason to get excited about Kinect in what we've seen of their entire first-year first-party lineup...
 
How do you know this? Just from the tech demos so far I could see Kinect being implemented, even in small ways, in big budget titles that enhance the experience. I am not talking Kinect only titles but uses for the dashboard, small enhancements in core games is where MS has an opportunity to bring something different to the table.

Because the Kinect is not a new piece of technology. Did you forget how many promises Microsoft made when they debuted this thing at E3 2009? What did all that hype amount to?

Dance Central, Kinect Sports, some voice integration in a few games, user interface options that no one uses, and some really crappy games.

Kinect 2.0 with the same capabilities but better isn't going to re-write that story. Playing games with your hands/body is simply a niche concept. Navigating the UI with your hands looked really cool in Minority Report, but I don't personally know anyone who wants to do it in real life.
 
This thread has me worried about the PS4 controller touchpad actually. I mean... couldn't our fingerprints be sent straight to Sony along with all our other information. What if another company-wide hack happens again? Those hackers will have our fingerprints too. I really wish Sony would make the touchpad support optional. Do you think they'll remove it before launch? Some serious issues to consider.
 
Please address my second point then in that post. Are they or are they not going to make all their non-kinect games playable without kinect in use? If they do not make their other games kinect required, then it eliminates the need to have it bundled as it's once again an "optional" accessory and shows their true intent with its inclusion.

I don't know; ask Major Nelson. Honestly though, I see what you are getting at however why would they make games unplayable without Kinect in use?

BigDug13 said:
Will every XBO game need Kinect running and fully enabled to function?

I don't have the answers to this but again, why would they do this?
 
It would have been nice for them to do some of those enhancements in core games for at least one of the launch titles... or the first-year exclusives...

Seriously, it bothers me to hell that there is not one reason to get excited about Kinect in what we've seen of their entire first-year first-party lineup...

The Kinect isn't there for games silly, its there for advertisement and gesture controls. Seriously the Kinect is one of the most useless accessories in gaming history.
 
This thread has me worried about the PS4 controller touchpad actually. I mean... couldn't our fingerprints be sent straight to Sony along with all our other information. What if another company-wide hack happens again? Those hackers will have our fingerprints too. I really wish Sony would make the touchpad support optional. Do you think they'll remove it before launch? Some serious issues to consider.

This post isn't as clever as you think it is.
 
Because the Kinect is not a new piece of technology. Did you forget how many promises Microsoft made when they debuted this thing at E3 2009? What did all that hype amount to?

This Kinect is a new piece of technology in comparison to the 1st one.

BruiserBear said:
Dance Central, Kinect Sports, some voice integration in a few games, user interface options that no one uses, and some really crappy games.

I know this comes as a shock to you and others but some people enjoyed the hell out of Dance Central, Kinect Sports the voice integration in games and the UI uses.
 
How do you know this? Just from the tech demos so far I could see Kinect being implemented, even in small ways, in big budget titles that enhance the experience. I am not talking Kinect only titles but uses for the dashboard, small enhancements in core games is where MS has an opportunity to bring something different to the table.

They had plenty of impressive tech demos for kinect 1 too

http://youtu.be/SxU_T7C4Ils

And guess what?

Where is Milo?

I'll wait and see on this personally
 
They had plenty of impressive tech demos for kinect 1 too

http://youtu.be/SxU_T7C4Ils

And guess what?

Where is Milo?

I'll wait and see on this personally

Look at who was hyping Milo up. The tech is much better this time around; I am optimistic but I was one of the weirdos who got plenty of use from Kinect, warts and all. My kid, cousins all enjoyed Kinect Adventures and Dance Central, I enjoyed DC and Kinect Sports and still use Kinect for the UI stuff.
 
They had plenty of impressive tech demos for kinect 1 too

http://youtu.be/SxU_T7C4Ils

And guess what?

Where is Milo?

I'll wait and see on this personally

iXJgYhqStYCMX.png
 
This thread has me worried about the PS4 controller touchpad actually. I mean... couldn't our fingerprints be sent straight to Sony along with all our other information. What if another company-wide hack happens again? Those hackers will have our fingerprints too. I really wish Sony would make the touchpad support optional. Do you think they'll remove it before launch? Some serious issues to consider.

Oh god... at least trolling has to have some semblance of logic behind it... care to try again?
 
This Kinect is a new piece of technology in comparison to the 1st one.



I know this comes as a shock to you and others but some people enjoyed the hell out of Dance Central, Kinect Sports the voice integration in games and the UI uses.

So faster body tracking, finger tracking, facial recognition, and better voice recognition is gonna re-write the book for Kinect? It's a shame no one was able to show that at E3, when the whole world was watching. Wonder why that is.......


I'm not surprised to hear some people really enjoyed Kinect. As I just said though, it's a niche product. Forcing it on every single consumer is just a horrible idea that is already backfiring for Microsoft, and I say this as someone who wants to buy the XB1, but feels compelled not to precisely because they're forcing Kinect into the experience.
 
This thread has me worried about the PS4 controller touchpad actually. I mean... couldn't our fingerprints be sent straight to Sony along with all our other information. What if another company-wide hack happens again? Those hackers will have our fingerprints too. I really wish Sony would make the touchpad support optional. Do you think they'll remove it before launch? Some serious issues to consider.

This post isn't as clever as you think it is.

lol I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that.
 
The Kinect isn't there for games silly, its there for advertisement and gesture controls. Seriously the Kinect is one of the most useless accessories in gaming history.

About the first part, I'm beginning to think MS really doesn't care to even disguise that. About the second part, I don't agree at all.
 
So faster body tracking, finger tracking, facial recognition, and better voice recognition is gonna re-write the book for Kinect? It's a shame no one was able to show that at E3, when the whole world was watching. Wonder why that is.......

They didn't do anything w/ it because everyone wanted GAMES. They delivered on that and you think they didn't show anything Kinect related at E3 because of some conspiracy...unreal.

BruiserBear said:
I'm not surprised to hear some people really enjoyed Kinect. As I just said though, it's a niche product. Forcing it on every single consumer is just a horrible idea that is already backfiring for Microsoft, and I say this as someone who wants to buy the XB1, but feels compelled not to precisely because they're forcing Kinect into the experience.

They aren't forcing you to use Kinect to play the damn games; it is there but I have read nothing that you can't play COD, for instance, without Kinect registering your heartbeat or something.
 
Look at who was hyping Milo up. The tech is much better this time around; I am optimistic but I was one of the weirdos who got plenty of use from Kinect, warts and all. My kid, cousins all enjoyed Kinect Adventures and Dance Central, I enjoyed DC and Kinect Sports and still use Kinect for the UI stuff.

Right and that's why it should come with some choice attached to it

Personally I'd like a kinectless sku but fine MS just let me disconnect it

Should be optional

None of MS messaging makes me think the always connected requirement has anything to do with improved dev support of the kinect


That is just awesome

I am well aware of his lies but who allowed him to lead milo in the first place?

Personally I think MS wanted Milo to show off kinects potential and never intended it for retail so they were in fact just getting our hopes up

Who better to take the fall for failure to deliver than Peter Molyneux?
 
I don't know; ask Major Nelson. Honestly though, I see what you are getting at however why would they make games unplayable without Kinect in use?



I don't have the answers to this but again, why would they do this?

Because games are supposed to use its technology to do things that cannot be accomplished on the PS4, and their ability to do this somehow hinges on the accessory being in everyone's living room. Otherwise, why require it in your box? It's not needed for navigation. It's not needed for games. Why charge people $150-200 more for your system to have it and not make it truly a requirement if that's your whole reasoning for including it in the first place? Where's that innovation that Kinect 2 fans are saying will happen if every game is going to make it optional?

Their entire reasoning for its mandatory inclusion is getting completely undercut by every developer making it an option that can be turned off, so I fail to see why Kinect 2 must be mandatory and Kinect 1 was ok to be optional.
 
I don't think they are planning on it, as some people in this thread seem to think, but if Xbone does badly then yes of course they will.
 
So funny this Milo video...

At 60 seconds in you can see he "looking" to the girl, to his left / her right.
Well, as it happens, she would also see him looking to left / her right, cuz that's a fucking TV!

Actually, anyone in the room would see that way, unless, he looked to her eyes, like a person talking to her would do. In that case, he would be looking to the camera and, thus, to everyones eyes.

Plain dumb.
 
This statement is so pointless though. Of course they're going to deny a kinectless Xbone if it were supposed to be released in 2014 even if it were true, no point in confirming it and risk cannibalizing Xbone launch sales.

With that said, I don't think they'll release a Kinectless Xbone. They've invested way to much in the Kinect for them to just abandon it.
 
Because games are supposed to use its technology to do things that cannot be accomplished on the PS4, and their ability to do this somehow hinges on the accessory being in everyone's living room. Otherwise, why require it in your box? It's not needed for navigation. It's not needed for games. Why charge people $150-200 more for your system to have it and not make it truly a requirement if that's your whole reasoning for including it in the first place? Where's that innovation that Kinect 2 fans are saying will happen if every game is going to make it optional?

We don't know what the innovation is going to be until it happens. I get what you are saying but MS would be best to answer why they made it optional; not me. I can only guess and I believe they made it optional so that the attach rate is high, which in turn helps devs implement it more into the game. Plus they want people to use it for the UI, as it seems to be much improved.
 
They didn't do anything w/ it because everyone wanted GAMES. They delivered on that and you think they didn't show anything Kinect related at E3 because of some conspiracy...unreal.

I have no idea what "conspiracy" you're talking about. I think they didn't show Kinect games at E3 because they're already shit out of ideas for the thing. They've got a Kinect Sports sequel coming at launch, and next year they have Fantastia on the way. The End.



They aren't forcing you to use Kinect to play the damn games; it is there but I have read nothing that you can't play COD, for instance, without Kinect registering your heartbeat or something.

They're forcing me to pay $100 more for a console that is less powerful than the PS4. The Kinect is the sole reason for that price difference. They're also forcing every single person who buys the console to have the Kinect plugged in at all times, even if the customer wants nothing to do with it. This large clunky camera forced into your living room, whether you have space for it or not, you're gonna have to deal with it.

What was that you said about not forcing it upon people?
 
This statement is so pointless though. Of course they're going to deny a kinectless Xbone if it were supposed to be released in 2014 even if it were true, no point in confirming it and risk cannibalizing Xbone launch sales.

With that said, I don't think they'll release a Kinectless Xbone. They've invested way to much in the Kinect for them to just abandon it.

Well, as obvious as the fact that they would never admit otherwise, putting the statement out there does have a point. The point being for people to not wait around on buying a XB1 with the assumption that there will be a Kinect-less one later on.
 
I have no idea what "conspiracy" you're talking about. I think they didn't show Kinect games at E3 because they're already shit out of ideas for the thing. They've got a Kinect Sports sequel coming at launch, and next year they have Fantastia on the way. The End.

They said they were going to show GAMES; they showed them and left out Kinect so people wouldn't rip them apart. I don't think they didn't show Kinect games because they "ran out of ideas"


BruiserBear said:
They're forcing me to pay $100 more for a console that is less powerful than the PS4.

Ahh, we are getting down to it now.

BruiserBear said:
The Kinect is the sole reason for that price difference. They're also forcing every single person who buys the console to have the Kinect plugged in at all times, even if the customer wants nothing to do with it. This large clunky camera forced into your living room, whether you have space for it or not, you're gonna have to deal with it.

Space for it; I give up. It isn't Johnny 5....
 
In terms of forced usage, only time will tell how many regular games end up with gestures or voice commands built in and required.

I despise motion controls, even when it's mild integration like in Super Mario Galaxy, so I worry a lot about Kinect stuff getting shoehorned into regular games.

If it doesn't, and/or is fully optional, then great. I could consider an X1 down the road if it ends up with some exclusives I really want to play and I'm lacking enough games to play on my PS4 and 3ds.
 
We don't know what the innovation is going to be until it happens. I get what you are saying but MS would be best to answer why they made it optional; not me. I can only guess and I believe they made it optional so that the attach rate is high, which in turn helps devs implement it more into the game. Plus they want people to use it for the UI, as it seems to be much improved.

It just still seems weird. Originally it's "Kinect is integral to our system design. Our system was built for Kinect features to be used as a part of system navigation." Now it's "well you don't have to use it at all. All of kinect's features can be done via physical controls and games are being made to be playable without it." Yet the device is still required to be purchased for a $100-200 premium and must be plugged into the Kinect port no matter what, even if you've disabled every Kinect feature under the sun.
 
I'm sure it's possible without enough duck tape or whatever. It's gonna look as hideous as all hell though. That camera is huge.

Yeah, that's what I figured. I have 2 kids running around, which means a Kinect within their reach will have a life expectancy of about 6-29 minutes in our home.
 
They're forcing me to pay $100 more for a console that is less powerful than the PS4. The Kinect is the sole reason for that price difference. They're also forcing every single person who buys the console to have the Kinect plugged in at all times, even if the customer wants nothing to do with it. This large clunky camera forced into your living room, whether you have space for it or not, you're gonna have to deal with it.

What was that you said about not forcing it upon people?
Microsoft isn't forcing you to pay anything.
To you it seems like the only differences between the X1 and the PS4 are the hardware and the Kinect...
The PS4 has more powerful hardware and doesn't have anything like Kinect so it seems like that is the choice for you.
I'm not sure why you feel forced to pay anything to Microsoft.

It is pretty obvious that Microsoft believes the Kinect is an integral part of the Xbox One.
So if customers don't feel like they want the Kinect, then they shouldn't buy that product. There are other gaming devices.


Has there been any word/image/video on if it's possible to mount the Kinect 2.0 sensor on top of a TV?
There are many TV mounts for the Kinect 1 sensor so I'm sure there will be mounts made for Kinect 2.
 
Microsoft isn't forcing you to pay anything.
To you it seems like the only differences between the X1 and the PS4 are the GPU/RAM and the Kinect...
The PS4 has more powerful hardware and doesn't have anything like Kinect so it seems like that is the choice for you.
I'm not sure why you feel forced to pay anything to Microsoft.

It is pretty obvious that Microsoft believes the Kinect is an integral part of the Xbox One.
So if customers don't feel like they want the Kinect, then they shouldn't buy that product. There are other gaming devices.

If Kinect is so integral to the system, why are almost all games and all navigation able to be done without using it at all? That doesn't sound very integral to me. Integral means you must use it to do things on the system. That doesn't seem to be the case. The Kinect 2 seems to be as "integral" in making your XBO function as the Kinect was "integral" in making your 360 function.
 
Microsoft isn't forcing you to pay anything.
To you it seems like the only differences between the X1 and the PS4 are the hardware and the Kinect...
The PS4 has more powerful hardware and doesn't have anything like Kinect so it seems like that is the choice for you.
I'm not sure why you feel forced to pay anything to Microsoft.

It is pretty obvious that Microsoft believes the Kinect is an integral part of the Xbox One.
So if customers don't feel like they want the Kinect, then they shouldn't buy that product. There are other gaming devices.

Do we really need to play the "no one is forcing you to buy it" game?

Yes, I realize I'm not forced to buy the console. I think you got my point though. If the customer is interested in the product, Microsoft is forcing you to overcome these obstacles to actually purchase it. So use whatever word you want. "push" "force", the point is they're making demands of potential customers, and it's not a bright strategy when the camera has so many potential annoyances to so many people. Not to mention it's solely responsible for the higher price tag, because we know the rest of the tech in the console isn't as impressive as the PS4.

So yes, Microsoft is forcing the Kinect camera into this equation hard, and I think it's a real shame, because they have a nice lineup of games that interest me.
 
If Kinect is so integral to the system, why are almost all games and all navigation able to be done without using it at all? That doesn't sound very integral to me. Integral means you must use it to do things on the system. That doesn't seem to be the case. The Kinect 2 seems to be as "integral" in making your XBO function as the Kinect was "integral" in making your 360 function.

Kinect makes things that would be complex to do with a controller feasible on a console.
You couldn't quickly switch between games and television and apps using a controller.
With a controller, it isn't convenient to browse through your library to snap an app, or switch games, or put on a television channel, or switch music playlists.
The convenience of the device is what is going to make it attractive as an all-in-one entertainment device, which is what Microsoft is marketing it as.

This issue translates to games as well.
It isn't very convenient to browse through lists or inventories in RPG games with a controller, it isn't convenient to group together troops in a RTS with a controller, it isn't convenient to browse through a list of songs on Rock Band with a controller.
The voice and gesture abilities could allow new genres of games to work even better on a console.
 
Kinect makes things that would be complex to do with a controller feasible on a console.
You couldn't quickly switch between games and television and apps using a controller.
With a controller, it isn't convenient to browse through your library to snap an app, or switch games, or put on a television channel, or switch music playlists.
The convenience of the device is what is going to make it attractive as an all-in-one entertainment device, which is what Microsoft is marketing it as.
Not seeing how any of this would be complicated with a controller. Voice can certainly be *faster* for some things though, definitely.

But for instance, right now, I can easily change between my current game and another one I've recently played by just bringing up the xbox button quick menus. I'd imagine switching between your current game and TV mode would be even easier with the same scheme.
 
Kinect makes things that would be complex to do with a controller feasible on a console.
You couldn't quickly switch between games and television and apps using a controller.
It isn't convenient to browse through your library to snap an app, or switch games, or put on a television channel, or switch music playlists.
The convenience of the device is what is going to make it attractive as an all-in-one entertainment device, which is what Microsoft is marketing it as.

Sounds like incredible convenience as an option. The fact that they're not making any of it a required way to interface with their product flies in the face of their entire "integrated into the core of the XBO" rhetoric. The device is required and yet none of what you said is a required method to use the product. Why?

If it's so great that it must be mandatory, why is the option available for me to do these things without Kinect?
 
Yeah, that's what I figured. I have 2 kids running around, which means a Kinect within their reach will have a life expectancy of about 6-29 minutes in our home.

lol, I never thought of that... remember if you have a cat... who likes to..... go around your entertainments systems and knock things over. CAN you play "offline" while you wait for your kinect to be fixed? It would be nice but from reading these articles, it would be safer to have another kinect just in case while you fix it :P jk Too much work
 
Kinect makes things that would be complex to do with a controller feasible on a console.
You couldn't quickly switch between games and television and apps using a controller.
With a controller, it isn't convenient to browse through your library to snap an app, or switch games, or put on a television channel, or switch music playlists.
The convenience of the device is what is going to make it attractive as an all-in-one entertainment device, which is what Microsoft is marketing it as.
And where is the advantage of Kinect in terms of gaming experience?
 
Sounds like incredible convenience as an option. The fact that they're not making any of it a required way to interface with their product flies in the face of their entire "integrated into the core of the XBO" rhetoric. The device is required and yet none of what you said is a required method to use the product. Why?

If it's so great that it must be mandatory, why is the option available for me to do these things without Kinect?
Because they want those convenience features to be core part of the device.
They don't have to be required, no, but Microsoft wants them to be.
It is what will separate the Xbox One from every other entertainment device.
 
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