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Report: Next Xbox requires always-on Kinect
by Andrew Yoon, Feb 11, 2013 12:15pm PSTThe next Xbox, codenamed Durango, will not only include an updated version of Kinect--it will require it. "It must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function," a new report on Kotaku reveals.
According to the site, Microsoft will include both Kinect and a hard drive in their next-gen console (both were optional accessories on Xbox 360). By making their use mandatory, developers will be able to make games with both peripherals in mind.
The camera has been greatly improved, being able to track up to six skeletons at once, versus two in the current-gen model. In addition, the new Kinect can keep track of five additional joints per person. According to Kotaku, the improved resolution of the camera will allow it to "instantly identify a person," making "automatic player identification" a part of the Xbox experience. While the convenience of not having to log-in will be nice, it could also lead to restricting content based on who Kinect identifies--something Redmond had patented many months ago. Using this tech could restrict the "number of user views, a number of user views over time, a number of simultaneous user views, views tied to user identities, views limited to user age or any variation or combination thereof."
In terms of hardware spec, Durango has been rumored to be largely identical with Orbis, the next PlayStation. Digital Foundry offers a comparison, detailing the slight differences in approach the two companies are taking with their next consoles.
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The next Xbox, codenamed Durango, will not only include an updated version of Kinect--it will require it. "It must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function."
The next Xbox, codenamed Durango, will not only include an updated version of Kinect--it will require it. "It must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function." : Shacknews
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Which gets to the issues of services which you again picked a really narrow criteria. Obviously whether or not you want to pay for online services and how much you get from each is important. But its also worth looking deeper than that if you're seriously asking the question. XBL long ago provided a much better multiplayer experience and that means my friends and I are in one place and get used to using that. Built in headsets, cross game chat, parties with voice chat across games (including while I play singleplayer if I want), achievements and more were all things XBL did waaay better than PSN for years (many years). Sony has caught up on some of those but still frequently gives you a subpar experience.
Yeah I have to pay to use Netflix on my 360 instead of the PS3. But you know what? I get a better experience on the 360 as far as what the platform owner can provide. When Netflix needs an update on the 360 it tells me, I press a button and it downloads the update and is done in a minute. The other day I tried to use it on my PS3 and Netflix said it needed an update to run, go find where to apply updates in the OS yourself and then try again. So not only was it a bunch more manual work, but the updating process itself took 10x as long or more. And then on the Xbox I get a better in app experience because of voice controls from Kinect.
Again, services, we can talk about XBLA vs PSN selection but that's pretty personal, what's not is things like mandatory demos. On the Xbox I always get to try before I buy. On PSN I just have to spend $15 on Tokyo Jungle and hope it's as good as some say (hint: it's not). That's the kind of service infrastructure I trust to carry forward and improve. Where as That Game Company could go multiplatform any time after I already bought a console (iirc they already have fulfilled their exclusivity contract).
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