Molyneux: Kinect is a bigger 'step forward' than the Wii

While Microsoft Game Studios' Peter Molyneux has always been supportive of the Xbox 360's upcoming Kinect motion controller, the game designer recently raised a few eyebrows when he implied the launch titles may won't be the ones that really impress players.

Launch games may not be representative of potential titles as a result.

Speaking with Eurogamer, Molyneux explains that Kinect is a revolutionary product, so it will take time for developers to wrap their heads around the technology and adjust to it. Even the Wii, he asserted, is still a button-based device at its core, so it's easier to design for than Kinect.

"[With the Wii,] there's still this reliance on using the thumbstick and buttons, so it wasn't as big a step forward as something like Kinect," the British designer said. "With Kinect, there really is nothing in your hand. Think about that. There is no button."

Microsoft's Kinect Peripheral is slated to hit retail worldwide in November.

By Nicholas Gasse

Source: play.tm

I can't believe people and evs are really getting hyped up for this. I think it mihgt just end up like the eyetoy. But then again all Microosft needs is a huge ad campaign and then Kinect will sell like hot cakes.

I'd say it's a bit premature to be making statements like this. Although Molyneux is a respectable developer so maybe he should have the benefit of the doubt.     

eyetoy was a big step, Kinect is an Upgraded EyeToy

really we went from Button waggling on the Joystick, to the far superior controller to the stick waggling of the wii remote to now waggling with nothing. 

also if Peter molyneux states its a big step is a worry since what ever he states isn't true in lots of cases 

In terms of raw possiblities YES but innovation NO.  But then again at least M$ came up with something original unlike Sony's shameless imitation of the Wii!!!

really you know that the move was in R&D since 2002 

well the wand was but the joystick was a copy to lure over Wii players 

but hey at least they are both wireless 

In my personal view, I see Kinect as a step sideways at best, backwards at worst.

While it opens up more free-body controlling for certain game types, it renders many games simply unplayable. How do you play a FPS? How would you play a game like God of War? How would you play Zelda?

Goddamnit, how would you play any game that requires you to move your view and walk? I can see the view-moving working by tilting your head to the side, but damn that would be annoying and it'd be hard to keep a good lookout on what's really going on on-screen. And the moving part...?

I'd love some explanations if anyone could give them. I'm genuinely confused on Kinect.

Lets wait and see.

Molyneux said this? Okay then call me a life long skeptic because this man is a one man hype machine who has promised more out of his games in the past than almost any developer I can think, but has rarely delivered on his hype.

It is very well possible Kinect can go the way of the Virtual Boy. Anyone remember the disaster that was the Virtual Boy? I sure do.

Then again, Kinect may very well be the controller-less future.

I don't think there is a middle ground here. Either Kinect revolutionizes how we will view the future of gaming or it will follow the same route as Virtual Boy.

Nonetheless, I still expect it's first week debut to be much larger than the Sony Move's hilarious 140,000 opening. (http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/82122/playstation-move-preliminary-sales-figures-in/)

thats what got me stumped to about the kinect, really Eyetoy games were the same which were simple wave your hands, all i can see for the Kinect are rail games with Quick time events involving phyical movements rather button press.

So games like Heavy rain wouldn't be bad on Kinect since. 

but other than racing games thats It for the kinect, its really going to struggle with the games department since all games on Wii need Buttons