Molyneux: Don't Judge Kinect by its Launch Titles

[maxben]

For once, he may have a point.

Usually, I think the man is full of it, but in the case, he's making a fair case. The Kinect is new, and launch titles often have big issues. For instance, I'm hard-pressed to think of more than one or two good DS launch titles.

So while I won't judge Kinect on the basis of the godawful launch titles, I will instead judge it by the fact that motion controls are a terrible fit for most games, and will end up getting shoehorned in... just like the touch screen on the DS.

Seeing as there were only 10 or so launch titles asking for more that 2 is a lot but let me try:
Super Mario 64 DS
Metroid Prime Hunters
And I personally like Mr. Driller and I know some people enjoyed Spiderman 2

True, there weren't many launch titles.

However, one other thing to take into consideration is how most games didn't have any clue what to do with the touchscreen. Sure, some games made good use of it. But a lot of them just tried to wedge it in there, and it often ended up being a distraction.

I remember one game in particular: Magical Starsign. There were at least three buttons that did nothing, and you HAD to use the touchscreen to open the menu. And to navigate the menu. For no apparent reason.

Yeah, I've got to agree with you there.
New technology is always hard to use properly.
However, I still wonder about the Kinect as everyone who's not Microsoft or Molyneux knows its an upgraded version of the Wii, its not an innovative concept in itself (though the presentation is unique).
As such, publishers should already have a good idea what to do with motion controls.
If they fail to bring out one title that is a must-have, its going to crash no matter how many assurances we get that later titles will be better.

 

[UltimatheChosen]

Yeah, I've got to agree with you there.
New technology is always hard to use properly.
However, I still wonder about the Kinect as everyone who's not Microsoft or Molyneux knows its an upgraded version of the Wii, its not an innovative concept in itself (though the presentation is unique).
As such, publishers should already have a good idea what to do with motion controls.

It would be nice if that were true, but the Wii's lack of must-haves shows that most really don't know what to do.

Furthermore, I think it's less of an issue of "knowing how to do it right", and more a problem with motion controls being a poor fit for games. I remember reading that theaters once tried something called "smell-o-vision", which is basically exactly what it sounded like. Predictable, it flopped. The solution wasn't to make films where they would be enhanced by scents, but rather to just not use scents at all.

 

[BrunDeign]

Even though there may very well be at some point some really great games coming out for Kinect I can't justify the 200-something price tag that it will cost me to get Kinect and the game.

 

[MR.Spartacus]

Okay it's plausible that it could get better games later. Assuming that it's pathetic launch titles and price don't kill it. Then there's the real issue of "What can it do that can't be done BETTER with a controller?". Edit: Plus the Wii kind of proves that better is most certainly not guaranteed. It's not like Kinect works all on it's own.

 

[Pendragon9]

Well, that's too bad for him. Launch Titles determine what we're going to be in for, so you better make them good or expect a bad season. That's just how I feel anyway.

But look at the PS3! The system had a not so great launch in terms of good games.
It's certainly a great system now, but it's launch library was pretty poor.

I'll be getting Kinect for my wife and my non-gaming family. I think it'll be a blast for them to play!
And I hope Mr. Molyneux is right about the 2nd wave of games!
Plus Dance Central and Child of Eden both look sweet.

I think it'll find it's market.

No, I think the PS3 only reinforces my point. Because it didn't have enough launch titles, people still hate it to this day.

It did get good titles along the line though, so I guess I see your point. If Kinect can do that, then meh. I suppose it can do good.

 

[Kurokami]

Oh Moyneux I love how full of optimism you are but I can't help but feel the Kinect will flop horribly and regular xbox users will have to pay up to try and make the massive investment break even.

I hope he is right though, I love the idea of Kinect but so far I've been completely dissapointed.

The only thing I can see Kinect working for, other than perhaps those silly games you got with the original eyecam (or whatever it was called) are RTSs, and they certainly don't need it. (though I suppose it may be nice for consoles non the less)

I wish he'd just go and make another Black and White game.

 

[lee1287]

what are we supposed to judge a new gimmick on? :S

 

[ESCAPIST DELETE THIS ACCOUNT]

what are we supposed to judge a new gimmick on? :S

Its hygiene?

 

[RobotSwordsman]

Even though the first games that come out of Kinect do look bad. I do genuinely believe that good games can and will surface from this. A new way to interact with your game is not a bad thing if done right. And if you don't want to just don't buy it. I do think that good games will be made for Kinect eventually and that's why I'm getting it.

Like what? You can't play any games where you can move the characterso its basically going to be party games and mini games. As bad of a rip off as the Move is at least I can look foward to Socery, Gran Turismo 5, Dead Space 2/Extraction, Killzone 3, Socom 4.

Part of what makes me enjoy games and gaming is seeing the medium and it's technology evolve, for better or for worse. Kinect is a new technology in the medium of gaming, and part of me wants to see it take off and the other wants to see it die, but mostly I want to see it succeed because if it does it might change the way games are played for the better with later titles are executed properly.

As for examples of what would be cool with Kinect, games which integrate Kinect, but don't center the entire gameplay around it. As well as puzzle games. Boom Blox would be hilariously fun among others if done right.