Microsoft Didn't Demo Kinect on Stage at Gamescom 2014 Because People Look Funny Playing It

"It's just too easy for people to make fun of how people look when they're jumping around playing."

Back in May, Microsoft announced that it will launch a cheaper, Kinect-free Xbox One unit, and ever since we haven't seen Microsoft talk about the device as much. It was barely mentioned during the company's E3 2014 press conference, and most recently at its Gamescom press conference.

According to Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Microsoft hasn't abandoned the device, it's just that it's difficult to demo on stage.

"I don't know, maybe it's me but I always feel that playing Kinect games on stage is always a little tough, because it's just too easy for people to make fun of how people look when they're jumping around playing," Spencer told CVG in an interview. "And then if you show a Kinect game without somebody playing you sort of lose what the game is about."

Spencer noted that Microsoft did briefly show a clip of Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 at Gamescom during an ID@Xbox montage because people understand how the game works even by looking at just on-screen gameplay. He also said that Microsoft has a section of Kinect games at Gamescom where attendees can try Kinect themselves.

Microsoft announced three Xbox One bundles at Gamescom: a white Sunset Overdrive bundle, a 1TB hard drive Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare bundle, and a FIFA 15 bundle exclusive to Europe. Spencer explained that none of these include a Kinect because they're not bundled with Kinect games.