Kinect for Xbox One is against consumer choice, says Sony

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While Microsoft has reversed almost every policy they initially announced with the Xbox One, including DRM, self-publishing and always-on Kinect, one area where the company has remained steadfast is on the inclusion of Kinect with the Xbox One.

According to Sony's Fergal Gera, forcing a console bundle that includes a camera on your customers in such a way is "against consumer choice".

Many had hoped that Microsoft would decide to release a more competitively priced version of the Xbox One that does not include Kinect, especially after Microsoft announced that always-on Kinect would no longer be a requirement, but that has not been the case.

In contrast, Sony has made their PS4 camera optional and no doubt that has been a factor in allowing them to undercut the price of the Xbox One with the PS4.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Gara said, "a decision was taken - and I think it was absolutely the right decision - which is, to force bundle a camera is probably against consumer choice.

"It does not offer the gamer the choice, and therefore the most sensible thing to do as a gamer friendly brand is give them the choice. And I'm absolutely delighted we've done that," Gera continued.

"There is an an advanced, sophisticated camera-based technology there as an option for PS4, but it's not a requirement," Gera explained. "I'm really pleased with that decision."

Gera believes that the fact that the PS4 and Xbox One are releasing so close together will be an advantage to Sony, given that the company were playing catch-up with the PS3.

"To have a 16 month disadvantage and actually get any market share in the current generation, which is a very connected generation where friends get friends, took a lot of hard graft," Gera explained.

"You've got to start good and keep on your toes. PS4 is a platform that can and will evolve. It will be great on day one but it will be far better in year two and year three as expectations rise and ideas are generated and these new tools are executed, " Gera continued.

"That's the way to win. And obviously the gameplay and the core experiences are hugely pivotal to that. They are going to start really strong, but they have to continue to grow and continue to improve."

Posted: Sep 30, 2013 6:20 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.nowgamer.com/news/2100041/forced_camera_anticonsumer_says_sony.html

Comments

varPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Oh god.. I highly doubt most of us will hardly use the Kinect, and forcing us to pay for it is ridiculous. I hope they come to reasonable solution...

-InsanelyAwesome-Posted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

brendan64shark
Clones Jesus, this is just baby-talk now. Is there one quote from Sony NOT bashing on XO?

I agree sony is so scared about there system going under the xbox one. All of there things they talk about are how they tried to beat xbox but the xbox is the "one". Lol

In all fairness Sony does not need to be scared as they are winning on pre orders, and overall likeness from the gaming community.

Ted-Posted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Who cares what each company says about the other.

mysticalrainbowPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

brendan64shark
Clones Jesus, this is just baby-talk now. Is there one quote from Sony NOT bashing on XO?

I agree sony is so scared about there system going under the xbox one. All of there things they talk about are how they tried to beat xbox but the xbox is the "one". Lol

Well it's a very competitive business, both companies are looking for consumers to go their side. Sony has been pretty smart if you ask me, they are getting a lot of people to flame on the Xbox One.

Relentless757Posted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

agentbutters
Relentless757 Do people not understand the benefits of Kinect? Maybe the people against it are just lazy. At least try it before you judge it.

Do you not understand the importance of choice? Some people dont buy the Kinect, no scratch that A LOT of people dont buy it for the Kinect they buy it for playing games with the controller.

When in the world did MS say people don't have a choice? If you don't want to use it, then you can turn it off. They just want everyone to have it so they get the full experience, but if they don't want it, they can simply turn it off. Simple as that.

brendan64sharkPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Clones Jesus, this is just baby-talk now. Is there one quote from Sony NOT bashing on XO?

I agree sony is so scared about there system going under the xbox one. All of there things they talk about are how they tried to beat xbox but the xbox is the "one". Lol

mysticalrainbowPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

III_XBOI_III
mysticalrainbow Completely disagree. It will greatly enhance the future gaming experiences, as there will be no inconsistent hardware like 360 kinect. There won't be a risk by developers to implement technology in their games, as now a majority of people will use it. Being like Sony and taking away the PlayStation Eye means next gen games will be the same experience (Just controller). No matter how cool the PlayStation eye is on the PS4 it is a waste, as only a minority will use it; thus developers wont use it in games.

What is it that you're disagreeing with exactly? I ask this because no where in this article did I see an argument against the functionality of the kinect. You can't make up an argument just to disagree with it. This guy had a valid point. If you have to force a product onto consumers because you know they won't buy it, then that's not good business. You assume that devs WILL take advantage of the kinect just because it's there. Even if they do, that doesn't mean that players will use it.

And stop saying the kinect will be this revolutionary game changing experience that ms has been feeding you sheep. Especially if you don't own it yet. Sheep...

I'm disagreeing with Sony's decision to not include a PlayStation Eye. I believe it will slow down the evolution of what we view as gaming today. And how can we have debates if i'm not allowed to made VALID arguments to a companies decision's? I'm not stating facts here i'm sharing my opinion, much like you have shared your opinion with me. Maybe i'm wrong, but i'm just looking at all the angles here not just one.

coDyDaTallGuyPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Dr-J
Pashtun
Dr-J
III_XBOI_III
DuhTigersBlood
Cyimking
Dr-J
Pashtun So true. No company should force something down their consumer's throat. Whether it is good or bad. This is why Sony is the best. They care for the consumer. This is also one of the reasons why I and many others are jumping ship to Sony. Such a good future ahead. Can not wait.

Personally I don't think PS4 will be included in the "future" of gaming.
It's basically a ps3 with extra features. No hate intended.
When X1 brings the DRM back then the future of console gaming will begin

What? Lol PS4 is the future of gaming. If it wasn't for Playstation then gaming would be non existence right now. The only true reason on why xbox consumers haven't left are due to them being a long term xbox user.

I hope you are joking and aren't really that dumb. What's funny is no one remembered that the ps4 was originally going to come with the camera but was removed to beat the xbox one price. And what about all of the gaming systems that came before ps3? None of those apparently existed? So when i was young i never played a dreamcast or super nintendo, or anything like that?

ps2 is/was the highest selling console in the world... Ps2 revolutionized gaming. Go take a nap kids, its a school night. Arguing over consoles.

It didn't "revolutionize" gaming, lol it made gaming better but definitely didn't revolutionize the scene of gaming. N64 did that IMO
Actually the PLAYSTATION 1 revolutionized gaming. It was the first to bring in games on a disc. Sorry to school you little kids. And as what III_XBOI_III said, go take a nap. It is a school night.

Well he said PLAYSTATION 2, also you should take a nap I'm older than you and my classes are set up differently.

Everyone has their own opinions. Arguing over "what consoles revolutionized gaming" is pointless. An argument can be made for any successful gaming console on how it "revolutionized gaming." All that matters now is what the future holds in store for gaming. Both the PS4 and the Xbox One will be a great step forward for gaming consoles. I hope.

VariksPosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Jesus, this is just baby-talk now. Is there one quote from Sony NOT bashing on XO?

Dr-PonyfilePosted: Mon. Sep 30, 2013

Dr-J
Pashtun
Dr-J
III_XBOI_III
DuhTigersBlood
Cyimking
Dr-J
Pashtun So true. No company should force something down their consumer's throat. Whether it is good or bad. This is why Sony is the best. They care for the consumer. This is also one of the reasons why I and many others are jumping ship to Sony. Such a good future ahead. Can not wait.

Personally I don't think PS4 will be included in the "future" of gaming.
It's basically a ps3 with extra features. No hate intended.
When X1 brings the DRM back then the future of console gaming will begin

What? Lol PS4 is the future of gaming. If it wasn't for Playstation then gaming would be non existence right now. The only true reason on why xbox consumers haven't left are due to them being a long term xbox user.

I hope you are joking and aren't really that dumb. What's funny is no one remembered that the ps4 was originally going to come with the camera but was removed to beat the xbox one price. And what about all of the gaming systems that came before ps3? None of those apparently existed? So when i was young i never played a dreamcast or super nintendo, or anything like that?

ps2 is/was the highest selling console in the world... Ps2 revolutionized gaming. Go take a nap kids, its a school night. Arguing over consoles.

It didn't "revolutionize" gaming, lol it made gaming better but definitely didn't revolutionize the scene of gaming. N64 did that IMO
Actually the PLAYSTATION 1 revolutionized gaming. It was the first to bring in games on a disc. Sorry to school you little kids. And as what III_XBOI_III said, go take a nap. It is a school night.

Well he said PLAYSTATION 2, also you should take a nap I'm older than you and my classes are set up differently.

Either way opinions are opinions I think the Ninetendo 64 With Super Mario was the revolution gaming needed I agree yes the PS1 was a step forward by bringing gaming to disc but there are many other factors I have had every console that is merely known of since they have been released I know how they all work. I agree that Microsoft are kind of forcing the Kinect to everyone but at the end of the day it's there and if you don't like it don't buy the danm thing this is the type of news that starts wars and is pathetic.

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