Microsoft defends $100 Kinect for Windows price hike

At CES 2012 this week, Microsoft revealed that the Kinect for Windows would be available for purchase on February 1, 2012.  They also announced that it would cost $250 – about $100 more than what the Xbox 360 Kinect costs.  For the majority of users, this was upsetting.  Microsoft, on the other hand, doesn't see a problem with it and defended the $250 price point in an interview with Gamespot.

As it turns out, Microsoft isn't necessarily thinking of the Kinect for PC as soley a gaming device.  In the interview, Microsoft's senior director of marketing PR Jose Pinero explained that Microsoft is looking at more than just the average gamer with the Kinect – which could explain the price.

"We are announcing the Kinect commercial program that goes into effect February 1st and with that organizations and individuals are able to harness the power of the kinect," Pinero explained.  "We have seen during the last few months that Kinect has inspired people to do and create amazing things.  Hospitals using Kinect for rehabilitiation, companies using Kinect in assembly lines,  organizations using Kinect to train workforce.  And we are seeing a lot of support.  Companies like Matel, United Healthcare are using Kinect in fantastic ways."

Pinero added, "We're hoping to see that companies and people are going to grab kinect and create amazing things that nobody has ever dreamed of."

As you can see, the term "gamers" was not even used in his purpose for the Kinect for Windows.  It doesn't even look like they have gamers in mind with the new Kinect.  Rather they see it as more of a way to integrate the platforms.  When asked what gamers had to look forward to with integration Pinero explained:

"Our goal is to bring Xbox LIVE across all Microsoft platforms.  And our goal is to put all the entertainment people want at their fingertips.  That means having all the entertainment so you can share it with all the people you care about, and making that super easy."

There you have it.  The goal was never just for gaming, but for an overall united entertainment experience.