190°

Kinect has extended the life of Xbox 360, says Microsoft

TheBottomTicker writes, "With Sony out of the picture, it opened the door for Microsoft to make a major reveal with a next-gen console – maybe the Xbox 720. As it turns out, Microsoft won’t be revealing a new console anytime soon either – thanks to the Xbox Kinect."

Read Full Story >>
thebottomticker.com
Why o why4508d ago

'With sony out of the picture'

I did actually laugh. There was an easier way to extend a cosoles life and thats with games. There is definitely one faction that is wanting the next next gen quickly and ill let you guess which one that is..... For the other, the games that brought them to that console are still coming . Kinect has definitely extended the life of the 360 so dont get me wrong but honestly... Whould would the type of gamer that comes to sites like this one prefer ....MS to use kinect or ms to use games

dedicatedtogamers4508d ago

Every single time I hear about Kinect's success, I can't help but think of the 500 million advertising budget. I mean, GTA4 cost 40 million. Killzone 2 and its engine cost ~60 million. Think of how many AAA games Microsoft COULD have financed instead of Kinect.

And then I think about how RARE is making WiiSports clones. I think about how Lionhead is making on-rails games.

I mean, is this REALLY what 360 owners want? Can 360 devotees HONESTLY tell me - without falling back on the classic "we still got deh multiplatz games, yo" excuse - that they are glad Microsoft is going this direction with Kinect?

PirateThom4508d ago

The people who defend it don't care about games, only sales. So they're happy enough.

Tanir4508d ago Show
Solid_Snake374508d ago

@piratethom

Lol as long as it sells ALOT, they can sleep better at night

coolbeans4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

"Think of how many AAA games Microsoft COULD have financed instead of Kinect."

This would be true if one knew that $500 million came directly out of their game dev./R & D, which probably isn't the case. Like every other billion dollar company, MS' partitions a bunch of different 'budget balances' they can use for a certain aspect of their company. Since they probably have an entire budget dedicated to just advertising their products, it would be safe to assume that money wasn't taken from anywhere else but the advertising division and they reduced the amount of ads for Windows 7 and other products.

So technically that particular complaint can basically be the same as "Think of how many games MS COULD have financed instead of Windows 8" for all we know; which really doesn't make any sense.

Edit: If anyone has reports of how that advertising money was shuffled, it would be greatly appreciated :).

BrutallyBlunt4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

Why do we continue to get people here on N4G trying to speak on behalf of everyone? Kinect can add to the existing experience, example being Forza 4. You don't need Kinect but it adds another layer of immersion. So why do users here like dedicatedtogamers care if people enjoy Kinect or not? If they don't want anything to do with Kinect then there is a simple option for them, don't worry about it. Don't spend your time in articles asking people why they like it.

There's far too many options out there to worry about things that don't interest you. All these people seem to really care about is trolling or trying to persuade others into thinking they should adopt their own philosophies on what to enjoy.

People complained the XBOX brand had no diversity so they went in a completely different direction with Kinect and tried to attract those uncomfortable with the many buttons on a controller. Now they complain it's too casual. I am a firm believer there is a core group out there who troll forums that have no interest in any direction Microsoft takes, they will never be a part of it. Obviously they have a lot of time on their hands and just enjoy trolling articles.

DiRtY4508d ago

Ahh we are at it again.

PS Vita gets the biggest ad campaign in history of SCEE: "THAT'S IT SONY! Wooohooo!"

MS Kinect launched with 500 million USD marketing budget: "OMG MS IS DESPERATE!!!! WITHOUT ADS KINECT WOULD NOT SELLAT ALL!!!"

Actually you should be thankful that MS did not spend that 500 million USD on games. Imagine what kind of games you would be missing.

"Hey Bethesda, we want Skrim to be a PC / Xbox 360 title. Here are 50 million USD."

"Hey Warner, we want Batman Arkham City to be a 360 only game - here are 50 million USD"

"Hey Rockstar, make GTA V Xbox exclusive. here are 150 Million USD"

And Kinect Sports is a really fun game. You just have to give it a try with 3-4 other people. It is great.

I am enjoying Gears, Halo, Forza, Fable just as much as Dance Central 2 and Kinect Sports.

darthv724508d ago

that is usually the time frame for a new release to be announced. Now I can see that those who are just now getting a 360 or ps3 would complain about not wanting a new console to be revealed.

It would make them feel like they bought into it at the wrong time....well, they did. Then again why punish those of us who started from the beginning by having to wait until others are ready to buy a new system? I am ready and im sorry to those who arent but this isnt about you its about moving the industry forward. You cant do that on hardware that is 5+ years old.

There is one advantage to extended console life and that is experience. Some of the best games on the snes and genesis came out at or near the end of those console runs. Developers are wanting new challenges to keep them creative and what better way to challenge their abilities than with new hardware every 5 years or so.

Like it or not, there is something new on the horizon. Who makes that reveal first steals the thunder from the other.

gamingdroid4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

@PirateThom

***The people who defend it don't care about games, only sales. So they're happy enough.***

How about we just happen to enjoy Kinect like the millions of others?

Not everyone is close minded and have an attitude "if it ain't for me it must be sh!t"... that said, I'm speaking to deaf ears here.

@dedicatedtogamers

***I mean, is this REALLY what 360 owners want? Can 360 devotees HONESTLY tell me - without falling back on the classic "we still got deh multiplatz games, yo" excuse - that they are glad Microsoft is going this direction with Kinect?***

If you actually ask the people that play games and isn't constantly frequent video game sites, you will find a large portion of them do like Kinect.

***Every single time I hear about Kinect's success, I can't help but think of the 500 million advertising budget.***

... and apparently it was a monumental success for MS. It helped them move 10 milliion consoles in one quarter, enabled an entire new business and brought in roughly $2.5 billion in revenue on the device itself discounting games.

I would say that is a very good investment.

maniacmayhem4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

I find it funny that people complain about the advertising MS does for Kinect, then turn right around and complain Sony doesn't advertise enough.

The same people complain that there are too many games for Kinect even though it sold the highest and MS is supporting their successful device. Then the same people turn around and yell the move is not being supported enough and need more dedicated games.

The same fans always say "sales don't matter!" but then are really quick to say "U.S. doesn't equal the world".

Why does it make some people so mad that the Kinect is a successful device that a lot of people are enjoying? I personally do not like the Kinect or any of the other motion controllers but I won't make any excuses on why others might like it.

It's funny how many people on this site are so upset about Kinect, and continue to use the "50 mill ad" as the only reason it succeeded.

ZippyZapper4507d ago

All aboard the excuse train CHOO! CHOO!

I guess you guys are riding the caboose (the last car)

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4507d ago
WrAiTh Sp3cTr34508d ago ShowReplies(5)
FACTUAL evidence4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

Microsoft: Kinect has extended the life of Xbox 360, meaning we can produce shovelware every month, and collect cash from your grandma. We're done with our hardcore audience, they better be happy they're getting another halo.

LORD-PHOENIX4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

with a 500million marketing budget

kinect has done nothing for gaming nor the consumers like me who were early adopters of the console...and before the ms devotees comment think why it is whenever a fps comes to console now nomatter the quality you go out in droves to buy it? like duke nukem......because you are starved of exclusives due to ms's desire to squeeze every last drop of money from you starting with kinect, its sold great but gaming wise its a flop...marketing is a trick used by all companies and when you have 500million to market thats alot of tricks.

just have a look at some of the commercials, ive played kinect and in noway are the commercials a true representation of the games,making you believe you full control when they are infact on rails

Angrymorgan4508d ago (Edited 4508d ago )

I felt robbed!
When I first got an xbox, I thought I was buying an xbox, not a fancy wii.
People can argue all they want about it being an optional alternative way of playing but it ain't, Microsoft screwed us over, switched the target Market to kids and stopped developing good m+ rated exclusives. Bye bye xbox, hello ps3.

Oh and kinect has extended the life of xbox, but not in a good way, I did own kinect when it first launched, it could be fantastic if used right, eg head tracking in fps games etc, but the games being released are total garbage.

gamingdroid4508d ago

When I bought an Xbox 360, I had no idea the console was going to evolve so much.

When I bought it, I bought it to play games with my friends and jump online. Because more people had mics on the Xbox 360, I chose that platform. Now, I enjoy all the benefits of cross game chat, party system and beacons.

Angrymorgan4508d ago

@gamingdroid

Don't get me wrong, I think xbox is a great system, and the online service is second to none. I just don't like the amount of support kinect is getting, in my opinion xbox is turning into a media player/nintendo wii
Just ain't for me anymore

gamingdroid4508d ago

@Angrymorgan

Fair enough.... I can't tell you how to feel.

That said, there are plenty of games on the Xbox 360 exclusive or not. Do you find you have problems finding games?

I can't say I share your sentiment about the Kinect/Apps support, as I really like Kinect. I'm enjoying Fruit Ninja Kinect, Gunstringer, Kinect Sports and Dance Central... more recently I have been using UFC Trainer. but have not tried Halo: CEA with Kinect support.

I'm looking forward to Mass Effect 3 with voice support using Kinect.

On top of that, I find myself browsing the apps and frequently use Netflix.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4507d ago
disturbing_flame4508d ago

Of course it did.
If Microsoft want to make money no need to hurry for them with the release of a new console.

WrAiTh Sp3cTr34508d ago

The sales of the 360 prove people aren't impressed with the offerings of MS's competition. Kinect has helped along with having the most popular games running better on the 360, plus having the better network doesn't hurt either.

gamingdroid4508d ago

Actually, the hardcore console gaming market is pretty small now. PS2 didn't sell because it was a hardcore gaming machine....

If people were so impressed with the PS3's offering, Sony wouldn't be forced to drop the price and still be third in the US this past Holiday.

BlackTar1874502d ago

All i hear is sales slaes sales WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY we are gamers first business men second enough with the sales garbage

lugia 40004508d ago ShowReplies(2)
LiL T4508d ago

So they are admitting that is was almost dead or completely dead... otherwise there would be no reason to Extened its life. Its like an Extended warranty you only buy it on thing you know are gonna die sooner than later.

ThirstyforFanta4508d ago

Guys are you really believing this? LOL
They HAVE TO release a new console to compete with the WII-U.. They're just saying they won't release it this year to make people buy the current Xbox and not wait..

Show all comments (59)
20°

Joy Ride Turbo - The Beginning of the End for Xbox Kinect

Joy Ride Turbo launched 10 years ago today. The first title was Xbox Kinect exclusive, yet this sequel failed to support the device at all.

300°

10 of the Biggest Video Game Hardware Failures Ever

Cultured Vultures: "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal, and no matter how much developers might try, some gaming hardware just fails to hit the mark. We’ve compiled a list of 10 gaming hardware fails, and boy did some fail hard."

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
Knightofelemia847d ago

I would label the Power Glove, Kinect, and that Tony Hawk skateboard more as hardware addons hardware failure would be like the Virtual Boy and one day Stadia.

Magog847d ago

Kinect was bundled with every Xbox One and inflated the price on an already underpowered and low RAM machine so for the One it wasn't an accessory as much as a white elephant.

CaptainHenry916847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

Definitely the RROD but that power glove had a lot of issues as well. The Kinect just didn't work

847d ago
CrimsonWing69847d ago

Hardware add-ons are more like RAM or a video card, basically components that enhance capabilities or performance of the computer.

If you really want to get technical the Kinect is more of a peripheral device, kind of like a keyboard or mouse to a computer.

ThatsGaming847d ago

The person in this article obviously is not up on their gaming history....

Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Coleco Gemini, Commodore 128, Commodore Amiga, Atari 5200, Atari 7800 were all massive failures and in most cases cost their companies participating in future gaming generations.

Gamer79847d ago

Sega saturn (successful in Japan) and dreamcast were not failures.
Seems like you're not up on you're gaming history

septemberindecember846d ago

@Gamer79

How in the world are the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast not seen as failures? They both sold around 8M each, which is much lower than the ~30M that the Genesis had sold before it, and even the Master System before that. They were both the worst selling consoles in their respective generation (PS1, N64 outsold Saturn, PS2, GC, and Xbox outsold Dreamcast). Both of the consoles were incredibly short lived. The Saturn was discontinued in every territory but Japan after just three years. In Japan the console was discontinued after six years. Meanwhile the Dreamcast was discontinued worldwide in 2001 after launching in most territories in 1999 and in Japan in 1998. The failure of the Saturn and Dreamcast lead to Sega pulling out of the hardware market. Which, by the way, all of this occurred when Sega was massively dropping the price of their consoles quickly to compete. Sega was hemorrhaging money at this point.

None of this indicates a successful console. Saying the Saturn was a success because it did better in Japan is like saying the Vita is a success (they both sold around the same amount of units in Japan). Even the Wii U outsold these consoles worldwide.

Magog847d ago

The picture should be the 360 RROD. When I think of gaming hardware failures that's what springs to mind. Kinect and it's bundled price tag definitely hobbled the already underpowered Xbox One though for sure so I would give it a close second place.

porkChop847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

That's not what the author means by failures. It's about hardware that failed in terms of sales (Wii U) or just failed to deliver on its promise (Kinect).

Magog847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

Given that the 360 had a year head start, much easier hardware to develop for, was cheaper, and still ended up in third place I think it qualifies especially when you factor in the frustration and huge losses incurred by RROD.

porkChop847d ago

Selling over 80 million consoles isn't a sales flop. We get it, you don't like Xbox, but that doesn't mean the 360 is suddenly a failure.

Rhythmattic846d ago

Porky....
You know how many people I know bought a 2nd or third 360 due to RROD? Even when MS had to confront the issue with replacement systems, my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in, and waiting for a replacement.,,..,..
If that's how you consider it a win... OK.. but so is having 5 , of which 3 don't function.... Its a win win....mwhahahahaha

porkChop846d ago

"my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in"

You're acting like it would take months. When I sent my 360 in I got a new one literally 5 days later. As soon as MS had tracking confirmation that you sent yours, they'd send a new one to you the same day. No one is going to spend hundreds to buy a new console instead of waiting a week. I swear you guys pull some of the dumbest shit out of nowhere and think people will actually believe it.

Regardless, none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about.

Rhythmattic845d ago (Edited 845d ago )

Porky
"You're acting like it would take months"
Sometimes it could.. FFS.. 'Strya here...
Best turnaround I reckon was 2-3 weeks.....
Either way, My mates experiences still exist.. So Sorry, no point trying to earn Xbox Achievements when it doesn't feature in what was a situation you never dealt with,,,,
3 of my friends would disagree (overall, 10 extra Xboxes purchased)
Regardless.. MS sold a lot of 360's that was due to this reason.. That is sales. Fact

"none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about."
Headline says HELLO !
Oh and "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal," that's enough to pass this on without taking your article bias into consideration.....
As for the rest.... Ok.. But you've actually gone out of your way to give MS a Pass... Fap on.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 845d ago
Aloymetal847d ago (Edited 847d ago )

Yup, and because of that big fiasco MS had to fork out 1 billion but knowing them I think they're very proud of the 360, it's the only time a MS console reached 80mil+ sales, RROD played a big part of that and a record they will never break again.

Rhythmattic846d ago (Edited 846d ago )

So true.. Even when MS accepted they where caught out in the biggest lie of any generation, The wait for a replacement was outweighed by just buying another, and having one be returned as a backup, which, btw, generally failed on first swap.
I own honestly can't believe MS tards are just supporting , or arguing why and what MS did by just dismissing it....

lonewolf10847d ago

Lol I had the Atari Jaguar, surprised its "competition" the 3DO isn't on the list too, both as "popular" as each other.

SullysCigar847d ago

Lol same. Played the crap out of Aliens Vs Predator and Tempest 2000 .... aaand that's about it really!!

lonewolf10847d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell847d ago

Agreed, I never actually saw a 3DO make it to retailers in the UK. At least the Atari Jaguar was sold for around 6 months.

lonewolf10847d ago

It made it to some my brother got one, fared just as well as the Jaguar so most probably hard to find in general.

darthv72847d ago

3do had way better games. Jaguar not so much. Neo Geo sold less than both and yet isnt considered a failure. Go figure.

LWOGaming847d ago

Stadia is a weird one. It hasn’t sold at all well but in terms of how it works it’s still miles ahead of Xcloud in terms of stability and performance. Xcloud is still a way behind and that needs sorting but it will be in time. Stadia for me is one of those things that will go down as a what could have been moments. With better marketing it could have been a roaring success. I still play it and it remains the best place in my opinion to play CyberPunk 2077. Only platform I have played it on without having any issues at all. The tech is great. The concept is fine. Marketing terrible. Shame really.

Magog847d ago

The sales model was awful. They should have teamed with an existing player to allow for local and cloud access to games or a gaming subscription service.

LWOGaming847d ago

It was a strange mess from such a huge company, as I said, as a system it works really well but without gamers it’s nothing. Such a waste,

LWOGaming847d ago

The Xbox One was Microsoft’s Nintendo Wii U. Undercooked, undersold and just an unholy mess. The thing is with any of these failures is to learn from them and thankfully both Nintendo and Xbox did just that to the benefit of gamers everywhere.

Show all comments (39)
120°

Pivotal Decisions in Gaming History - Xbox Goes All-In on Kinect

Xbox 360's Kinect had flopped yet Microsoft insisted on mandatory Kinect for Xbox One, driving the price up and alienating their potential customers.

Read Full Story >>
techstomper.com
darthv721024d ago

the tech was pretty damn good but their focus on making it the centerpiece was not. Had they opted to keep it as a secondary or even tertiary device, it may have found new use for AR/VR.

PrimeVinister1024d ago

Maybe. But they were two early for VR and too late for motion control

1024d ago Replies(2)
Godmars2901024d ago

Their focus was marketing metrics. Information gathering for targeted advertising. Also "event curating" or head counting for special TV events. If MS had had their way with always online and mandatory Kinect pre COVID, as and during it they'd likely be turning into dominant presence in many Western homes. Be getting subsidized by Disney and other streamers as well as the NFL.

Thing was, Kinect as an actual game system, its games, just weren't ready. MS moved on it too soon. Thankfully.

Atticus_finch1024d ago

Sorry but it was incredibly bad for gaming. The thing barely worked as intended and the games were broken shovelware. And let's not forget all the lies from Xbox to try and sell it. What happened to Milo?
It's like Xbox it's a perpetual lying machine.

PrimeVinister1024d ago

I had almost forgotten about Milo. It looks so unbelievable in retrospect. How did anyone believe it?!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1023d ago
TheEnigma3131024d ago

Kinect requirement, TV focused, DRM, and $100 buried Xbone before it even stared.

PrimeVinister1024d ago (Edited 1024d ago )

I think Kinect was the worst of the bunch. They reversed DRM overnight and try to play down the TV stuff when they realised it made them look disinterested in gaming.

Kinect stuck around for six months, preventing sales and making more and more people upset when they dropped the Kinect and the price.

Atticus_finch1024d ago

Don't forget the inferior hardware which affects their game development to this day.
And the constant boasting and lying that hasn't change very much to this day.

kayoss1024d ago

I was kind of excited for the kinect. It had potential. That was until i tried it at one of their Microsoft store. The thing was so laggy and worker who was there, had no clue what he was doing. It kind of made rethink about buying an Xbox One with Kinect.

PrimeVinister1024d ago

I had already been turned off of the idea by Kinect for 360. Even when it worked, the games were bad and showed no potential.

Wii made you understand what they were going to do with it within about 10 seconds of Wii Sports. It went on to become a bit of a joke but at least it worked and had a purpose.

Thundercat771023d ago

The damage to the Xbox brand was so hard that til this day they are just the last place brand in the market.

PrimeVinister1023d ago

Totally. They haven't been really all that relevant since.

Godmars2901023d ago

That has to do with repeatedly failing, having to reaffirm only to again fail at creating a competent flow of decent games.

@PrimeVinister:
Until Game Pass and BC are mentioned. Only for the point to be missed.

kayoss1023d ago

thats because they dont know what they want to be. A gaming console, Television, or a gaming service?

Godmars2901023d ago

@kayoss:
They wanted, expected, to be Steam. To have everyone coming to them and paying for the privilege. That's the exact mentality on display when they tried to push always online.

brewin1023d ago

Its sad because the Xbox one version of Kinect was actually pretty solid. Not for motion games, I couldnt care less about those, but for the other features that are now commonplace in the gaming ecosystem. Things like voice control and optional motion features in games. Stuff that Sony did with the PS camera was pretty sweet and they could have done some of that stuff with Kinect.

The tech was pretty sweet when implemented right though. Who remembers the implementation in Dead Rising 3?! You could lure zombies away by saying stuff into the kinect, it was a bit hokey at first, but it actually enhanced the game significantly once you learned all the different voice commands. There was and still is nothing else like that!

The focus on TV seemed to be an issue for people, but the TV pass through had some real potential. They could have had cable companies giving the XBone out instead of cable boxes! I understood what they were trying to do, but they needed to show the games too, and thats where they lost the core gamers. Being able to jump right to a sports event or TV show with out leaving the console was actually a pretty cool thing. I spent many nights switching between NHL games or TV shows and jumping right back into my games seamlessly, just by telling Kinect to do so. It was better than people care to admit, but I loved it!

People say XBone had no games, but on launch I got Dead Rising 3, AC Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Killer Instinct, Battlefield 4, Forza 5, and Ryse. That was actually a pretty solid lineup in hindsight! Then later on it got gems like Quantum Break, Dead Rising 4, Sunset Overdrive, Gears 4 and 5, the Ori games, Rare Replay, Forza Horizon 3/4, State of Decay 2, ReCore (SUPER UNDERRATED GEM), Halo 5, Halo Wars 2, and all the great 3rd party stuff as well! I dare anyone who sat on the Xbox One to go back and give it a shot now.

It was actually a pretty great console all things considered. Yes the PS4 had better 1st party stuff, stuff that MS just couldnt top or even compete with, but there are some really great games that a lot of people missed out on that they would probably really enjoy if they actually played them. Thats why I recommend a Series S and Gamepass to a lot of people, as its a great way to get an awesome lineup pf games for super cheap!

Show all comments (22)