According to Microsoft, it is killing the Kinect to make way for new gaming accessories. Interestingly enough, Microsoft refers to these new gaming accessories as “fan-requested,” which could be a big hint as to what those new accessories will be exactly.
The most obvious possibility is that Microsoft is referring to virtual reality hardware for the Xbox One. Sony has gotten a serious headstart on virtual reality, but Microsoft has been reluctant to throw its hat in the ring so far, apparently waiting to see if VR would be just a passing fad or something more. It’s true that virtual reality has had a slow start, but it has also seen some success, and with the beefed up Xbox One X, it may be possible that Microsoft is gearing up for VR support in the near future.
Microsoft killing the Kinect to focus on virtual reality support would make sense. After all, the motion control craze has died down quite a bit, with VR seemingly taking its place. Microsoft wouldn’t even necessarily have to manufacture its own virtual reality headset either; its strong relationship with Oculus could open the door for an Oculus Rift headset designed specifically with the Xbox One X in mind.
Alternatively, Microsoft could be referring to its HoloLens device, or a completely unannounced device entirely. At any rate, it’s nice to have some answers as to why Microsoft decided to discontinue Kinect, and it will be interesting to see what new fan-requested gaming accessories the company announces as its replacement.
Source: Polygon
