Phil Spencer: Consumers love Kinect, they'll still buy it

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Microsoft's recent, unexpected decision to offer an Xbox One without a mandatory Kinect camera peripheral will not drive developers away from the device, according to Xbox head Phil Spencer.

"A Kinect game relies on the successful Xbox One installed base," Spencer told GamesIndustry. "I need to, as the head of Xbox, make sure that we've got a platform and a product offering that millions of consumers will love, and I stay focused on that."

"We see millions and millions of people using Kinect today. We've had over a billion voice commands used," Spencer added. "Consumers love the device; they love the experience. They'll buy it. They'll either buy it at launch when they buy their console, or they'll be able to buy it after the $399 console; they'll pick it up and add it on later. And we'll continue to make sure that experience is great."

Despite Spencer's assurances, reactions from Kinect developers have been less than positive. Staff at Harmonix, developer of Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved, responded to the news with sarcastic glee, before officially stating, "As game makers, this platform change doesn't affect our strategy - it reinforces that we must continue to focus on building innovative, compelling and well-designed motion experiences to motivate consumers to buy our games."

Posted: Jun 23, 2014 3:46 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/23/phil-spencer-consumers-love-kinect-theyll-still-buy-it/

Comments

kitypurryPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

It's so convenient to navigate the menus with voice. Hell... if I'm not playing games I'm not even using a controller or remote. Can simply turn on my Xbox and TV and navigate to anything I want with voice is so awesome. Have yet to try it out on a game on a Kinect based game although it works well with Battlefield 4.

RageCreationPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

Is this a joke? PLEASE tell me it's a joke.

DemonYouthPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

I would rather use my money to buy more PC parts, more for your buck IMO.

LatiasPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

I'm not a huge fan of kinect. The commands are just not consistent, it only works about 80% of the time. It doesn't work just enough to annoy me.

Although it is still a massive improvement upon the 360 version, and the auto sign in feature is very effective.

If both had been available at launch, I would have chosen the kinect less sku.

DerangedPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

ChicagoMadePunk So they are making it without a kinect but allow you go out and buy the kinect and add it to your xbox. Seems legit.

Thats how playstation undercut xbox in price from the beginning is excluding their eye cam..

Even though the kinect for the xbox one is amazing.. id never buy the 360 version

MaggardoPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

The Kinect isn't something I would buy. It just doesn't interest me enough to go out and pick one up.

MusketPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

So they are making it without a kinect but allow you go out and buy the kinect and add it to your xbox. Seems legit.

lolohnoeszszPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

DeluxeHazard $100 for a paperweight I will never use...I definitively do not love it. And most of the commands are probably to sign in and out of their account.

you have no idea how Kinect works do you? go back to your PS4 please.

OasisPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

It's so easy reading through the comments to see who actually has used or owns a xbox one. Even funnier is those that clearly don't own one trying to give an opinion on something they know nothing about. Seriously it's cool to have an honest opinion but if you know sod all about something best you just STFU.

I won't call specific people out but they know who they are.

DeluxeHazardPosted: Mon. Jun 23, 2014

$100 for a paperweight I will never use...I definitively do not love it. And most of the commands are probably to sign in and out of their account.

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