Kinect 2

Glimpse Team on August 26, 2013

Microsoft’s new Xbox console is just around the corner and it also introduces its new Kinect, the Kinect 2. Everybody’s rage was manifested during Microsoft’s presentation last May 2013. Sure, the Kinect 2’s presentation was cool but a lot of gamers were disappointed because all Microsoft did was  “TV television, TV television, TV, Sports”. This really angered the hardcore gamers because it seems like Microsoft really does not care of its loyal customers and hardcore fans of the Xbox console. However, this does not goes to say that the Kinect 2 is a piece of trash. In fact, it is a high end technology after all.

The new Kinect is no longer using Structured Light to measure depth but instead uses Time of Flight. Therefore I’m assuming it’s most probably not based on technology from PrimeSense anymore, and therefore won’t be compatible with OpenNI. Note that there are other sensors using TOF (Time of Flight) currently on the market by SoftKinetic although it’s unsure if they are related at all to the new Kinect. The Kinect 2 responds better than its predecessor. Obviusly, the successor has improved features but we need to evaluate whether this new technology enhances or degenerates the overall experience. First off, the Kinect 2 is able to detect a person’s heartbeat. It shows an infrared image on the person’s whole body. The coordination between the player and the Kinect 2 is also outstanding.

The Kinect 2 is able to precisely detect the person’s movements. Another feature is the improved voice command. You can simply command your Xbox One to turn Off or On with a single voice command. Kinect 2 is very helpful in all aspects of the voice command. Kinect 2 can also detect a person’s heartbeat, now that’s really cool. It could also do skeleton tracking. Kinect 2 has indeed improved a lot than its predecessor but we will know soon enough. The Xbox one is going to be released soon, and it comes with the Kinect 2. So most people will be able to judge the Xbox One’s new feature.

There are a lot of people who hate the Xbox One today, but we hope that Microsoft will improve their relationship with loyal customers soon. The highly improved technology of the Kinect 2 will leave a lot of casual gamers and non gamers astonished but the hardcore gamers will surely shrug it to the side. Nonetheless, Kinect 2 is a wonderful piece of technology that Microsoft created. We will be expecting more of this in the future. The video gaming world has really evolved into something great that even non gamers become gamers themselves, all thanks to technology.

Xbox One turns 180

Glimpse Team on July 23, 2013

Microsoft backtracked on its much derided policy that would have required Xbox One gamers to connect their consoles to the Internet once a day to prevent game piracy. They faced a huge backlash when it announced its policy, just before the E3 video game conference earlier in May. Then, the company said it would allow gamers to play offline for up to 24 hours on a primary console, or 1 hour if they were logged onto a separate console accessing their library of titles. At that point, offline gaming would have been disabled until players re-establish a Web connection. The restrictions that Microsoft made for its consumers have clearly affected the gaming community.

Gamers all around the world “protest” to these evil policies and became victorious, well in a sense. Some speculations say that the reason why Microsoft “opened up” their eyes, is because of their low pre orders from Gamestop and also in Best Buy a well. There’s truth in this because official records of both retail companies say that most consumers pre ordered the Playstation 4. There are a lot of PS4 pre orders from gamers today. Microsoft has no choice, but to turn 180 with their “restricting” policies, if not they will lose sales to Sony.

During E3 Microsoft was very “arrogant” enough in saying that their policies are “the future”. There’s also an interview conducted by Angry Joe with Major Nelson, of which Nelson asked Angry Joe, “Do you want to come to the future with me Joe?”  This arrogant statement makes it more hilarious because after a week, Microsoft abolished their polices. The reason why gamers/consumers are so angry with the Xbox one policies is because the policies are very anti consumer. You buy an xbox one game, but technically the game is not yours. You can’t sell it to a friend or even let him borrow the “traditional” way. The move by Sony in E3 has been one of the most exciting and mostly well received.

It has been awhile since we saw companies retaliate and bash each other. Sony did a great job in punching the lights out of Microsoft. They even made a video on how to share your PS4 game with a friend. This depicted as simple portrayal of a person lending his friend with a PS4 game, by just giving it to him. Microsoft went overboard that this video was made, of which seemed so hilarious because that’s what’s a console is all about. You can do anything with your game because you paid for it.

Microsoft policies want to restrict the gamer, therefore, even though it’s a simple video made by Sony, it’s very strong in its message. Microsoft’s anti consumerism and lack of value to its loyal fans have really damaged their name. Even loyal Xbox fans started to move away from Microsoft. These Xbox fans are now heading for Sony’s new platform, the Playstation 4. Other gamers griped because Xbox one’s feature are not focused on games but rather in useless gimmicks like the “TV Television” concept. Many fans during the Microsoft pre E3 presentation were disappointed albeit, annoyed with that useless concept. That’s why Sony is better because of its gamer friendly options. Plus, you can even sell your game to your friend with no restrictions whatsoever.

In conclusion, Microsoft turns 180 realizing that their sales have gone down because of poor messaging and restrictive policies. They want something new but their message isn’t clear to the public, especially to the gaming community. They have made a huge scar or wound in their image as a gaming company. Although, there will always be fanboys, many believe that Sony will take lead this console generation. Microsoft’s restrictions really took the toll. Sony’s console is much more powerful and is much more cheaper compared to the Xbox One. Sony’s Playstation 4’s price is $399 only, while Xbox One is 599. Most consumers will definitely pick the PS4. There are a lot of reasons, but these events prove that gamers aren’t idiots. Microsoft wanted to milk money from the consumer to the last penny, they thought that the consumers will accept that. However, they are wrong, this just shows that most consumers and gamers’ aren’t fooled that easily by capitalism and anti consumerism.