[Feature Request] Bring back the "Kinect Experience" using Smartphones and AI (No new...

Discus and support [Feature Request] Bring back the "Kinect Experience" using Smartphones and AI (No new... in XboX Insiders to solve the problem; Hey Insiders, I’ve been thinking about a major gap in the current Xbox ecosystem: accessible, motion-controlled party games. The Problem: Back in the... Discussion in 'XboX Insiders' started by /u/sisterswachowski, Jan 30, 2026 at 9:02 AM.

  1. /u/sisterswachowski
    /u/sisterswachowski Guest

    [Feature Request] Bring back the "Kinect Experience" using Smartphones and AI (No new...


    Hey Insiders,

    I’ve been thinking about a major gap in the current Xbox ecosystem: accessible, motion-controlled party games.

    The Problem: Back in the Xbox 360 era, Kinect was huge for niche party genres—dancing, sports, and family games. It got people off the couch and made gaming physical. When Microsoft killed the Kinect, we lost that entire category of "living room fun" unless you rely on holding a phone (like in Just Dance controller mode) or legacy hardware.

    Buying a dedicated camera peripheral is a hard sell for most people today, but the desire for that active gameplay loop hasn’t gone away.

    The Proposed Solution: Microsoft doesn't need to build a new camera. We all have powerful cameras with high-speed processors in our pockets right now.

    I’m proposing a "Virtual Kinect" feature using our smartphones:

    1. The Companion App: Microsoft updates the Xbox mobile app (or releases a dedicated one) that utilizes the phone’s camera.
    2. On-Device AI: The phone uses modern Computer Vision and AI algorithms to track skeletal movement in real-time (similar to how mobile AR works now).
    3. Low Latency Link: The movement data is processed locally on the phone and sent to the Xbox Series X|S via Wi-Fi or USB tethering as input data.

    Why this works now:

    • Low Barrier to Entry: It’s a "cheap" solution. No $100+ peripheral to buy. If you have a phone, you can play.
    • Feasibility: Modern phones have significantly better AI processing and camera quality than the original Kinect sensors.
    • For Developers: Microsoft would just need to revive or update the Motion SDK, allowing devs to map this phone-streamed skeletal data to game inputs.

    This would instantly make Xbox the king of party games again without any manufacturing costs for MS. It revives a beloved playstyle with zero friction for the user.

    What do you all think? Would you use your phone as a sensor to play motion games again?

    submitted by /u/sisterswachowski
    [link] [comments]
     
    /u/sisterswachowski, Jan 30, 2026 at 9:02 AM
    #1
  2. Tzar of kaos Win User

    What Would would you guys like to see in upcoming Video Games ?

    -"Drivatar" AI in more games.Imagine in FPS like COD,BF,Far Cry,...AI reacts differently everytime you play or replay solo/coop modes.Same thing can be added in action/adventure games (MGS,Tomb Raider,GTA,....).In RPG too.

    It's about time to have AI evolving and being better....Graphics evolves why not AI ?....

    -More games with Kinect features,voice commands to change weapons/equipments,gestures too.I don't understand why some games use it (BF4,Tomb Raider,Thief,....) and others don't (GTA V,Far Cry 4,...)

    It should be mandatory for every publishers who wants to bring their games on Xbox one.Every FPS use the same way Xbox one controller why not Kinect ?
  3. Goatsnatcher Win User

    Who Wants The Guide Button Back???

    I know what you are saying GG, but it's still more messing around than a simple guide. One button and you have everything on a neat menu.

    I think over time, as more X1's sell without kinect, this feature will be request a lot more often. Like I said before, It's not about taking one feature away just to add a different feature, It's about giving everyone who spent money on an X1 the best possible
    experience.

    You see it on the feedback site all the time. You get someone ask for something that will make their experience better because they don't have or use kinect, Straight away you have a loaf of idiots saying "No, don't add this, they should use kinect" or "go
    buy kinect" or "you don't deserve that feature if you don't have kinect". Who the hell do these people think they are, It's personal preference if someone want's to use a separate peripheral. Everybody who has spent hard earned cash on the X1 deserves the
    best experience possible..... Kinect or no kinect.
  4. Mobilemo Win User

    The Official "Bring back the party option" thread

    Bring it Back Please! I did use and enjoy this feature watching tv shows with family and friend who are far away. This feature was unique and an experience you couldn't find on ps3 which justified the xbox gold requirement.
  5. Tzar of kaos Win User

    'PS4 & Xbox One Held Back By Last-Gen'

    Visuals are one thing but this is not really the most interesting things....This is just the minimum that we expect and already saw a year ago on PCs (ex : Tomb Raider).....

    Things like drivatar,kinect,cloud gaming,tablets,.....Are way more interesting and i want more fresh innovations in gameplays and AI....Being surprise and felling new experiences.....

    So i can't wait to see what kind of new things 3rd party devs can bring on Xbox one.....
  6. U Go 6 FT BeLOW Win User

    Auto Sign In???

    no thats reDONKulous not to be able to auto-sign into a profile WITHOUT using kinect....holding auto-sign in hostage for kinect..thats a simple feature we've had for the last decade, the answer ISNT "then use it...problem solved" hardy har har....its more
    like bring back a basic feature and stop making anti-consumer friendly products. Problem REALLY solved.
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[Feature Request] Bring back the "Kinect Experience" using Smartphones and AI (No new...

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