Kinect commercials are fail, how not to sell it
I’ve softened my stance on Kinect in recent weeks substantially. I started out a pretty big skeptic of this “you are the controller” thing but I’ve actually looked into it more and well…it might not be so bad. I say this strictly because of my daughter. (at least that’s my story lol)
But these new commercials for Kinect are just so full of fail that it’s the perfect way to not sell me on this thing. Where are they hiring these people? The biggest problem with marketing and advertising is having people in these commercials that fail in selling the fun in a product. Is there really a problem with putting someone in front of Kinect and if they truly like it, asking them to do a commercial for it?
And who are the people responsible for these commercial concepts? I often wonder if they themselves have even played Kinect. Would they be sold on something with a commerical like this? I’m sure you guys and girls can remember the Wii commercials from launch. Somehow these Kinect commercials fail at every angle to generate the buzz or the “I want to play this” type of feeling that those initial Wii commercials did.
Take a look at the Kinect commerical for Joy Ride and see for yourself.
[Update] – The video was removed for some reason. You can watch more of the Kinect commercials at this link on Kotaku though.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:55 am
I completely agree. It’s disappointing because I know what potential Kinect has. But the truth is, if it doesn’t look good to consumers and it doesn’t get into their hands then it won’t be purchased. People have to be able to relate and view the capabilities of this product. That’s the bottom line.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:58 am
yep and these commercials just “diskinect” me actually. lol
September 27th, 2010 at 11:02 am
WTH?!?! The video has been taken down.
September 27th, 2010 at 11:03 am
wonder why they took it down?
September 27th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I really like the potential of Kinect, but that commercial was friggen retarded. Nothing like dry humping the air on national TV.
September 27th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Humans have evolved dudes! O_O I don’t think people still fall for the “Look how happy/excited those people are! I have to get it!” effect anymore…. People want to see the product working and if that looks fun they’ll hop on. They showed 4 seconds of game play and the rest was humans on speed. I wasn’t gonna get Kinect at all (Mostly because I’m poor) but I’m getting it for $90 through Toysrus (I haggled to get it uncanceled lol), I’ll give it a try for that price. I’m lonely so instead of yelling “Honey I’m home!”, I’ll yell “XBOX OOOOONNNNNNN!”….. Yes I’m a loser go away lol
September 27th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Those commercials are FAIL! I understand Microsoft showing that “You are the controller”, but the way it’s shown here makes it look uncool!Not enough footage shown with the games. Just people acting like they’re playing. Plus, everyone doesn’t have the amount of space in their house or aapartments like those people on the commercial.
I guess this is Microsoft’s way of playing it “safe” with their promotions and not getting too edgy like Sony. They have some great commercials!
September 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I liked the “You are the controller” but that’s where it stopped for me. Gameskills you are right the Move commercials are full of win. They are funny and show game play.
September 27th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I’m buying Move on Black Friday or around there when the discounts happen. Kinext doesn’t look appealing to me. Kinect has an uphill battle IMO.
September 27th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Exactly Dangerdoll, you would think Microsoft would take a hint from Sony and be more creative. I’m sure there’s a way to make this commercial more appealing to the family demographic that Microsoft is aiming for without making it look so corny.
September 27th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I like Kinect more than Move. Move is not appealing to me all. I already have a Wii that does the same thing minus high def graphics. Its Kinect or nothing for me. If I was buying based off the commercials it would be nothing. That is one of the worst commercials I have ever seen.
September 27th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I second everything Sugar said
September 27th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
wow the sensor bowing at the end is a straight up ripoff of all the Wii spots … complete and total fail …