Rest in peace, Kinect (again).
Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox Series X console won’t support the existing Kinect accessory or the Xbox One games built specifically for Kinect because Microsoft is committed to its upcoming Xbox Series X console.
In a blog post, Xbox chief Phil Spencer revealed Microsoft’s “intent for all Xbox One games that do not require Kinect to play on Xbox Series X at the launch of the console because of the unprecedented power of Xbox Series X, most of your favorite games will load faster and look and perform many times better on the new console. There’s no way for Kinect to work.”
For starters, the Xbox Series X, just like the Xbox One X, does not include a dedicated Kinect port, and Microsoft won’t be supporting the USB Kinect Adapter it discontinued back in 2018 after discontinuing the Kinect in 2017.
Microsoft has previously stated Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on the Xbox Series X will be supported, however, the dismissal of Kinect information is new.
While Spencer doesn’t won’t outright state every Xbox One game will work on the Xbox Series X, the vast majority will work.
“Our backward compatibility engineers have spent years devising innovative ways for modern, next-gen technology to make the games library you’re building today even better, at no additional cost and with no work from developers,” says Spencer.
In addition, “the Xbox Elite Controller and Xbox Adaptive Controller all work on Xbox Series X, so you don’t have to purchase new controllers. Unlike others, we believe that your investments in gaming should move with you into the next generation.”
Lastly, Microsoft won’t “force” people to upgrade consoles to get Xbox exclusive games. “Xbox Game Studios titles we release in the next couple of years — like Halo Infinite— will be available and play great on Xbox Series X and Xbox One,” says Spencer. “We won’t force you to upgrade to Xbox Series X at launch to play Xbox exclusives.”
Microsoft announced they will hold its Xbox games event on July 23rd, showcasing Halo Infinite and other games coming to the Xbox Series X.
