Kinect Prefers a Tidy Room

[thublihnk]

I'm not going to call anyone out specifically, but quite a few people in this thread seem to think that if a user, such as myself, has stuff on their floor that would prevent the Kinect from working, they're perpetuating this stereotype of the filthy gamer, etc. I don't have the vast expanse of floor space you folks seem to be working with. I have to keep shit on my floor. Between a Rock Band kit, a real guitar, a trash can, a desk and a bed, I do not have room for the Kinect to operate.
Also, the Kinect really does look like a buggy piece of hardware whose features are becoming more and more stripped as more information comes out. Why bother with it when the Wii is doing everything it's doing but better?

 

[bojac6]

I know guys, let's all exaggerate what they said to the point where it becomes obscene, then comment like that's exactly what was said. That's what all the cool kiddies are doing these days right?

It said large amounts of clutter can confuse the sensor, not a couch or chairs. It also said vastly differing levels of lighting. Which would be more like leaving the blinds on one window open during the day, so half the room is in daylight and other half is not.

You have not seen myapartment living room then. I have a large coffee table I'd be pushing to the side, and while I have a couch behind me, and two reclingin chairs to either side. if those are caught in the sensor, how will it distinguish "Large object on the floor space" and "Large pile of smaller things on the floorspace"

Again, in terms of noise, my TV's volume comes FROM the TV. If I set my center sensor on or below the TV, how will it affect gaming?

I'm not exagerating anything, it's the way my room is set up. But you know, thanks for not assuming

I see zero problems with what you describe. Nobody is making any assumptions about your setup in his statement.

1. Wouldn't you have to move the coffee table anyways, so you have space to move? I don't see how that is problem.
2. so you have a couch behind you and two reclining chairs to either side. You mean exactly the set up they showed in the video as the ideal play space? Because that's exactly what they showed.
3. To quote "You're going to want to know where the speakers are on your tv. If they're on bottom of the tv, you should put the sensor on top of the tv. If they are on the sides, that's fine." Because yeah, people who have spent years designing and testing this thing never thought that some people use speakers built into their tv. That makes sense.

Manaman was exactly right. People are just jumping to conclusions because everyone wants the Kinect to fail. If you're going to criticize it, don't knock the tech, because it's a pretty amazing piece of technology, even if it doesn't work 100%. Knock it for the fact that it's not really a step gaming should be going into, that motion control gaming is only fun for about 20 minutes and then gets tedious, and that Microsoft could have been developing something truly new and exciting for gaming, instead of just trying to one-up the Wii.

 

[Javex]

Question: How many terrible accessories does it take to waste millions of Microsoft's research dollars?

Answer: Just one.


*Explosion*..... "Kinect."

 

[Celtic_Kerr]

I know guys, let's all exaggerate what they said to the point where it becomes obscene, then comment like that's exactly what was said. That's what all the cool kiddies are doing these days right?

It said large amounts of clutter can confuse the sensor, not a couch or chairs. It also said vastly differing levels of lighting. Which would be more like leaving the blinds on one window open during the day, so half the room is in daylight and other half is not.

You have not seen myapartment living room then. I have a large coffee table I'd be pushing to the side, and while I have a couch behind me, and two reclingin chairs to either side. if those are caught in the sensor, how will it distinguish "Large object on the floor space" and "Large pile of smaller things on the floorspace"

Again, in terms of noise, my TV's volume comes FROM the TV. If I set my center sensor on or below the TV, how will it affect gaming?

I'm not exagerating anything, it's the way my room is set up. But you know, thanks for not assuming

I see zero problems with what you describe. Nobody is making any assumptions about your setup in his statement.

1. Wouldn't you have to move the coffee table anyways, so you have space to move? I don't see how that is problem.
2. so you have a couch behind you and two reclining chairs to either side. You mean exactly the set up they showed in the video as the ideal play space? Because that's exactly what they showed.
3. To quote "You're going to want to know where the speakers are on your tv. If they're on bottom of the tv, you should put the sensor on top of the tv. If they are on the sides, that's fine." Because yeah, people who have spent years designing and testing this thing never thought that some people use speakers built into their tv. That makes sense.

Manaman was exactly right. People are just jumping to conclusions because everyone wants the Kinect to fail. If you're going to criticize it, don't knock the tech, because it's a pretty amazing piece of technology, even if it doesn't work 100%. Knock it for the fact that it's not really a step gaming should be going into, that motion control gaming is only fun for about 20 minutes and then gets tedious, and that Microsoft could have been developing something truly new and exciting for gaming, instead of just trying to one-up the Wii.

Normally, I would agree that my set up is the same, but my room isn't quite that large, so with the coffee table moved, the reclining chairs would atually come into the image... It's hard to explain, but it won't work at all with my set up. If the sensors see large clutter piles and reads false, it will do the same with my chairs I'm almost certain

 

[imnot]

So basicsly, the kinect doesent work?

 

[bojac6]

(-snip the like 3 pages of quotes -)
Normally, I would agree that my set up is the same, but my room isn't quite that large, so with the coffee table moved, the reclining chairs would atually come into the image... It's hard to explain, but it won't work at all with my set up. If the sensors see large clutter piles and reads false, it will do the same with my chairs I'm almost certain

Ok, I think I see it. I got the impression large objects aren't the problem, it's a few books or clothes on the floor so the floor appears to be uneven that causes the issue. I don't think somebody would describe a couch as "clutter." Though, given the numerous missteps on the Kinect, I suppose that could be the case. I do however think it's perfectly reasonable for the designers to assume that a person using the Kinect will have a large enough space to dance around in. I mean if you don't have room to swing your arms around, you shouldn't get a Wii or Move. And this is full body motion, so you need to have room to do that.

I just really want the Kinect to work (though I don't know if I'll get one) because it's one step closer to a holodeck. I don't care about sales or anything, I just hope the technology is actually sound.

Edit: Minor grammar changes so I don't sound like a babbling loon.

 

[SnipErlite]

Haha I really love the advertising for the Move. I hope they make something along the lines of "The PlayStation Move does not judge you by the cleanliness of your home."

I would love it if that became the official slogan.

 

[Midniqht]

I don't see the damn problem with this... why all the hate? Obviously if it's a motion tracking system, you're going to have to have clear space to move around. Were you expecting to use it in a cardboard box? Everyone's just using it as a reason to throw up the M$ hate rather than thinking logically. That's like saying "God, I can't have my friends within hugging distnace when playing the PS Move? Must be another reason to not buy it."
I like the Move and I will also be getting a Kinect. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but really... the fact that you'll need space is obvious, not a reason for hate

 

[vanthebaron]

this is fucking retarded

 

[SaintWaldo]

This is why having a glowing ball at the end of a wand may LOOK silly, but it's actually better overall. If you played Tony Hawk's Ride (we sorry bastards), you know how f'd up these req's are. Hey MS, what about my checkerboard carpet?

To the extent that they again seem to be biting off more than they can chew as well as feebly trying to one-up the un-one-uppable, this just might the relevant formula:

Kinect = Microsoft Bob + Games For Windows

Have fun having fun with that.

 

[Faladorian]

It's nice to see microsoft struggle and fail. Theyre so used to having a virtual monopoly on computer operating systems that when they have to compete, they fail. I dont think they realize that the only reason people buy such an expensive pile of absolute TRASH such as Windows, it's because it comes standard on ANYTHING but a Mac. I will never give microsoft money again, they deserve nothing, and with all of the money they have at their disposal there is absolutely no reason for all of their products to suck such massive hard dicks

 

[thenamelessloser]

Kinect really is going to be just another eyetoy at THREE times the price. blah

 

[smeghead25]

I don't see the damn problem with this... why all the hate? Obviously if it's a motion tracking system, you're going to have to have clear space to move around. Were you expecting to use it in a cardboard box? Everyone's just using it as a reason to throw up the M$ hate rather than thinking logically. That's like saying "God, I can't have my friends within hugging distnace when playing the PS Move? Must be another reason to not buy it."
I like the Move and I will also be getting a Kinect. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but really... the fact that you'll need space is obvious, not a reason for hate

I live in a garbage can and don't have any powerpoints to kinect my Xbox 360, Microsoft has obviously screwed me over by not telling me it needs electricity. As I live in a trashcan I bet the Kinect will give me problems for mess as well, so Microsoft is totally to blame for everything.

Sorry, couldn't resist over-exagerating like everyone else on here. I'm with you, it's obvious that for motion gaming you need space for 'motion'. And there's nothing wrong with being tidy. What I don't agree with is the fact that they're marketing it without being specific about the type of space and rooms necessary to run it well. I'm very uncertain whether my small room with little floor space will be any good for it. I can see this being a problem for many others as well. They market it towards us anyway though, that's my beef.

 

[VeganG]

Maybe Microsoft should start selling homes designed for Kinect. Sorry, MS, I live in an urban one-bedroom apartment (like many of your customers). You won't FIND my floor plane, and not because there's shit strewn everywhere.

 

[lacktheknack]

Even more proof that Kinect will not be successful.

Nobody is going to tidy their room in order to play a game O_O'

They can tidy the space just in front of their TV...

 

[lacktheknack]

I dont think they realize that the only reason people buy such an expensive pile of absolute TRASH such as Windows, it's because it comes standard on ANYTHING but a Mac.

A. I love Windows 7 to death.

B. Um, Linux?

 

[The Lost Big Boss]

Oh no, a sensor that reads shit it sees needs to see the shit to read it. Why is every attacking it for needing to detect the floor? (Note I think Kinnect will fail, but this clean floor thing is perfectly reasonable.)

 

[MikailCaboose]

What! Now I have to clean up this mess!!!
Well, damn. That's not happening anytime soon. Guess it's just back to PoP: WW for me...

 

[mad825]

It's nice to see microsoft struggle and fail. Theyre so used to having a virtual monopoly on computer operating systems that when they have to compete, they fail. I dont think they realize that the only reason people buy such an expensive pile of absolute TRASH such as Windows, it's because it comes standard on ANYTHING but a Mac. I will never give microsoft money again, they deserve nothing, and with all of the money they have at their disposal there is absolutely no reason for all of their products to suck such massive hard dicks

no need to troll. it sounds like Microsoft screwed you pretty hard but still it gives you no reason to troll like that.

OT: eh, good thing it isn't coming to the PC....Oh wait!