The motion-tracking device will become more useful in the future

Mar 18, 2014 02:16 GMT  ·  By

Andy Dennis, a software director at developer Rare, says that he understands why many gamers might question the need to include the Kinect motion-tracking system in the core Xbox One package, but he says the device will become more important later in the lifetime of the platform.

He tells TrustedReviews, “If you’re a pure gamer, if you’re only buying the console for video games and you only want to play games with the controller, I can understand why you may question relevance, at least initially.”

The first version of Kinect was introduced for the Xbox 360 and allows gamers to control the interface of the device and certain game elements using movement of their hands and bodies.

Only a limited number of titles managed to integrate it in any meaningful way, and many users were annoyed by the latency of the device and by the way it missed some gestures.

Dennis believes that the new version of the Kinect associated with the Xbox One can have a big impact on the experience of the user.

He explains, “If you look at the bigger picture, if you look at Xbox as an all-in-one offering for the living room, it has got to do triple A content, but it’s also got to be media player and offer games for a more casual audience as well. I think then the camera starts to make real sense. If you look at the important of voice navigation as well as the skeleton tracking and the facial recognition that we’re doing, it absolutely makes sense to have it in the box.”

Since the Xbox One was announced, Microsoft promised that it would build an entire entertainment universe around the device, which would include traditional video game experiences but also shows and social services.

At the moment, Kinect is used by a limited number of titles for the platform, but Rare is working on Kinect Sports Rivals, which will use its unique features to power a host of family-focused experiences.

A number of analysts have said that the decision to include the Kinect in the Xbox One package increased the price of the device and made it less attractive for potential customers.

Currently, the Microsoft device is selling a smaller number of devices than the rival PlayStation 4 from Sony.

Analysts have suggested that a version of the platform might be introduced in 2015 and will come accompanied by a price cut.