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Rumor: Microsoft removing Kinect requirement for Xbox One

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A

alstein

Member
That's the issue, I just don't see a comparative advantage for the Xbone- why get a Xbone over a PS3 outside of exclusives, and the exclusives aren't that special?

I think they would have actually done better dropping the disc part of the system outright, offering price discounts, and going that route. At least that's a vision.
 
S

sweetvar26

Member
So we are going to have two exact same consoles and the only difference between them being DDR5 and the exclusives from two different companies.

Honestly, to me, it sounds like shit.

I might also have to consider a WiiU now for a different experience.
 
G

GhaleonEB

Member
Y2Kev said:
Am I wrong or is this rumor just removing the KINECT MUST BE PLUGGED IN requirement and nothing else? Why are people talking about pricing and skus?
Click to expand...

When Kinect is required to be connected to the Xbox One to operate, it means every system much ship with it. If the Kinect is not required, it opens the possibility of a Kinect-less SKU. Which would cost less; possibly $100 less, matching the PS3.

That's the logic. Whether MS has that the cards we don't know, but it opens the possibility.
 
R

Raupet

Neo Member
I wonder how (seemingly major) last minute changes to core software architecture will affect the overall code-quality?

Should't they be starting production within a few months? I hope they have a robust testing and QA regime.
 
A

Amir0x

Banned
Sean*O said:
Says you, there are plenty of people who prefer not to game like a couch potato.
Click to expand...

It's not about gaming like a couch potato. If there was a way to replicate that tactile feedback and reliability and efficiency of controls with Kinect, you would buck no argument from me.

It's a piece of shit for almost every genre under the sun, so I don't want it. If we get such technology that moves the ball forward for controls, I will want it. That's because I play games and only want the best experience I can reasonably get given my funds.



P.S. And of course "says [me]," that's why that post was under my name :p
 
iamvin22

iamvin22

Industry Verified
Y2Kev said:
Am I wrong or is this rumor just removing the KINECT MUST BE PLUGGED IN requirement and nothing else? Why are people talking about pricing and skus?
Click to expand...

You are exactly right. After reading the emails the conversation between this guy and PR is kinect will still be in each box sold BUT it is not required to be plugged into Xbone for the user to have full functionality.

Gaf just being Gaf.
 
C

Crisco

Banned
I think we're still far away from a Kinect-less SKU, but this is definitely a chink in the armor. If they are dropping the Kinect requirement entirely, then really anything is on the table. May as well release a SKU without the HDMI in or the hard drive.
 
G

GodofWine

Member
MS will drop kinect once they sell through their inventory of it , that's my guess. Logistically they might be committed to it being in the launch units boxes.
 
SilentFlyer

SilentFlyer

Member
Y2Kev said:
This is like posting a message from Xbox support.
Click to expand...

calder said:
Reading the OP again, I'm almost more disappointed that guy took a screen shot with that poor PR person's email address in it. Really odd thing to do.
Click to expand...

This. I don't see this as any kind of new information or confirmation. Like some fellow GaFfers have said earlier no gaming site has picked up the story as of yet. And MS has very firmly stated, the day they backpaddled from DRM, they are not going to reduce its price.
 
T

The Lamp

Member
Moze said:
This and a price drop and MS have won
Click to expand...

won what exactly?

there are so many variables at play...
what if the launch games for either system are shitty?
what if the system explodes because of bad engineering/design?
what if Microsoft changes their policies again within a few months?
what if the new XBL interface or new PS interface sucks compared to the way it was before?
what if there are all new hidden fees attached to certain services?
what if there's a service outage for either online network?
 
D

DigitalOp

Banned
Y2Kev said:
This is like posting a message from Xbox support.
Click to expand...

Seriously!

I asked if this was confirmed by Microsoft and people glossed over me like a rabid junior.

Can we at least settle down and the facts before exploding?? Yes, this is big news but GAF has been eating up any little tidbit from any joe shmo lately... Where did the credibility for the source go?
 
G

Gammacide

Member
As reasonable as this sounds, SURELY they can't go back on this too?? I mean, why not just develop a completely different product to offer to the market because you have changed EVERYTHING from what you have been dreaming up for the last few years!? If this is truly the future then we are all completely fucked because words won't actually mean anything anymore!
 
B

BenjaminBirdie

Banned
netBuff said:
Why? It would still be the weaker, less flexible box with potentially less first-party and indie backing. It would only highlight the Xbones relative flaws compared to the PS4.

This is also talking about removing the Kinect requirement while still maintaining a higher price-point.
Click to expand...

Probably because of Sunset Overdrive, if I had to guess.
 
D

Dead Prince

Banned
Raupet said:
I wonder how (seemingly major) last minute changes to core software architecture will affect the overall code-quality?

Should't they be starting production within a few months? I hope they have a robust testing and QA regime.
Click to expand...
Day 1 patch on top of day 1 patch
 
cyberheater

cyberheater

PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
alstein said:
That's the issue, I just don't see a comparative advantage for the Xbone- why get a Xbone over a PS3 outside of exclusives, and the exclusives aren't that special?
Click to expand...

Completely don't agree with that. Halo and Forza are two stand out titles. And don't forget that Rare are cooking up something special.

alstein said:
I think they would have actually done better dropping the disc part of the system outright, offering price discounts, and going that route. At least that's a vision.
Click to expand...

At some point they must have discussed the possibility and rejected it as being too radical. It would have been interesting to see.
 
I

iMax

Member
Amir0x said:
We had a few years now to see what Kinect was all about. It was complete trash.

The only genres it did anything remotely for was mini-game trash and dance party games, and those had their day in the sun already (as if we needed more shallow, emptyminded garbage in the industry). Virtually every other genre is ruined by the product, because without tactile feedback and the efficiency and reliability of a button press, the vast majority of game experiences are inferior. That's just the way it is, and that's something that can never be improved with Kinect technology given what it is. By its nature it removes tactile feedback, and thus relegates itself to the realm of paltry, forgettable gimmicks more appealing to ADHD set who constantly needs "TEH INNOVATIONS" regardless of whether those innovations are any good or not to stay interested than to hardcore gamers who actually care about things like responsive and reliable controls.

In the YEARS we've had Kinect out, there has hardly been a single new idea brought to the table, a single genre outside of those two I mentioned improved in any appreciable way.

What's left with Kinect now is a heartbeat sensor (oh boy I can't wait for what crap devs are going to do with this *roll eyes*) and the microphone, the ladder of which could have been done with a simple headset or microphone built into the console and thus removing the need for a $100 increase in price for a gaming device that is worthless for most gaming applications.
Click to expand...

...and why do you think that is?
Because it was an optional accessory, that's why.
 
B

BigDug13

Member
GhaleonEB said:
When Kinect is required to be connected to the Xbox One to operate, it means every system much ship with it. If the Kinect is not required, it opens the possibility of a Kinect-less SKU. Which would cost less; possibly $100 less, matching the PS3.

That's the logic. Whether MS has that the cards we don't know, but it opens the possibility.
Click to expand...

They built a lot of hardware and software into the boxes to use Kinect. They REALLY want you to use it. Like really. Not for games, but as a control for your living room entertainment to compete with Google and Apple. Giving a lower priced option without Kinect means they're not competing at all with Google and Apple and have reduced their console to a "me too" with weaker hardware in comparison to the PS4 as almost all XBO owners become kinect-less owners.

They need Kinect packed in as it was their ENTIRE longterm strategy when entering the gaming business to begin with. This is endgame and Kinect is part of it.
 
D

Deadly Cyclone

Pride of Iowa State
BigDug13 said:
Tired IP that's being worked on by people who didn't even have the vision in creating it in the first place.
Click to expand...

jlaw-okay.gif


So salty.
 
T

TAJ

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Sendou said:
Wouldn't you agree that they're backing down on most things that made it stupid in the first place!
Click to expand...

Oh sure...now that they're gone you can admit that they were stupid.
 
Liberty4all

Liberty4all

Banned
Dambrosi said:
Yes indeedy. Great gif. Either way, this is still just a rumour, right? As in, not confirmed?


Me too. Sorry, MS, but the damage has been done - the trust is gone. Who's to say they won't attempt this shit again in a couple of years with a new XBone-S model? MS are liars and scoundrels, always have been. The only reason I still have a 360 is Bayonetta and shmups, fuck Live Gold.

PS4 for me, if only because of PS+ (and yes, I realise the irony in that statement).
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Hell I sold my 360 and all games a few days ago. I still had 6 months of live left. that's how pissed i felt about the whole DRM fiasco. You can't abuse your customers without consequences.

the difference now is that I might give them a chance again mid Gen whereas before I never would have bought one.
 
G

grumble

Member
They still haven't won me over because the Xbox is still a lot weaker than the PS4, but they'd be a competitor again with these changes.
 
F

flippeh

Member
Y2Kev said:
Am I wrong or is this rumor just removing the KINECT MUST BE PLUGGED IN requirement and nothing else? Why are people talking about pricing and skus?
Click to expand...

Same conclusion I came to after reading. At this point in the game removing a feature that developers expect to be available for every single console would do more harm than good.
 
X

xxracerxx

Don't worry, I'll vouch for them.
BigDug13 said:
They built a lot of hardware and software into the boxes to use Kinect. They REALLY want you to use it. Like really. Not for games, but as a control for your living room entertainment to compete with Google and Apple. Giving a lower priced option without Kinect means they're not competing at all with Google and Apple and have reduced their console to a "me too" with weaker hardware in comparison to the PS4 as almost all XBO owners become kinect-less owners.

They need Kinect packed in as it was their ENTIRE longterm strategy when entering the gaming business to begin with. This is endgame and Kinect is part of it.
Click to expand...

By Kinect, do you mean "owning the living room?"
 
C

Crisco

Banned
sweetvar26 said:
So we are going to have two exact same consoles and the only difference between them being DDR5 and the exclusives from two different companies.

Honestly, to me, it sounds like shit.

I might also have to consider a WiiU now for a different experience.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why people keep saying this as if it's something new. Content has always been the main difference between consoles, not the hardware or software feature.
 
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