Microsoft are doinf things very differently from Wii's launch.

Whereas MS is being pretty secretive, Nintnedo tried to get the Wii into as many people's hands as possible. And there was no review embargo (that I can remember).

so you think it makes sense to give people 10 or so minutes to play a game, and base all their assumptions on that, with the thought "imagine the possibilities" lingering in their mind...

vs

getting an actual review of the hardware and software potentialities and limitations...

is better?

It's good marketing, surely. But is it honest? Maybe. Who's to say? If it's good tech, then by all means, this is a great move. If it's lacking, then it is pretty much in line with all the other marketing they've given kinect, which is surmised basically of people "acting" the games, and random celebrity footage.

I agree with you. This sounds like Square-Enix with FF XIV all over again. If they were so confident in their product, they wouldn't have anything to hide from.

Sony lets actual reviewers give reviews to PS Move (about two weeks before it was released), so why can't Microsoft do the same thing? I agree with what "theprof00" is saying. That certainly raises some eyebrows.

This is probably one of the most hateless Kinect threads ive seen in a while just because you dont agree with something doesnt make  it hate filled.  If Kinect is as good as MS says why the embargo??? Your going to spend all that money on ads and throw it on Oprah but not actually put the thing in a reviewers hand??? As a gamer Oprah's or Ellen's word doesnt mean crap to me. I could understand the games, fine your scared that reviewers will crap on it no matter what. fair enough, but its not like the target audience reads the review. But to not acutally have the hardware available for review at this stage in the game???? Either there scared and the thing does not work like they said it would or there being overly cautous.

Most everyone I know don't read or put much weight into reviews.  I'm different as I review almost every major and medium purchase I make and even sometimes trivial ones.  But I'm not the majority.

In the end, Kinect, just like Wii before it, cannot be judged by a review.  You have to try it and if you have fun you'll like it.  THAT is what MS is trying push with this, that its easy to use and fun.

Sadly what most here don't realize is that the hardware and software abilities and limitations DON'T matter if its fun.  Its like judging RDR on how many technical hiccups and bugs it has instead of the total experience and if its fun.  

Its really sad that so many of us are caught up in this manhood measuring that started with the Sega Genesis being 16-bit (sorry, I loved ya Sega but its true).  Games were supposed to be about fun, are supposed to be about fun and WILL be about fun.  Sadly that doesn't fit the personality of so many here and other places on the net and sadly most game and tech reviews are doing the same thing (just check out WP7 previews that are a checklist of what its MISSING instead of what it has ...).  Sad.

looks like many Bethesda games are flopped

Oh good God I couldn't agree with a post more, but sadly it won't make a difference.  I'm done here, though.

MS has sold 46 million 360s without Kinect. They are going to keep catering to the hardcore audience. We have 5 years of games for the hardcore and there are plenty more coming next year. MS is trying to get the casual audience as well. If Kinect is popular its not going to change anything, its just going to add to the 360 portfolio.

yeah, but MS is still dumb for putting a fair portion of the $$$$ that it would have put out for core games, into something that looks like it won't cut the mustard