Is This The End Of Kinect?

Have you heard the news? As the title suggests, Microsoft has decided that the Kinect 2.0 will no longer be a mandatory purchase when picking up an Xbox One. Let me make that clear: from this autumn, you’ll be able to buy the console without the much-criticised motion control device - for a cheaper price too. The decision essentially finalises Microsoft’s backtrack on its unpopular policies from last summer. No always online, no always connected Kinect, below £400 RRP and now no mandatory Kinect. It begs one key question: is this the end of the short-lived device? Don’t get me wrong, there’s no way the Kinect will be disappearing anytime soon, but this has to be the beginning of the end.

Really, it’s a matter of comparison. In what’s often claimed to have been a last minute decision, Sony launched the PlayStation 4 in November without the PlayStation Camera bundled. It was available to buy, but did not come packed in with the console and had very little developer support. Last minute decision or not, it meant that the PS4 launched for £70 less than Xbox One, certainly a significant factor in Sony’s much more impressive sales figures. While the move clearly paid off for the console itself, the Camera was instantly doomed. Sales for the device are poor to say the least, and there’s a serious lack of compatible software available (aside from Playroom, I can’t think of a single game that supports the Camera). Sony made it clear that they weren’t totally behind their own device: both developers and consumers responded in a similar fashion.

For the development of motion control it was a significant step backwards, but for many gamers this was irrelevant; a plus point even. The indignation of the core gaming audience towards motion control is well known, particularly to Microsoft. So it’s not a total surprise to see them reverse their initial plans. Now that Microsoft are following the same path as Sony, is the Kinect doomed to the same fate as the PlayStation Camera? It will undoubtedly be much more difficult for developers to justify creating games for Kinect. The device hasn’t received a whole lot of support even as a mandatory inclusion, so I’d be surprised to see anyone other than indies throwing their support behind the device.

Of course, independent developers could be all the Kinect needs to gain traction. After all, the device only needs one killer title that would make it a necessary purchase without Microsoft forcing it down consumers’ throats. The tech giant has been trying to create its own ‘Wii moment’ with Kinect over the past four years, and it simply hasn’t paid off. I can’t help but feel as though today’s announcement is a white flag of surrender from Microsoft. The PR team has already spun the story as a commitment to the players, to those who wanted the ability to choose, but it’s difficult to deny that this is simply an effort to bring the console toe-to-toe with the PS4. I’m not so sure if that’s a good thing, but I do think it will benefit Xbox One sales. Hell, I’m personally much more interested in buying the console now.

Regardless of the prospects of the Xbox One, I don’t think the Kinect has much of a chance moving forward. With few games currently available and those that are available proving to be of little worth, there’s not a lot of reason to buy a Kinect separately from the console. With a steadily decreasing user base Microsoft are unlikely to throw their full support behind the device and we’ll simply see a repeat of the PS Camera situation. Then again, Xbox chief Phil Spencer made this statement along with the announcement:

“Kinect remains an important part of our vision, we will continue to innovate on Kinect, I think it's an important differentiator for us."

So perhaps there’s hope, or maybe those are just empty words. We won’t know until this time next year, because if Kinect doesn’t have its validating game by then, I dare say it’ll all be over. Motion control has been, and it looks like it could soon be gone. There’s still a chance that Microsoft won’t let the Kinect go, but as we’ve seen that doesn’t always equate success. E3, as ever, will be D-Day; will it be the first Xbox conference without the device for the first time in years? Or will Microsoft make it clear that they’re still backing the Kinect 2.0 by revealing a host of compatible games? Maybe even that crucial title.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be interesting to see it unfold. I for one, am all for differentiation; just not at the price of enjoyment.