The Xbox Kinect basically helped Microsoft almost win the 7th generation of consoles with the 360. As such, it's a very important part of the Xbox brand as a whole - but it's basically moved on, and its creator with it.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 10: Microsoft representative Derrick Stanfield Kivoi (L) and Bernard Groveman dance to Microsoft's Xbox 360's 'Dance Central 2' using the Kinect at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 10, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 13 and is expected to feature 2,700 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 140,000 attendees.
Alex Kipman, who also created the tech giant's HoloLens AR headset, has landed in hot water after allegations of abuse against him popped up. According to a report by GameRant, numerous employees at the company have stepped forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. This resulted in him deciding to leave his position, putting the future of HoloLens uncertain as Kipman will no longer be around.
Kipman's resignation was detailed in a leaked memo from Microsoft, which was shared by Business Insider. In the memo, company VP Scott Gurthrie mentioned how the Xbox Kinect creator's departure was a "mutual decision." However, it also said that Kipman will need to stay for two more months to help with the transition for his eventual replacement. During the transition, Guthrie is looking to oversee a "reorganization of the company's VR and AR division.
The allegations against Kipman came not just from former employees but also current ones, reports IGN. Among the accusations involve him reportedly watching a "lewd VR video" in full view of employees at the office. He was also accused of making inappropriate advances against women, with things becoming bad enough that managers were even telling the women that they should never be alone with him in any way.
At the end of the day, however, Microsoft and Xbox neither denied nor confirmed the accusations. He will remain for a couple of months more before he has to leave, which might not be music to the ears of employees who brought forth their grievances against him.
As for what's going to happen with HoloLens, Kipman's departure ensures that it's going to continue struggling. The company has already decided to cancel its upcoming HoloLens 3, killing it off last year according to a report from PCWorld. Despite that, Microsoft still says it is committed to the AR headset and future developments featuring the hardware.
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Whatever Happened To The Xbox Kinect?
As previously mentioned, the Kinect helped Microsoft hold the lead for most of the 7th generation of consoles with the Xbox 360. With this, it would be safe to assume that Kipman, as the creator, was held in high regard at the company. But while it was a revolutionary product in its own right, Kinect it basically died off by the time the Xbox One came out.
There were so many reasons for the Kinect's demise, but one thing stands out: the fact that it was forced onto users as part of the original Xbox One's package at $499, writes Looper. The competing PS4, on the other hand, only cost $399 - do the math and you'll find out why it failed. Eventually, Microsoft was forced to relent and removed the $100 Kinect sensor.
But by the time they did that, the damage has been done. There weren't really a lot of great games to play on it (most of them were the typical "family friendly" fare that's more or less the realm of Nintendo and not Xbox), and the hype steadily died down. The Kinect was finally discontinued on October 25th, 2017, causing it to fade into obscurity.
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