Kinect (previously Natal)

[sj33]

Microsoft must really believe that this could massively grow their audience.

[Spatial]

This is Microsoft's way though isn't it - they just throw money something to try and get the result they want. They did it with the first Xbox (and to all intents and purposes the 360 when the issue of the RRoD wouldn't go away).

In MS's eyes Kinect is too big an investment for it to fail.

[nonny]

To be honest after seeing this in the flesh (demo in a shopping centre) its luring in all the Wii generation. There is nothing in the line up that the Wii doesnt already do but for some reason the lack of controller is distinctly appealing to the general non-gaming masses.

The amount of chicks lining up to try out dance central was actually kind of frightening. I dont think the launch games are especially good but dance central is actually pretty impressive. It's like Guitar Hero all over again, sans guitar...

All they really have to do is milk it and in a clever move Dance Central is of course not a packed-in title. I think they'll ship plenty of units plus a few software per hardware install. Out of all of it I think Dance Central and that Your Fitness game appeal the most to the ladies and general public... thats all it needs really pre-xmas and the hype will do the rest.

Me... I've got one on order from the US because of the exchange rate. Cost me about $30 less than the local RRP. That will do. The better half loved Dance Central but I'll wait for the reviews to roll in and pick & choose the games before xmas arrives.

Myself I will use it for menu navigation, especially now they've finally announced the foxtel deal is coming next month (Sky HD basically like you fellas have had for a year). I'll pick that up for premiership football and sit issuing voice commands like its going out of fashion.

Then in 2011 I'm really looking forward to Child of Eden and hopefully Steel Batallion will deliver as well. That for me is the start of developers moving more towards main stream products.

[mackemansj1]

Insane. It's $150 in the US right? So say, let's be generous, $100 profit per unit for MS. They'd have to sell 5 million - just to cover the ad campaign! Yes there will be knock on effect with console sales and software, but that is just insane. It can't be right.

Add in R&D, and manufacture, they could lose a load on this.

I highly doubt they will be making so much on the unit aswell. This is ms we are talking about and if it means it keeps them top in the usa console sales and opens up 360 to a wider market they will see it as money well spent. This will also be a testing ground to what could come packed in with there next machine, it really feels like something they wont just drop next console launch.

[EvilBoris]

of course not, this'll be a permanent part of Xbox from now on

[Garny]

I think we could be seeing a new Xbox in the not to distant future tbh. Seeing as the 360 exclusives are drying up fast. Keep on selling the 360 as a Wii wannbe, release new console within the next 2 years, 360s will then be cheap as chips, and with the goalposts being moved tech wise MS get new exclusives by default (no other console can run this game etc) oh, with Kinect plus of course.

[yesteryeargames]

hmm my pre orders have messed up, i think the shortage thing is a lie but incase its not where else could i try? shopoo and game let me down

[averybluemonkey]

Insane. It's $150 in the US right? So say, let's be generous, $100 profit per unit for MS. They'd have to sell 5 million - just to cover the ad campaign! Yes there will be knock on effect with console sales and software, but that is just insane. It can't be right.

Add in R&D, and manufacture, they could lose a load on this.

But that's the way MS works, they're smart, they play the long game. They take the losses now to ensure future profitability 10 years down the line, they haven't forgot what they did to IBM.

[MJ]

I've been interested in Kinect since it was announced and then the £130 price tag put me off, then they announced the 250 GB S console and Kinect bundle and I was interested again, but now I probably won't be able to walk into a shop and buy one when it's released it's annoyed me a bit.

[EvilBoris]

Had a browse around game and gamestation today and the displays for connect actually stirred something inside me to want to buy it.

Not for £130 though

[MikeRox]

Insane. It's $150 in the US right? So say, let's be generous, $100 profit per unit for MS. They'd have to sell 5 million - just to cover the ad campaign! Yes there will be knock on effect with console sales and software, but that is just insane. It can't be right.

Add in R&D, and manufacture, they could lose a load on this.

Didn't they state that at $150 they were losing money on each Kinect sold?

Basically Kinect is their new UI. They're gonna work out the bugs on the 360. But they have plans for it that go far beyond the gaming community.

[Spatial]

I've been interested in Kinect since it was announced and then the ?130 price tag put me off, then they announced the 250 GB S console and Kinect bundle and I was interested again, but now I probably won't be able to walk into a shop and buy one when it's released it's annoyed me a bit.

You should have gone to see Oprah

[MJ]

I went to @Bristol today, it was my second visit there but this time I found myself paying much more attention to the video capture volleyball exhibit. All generations of people seemed to be having a great time playing it and if they weren't sure about it when they first started playing, they were certainly into it by the end of their session and it got me thinking that if MS get their marketing right and really get the Kinect brand out there and appeal to a wide enough audience with the content for it, I think they'll be onto an absolute winner.

I've never really doubted Kinect, but was surprised with its popularity when the price was announced, and have been very interested in it since it was revealed, I mean a four player motion capture camera in your house, with face recognition, movement controls and voice command controls. Tell me that's not awesome. If MS and devs have enough faith in it, then it will be fun following and being part of the Kinect journey.

[ozzzy189]

i wasn't going to bother with kinect, but i think it could be a great christmas pressie for my kids, and to be fair, it is starting to look like it could turn out to be pretty cool.

[Family Fry]

Think most people with the kids and possibly no xbox will have to lap it up.
Gonna be hard for people to miss this (unless they don't want it of course, GRUMBLE GRUMBLE)
Out in just under 3 weeks, I need an ad to cheer me up.