Now we get to see how badly these terrible anti-consumer policies that were very much on the table (and desired to be implemented) by Microsoft, hurt the sells of the Xbox One.
The reason that Kinect will be successful with the Xbox One isn't because of the full body motion controls, but the addition of hand gestures and voice commands in core titles.
And why do people get so caught up in propaganda? I'm willing to be that the majority of the people who are so vocal about the "always on" with Kinect, also own smartphones with forward facing cameras and/or laptops.
@SuperKMx I think I would pass out if NHL Gamecenter got fantasy hockey for the Xbox One, especially if Microsoft could somehow find a way around the flipping blackout areas!
It is indeed going to be awesome to see how these consoles unfold onto the market. Honestly, I don't think any of them will sell like crazy for months on end - the gaming industry as a whole has contracted too hard.
@SuperKMx Dude, that was supposed to say "sort of like a fanboy rant," or "rant-ish." Sorry about that, I definitely wasn't trying to call you a "fanboy." It just shocked me, is all - this type of piece isn't typical for the NL Network and it just landed on me quite hard - nothing personal, I promise.
For me, I choose to ignore, than respond, for the most part. I do think that Microsoft should have chose to unveil the console at E3 - putting the gaming side of the console first - and followed up thereafter with this event, to showcase the many other features the system offers. The "Xbox" brand is synonymous with the gaming community for a reason - they built this brand by supporting it with their wallets - and Microsoft chose to serve this same community second with the Xbox One. Yes, this can be argued as perception, but that is how it seems that it is being received by the majority of the gaming community. Maybe this is a miscalculation on Microsoft's part, but it did what it did and Phil Harrison has been playing damage control ever since, which means that this unveiling did not go off as planned - this is not the fault of the gaming community that has supported this platform for nearly two decades either.
E3 will most likely place all of this in the past and all will be forgotten by the time the Xbox One lands on store shelves. People claiming their doom and gloom have literally no idea what it is they speak of, as we haven't even gotten a taste of what this thing can do for its gaming side... again, trying to get into this debate is pointless. Depending on how damaging the retail disc being worthless is for the Xbox One, I think the console has a great chance to do extremely well in the US market, just as its predecessors have done so before it.
Wow dude! I've thoroughly enjoyed your work and opinions, but this comes off as a fanboy rant, than a thought out opinion piece on the Xbox One. Maybe it is just unexpected, but I came here anticipating your thoughts on the unveil, not a defense article.
There are a lot of pluses for the Xbox One and to those that chose to say that it will not have games - they are best ignored, because Microsoft clearly stated that it has exclusive titles coming to the console. 15 titles in development with 8 new IPs - if I recall correctly - I figure at least half will be Kinect centered, but I expect to see a handful of big core titles thrown in there as well.
As for the second hand debacle, there is no way to spin it - it is clearly corporate overreaching. Purchased retail disc become digitally locked to your online account and only the main account can access the title -meaning that your children/friends can only play the game on your account, this goes against the purpose of home consoles and is going to be a major hurdle for the Xbox One.
As for the name; contrary to what seems to be the majorities' opinion, I quite like the name. I think it defines exactly what the console does and I don't see it as being a misleading namesake, like many say that it will be.
The only one that I think we might actually see is the price, if it is indeed going to be a revolutionary media/entertainment based system that also plays next generation games, we might get a detailed breakdown of the subscription based model of the console.
I do agree with you Ken, I think we will see the console itself this go around, but I think the big focus is going to be on the new Kinect and all its new features that it brings to the table.
Not to be a downer, but I've never had high hopes for this one. From the first E3 trailer, there's been far too many restrictions in the game to make it a anything that I'd want to play. Sad, because I'm a huge Star Wars fan, that even delves into the Expanded Universe from time to time.
Oh, Peter Molyneux, how we love the way you hype us up and then leave us hanging and wanting more. Never fulfilling your promises to entiretly, but who cares, we'll still buy everything with Fable stamped on the box anyways!
@Algorhythm Actually, I thought the game was on-rails too, and that was completely OK with me (e.g. Dead Space Extraction), but what I found really surprising what the there seemed to be very little accuracy with the spells when fired. On-rails games are shooter typed games, but in the E3 demo it didn't seem to be shooter at all, because it looked as if the player was just making the correct motion for different scenarios with auto-aim. That is what looked a bit disheartening to me.
Kinect and Move are competition and will like stay that way for years to come. Move has had some games patched in, but there's a difference in patched games (MAG) and games that have been built around Move (Killzone 3). We've all played FPS games for years with a standard controller, but picking up Move isn't easy. It's what I consider to be an advanced control scheme over the standard controller, and takes weeks of dedication to get the grasp of — as well as finding the right settings to use (per game).
Kinect (imo) needs something like this. Even with Move we are seeing more alternate control schemes in big titles instead of stand-alone Move games.
Don't turn a blind eye toward the smaller game market too quickly. Some of the best Move games have come from small companies via PSN like Dungeon Hunter Alliance, echochrome ii, Auditorium HD, etc. Smaller titles cost much less to develop and the risk is significantly lower as well. This gives the developers more room to expand on creative ideas and therefore the potential for fantastic Kinect games that use the hardware in unique new way is highly possible. Considering the developers have to learn how to develop for the hardware with Kinect, that would likely be a good reason why we haven't seen these titles as of yet, but they will come, and when they do they will be at a lower cost for you! These few small iOS ports might be significant at the moment, but it shows that the Indy market is developing for Kinect, and that is a great thing!
This looks promising. I love these types of games. I just found Doritos Crash Course today (FREE on the Marketplace), and have been having a blast with it! This looks very similar to it, and hopefully just as much fun.
I'm wondering how that is going to work though. The only reasonable way that I can see a FPS like this is the same way that Move works with PS3. Bringing a controller into the mix, but if the camera has any noticeable lag when trying to recognize a human hand, wouldn't Microsoft need to bring out a lit up controller/wand of some sort to fix that issue?
Then your looking at copyright infringements, etc.
Regardless, the fact that EA has 'ditched' Kinect for the game isn't good. They have got to find a way to fit Kinect into the standard games on the market as well as Kinect exclusive titles.
I'm thinking that they will be introducing some type of controller interface to coincide with Kinect to waver the limitations that are currently plaguing the games.
This says much different from n4g. Japanese homes are very small and the amount of space needed to play in Japan makes Kinect very limited to the amount of people who can actually play it.
Apparently Microsoft also paid off people to be in line for television for the launch, but that isn't surprising at all, I'm sure all the companies do that as well.
The Fight Lights Out on Move also has some of the same issues with head tracking dropping out and range detection but for the most part it works and when it does in fact work it works very well, ending up a very fun package. I figured removing the controllers completely with Kinects technology would make for a fantastic fighting game. Hopefully someone will learn from these titles and fix the issues in the future because this tech could eventually create a amazing fighting game.
@JesusSaves.... Move actually isn't a ripoff of Wii and Kinect is actually a ripoff of Eyetoy, even using the name of one of the EyeToy games for the PS2 that used full body motion control.
Who is counting though, and for me I don't really care.... Games! That is what its all about. If its got good games that make it worth the purchase then the hardware is worth buying. Regardless of who makes it or what the hardware is inspired by or copied or whatever!
LOL... though I cant say anything. I slammed a Move controller into my ceiling fan playing Volleyball on Sports Championships last weekend. Got so wrapped up in it that I forgot I didn't actually have to jump when blocking a oncoming spike.
Controller plus motions and voice recognition combined could easily create some incredible results. The hardcore Steel Battalion we know very well might be making the jump upgraded instead of chopped!
I want to see how Kinect is going to handle 360 degree movement finally Not only are there a ton of control in Steel Battalion but complete precise control in a full 3D environment has to be there first and foremost and that has yet to be seen possible with Kinect.
I do know a very hardcore gamer that is using this game as a "to buy" or "not to buy" with Kinect!
@magi.... i agree. Possibilities are insane. I was actually joking with that part lol. Mainly i just don't see the core gamers staying around for any of that. But i could be completly would. You do see what happened with older gamers with Wii and its casual push.
"With all respect to Microsoft, Xbox 360 now is very much a core gamer box."
NOW a core gamer box, isn't it the other way around. X360 was JUST a core gamer box and NOW its a family box. Kinect doesnt have one game that truly appeals to the core gamer base yet either.
"Kinect is about games that we can’t even imagine today." Then why is the hardware out already then?
Yves Guillemot, CEO at Ubisoft, sees Kinect as an investment in the future, believing that the next generation of Xbox will be built around the sensor, providing non-gamers with easier access to the 360's eventual successor.
The future X360 will be built around Kinect? Does this mean they will try to incorporate Kinect into Gears of War, Halo, Fable, etc. Sometimes I wonder if Microsoft knows why they are where they are today in the gaming industry, they are a hardcore base system if there ever was one and I dont see a system built around Kinect drawing those gamers to the consoles successor!
First reviews of the game are positive. It actually looks like a good time. I again dont think you can control acceleration and/or braking but with this title it looks like you will be doing so much you wont care lol.
Looking forward to seeing a review here on Kinectaku
It happens though. A few years back Madden got released like a week early in some places and the gamers who thought they were extremely lucky found themselves extremely unlucky with banned accounts. As far as Microsoft was concerned it was pirated copies of the game. I want to say it was around 2005-2006 when the exclusive EA NFL contract took effect but Im not sure on the exact date.
Bottom Line... if you ever do for some reason get something early and you shouldnt.... DONT PUT IT ONLINE and/or DISCONNECT YOUR SYSTEM!
Comments 56
Re: Xbox One Game Sharing May Not Have Been As Great As We All Thought
Now we get to see how badly these terrible anti-consumer policies that were very much on the table (and desired to be implemented) by Microsoft, hurt the sells of the Xbox One.
Re: Talking Point: Kinect Isn't Going Anywhere
The reason that Kinect will be successful with the Xbox One isn't because of the full body motion controls, but the addition of hand gestures and voice commands in core titles.
And why do people get so caught up in propaganda? I'm willing to be that the majority of the people who are so vocal about the "always on" with Kinect, also own smartphones with forward facing cameras and/or laptops.
Re: Editor's Opinion: Xbox One
@SuperKMx Ah! Another Maple Leaf fan - there seem to be so few of us.
As for the Wii U, I actually think that the Wii U's biggest challenge will be coming the 3DS come this holiday season.
Re: Editor's Opinion: Xbox One
@SuperKMx I think I would pass out if NHL Gamecenter got fantasy hockey for the Xbox One, especially if Microsoft could somehow find a way around the flipping blackout areas!
It is indeed going to be awesome to see how these consoles unfold onto the market. Honestly, I don't think any of them will sell like crazy for months on end - the gaming industry as a whole has contracted too hard.
Re: Editor's Opinion: Xbox One
@SuperKMx Dude, that was supposed to say "sort of like a fanboy rant," or "rant-ish." Sorry about that, I definitely wasn't trying to call you a "fanboy." It just shocked me, is all - this type of piece isn't typical for the NL Network and it just landed on me quite hard - nothing personal, I promise.
For me, I choose to ignore, than respond, for the most part. I do think that Microsoft should have chose to unveil the console at E3 - putting the gaming side of the console first - and followed up thereafter with this event, to showcase the many other features the system offers. The "Xbox" brand is synonymous with the gaming community for a reason - they built this brand by supporting it with their wallets - and Microsoft chose to serve this same community second with the Xbox One. Yes, this can be argued as perception, but that is how it seems that it is being received by the majority of the gaming community. Maybe this is a miscalculation on Microsoft's part, but it did what it did and Phil Harrison has been playing damage control ever since, which means that this unveiling did not go off as planned - this is not the fault of the gaming community that has supported this platform for nearly two decades either.
E3 will most likely place all of this in the past and all will be forgotten by the time the Xbox One lands on store shelves. People claiming their doom and gloom have literally no idea what it is they speak of, as we haven't even gotten a taste of what this thing can do for its gaming side... again, trying to get into this debate is pointless. Depending on how damaging the retail disc being worthless is for the Xbox One, I think the console has a great chance to do extremely well in the US market, just as its predecessors have done so before it.
Re: Editor's Opinion: Xbox One
Wow dude! I've thoroughly enjoyed your work and opinions, but this comes off as a fanboy rant, than a thought out opinion piece on the Xbox One. Maybe it is just unexpected, but I came here anticipating your thoughts on the unveil, not a defense article.
There are a lot of pluses for the Xbox One and to those that chose to say that it will not have games - they are best ignored, because Microsoft clearly stated that it has exclusive titles coming to the console. 15 titles in development with 8 new IPs - if I recall correctly - I figure at least half will be Kinect centered, but I expect to see a handful of big core titles thrown in there as well.
As for the second hand debacle, there is no way to spin it - it is clearly corporate overreaching. Purchased retail disc become digitally locked to your online account and only the main account can access the title -meaning that your children/friends can only play the game on your account, this goes against the purpose of home consoles and is going to be a major hurdle for the Xbox One.
As for the name; contrary to what seems to be the majorities' opinion, I quite like the name. I think it defines exactly what the console does and I don't see it as being a misleading namesake, like many say that it will be.
Re: THIEF Confirmed for Xbox One
I thought that it was cancelled? I'm guessing that wasn't true then.
Re: Crash Course 2 Debuts for Free on Wednesday
I spent entirely too much time playing the original title! Haha
Re: Friday Five: Five Things You (Probably) Won’t See on May 21st
The only one that I think we might actually see is the price, if it is indeed going to be a revolutionary media/entertainment based system that also plays next generation games, we might get a detailed breakdown of the subscription based model of the console.
I do agree with you Ken, I think we will see the console itself this go around, but I think the big focus is going to be on the new Kinect and all its new features that it brings to the table.
Re: Rumour: Xbox 720 Price, Launch Window Mooted
I'd imagine his pulse is rising, because he's most likely running from Microsoft's lawyers if his information is accurate.
Re: Review: BattleBlock Theater (Xbox Live Arcade)
Great review Ken!
The Behemoth is most definitely one of those little Indies that just keeps on gettin' better with age. Haha
Re: Review: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (Xbox 360)
Dang!
Re: Review: Kinect Star Wars (Xbox 360)
Not to be a downer, but I've never had high hopes for this one. From the first E3 trailer, there's been far too many restrictions in the game to make it a anything that I'd want to play. Sad, because I'm a huge Star Wars fan, that even delves into the Expanded Universe from time to time.
Great review Damien!
Re: Hit the Brakes, We've Got Burnout Crash! Kinect Details
I'm not impressed either!
Re: Molyneux: Fable: The Journey Demo Was "A Horrendous Mistake"
Oh, Peter Molyneux, how we love the way you hype us up and then leave us hanging and wanting more. Never fulfilling your promises to entiretly, but who cares, we'll still buy everything with Fable stamped on the box anyways!
@Algorhythm Actually, I thought the game was on-rails too, and that was completely OK with me (e.g. Dead Space Extraction), but what I found really surprising what the there seemed to be very little accuracy with the spells when fired. On-rails games are shooter typed games, but in the E3 demo it didn't seem to be shooter at all, because it looked as if the player was just making the correct motion for different scenarios with auto-aim. That is what looked a bit disheartening to me.
Re: Minecraft Builds Its Way to Kinect
This is such an exciting announcement for Kinect and 360! Minecraft is simply amazing.
Re: Expect Lots of Kinect Star Wars at E3 2011
Let the force be with Kinect!
Re: Talking Point: Are Small Games Kinect's Future?
@8 and 9... I agree as well, Tumble itself would likely be amazing with Kinect!
Re: Microsoft Developing a Big Budget Core Shooter for Kinect
I don't think so James.
My money is on a Gears of War offshoot like Dead Space Extraction!
Re: Talking Point: Are Small Games Kinect's Future?
Kinect and Move are competition and will like stay that way for years to come. Move has had some games patched in, but there's a difference in patched games (MAG) and games that have been built around Move (Killzone 3). We've all played FPS games for years with a standard controller, but picking up Move isn't easy. It's what I consider to be an advanced control scheme over the standard controller, and takes weeks of dedication to get the grasp of — as well as finding the right settings to use (per game).
Kinect (imo) needs something like this. Even with Move we are seeing more alternate control schemes in big titles instead of stand-alone Move games.
Don't turn a blind eye toward the smaller game market too quickly. Some of the best Move games have come from small companies via PSN like Dungeon Hunter Alliance, echochrome ii, Auditorium HD, etc. Smaller titles cost much less to develop and the risk is significantly lower as well. This gives the developers more room to expand on creative ideas and therefore the potential for fantastic Kinect games that use the hardware in unique new way is highly possible. Considering the developers have to learn how to develop for the hardware with Kinect, that would likely be a good reason why we haven't seen these titles as of yet, but they will come, and when they do they will be at a lower cost for you! These few small iOS ports might be significant at the moment, but it shows that the Indy market is developing for Kinect, and that is a great thing!
Re: Wipeout: In the Zone Trailer Contains Your Daily Dose of Balls
This looks promising. I love these types of games. I just found Doritos Crash Course today (FREE on the Marketplace), and have been having a blast with it! This looks very similar to it, and hopefully just as much fun.
Re: Next Generation Kinect to Be Aimed at Core Gamers, says Analyst
I'm wondering how that is going to work though. The only reasonable way that I can see a FPS like this is the same way that Move works with PS3. Bringing a controller into the mix, but if the camera has any noticeable lag when trying to recognize a human hand, wouldn't Microsoft need to bring out a lit up controller/wand of some sort to fix that issue?
Then your looking at copyright infringements, etc.
Re: Rumour: Fruit Ninja to Get Kinect's Juices Flowing
Indy Arcade title presumably?
I think this would be a fun time waster with Kinect, as long as it's super cheap!
Re: Review: Fantastic Pets (Xbox 360)
Sorry James!
Re: EA Ditching Kinect Support for Next Harry Potter Video Game
Regardless, the fact that EA has 'ditched' Kinect for the game isn't good. They have got to find a way to fit Kinect into the standard games on the market as well as Kinect exclusive titles.
Re: Review: Michael Jackson: The Experience (Xbox 360)
I think a video of James busting out some moves MJ style is in need here!
Re: First Kinect Wrestling Game on the Way in October
Oh, the children that have Kinect recorded body-slams coming their way!
Re: Trailer for New Sonic Game Sneaks In a Kinect Mention
I love the little blue guy myself. I ran through Sonic 2 last week, and I think I'll have to blaze through Sonic 3, and Sonic and Knuckles again now!
I would much rather take another Sonic Collection, than a Mario one myself as well.
Re: Kinect's Potential is "Virtually Limitless" says Rare
It's a bold statement from a peripheral that has shown extreme limitations!
Re: Kinect Input Lag Could Be Cut to Under 5 Milliseconds
Less lag is always a good thing!
Re: Expect New Kinect Technology Alongside Games at E3
I'm thinking that they will be introducing some type of controller interface to coincide with Kinect to waver the limitations that are currently plaguing the games.
Re: Rise of Nightmares ESRB Rating Heavy On the Sex and Violence
Considering it's from SEGA, this will likely be great stuff!
Re: Forza 4 Features Head-Tracking, Voice Control, Jeremy Clarkson
Have they found a way to accelerate and brake without a controller yet?
Re: This Child of Eden Video Will Remind You it's Beautiful
Beautiful!
Re: Maybe Kinect Could Succeed in Japan After All
This says much different from n4g. Japanese homes are very small and the amount of space needed to play in Japan makes Kinect very limited to the amount of people who can actually play it.
Apparently Microsoft also paid off people to be in line for television for the launch, but that isn't surprising at all, I'm sure all the companies do that
as well.
Re: This Kinect-Toting Robot is Cute as a Button
"Cute as a Button" just without Buttons
Re: Review: Fighters Uncaged (Xbox 360)
Wow, I expected a lot better here!
The Fight Lights Out on Move also has some of the same issues with head tracking dropping out and range detection but for the most part it works and when it does in fact work it works very well, ending up a very fun package. I figured removing the controllers completely with Kinects technology would make for a fantastic fighting game. Hopefully someone will learn from these titles and fix the issues in the future because this tech could eventually create a amazing fighting game.
Re: Aaron Greenberg Enjoys a Chuckle at Kinect "Sales Figures"
The charts will be full of Black Ops next time
Re: GameStop Expects Kinect to Triumph in Motion Controller Wars
@JesusSaves.... Move actually isn't a ripoff of Wii and Kinect is actually a ripoff of Eyetoy, even using the name of one of the EyeToy games for the PS2 that used full body motion control.
Who is counting though, and for me I don't really care.... Games! That is what its all about. If its got good games that make it worth the purchase then the hardware is worth buying. Regardless of who makes it or what the hardware is inspired by or copied or whatever!
Re: Kinect is "As Accurate as a Control Pad" says David Braben
No its not and neither is ANY sort of motion control device!
Re: That Didn't Take Long - Kinect Claims its First TV Victim
LOL... though I cant say anything. I slammed a Move controller into my ceiling fan playing Volleyball on Sports Championships last weekend. Got so wrapped up in it that I forgot I didn't actually have to jump when blocking a oncoming spike.
Re: Reports of "Racist" Kinect Down to Poor Lighting
@Zack... lol... thats just wrong!
Re: Not Every Kinect Game Will be Button-Free
Controller plus motions and voice recognition combined could easily create some incredible results. The hardcore Steel Battalion we know very well might be making the jump upgraded instead of chopped!
Re: Talking Point: From 40 Buttons to None - Can Steel Battalion Really Work on Kinect?
I want to see how Kinect is going to handle 360 degree movement finally
Not only are there a ton of control in Steel Battalion but complete precise control in a full 3D environment has to be there first and foremost and that has yet to be seen possible with Kinect.
I do know a very hardcore gamer that is using this game as a "to buy" or "not to buy" with Kinect!
Re: EA: “Kinect is About Games We Can’t Even Imagine"
@magi.... i agree. Possibilities are insane. I was actually joking with that part lol. Mainly i just don't see the core gamers staying around for any of that. But i could be completly would. You do see what happened with older gamers with Wii and its casual push.
Re: EA: “Kinect is About Games We Can’t Even Imagine"
"With all respect to Microsoft, Xbox 360 now is very much a core gamer box."
NOW a core gamer box, isn't it the other way around. X360 was JUST a core gamer box and NOW its a family box. Kinect doesnt have one game that truly appeals to the core gamer base yet either.
"Kinect is about games that we can’t even imagine today."
Then why is the hardware out already then?
Yves Guillemot, CEO at Ubisoft, sees Kinect as an investment in the future, believing that the next generation of Xbox will be built around the sensor, providing non-gamers with easier access to the 360's eventual successor.
The future X360 will be built around Kinect? Does this mean they will try to incorporate Kinect into Gears of War, Halo, Fable, etc. Sometimes I wonder if Microsoft knows why they are where they are today in the gaming industry, they are a hardcore base system if there ever was one and I dont see a system built around Kinect drawing those gamers to the consoles successor!
Re: Sonic and Tails Finally Hold Hands in Sonic Free Riders
First reviews of the game are positive. It actually looks like a good time. I again dont think you can control acceleration and/or braking but with this title it looks like you will be doing so much you wont care lol.
Looking forward to seeing a review here on Kinectaku
Re: Don't Put Any Kinect Discs in Your Xbox Just Yet
It happens though. A few years back Madden got released like a week early in some places and the gamers who thought they were extremely lucky found themselves extremely unlucky with banned accounts. As far as Microsoft was concerned it was pirated copies of the game. I want to say it was around 2005-2006 when the exclusive EA NFL contract took effect but Im not sure on the exact date.
Bottom Line... if you ever do for some reason get something early and you shouldnt.... DONT PUT IT ONLINE and/or DISCONNECT YOUR SYSTEM!
Re: New Fighters Uncaged Video is an Assault on Your Senses
This doesnt look too great at all!
Re: Greenberg: "Kinect Launch Will be Bigger Than Wii"
I dont think so either. I think it has a good shot at outselling Move in the long run, but I dont see it ever outselling Wii!