Home Gaming Microsoft admits Kinect isn’t useful for blockbuster games

Microsoft admits Kinect isn’t useful for blockbuster games

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Kinect

Kinect. Some love Microsoft’s motion-sensing peripheral, while most realise that it’s very nearly useless for anything other than controlling the Xbox – something that can be done just fine using a regular controller. Since Microsoft’s allowed developers to turn the thing off so they can use more of the machine’s juice to make bigger games look and run better. There’s not been a single blockbuster game that’s made owning the thing worthwhile – and it’s something Microsoft’s finally starting to realise.

Speaking in an interview with GamesRadar, Microsoft’s Xbox honcho Phil Spencer admitted that “core” gamers don’t need Kinect.

“The teams continue to look at ways that Kinect makes the entertainment experience better. I’d say the area that hasn’t really landed – and I don’t know if it will – is, ‘Is Kinect integral to all of the core gaming scenarios on our console in terms of minute-to-minute gameplay?’ There are genres where Kinect works really well, but if you’re playing Halo or Call Of Duty, there’s not really a scenario that says, ‘Hey, I need a Kinect.’”

And it’s a good thing they’ve realised that. I don;t think Phil’s ever been all that sold on Kinect; the whole thing, and its inclusion seem to have been driven by Don Mattrick. One of the first things Spencer did when becoming Xboss was release a Kinect-free Xbox One.  While Kinect does have its place – I couldn’t imagine Dance Central working any other way – when it comes to the sorts of gaming experiences that people buy consoles for, Kinect is about as useless as the condom in Darryn’s wallet.

Have you played a “AAA” game where Kinect’s actually made things better? I can’t say that I have. The voice-based control on the Xbox One is quite nice, but I don’t think quite as technically sophisticated a contraption is needed for that.

Last Updated: May 20, 2015

108 Comments

  1. Blood Emperor Trevor

    May 20, 2015 at 07:36

    Reply

    • Ranting Raptor

      May 20, 2015 at 07:38

      Darnit. Came here to say just that

      Reply

  2. Jonah Cash

    May 20, 2015 at 07:38

    The Kinect caught me out once, never to be repeated again! Gimmich at its best, that is also why all these new VR and AR crap will be around for at least a year before I would even consider getting into it.

    Reply

    • Ranting Raptor

      May 20, 2015 at 07:39

      Gimmick*

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        May 20, 2015 at 07:42

        Gimmich is even worse… 🙂

        Reply

    • Ranting Raptor

      May 20, 2015 at 07:42

      Also it would need to be cheaper for me to ever touch any of it

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        May 20, 2015 at 07:43

        That goes without saying, I would not buy any of it if it costs the same as my PS4 or my PC. And I am more intrigued by AR than VR. I get sea sick so having an ocean on my head will probably not work out well for me personally.

        Reply

        • Ranting Raptor

          May 20, 2015 at 07:45

          lol. An ocean on your head. For some reason that sentence made me laugh a bit.

          Reply

  3. Blood Emperor Trevor

    May 20, 2015 at 07:42

    Seriously though, good on them. We all knew it, so just admit it & move on. Sure you’ll be the butt of jokes for a while, but you already are anyway so further BS’ing about how important it is won’t help. I still think a Kinect is a cool piece of tech, just pretty pointless for playing games.

    Reply

    • Ranting Raptor

      May 20, 2015 at 07:44

      What gets me is that Microsoft seem oblivious to these “obvious” things.

      It took them this long to realise Kinect won’t be “a thing”. They still aren’t quite in the loop about ID@box looking like Idiot Box.

      It just astounds me how they keep missing these things. Quite comical really.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        May 20, 2015 at 07:59

        Senior people in corporations live in an insulated bubble.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 20, 2015 at 08:00

          That’s made out of money. That’s why they cant hear us

          Reply

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 08:01

            apparently you and I live a few seconds in the future… (Refresh)

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 08:04

            XD

        • Ranting Raptor

          May 20, 2015 at 08:01

          *insulated money bubble*

          Reply

        • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

          May 20, 2015 at 08:01

          Would love on of those bubbles myself.

          Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    May 20, 2015 at 07:46

    Don’t support Kinect, Hololens is coming.

    Reply

    • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

      May 20, 2015 at 07:50

      Don’t support Hololens. HTC Vive is coming!

      Reply

      • Ranting Raptor

        May 20, 2015 at 07:52

        Don’t support HTC Vive…. ur… Google Glass is coming?

        Reply

        • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

          May 20, 2015 at 07:55

          Screw that. Id rather be sailing(virtually … maybe in a pirate boat)!

          Reply

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 07:57

            Man! With all the screwing and coming going on in this thread it sounds like you lot are having an online orgy or something… 😛

          • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

            May 20, 2015 at 07:59

            We are always having online orgies. Have you not received the invite yet? 😛

            Also these orgies ar PEGI 18.

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 08:01

            So all of you are doing some illegal shit on here! Fuck me! (No. That is not an invitation!)

          • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

            May 20, 2015 at 08:02

            Only illegal if you get caught. Also most people don’t read what is inside brackets so invite accepted! 😛

    • 40 Insane Frogs

      May 20, 2015 at 13:12

      Let’s never forget – “WELL BLAM THERE IT IS”

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 20, 2015 at 13:49

        Bwahahahaha! Ive never seen this!

        Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    May 20, 2015 at 07:47

    Don Mattrick was as stubborn as a pharaoh, thank heavens sanity prevailed

    Reply

  6. William Marshall

    May 20, 2015 at 07:47

    While I agree that the Kinect isn’t necessary for most system and gaming functions, I do enjoy having one. I like saying “Xbox on” from my kitchen while I put together breakfast, have it log me in when it sees me walking through the living room, and then start Netflix without having to find and pick up the controller… while I simultaneously eat my Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Not to mention Xbox Fitness works surprisingly better than I could have expected. It’s pretty sweet. I would never tell someone they *should* get one, but I would also never discourage someone who was thinking about getting it.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Browman

      May 20, 2015 at 07:48

      But the Illuminati also sees you walking through your living room!
      It’s been their plan all along!

      Reply

      • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

        May 20, 2015 at 07:51

        Only thing the Illuminati sees is you wanking in your living room! (Too early?)

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 20, 2015 at 07:51

          Damn dude, let me finish my coffee first.

          Reply

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 07:51

            That’s what she said

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 07:52

            rofl

        • Ranting Raptor

          May 20, 2015 at 07:51

          waxing eyebrows*
          putting on eyeliner*

          Reply

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 07:52

            Are you getting ready for some kinky roleplaying with Captain Brows?

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 07:54

            *waggles drawn on eyebrows*

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 07:54

            No one’s ever ready for it.

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 07:55

            Oh I see… so you are the Jump out of the bushes to surprise your “Girlfriend” type!

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 07:57

            Well, they’re definitely surprised.

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 08:00

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 08:02

            Yup! I always elbow creepy guys in the face!

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 08:03

            You’re a girl?????

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 08:03

            Only for you, Raptor. Only for you!

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 08:20

            *backs away quickly*

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 08:05

            My eye still hurts, btw.

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 08:06

            LOL

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 07:52

            Waxes eyebrows? Are you insane? Does Guan Yu trim his beard?

          • Ranting Raptor

            May 20, 2015 at 07:53

            It’s so he can draw them on with his eyeliner (Refresh for example)

            http://i.ytimg.com/vi/75v5aBDqwNc/hqdefault.jpg

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 07:54

            eeeuwww

          • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

            May 20, 2015 at 07:57

            Don’t you eeeuwww Geoff’s Mom dude! Not cool@

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 07:55

            I can’t even………

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 07:54

            Thanks Hammer. I guess.

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 07:54

            XD Though I think few know about Guan Yu and his majestic beard. Same rules apply for you.

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 07:55

            Han Dynasty. That’s the extent of my knowledge.

    • Dutch-Trevor Matrix

      May 20, 2015 at 07:49

      You make some valid points. Only 1 slight problem: I would have loved to say “Bionics On!” and let the Xbox bathe my living room in all sorts of neon…

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 20, 2015 at 07:50

      I would never use a console for anything other than gaming. But there are people that use it like you do and that’s cool.

      Reply

    • RinceTriss

      May 20, 2015 at 08:11

      What you said. If it wasn’t an ‘extra’ cost I see no harm in it. I mean I even had fun with the PS4 voice command. For a whole 30 seconds that is, but that’s because it’s not designed to interact to the Bone’s level.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 20, 2015 at 08:11

        Agreed

        Reply

  7. Kromas,powered by windows 10.

    May 20, 2015 at 07:49

    “Microsoft admits Kinect isn’t useful at all”

    Fixed it for you.

    Reply

  8. Captain JJ Browman

    May 20, 2015 at 07:57

    So, who else was having nerdgasms on Witcher 3 last night?

    Reply

    • Ranting Raptor

      May 20, 2015 at 08:00

      WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO MEAN!?!?!

      *Runs away crying*

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 20, 2015 at 08:03

        I can’t hide it, sorry.

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          May 20, 2015 at 08:22

          You shouldn’t have to hide something you were born with. Wait, what are we talking about?

          Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      May 20, 2015 at 08:01

      I came close to having one when I walked out onto that balcony at Kaer Morhan during the dream sequence. But that was tempered by the fact that I couldn’t rebind my movement controls. Thanks for reminding me, now I’m irritated about it again. ;P

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 20, 2015 at 08:02

        Me too man. The first time walking around, galloping on Roach. Then I realised feeling that way, while being on a horse, is frowned upon.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 20, 2015 at 08:02

      Loving it, but it’s not perfect.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 20, 2015 at 08:04

        I didn’t expect perfect,
        and I got more than I expected. 😀

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        May 20, 2015 at 08:07

        How come?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 20, 2015 at 08:08

          Combat is a bit clumsy, no where nearly as smooth or precise as Bloodborne.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            May 20, 2015 at 08:12

            Maybe you suck?

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 08:15

            The combat does feel a bit simpler, but I’ve only spent and hour and a half on it yet. So maybe I’m completely wrong.

          • Admiral Chief

            May 20, 2015 at 08:46

            So WitchSkyErRim?

          • Captain JJ Browman

            May 20, 2015 at 08:54

            Ehm. Still way better than Skyrim’s fighting. Geralt still does a fancy dance, so I’m happy. ;P

          • Hammersteyn

            May 20, 2015 at 08:39

            Maybe I do

    • Krabby Paddy

      May 20, 2015 at 08:04

      Besides the Peek-a-boo foliage it looks amazing, even with my crappy graphics card (reason for peek-a-boo foliage).

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 20, 2015 at 08:06

        And the winds always blowing???

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          May 20, 2015 at 08:07

          *wind is

          Reply

        • Captain JJ Browman

          May 20, 2015 at 08:07

          That “Nvidia hair physics” is crap though. It looks like their hair is made of water. I put it off, now it looks way better.

          Reply

        • Krabby Paddy

          May 20, 2015 at 08:07

          Ah yes that does blow, I think I haven’t got to play for long enough yet for that to annoy.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            May 20, 2015 at 08:07

            “does blow” haha

    • Admiral Chief

      May 20, 2015 at 08:06

      I did something very responsible instead. I finished DX HR DC. NOW ALL MY ATTENTION IS ON WITCHER

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Browman

        May 20, 2015 at 08:09

        *claps
        That is very responsible, and now you can fully sink into W3

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          May 20, 2015 at 08:13

          Aye, no loose ends, only Witcher now

          Reply

  9. Blood Emperor Trevor

    May 20, 2015 at 07:58

    The Kinect is deaaaaaaaaad! It’d be spinning in its grave if it could perform a full circle.

    Reply

  10. Ghost In The Rift

    May 20, 2015 at 08:00

    Yup, Casey Hudson destroyed Kinect, save to say Synthesis/Control was not involved, next , the oculus!!!!!

    Reply

    • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

      May 20, 2015 at 08:04

      HTC Vive! Let us face it. Oculus will launch late and valve dropped their support and no controller. Also Facebook.

      Reply

      • Ghost In The Rift

        May 20, 2015 at 08:05

        Like starring at Triss naked with the oculus and pop up friend request,DAMMIT!!!

        Reply

  11. K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)

    May 20, 2015 at 08:01

    But Kinect 2.0 can read your blood type and even knows your star sign!

    Reply

  12. Dutch-Trevor Matrix

    May 20, 2015 at 08:05

    On a serious note though: I see my PS4 came with a camera as well. I am so scared to plug this in, lest I walk into the room naked, and half the earth’s population die of fright/disgust…

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      May 20, 2015 at 08:54

      No worries there, NO ONE supports the PS4 “mik en druk”, not even Sony or the CIA!????

      Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      May 20, 2015 at 09:48

      The Ps4 camera is the most useless accessory on the planet (in SA, anyway).

      Reply

  13. WitWolfy

    May 20, 2015 at 08:16

    I’m still waiting for that skateboard game for Kinect they showed us last gen. They got us good back then, didnt they?

    Smoke and mirrors….

    Reply

    • lygamnt

      May 20, 2015 at 08:47

      Yeah like the Sony lie that the Cell Processor was supposed to be the most powerful thing ever or that Sony would fully support the HDD for the PS2. none of These are lies they were just projects that never happened for one reason or another. The Kinect is a ton better than Sony’s Wii rip off move controller. And if your smart enough to run the Kinect on a PC it is an incredibly awesome peripheral. I somehow bet if there was an apple or Sony sticker on the Kinect you’d love the thing. I bet you think Hololens is crap too. Well at least Microsoft is looking to the future and making money while Sony sells off more and more of its company to stay in business. They don’t even own their headquarters anymore they sold it and have to lease it now. That’s funny.

      Reply

      • WitWolfy

        May 20, 2015 at 10:20

        Wow you sound so sour dude. I do agree that both companies had their products hyped to the next star system though. The Kinect disappointed me beyond belief on how their advertising conned the whole world; and the Move was never meant to be anything more than a quick cash in..

        Sure I used it on some games like Heavy Rain, Killzone 3 and Dance star.. But its nothing to write home about really…

        The thing that made me give up on my Move completely was when the PS4 demanded that I buy the PS4 camera to use the device again… When I still had a perfectly under used Eyetoy 2.0 on stand by.

        Reply

        • lygamnt

          May 20, 2015 at 16:04

          Hey bro wasn’t trying to sound sour its just that the overhype machine has been hardcore since the Atari. Although Coleco vision actually made everything great except the Adam computer add on. And if you look into it the Kinect has done some great things outside gaming. Sorry for coming off harsh bro. Had just read comments by the I feel forced to buy Kinect and I want money and whining like that can sour my mood have a good day bro.

          Reply

    • Tbone187

      May 20, 2015 at 11:25

      Like we still waiting for hoverboards guy.

      Reply

  14. Avi

    May 20, 2015 at 08:18

    My xb1 came with a kinect, still in its original packaging never even opened from the cheap plastic that it comes wrapped in. Only reason i got it was it was the only xb1 package that has two controls and FIFA 15

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      May 20, 2015 at 12:36

      Unpack it. Use the voice commands. Always been a childhood dream of mine to control my tech through conversation and it is almost there.

      Reply

      • Avi

        May 20, 2015 at 12:56

        Will give it a try , thanks

        Reply

  15. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    May 20, 2015 at 08:32

    Since the first announcement of the Kinect being a compulsory component people complained about it….I’m sure it has it’s uses, but not letting go of it was a huge mistake…

    Reply

  16. saneman

    May 20, 2015 at 08:53

    This is when comment history is awesome 🙂

    2 years ago I said:
    “stop trying to push the useless tech on us kinect is useless no games
    will be made for it, so stop trying to push the same crap on play
    station people. The reason xbox sucks is it comes bundled with this
    useless stuff and just adds $100 to the price”

    *giggle*

    Reply

  17. Christopher Adams

    May 20, 2015 at 09:27

    df

    Reply

  18. Tbone187

    May 20, 2015 at 11:33

    Once you understand the notion that the motion won’t move the ocean, you can return the lotion.

    Reply

  19. Brady miaau

    May 20, 2015 at 11:46

    Kinect is pretty good for, say, Kinect Sports Rivals only when you play it like an arcade game, like it was designed. It is pretty good with motion detect and so forth. Works well, is fun for a diversion. Also, games like Zoo Tycoon, you can hold your hands out and feed the animals and stuff. I think a 4 year old would love that.

    But the voice commands are extremely impressive, so top marks there.

    Reply

  20. Pelvic Sorcerer

    May 30, 2015 at 13:36

    My Skyrim experience was MUCH improved when Kinect-enabled voice commands were added. So yes, a blockbuster game HAS improved with Kinect.

    Reply

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