Microsoft: Xbox One Won't Require Kinect to Work

[Clark Wayne]

Microsoft: Xbox One Won't Require Kinect to Work | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

Well, it seems like Microsoft have announced another major policy reversal regarding their upcoming system the Xbox One. This time, Microsoft have revealed that the Xbox One will not require Kinect to work. This is definitely interesting, as it seems like Microsoft are doing anything thy can to get back into good favor with the general public. Hopefully this works out for them.

 

[Pandsu]

That's great news!
Now, some people might still not be happy, saying they don't even want the Kinect to come with the system but I think the way they are doing things right now just makes the most sense for them.

I'm not a fan of Kinect. I don't own one, never wanted one, never bought into their bold claims pre-release. However, one of the biggest disadvantages of both the Playstation Move and this is that it's sold separately, meaning that only a small chunk of the system's install base has access to it, forcing developers to create gimmicky, forced experiences that use the sensor and scream "LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO, GUYS! BUY THIS THING PLEASE!" instead of implementing it in sensible ways where it can really enhance the experience.
Take the DS' Touch Screen for example. Or just the fact that it has 2 screens.
While there are a lot of gimmicky titles out for that thing, especially during the first 2 years of its life cycle, there are just as many games that use it in a way that is non-intrusive and makes sense. In a way that, even if it's not quite needed, still doesn't lessen the appeal of the games for most people, often even improving it. In some cases it's even optional or not used at all.

I'm hoping for the same thing to happen with the Xbox One's Kinect.
If a developers sees an opportunity to improve their game by using it, they can and they will. If it's unnecessary they will probably not use it at all, instead of forcing the feature in.
A relaxed use of it would never happen if they felt any pressure (maybe by MS) to make people buy it, which they would if it was sold separately. Including it is the only way to even give it the chance to revolutionize the industry. And it's the same with everything else.

The CD drive was one of the biggest selling points of the PlayStation, but the Sega CD was an utter failure.
Nobody would've paid extra money for the option to watch DVDs and have even larger games on the PS2, yet it was a huge part of what made the system successful. The same goes for the PS3.
Noone would've paid extra for analog buttons on the DualShock 2 (many don't even know of it), yet I think it definitely did improve some games, such as MGS2/3.
Nobody would care about the Wii U's tablet controller if it didn't come with the system. Same probably goes for the Wii's controller as well.

What I'm saying is that many things could be seen as unneeded and some people would even prefer to not have them at all, but forcing some things into the market by including them with a system often really is the only way to give these advancements even the slightest chance of success.

 

[LuckyPupil]

That's good to hear. I feel like the less you make people think you are controlling them the better. Now the interesting question arises now that the Kinect isn't required: Will the Xbox One release a version without the Kinect for $400 in order to finally level the playing field?

It seems like the next step if you read between the lines.

 

[BlackSolaris]

That is great and all, but my question remains, will i still be forced to buy the console + Kinect as a bundle? Because it doesn't make sense paying for something you don't need, specially something that expensive. Okay, some people may enjoy it, but at least give your customers the choice.

 

[Oberon]

What a bunch of liars microsoft are.
First they say the DRM cant be switched off overnight,well they found that switch pretty damn quick didnt they? (Albeit via FW update when you first connect to the internet,thats why it needs one connection when you first turn it on).
And they also said,oh...it wont function without the Kinect connected,funny how it can now huh?
I tell you.Do you trust this company at all? How long before more and more games wont work because you need the Kinect connected after all?

The xbone is just a copy box.Pathetic.

 

[Mudgee]

This was expected. Their media relations have already been scarred though.

 

[Esperahol]

You know this is actually the stupidest thing MS has said yet. If you are going to make someone purchase something they don't want, you don't tell them how much they don't need it. Lie if you have to, but don't let them know you're cheerfully gipping them. MS is made of complete and utter fail - why hasn't MS fired their entire PR department at this point?

 

[Pandsu]

What a bunch of liars microsoft are.
First they say the DRM cant be switched off overnight,well they found that switch pretty damn quick didnt they? (Albeit via FW update when you first connect to the internet,thats why it needs one connection when you first turn it on).
And they also said,oh...it wont function without the Kinect connected,funny how it can now huh?
I tell you.Do you trust this company at all? How long before more and more games wont work because you need the Kinect connected after all?

The xbone is just a copy box.Pathetic.

Now you're being kind of unfair and immature, especially since a lot of these things could be said about Sony just as much as they can about MS.
MS fucked up in many ways, but at least they're not too stupid or stubborn to listen to public outcry and fix a lot of these problems. They listen to what consumers want, and they act accordingly. Now that they do you cry about that as well and ask if they can be trusted...

Can Sony be trusted? Do you remember all the false tech demos and such before the launch of the PS3? Where they said stuff was running in real-time on PS3 hardware when in fact it was doing neither?
Do you remember how cocky they constantly acted towards Microsoft for requiring their customers to pay for online features? Guess what, they very sneakily slipped the announcement into their (just as cocky, though for good reason, mind you) E3 press conference
that they were going with that same model now. Maybe at a lower price with better benefits and fewer restrictions for now but that might very well change in the future as well. Because just as MS can't be "trusted", neither can Sony. Because they're a huge business and as such they don't care about you, they care about your money. So if they can do even the most ridiculous things without any losses, you bet your ass they will.
Not to mention some of the other things such as the Linux "scandal" or Sony taking out the PS2 compatibility from PS3's, saying that the newer ones aren't even capable of doing it in Software, just so they could sell you those games on PSN later. Don't forget those things if you want to talk about trust.

I won't even respond to your "copy box" statement because that's even more ridiculous

 

[Esperahol]

Now you're being kind of unfair and immature, especially since a lot of these things could be said about Sony just as much as they can about MS.
MS fucked up in many ways, but at least they're not too stupid or stubborn to listen to public outcry and fix a lot of these problems. They listen to what consumers want, and they act accordingly. Now that they do you cry about that as well and ask if they can be trusted...

I'm not going to deal with your other stuff, because obviously you haven't notice this is a PS4 forum - which is why Sony fanboying is okay here. That said the reason he and I are looking at this with jaded eyes is because MS has made such a ungodly point of this. They have given interviews and reports and whatever about how the Xbone is built around the Kinect and how DRM is the FUTURE of gaming. Over and over and over and over and over again - but what is this? Oh, apparently all of that was a complete lie - hmm. And that doesn't change just because you don't like Sony or because the PS3 had it's own controversies. So yeah. Also the "copy box" statement is pretty correct all things considered. MS just keeps following the leader with Sony "cockily" strutting forward.

 

[Oberon]

Microsoft is Sony's bitch

 

[Pandsu]

I'm not going to deal with your other stuff, because obviously you haven't notice this is a PS4 forum - which is why Sony fanboying is okay here. That said the reason he and I are looking at this with jaded eyes is because MS has made such a ungodly point of this. They have given interviews and reports and whatever about how the Xbone is built around the Kinect and how DRM is the FUTURE of gaming. Over and over and over and over and over again - but what is this? Oh, apparently all of that was a complete lie - hmm. And that doesn't change just because you don't like Sony or because the PS3 had it's own controversies. So yeah. Also the "copy box" statement is pretty correct all things considered. MS just keeps following the leader with Sony "cockily" strutting forward.

I don't see how fanboyism is ever a good thing, no matter where you are. And for the record, it's not like I don't like Sony, I do and this gen I had a lot more fun with my PS3 than I did with my 360 and so far I have no desire to own an Xbox One, but that doesn't mean that I shut my eyes to the bullshit they have pulled in the past or that there's no way I will change my mind later down the road, be it because the Xbox will just start offering some games and features I really want that the PS4 doesn't or because Sony did something stupid or whatever.
And, with your kinda mindset, why even use the Xbox subforum at all?

Anyways, if all that is really the reason why you act that way, why don't you act that way towards Sony? They've made "such an ungodly point" of the fact that a regular PS3 couldn't handle PS2 emulation. And look what we have now.
They made such a point of how bullshit it is for MS to charge for online gaming features (which I agree with), but now they are going the same route. How are you not as disappointed in Sony when it comes to those things as you are in MS?

And the copy box thing is still bullshit because it's redundant. They ALL do that. They ALL look at what's popular or what works right now and then they want to have that same thing as well. They basically did it with their controller, they basically did it with the Move, they probably did it at least as often as MS did.

 

[Esperahol]

Tch. You're one of those guys. Just because one person or group or corporation behaved suckily doesn't mind another person, group, corporation gets any kind of pass. Yes, the PS3 had it's issues, but the discussion taking place has to do with the Xbone. So don't move the goal post and try to make this about the PS3 - defend the Xbone based on whatever merits it may actually possess. You aren't doing that - you're trying this sort of pseudo-maturity skit and then attacking Sony. Also really - "if you don't like it don't come to the sub-forum"? Really? If you're going to take that stance then let me ask you: why come to a Sony forum if you think Sony is full of it? Honestly.