Would the Xbox One be better without Kinect?
The Xbox One Kinect “feels like an unnecessary add-on”, Peter Molyneux, the former Creative Director for Microsoft’s European Studios has suggested.
Speaking out on the recently launched Xbox One console and its motion-tracking peripheral, the well-known and oft outspoken British game designer has gone as far as labelling the Kinect camera “a joke.”
Slammed the need for the add-on, Molyneux stated Kinect “feels like an unnecessary add-on to me,” predicting that Microsoft could soon be forced to launch an Xbox One without the a bundled Kinect camera.
Speaking with Edge he stated: “Maybe it's because we're in England, and it doesn't really use the TV stuff, but it feels more and more like a joke. My son and I sit there saying random things at it, and it doesn't work.”
He added: "They could cost-reduce it [by removing Kinect]. I'm sure they're going to release an Xbox One without Kinect. It would be unthinkable that they wouldn't."
Despite global Xbox One sales continuing to fall behind those of the rival PS4, a trend blamed in part on the increased cost of the Microsoft console due to the bundled Kinect, Microsoft’s Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has claimed a Kinect-free console is not being called for by consumers.
Branding the peripheral “an absolutely integral part of the experience,” Spencer stated: “we’re always trying to match what consumers are asking for.”
He added: “I always want to make sure that we're in tune with what current or potential customers are asking for from us. Right now, [dropping Kinect is] not the number one request from people.
“Usually it's, 'Where are the great games?' There are a number of games on the ID@Xbox programme that use Kinect, and you'll see more games in the fall."
Molyneux’s comments come just days ahead of Friday’s Kinect Sports Rivals UK release date, with the sporting game one of the first designed solely with Kinect in mind.
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