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Analyst: Kinect To Make "Negligible Impact"
A report from industry analysts DFC Intelligence warns that Microsoft's motion control peripheral will have a "negligible impact." It also states that the Xbox 360 in general is "on the downside of its lifecycle."
In a monthly report, DFC broke down the reasons why it didn't think Kinect would be a hit. Citing factors like the lack of more complex control options to the software available for the peripheral. Foremost among DFC's reservations, however, was based on Microsoft itself. DFC believes that the company is better at working with business software than entertainment products because with business software Microsoft can adopt what others have already done and fold that into Microsoft's own products."The problem is developing hit entertainment products simply does not follow that model. Almost every time Microsoft has tried to emulate successful entertainment products they have failed," DFC said. While citing the Zune's failure to take down the iPod is an example that proves this point, DFC itself acknowledged that the Xbox consoles are an exception to the rule.
Of course, there's still plenty of time for Kinect to prove the analysts wrong -- the thing isn't even out yet! While DFC's take sounds plausible, not only have plenty of analysts been wrong over time, but Microsoft still has all summer to convince gamers and the wider public of Kinect's value. Moreover, who knows what new uses and software for the peripheral might still turn heads. Let the speculation begin!
Via Gamasutra
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