If you looked at the Kinect launch lineup, and then caught the Kinect segments on the Home Shopping Network, we'd forgive you for wondering about Microsoft relationship to "core" gamers -- Kinect might be a lot of fun, but, so far, it's aimed squarely at moms, kids and other gaming outsiders. But according to Microsoft Game Studios' corporate VP Phil Spencer, the company is not abandoning the hardcore.
"The core has been core to our success from the beginning," Spencer said in an interview with Gamasutra. "We get that. It wasn’t by accident. And when I think about how we can continue to evolve our platform, adoption by the core of our new technologies is really important to us," he added.
Here's more:
"We know that that core audience is usually made up of the early adopters, and they're people that will give us vocal feedback on what’s working and not working, be that something we do on Live or something like Kinect or a new console or a new controller.This is a very engaged customer who has a voice. So just as entertainment, the core franchises are really important to us and the success that we’ve had. Continuing to push innovation in those franchises is important. And that’s true for Kinect as well as non-Kinect games."
Those are all the right words, but, when the rubber meets the road in November, and Kinect is on store shelves with few "core" games, I wonder if gamers are going to feel a bit left behind. Personally, I'm picking up a Kinect because I like all kinds of games, casual, core, social, whatever... but if I was only into shooters, or deep, story-driven titles, I'd take a wait-and-see approach... unless my wife wanted one.
Source: Gamasutra
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Displaying 1–18 of 18
YoureSoFunny
All games are a complete waste of time, HAHAHAHAHA, why would you say Kinect is a waste of time? I'll be picking this up, just wish I didn't buy the Halo Reach 360 I would have like to get the Kinect 360.
dz99ls
here is the problem with this whole article. CORE gamers dont give a crap about motion controlls. Core games done sell on the wii for a reason, motion controlls are pretty terrible
buiman11
I'm into all types of games like Stephen. I love the games that are made for the core gamers out there, but sometimes, I play the Sims, and something like Kinect comes off as possibly a lot of fun, or at least as a way for me not to have to buy extra controllers for when people come over.
grotschm
the biggest problem is this,PlayStation tried the no remote thing with their ps eye(epic fail).second Microsoft doesn't have a great track record for building quality hardware so instead of replacing your xbox every year you will have to replace it and a kinect too.PASS
thePcgamer
DANCE CENTRAL IS ENOUGH TO SELL ME ON KINECT! Period. I mean, as a dancer myself, that looks like the most fun game I've ever seen
Pwnproof
With all the hardware fails my family has had to deal with from microsort's 360 as well as kinect having no games that jump out at us, plus at a 150$ price point and i would still have to buy another 360 again i just don't see myself being "core" enough for it.
McBeesj
my kids might be my reason for getting it they had a really fun time trying it out at the state fair and both of those games were on the widely made fun of Kinect adventures, if I had a Wii for the kids I would probably not get the Kinect though
Tim_1138
I'm all of those things Stephen. So I'll end up with one. Looking forward to Child of Eden eventually.
Dartsytopps
This thing is a complete waste of time.
nvserg
8 more days left =o), i cant wait cause im picking one up too. im getting that animal game for the kids, Joy Ride, sports, and in shape. i cant wait
TreFacTor
Sounds like MS wants the core gamer to commit to or conform to kinect instead of the other way around... I aint buyin.
Shuklar
It would be cool if you could be abusive to your kinectimal. I'm already nice and playful with real animals, I want something new, without actually having to harm anything...lol
Servcrow
While I can see "core" gamers feeling a bit left out (as in "Wow, here's this cool new piece of tech that has no games that appeal to me") I also can see why Microsoft would create it. Casual gamers so make up a significant portion of the general public and when you're a major corporation increasing market share is a major key to success.
I tend to be more to the "core" gamer side of the spectrum even though I do love some casual games. (Puzzle Quest being my current "casual" obsession) so I doubt I'll be an early adopter. I'm not feeling left out but I do have the slight fear of Kinect being forced into some games that normally wouldn't require it just to sell more units. (Gamer paranoia on my part.)
I'll just have to wait to purchase it until it has that "killer app" I suppose. :)
cardinalsfan1122
I think one of the coolest games for kinect would be Mirror's Edge. I don't know about everyone else but i think that would be awesome.
But besides that i don't feel left behind at all. Microsoft is trying to expand their fanbase just like Sony is with Move. As long as they both continue to put out quality controller titles I will be more than satisfied. And you don't have to buy another WII when it eventually comes out.
TeroLost
I'll probably be snagging one of these bad-boys for Christmas--and honestly, it's really not for the games at all. I have a young son--right now he's 7 months old, and it is frustratingly difficult to try and get netflix up and running let alone pause suddenly when my wireless controller is already off...and this is to say nothing of the 'That controller looks like it'd be fun to nom...or throw at the floor...' reflexes that spring up while holding him and trying to use my 360 controller for anything.
I'm excited for the voice recognition, much more so than being able to hold my hand up and move things around minority style--the fact that you have to hover for a few seconds to select anything kind of bothers me...it seems to take just a few seconds too long, in my opinion.
But you never know--most of the changes that are going to be sent out into the Kinect waters will be software/firmware updates that can be distributed easily via Live. They might give me the option of moving my hand over something and saying 'select' instead of having to wait the allotted amount of time(5 seconds?) for the hover to do it.
Either way, the potential to control my 360 so that I can stream media without having to risk a controller being flung into a coffee table is awesome.
That being said, I'm actually curious how Kinect will have worked into the new Harry Potter game coming out--if you haven't checked out the spots G4 has done on the title already, go search it. This installment is looking to simply use the source material(the books/movies) and then go off in a new direction, not following any currently cannon plots, while simultaneously changing the mechanics of the game so that it plays more like a cover-based 3rd person shooter...I'm really intrigued if it's done well. Assuming this comes off as more than just a movie tie-in game, it could be the core experience that early Kinect adopters are looking for. Especially if they're planning on using Kinect as more of a utility than a game-carrying gimmick....like being able to simply say what spells you want to switch to, rather than having to bother with a radial menu...or even something as silly as only using Kinect when you're learning a new spells in a a more classroom-like setting(read: swish 'n flick training).
roehn117
haha so true stephen so true my fiance wants kinectimals, however ill be happy wnough justifying the purchase to feel like i am in minority report :]
Pound_of_Flesh
I still think that games like FPSs and RPGs will eventually be able to find uses for Kinect. Easy one for shooters is leaning out of cover. RPGs could use gestures for spells and such. There is no reason that Kinect can't be used in tandem with a controller.I'm looking froward to the day COD brings back the lean. Rainbow Six could benefit from it. Even Gears of War could bring a new curbstomp to the table(maybe).
Prax150
rofl
Displaying 1–18 of 18