The voice-activated motion-sensing Kinect peripheral currently is required to come bundled with every Xbox One console, and Microsoft has said it is not planning on changing that. But well-known game designer Peter Molyneux thinks they should, calling the Kinect "a joke".
Speaking with Edge, Molyneux did not have kind words for the device, and questioned both its necessity and functionality.
"I actually wish Kinect wasn't a requirement," 22cans head and Fable creator Peter Molyneux said. "It feels like an unnecessary add-on to me. Maybe it's because we're in England, and it doesn't really use the TV stuff, but it feels more and more like a joke."
Harsh words indeed, though as a resident of England, Molyneux has no use for the multimedia functions of Kinect, making the device less useful. He has issues with the quality of the peripheral as well, though, in particular citing poor voice controls.
"My son and I sit there saying random things at it, and it doesn't work," he explains. The Kinect can be hit and miss with voice commands, and requires the user to be very specific in the wording of the instructions. Molyneux also suggests reducing the console's cost by removing the Kinect from every bundle.
"They could cost-reduce it [by removing Kinect]. I'm sure they're going to release an Xbox One without Kinect. It would be unthinkable that they wouldn't."
Microsoft has said it does not want to do that, however, and have no plans to ever sell an Xbox One without a Kinect included. They believe the device is essential to the Xbox One experience and will persist with their current model. Molyneux is prone to hyperbole and is a bit of a controversial figure in the industry, but these are strong words from a well-known designer nonetheless.
