Xbox One Hands-On: Is Kinect 2.0 A Mistake?

NowGamer: "Can this next-gen Kinect sell motion controls to hardcore gamers, or is it just an upgraded gimmick for the Xbox One?"

[NeoTribe]

Yes it is.

[KiLLUMiNATi_89]

Ok simply tell me why kinect is a mistake? I simply don't want two ps4 on the market, diversity is needed. If you ask I think kinect is a brillant idea without question, matter of time when people can start seeing its potential.

Kurylo3d-- you need space for voice commands, really ? Also it's call XBOX 1 meaning a all in one machine, it's a multimedia device. I don't understand you n4g folks at all... Kinect being a gimmick haha, so that makes the PsEye what then ?

[Kurylo3d]

Because its a gimmick. That adds nothing to video games. It wants to be virtual reality.. but it ends up falling very short. Its market is limited because you need enough space in your living room to use it.. and its market is limited because you can only make certain types of games with it.

This thing should be marketed toward indy developers as motion capture... which many are starting to use it for that on their pcs.

@above..

never said pseye wasnt a gimmick. That thing is worse then a gimmick its trash not even suitable for developers doing motion cap or 3d scanning. But still doesnt make kinnect any less then a gimmick. If you want voice commadns use a microphone.. why do i need to add $100 extra to the console? Voice commands have been done for ages.. kinnect isnt bringing that. lol.

[Imalwaysright]

The only different thing about kinect is that instead of using a controller you're waving your arms and legs because its software is exactly the same that we've been having for years with regular controllers, aside from a few dance games. There is absolutely nothing revolutionary or different about its software. As a gamer I can 100% live without that kind of diversity.

[pompombrum]

How kinect 2 turns out remains to be seen but the original kinect was extremely underwhelming and was made even worse by Microsoft promising so many things for it. It wouldn't be fair to call kinect 2 a mistake just yet but the higher price point with slightly inferior hardware doesn't exactly fill me with confidence at this stage.

[harrisk954]

The Kinect and the PS Eye are "gimmicks"... the difference is that Kinect is being forced on people and is a direct reason for the XB1 to be $100 more than the PS4. With the less expensive tech under the hood, MS might have been able to undercut Sony on price had the Kinect not been mandatory.

[InTheLab]

A matter of time before people see its potential was said about the first Kinect which was fine because it was optional and now look at it. If your casual family just bought a kinect for $150 a year ago, why would they pay $500 for more kinect and promises of potential.

Eventually you need a return on investment and so far, kinect has failed on every level that's not dance central.

So yes it's a mistake. It's the reason why I'm not getting an X1 and the reason why those that are will have to pay out the a$$ for one.

[mightyhokie]

KiLL,
I have enjoyed my Kinect. Sure, there have been times when I give a command a couple of times, and even (rarely) where I give commands and end up blurting for it to lick my butt because it won't listen. But it is veeeeeery convenient for me to just say 'xbox pause', 'xbox play', and stuff like that when watching tv. And I've generally had success at that. My kids love the Sesame Street stuff which they interact with.
So if Kinect 2.0 is as good as they say then I'll be happy. MS has a lot of opportunity there for gamers and entertainment alike. I think they are looking at the future. People say it is a gimmick. I don't think so. Look at all the products coming out now with voice commands. Is that really going to go away? I don't think so.

If people don't want it then get a PS4. I think in 5 years or so with the cloud and kinect improvements and all that MS will be sitting pretty. Just my opinion. I don't have a crystal ball. But I have enjoyed mine and I realllllly look forward to my x1 and not having to have 4 different remote controls.

[malokevi]

The person in the article, who has actually had hands-on time with the device, is singing it's praises. Meanwhile, a bunch of N4G people who both haven't tried the device and don't intend on buying an Xbox say that it's a useless gimmick and that the hardware/software is the same.

hmmmm......

[b00mFargl3]

Remember, haters are gonna hate. Most of the people when I launched the ps4 last night were asking if they could buy a playstation eye. Which is a half assed kinect. I got some hands on time and it has some cool things, but it's nowhere close. With the sony fanboys calling it a mistake and then purchasing the eye just shows how much bias there is toward one console without even looking into any benefits. I love the ps4 and it is a sexy beast, but its trying to go after something SIMILAR to Xbox.

[Bigpappy]

If you are buying a PS4, I am sure you think it is.

[ChrisW]

Of course a troll with 1 bubble like NeoTribe thinks it's a mistake.

[Kryptix]

Of course because if you're buying an Xbox One, you're forced to like it and use it or it's money wasted.

Plus the people buying a PS4 have the option to get the PS Eye but most of them think it's a gimmick, too.

Every time I read an Xbot's comment, I laugh a little from their broken logic... In this case, why can't you accept that people say motion sensing is a gimmick in general. People don't bash the Kinect, just the idea of waving your arms when using controllers is much more comfortable.

[lastofgen]

Not for me.
I plan to use it to its fullest capabilities, especially with ui navigation.
And knowing everyone that buys an xbox one will have the same experience is good to know.

[ZeroX9876]

it's not really a mistake, there's a market for the kinect too.

BUT, bundling it with every X1 was a mistake for me. I like to buy my accessories if I'm going to use it only. I'm not buying the PS4 camera right away, why?

budget reasons for some, more or less useless for me (except streaming online :D)

[fattyuk]

Is Kinect 2.0 a mistake..... Not really

Making people pay for it when they don't want it.... Yes!

[come_bom]

Yep... Kinect 2.0 should really be optional, and not forced with every console. Another stupid mistake by Microsoft.

[mhunterjr]

No one is MAKING anyone do anything.

[ChrisW]

Agree! If you don't want Kinect 2.0, then don't buy an Xbox One!

[RonRico]

If you want an XBone, then yes they are.

[mhunterjr]

@RonRico

If you don't the kinect, then you don't want the xb1. It's part of the package.
Why is no one complaining that MS is forcing you to buy a $500 HDD, or a headset, or a controller? Because they are part of the standard package.

[Kingthrash360]

thing is the kinect made a weaker console more expensive and as of now still a gimmik...its like what if ps3 charged for its 3d capabilities...

[MysticStrummer]

"If you don't the kinect, then you don't want the xb1."

There are many people who want an XB1 but don't want Kinect. No one is complaining about those other things because those things are proven to be needed for a quality gaming experience. Kinect still hasn't been proven to be necessary, therefore it is a gimmick, just like PS Eye.

[cyhm3112]

upgraded gimmick obviously, not that I want to beat a dead horse. A gimmick MS believe can achieve the success the likes of Wii!!! hooray!!

[yarbie1000]

People use the word gimmick without even really knowing the definition I believe: "trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or business"

Anyone who has watched the navigation videos and seen the controls using Kinect can see that this is useful, and therefore not a gimmick.

[strickers]

Matter of opinion . Many of its "features" like hand waving menus, are less effecient than buttons . Voice control can be dine in other ways. Gimmick.

[MysticStrummer]

For gaming it is a gimmick. It's a cool, futuristic looking way to navigate menus, but it's not the only game in town for that. Newer smart TVs do it, and there are external devices that allow it to be done also.

[Gazondaily]

I don't think so. Not yet anyway. We need something to differentiate the X1 from the PS4. If utilised correctly, it could become a really good piece of companion hardware for the console.

I think its quite exciting that every console comes bundled with it. Lets hope it works well.

[infectedaztec]

Agree 100%.

The UI was designed for it.

It doesn't have to intrude on games unless its tasteful - for example head tracking in BF4.

Apart from the obvious power step up. Its the biggest difference between the new gen and current gen

[Kingthrash360]

i agree the x1 needs somthing to differentiate yje x1 from ps4...but the kinect isnt it. ps4 has the cam and while weaker it has voice commands, eye tracking (announced and shown last night) facial recognition ect. and who's to say sony wont patch more. yeah the kinect is differnt but not such a differance that people are like hey, im gettin x1 because the kinect is stronger than pscam. in fact thay are saying im getting a ps4 because its more powerful because of their first party games because its cheaper.
ms should have spent money makeing making more first party studio's. spending money and forcing the widely unpopulaer kinect on customers has hurt them more that anything.
i understand you lke the kinect but the majority of gamers dont want it or would rather have it seperate for later purchase. in business you give to majority what they want then you do the stuff for the minority for better profits...ms has done it backwards with the x1.

[cyhm3112]

the whole thing about xbone is a mistake, whether people deny it or not.

[bomboclaat_gamer]

nice rational comment bro

/s

[ExDexteraDomini]

I would argue that without Kinect 2.0 the Xbox One wouldn't be the Xbox One. I think it should be considered part of the console and not as a peripheral device. Additionally, a gimmick is generally something that doesn't work once you actually try to use it and is usually used just to gain attention. Kinect 2.0 works and to argue that it is being used to just gain attention is ridiculous, seeing as if they really wanted attention, they'd have a $100 cheaper console that didn't include it. They included it because it does work and because they believe it to be worth the extra $$$.

We'll find out in a week.

[Mike134nl]

I agree that the kinect is defenitly part of the xbox 1 proposition. Esspecially with the overall kinect integration outside of games such as media and television. It has been reported other companies such as google and apple also might be working on similar solutions to browse media. Seems like Microsoft now for once finally is a step ahead of apple.

With the new kinect solution integrated in the xbox they are now also capable of supporting their games with new gaming functionalities and maybe opening up the platform up for other game genres such as Dark Dreams Don’t Die (or D4).

Kinect 2 seems to function well enough not to be seen as a gimmic but part of the new xb1 dna without removing previously proven,succesfull and well established game-play elements and notions.

[kewlkat007]

I don't think so..Soon we will find out what the public thinks..

Those that will never buy the Xbox One because of the Kinect well, that's their problem..

A console doesn't have to just play games in 2013 and beyond, so the Kinect is just part of the Xbox experience, however that experience will shape itself.

Here is hoping it gets a lot more support because everyone has one. Like some have said its one of the bigger differences between the PS4.

[andrewsqual]

Here is hoping it does get used indeed. If not, what a waste of those system resources reserved for its use and what a pain that is for the people that won't ever use it which will be the majority of XB1 users.

[pwnsause_returns]

Kinect isn't a mistake, but it should've been an optional peripheral. Because of that, Microsoft is going to suffer repercussions for that.

[Imalwaysright]

True if you want attention from casuals € 500 really isn't the way to get it.

[kewlkat007]

Especially those same casuals carrying 700 dollar iphones...

[Imalwaysright]

What does that have anything to do with consoles?

[mhunterjr]

If xb1 didn't have kinect, I probably would have gotten a PS4 last night, Because chances are the two consoles would have been identical, with the only differentiating factor being in house studios. All we'd have to look forward to is prettier graphics. I'm drawn to technical innovation, and I think kinect 2.0 can differentiate gameplay in positive ways. I like what how it's being used in BF4, in D4, in Forza, and in project spark. the added immersion from head tracking is more exciting than 1080p is IMO. If it wasn't included in the box, these games probably wouldn't have supported it, so for that I'm thankful.

PS I can almost guarantee that halo 5 will use kinect in some sick way and we'll all forget about this issue.

[b-dash]

NSA direct

[Trekster_Gamer]

B.dash..
Ignorant troll trying to spread lies.
Pitiful fool...

[Excalibur]

Yes, It's the biggest reason I'm not moving from my 360 to the Xbox One and (at this point) only having a PS4 for my Next Gen needs.

If you want to sell a product you have to give your consumers options and options don't include spending an extra $100.00 on something you don't want or never intend to use.

[InTheLab]

I think without kinect the x1 would still be expensive. Someone has to pay for those exclusive tv deals.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

Kinect is bundled with the XB1 so dev cam start incorporating it to their games. The reason the original kinect wasnt to successful was because it came optional so many devs didnt bother with using the kinect feature in their games. Now that it is "forced" devs are going to use that piece of technology and figure out cool ways to incorporate it into their game. so im all for the kinect and look forward to how they use it

[Excalibur]

This is absolutely not true, just because it's there does not mean DEVs will use it, especially 3rd party when the other console doesn't have it.

[mhunterjr]

It means that they are more likely to use it. The proof is in the pudding. BF4, Nba2k14, madden, need for speed: rivals, Forza 5, Ryse, dead rising 3, zoo tycoon, FIFA 14 all use kinect in some way. Why is it being incorporated into more core games than the playstation camera? Because the install base justifies doing the extra work.

[headblackman]

don't compare the first kinect to the new and highly improved kinect 2.0. and let's not sit here on n4g and assume that its anything close to what we've seen or tried before. only a PlayStation fanbot would down play the difference that the kinect can actually bring to the games. developers are already tapping into this when you look at a game like dead rising 3 and ryse son of Rome. on dead rising, if you make a sound in certain areas where you need to creep by with stealth,the zombies will hear you via the kinect and will come towards to kill you. now that's innovation. ryse son of Rome allows you to call out commands for your troops. when you need help all, you have to do is call for it and the kinect will hear you and send help. now this is just some of the early but extremely innovative things that are being done with the voice recognition aspect of the kinect, but we all know that its capable of much more. the specs and comparison of the two kinect devices are like night and day, so there is no way a person in their right mind could knock this device before even trying it. if that was so, than the ps4 should've never sold 1 unit if that's how its done. a camera like kinect and kinect 2.0 is so innovative and game immersive to the point of Sony doing the me too game. if Sony can see the massive potential in the device, so should its Sony fanbot slaves.

[nategrigs]

But you could have done that stuff with the original Kinect.....and the pseye. There's lots of talk about the Kinect (1&2), but I have yet to see a compelling use of either.

[Ricegum]

Wow. It sounds like you're trying to sell the thing. Sure it's definitely innovative, a nice bit of kit, but it doesn't change the fact that most people have no interest in it, in fact, it's considered a downside to getting the console by a lot of people.

[pompombrum]

Did you do a copy and paste job from a brainwashed Microsoft salesman?

[headblackman]

did you take offense to my truths? well you should if you're a PlayStation fanbot that bash on things that you have no clue about. kinect by specifications alone is light years beyond kinect anything that we've ever seen or experienced before. so to knock it before you see what the developers can do with this new powerful piece of hardware is just total bs and fanboyism. whenever a PlayStation fan knocks or tries to downplay something that Microsoft is doing, that normally means that its a really good idea. and what confirms this is when Sony copies this idea that the fanbots have already deemed trash or a waste of time. but low and behold, when the PlayStation does the something or get the same game, then all of a sudden now you're happy about it. this confuses me every time I see this happen :-/ if the kinect and motion cameras are so gimmicky, trash, and so unwanted, why is it that Sony can see the potential in it and its playslaves can't? I'll tell you why! because Sony is waiting for Microsoft to teach them a few innovative ways to use the device so they can continue to play the me too game. the company has little to no innovation of their own. mark my words from this day. this whole console generation you will see Microsoft do a lot of crafty things first and Sony throat the life cycle of its console taking these ideas and putting them on their console (the usual me too game).

[arkard]

@headblackman

You would come across a lot better if you would not resort to calling anyone who like playstation a playslave or fanbot. You come across as a fanboy yourself. Speaking of copying, how about xbox going with blu ray. How about xbox gold giving games away ala psplus. Lets not act like Microsoft is the beginning of all innovation because they copy just as much as the next guy.

[badkolo]

its the best decision ms ever made and next week will prove that, better to get a full system with all the goodies, bells and whistles then a ps4 with one that shouldve been included but was removed to please fans at a lower pricepoint. we want more features, more of everything and thats what the x1 is. 7 days to glory

skoory, waking up and crossing the street is a risk, 28mil kinects sold and that wasnt even fully functioning, this time it actually works and does so much, on top of that they completly reversed course and didnt go the wii route and blast kinect games at us, they went with a better approach. knowing it works plus the fact its included will for once make the camera shine in dev's hands.

[skoorydook]

It's a bit of a risk not a mistake, it appears very good at what it does, the question is will it take off or will it get its potential wasted.

[4logpc]

The headline for this piece is a mistake.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

how is my statement not true???

More devs will use it because every XB1 owner will have a kinect and just because they're 3rd party dosnt mean they wont use the techology.

There are people out there that view the kinect as wonderful piece of Tech.

[kewlkat007]

Dude I hope your not questioning why you got a disagree on n4g..lol

[nastynapkin]

I love Kinect ping pong and bowling I had some great times with thoes games....

btw I think the xbox one focus on Kinect is to bring the gamer into an experience with the console and games without the limitations of an controller

[d_dogg2007]

Nope Kinect was not a mistake. The creation of the Xbox console was! Once the new CEO gets hired he will be promptly getting rid of it and rightfully so! Gamers dont want or need a cancer in their industry!

[Tzuno]

Is not a mistake is a great invention, the sad thing is that they focus too much on that than the actual console and games.

[Erdrick]

it's a mistake because nobody wants a web cam watching them all the time, and voice/ body language commands are annoying to use.

[MisfitsInc]

no it's not a mistake, it's a great idea with bad execution.

[Joe913]

I think it is a mistake to make ppl buy it should be optional like ps4 also like I said in another thread they should have also came out with a more affordable roku type box with those same Kinect features on it that would have been bad ass that way you can sell to those who want a ps4 but want to use some of those TV features or for those who don’t game and want those features and don’t want to spend 500 bucks that would be the smartest thing MS could do. I do think Apple or Google will do something like this and be more succesful if they can make it reasonable price which they will just take the gaming part out.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Has the author ignored all that has been shown??
Of course it is not a mistake! There are so many ways that Kinect 2.0 set the Xbox One ahead of the competition. Nov 22nd can't get here fast enough!

[Miacosa]

After watching a few Xbox One walkthrough coverage specials everything other then Kinect seems okay. However, as it stands now the voice recognition is unreliable and every demonstrator had to repeat commands multiple times to get it to work or just us the controller to keep the demo moving. Considering the lack of Kinect specific games, spotty TV functionality, and console system control its difficult to justify the extra cost. It's difficult to imagine the general public making this a huge fad like the original WII did with the launch of motion control gaming. Hence a cheaper model less Kinect might help sales some after the initial gamer base purchases moving towards the future.