Update: Microsoft has clarified that the information reported by MCV UK was false – read article
For months going on years, Microsoft has been busy generating a whirlwind of hype around its Kinect motion input system and the various features it will brandish. From the days when it was known as Project Natal, voice control was touted as one of the major features, and a key reason why ‘hardcore’ gamers would be interested in the product.
The voice recognition will apparently be able to recognize voices on an individual basis, and log them into their Xbox 360 profiles accordingly. Likewise, it will receive voice commands for various games programmed with such features in mind.
MCV UK is reporting that they have confirmation from Xbox Live EMEA marketing manager, Robin Burrowes, that there will be no voice control available when the device is launched in November.
“We will be announcing when voice control will be turned on in due course,” said Burrowes.
MCV is also reporting that the Video Kinect chat software will not be available upon the device launch – another feature that will appear at an unspecified later date.
This rather sounds like Microsoft had completed the design of the Kinect hardware, and committed to a shipping date, before the supporting software systems were completed. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft spins the now missing features into their marketing as they gear up for the Kinect launch.
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