While removing Kinect from the Xbox One helped Microsoft to price the console at $399, it did put several Kinect developers in a tight spot. According to Paul Mottram of Zoë Mode, which created Zumba Fitness for the Kinect, it significantly hurts the chances of original Kinect titles.
“From a developer point of view it’s a shame, as it all but kills the chances of making an original Kinect title unless it is a major licensed Fitness or Dance product – and even those will suffer as it’s unlikely we’ll see Kinect 2 units even come close to the installed base of the original now. Even then it was a challenge.
“I just feel sorry for those developers who had Kinect titles in development who’ve had the rug pulled from beneath them and may now stand little chance of seeing a return on their investment.”
Mottram is however confident of indie studios making “killer use for Kinect that will change the minds of the doubters”. “Smaller developers may try something new with the peripheral that mainstream publishers would were not willing to gamble on.”
Microsoft is still significantly dedicated to Kinect though – it also plans to release it as a standalone peripheral this Autumn. Kinect-less Xbox One units will be available from June 9th onwards.
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