In a pre-E3 news frenzy, Microsoft dropped several bombshells on fans and potential buyers. The Xbox One is receiving a major price cut, but it’s also dropping it’s biggest differentiator; the Kinect. For this week’s round of Nerd Wars!, we want to know if you think this is a good move?
It’s no mystery that many people aren’t interested in the Kinect. When Microsoft first announced the Xbox One, they promised a Kinect-centric future and painted a vivid picture of the impressive possibilities this device could offer, but the internet was quick to dismiss the motion camera and even quicker to chastise the company on the high price point of their new console.
Some considered Microsoft’s unwavering support of the Kinect “bullish” and”unfriendly to the consumer,” but there was no denying the innovation of the device or Microsoft’s clear vision for the future. Microsoft announcing a Kinect-less version of the Xbox One coming in June makes us wonder if they still have a clear plan for the console’s future. The PS4 is unquestionably selling better, but an important thing to notice is that Microsoft is reporting fantastic numbers financially, while Sony expects to lose over 1.2 billion dollars.
There is no doubt that the lower price point will make the console more appealing to many consumers, but is selling the Xbox One without Kinect really the best move for Microsoft?
Miles Dompier is the chief editor and founder of What’s Your Tag?. He is a Seattle native who recently moved to the sweltering heat of Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a composer/voice actor. When he’s not up writing until his eyes bleed, he likes to play a Prince level of instruments and listen to terrible death metal. Follow his shenanigans on Twitter and be sure to join our gaming community; TEAM XBRO.
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I’m torn, really. I enjoyed what the Kinect offered at first, but it seems that most developers eventually gave up on doing anything special with it. Honestly, I haven’t used the Kinect in any game since the launch releases.
The Kinect is definitely what set the console apart from the PS4, but now it’s just a good idea on paper without anyone but Microsoft even using it — and Kinect Sports Rivals wasn’t exactly the best game to showcase the features as it’s been getting lukewarm to barely positive reviews.
If anything, it’s another Microsoft 180 argument that we won’t know the true outcome of until all is said and done. If it brings more people to the console, that’s good. I don’t know if it’ll cause more developers to care about Kinect less, as more than 5K people already have one in their homes, but it seems developers stopped caring about it long before this decision.
In short, yes. Although my trust in Microsoft is diminishing at an astionishing rate – see this week’s From The Arcmchair: http://amostagreeablepastime.wordpress.com/2014/05/17/from-the-armchair-so-long-kinect/
This seems way more like a reaction to high PS4 sales numbers than anything else. The Kinect has amazing potential, but it’s useless if nobody takes advantage of it.