Xbox One's Kinect Is Really Dead Now, Basically

Microsoft had big plans for its motion-sensing Xbox camera, Kinect, but things did not work out exactly as the company wanted. And now, after selling millions across its Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions, Kinect is effectively at the end of its days. Microsoft has confirmed that it is no longer producing the Kinect adapter that is needed to connect the Kinect to an Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or other Windows device.

"After careful consideration, we decided to stop manufacturing the Xbox Kinect Adapter to focus attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming accessories across Xbox One and Windows 10," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to Polygon.

The representative declined to say if Microsoft would ever bring Kinect back. However, the company confirmed that the adapter "will no longer be available" to purchase.

The discontinuation of the Kinect adapter is no big surprise. It comes after Microsoft announced in October 2017 that it was killing off the Xbox One's Kinect camera.

Originally launched partway through the Xbox 360's life cycle, Kinect sold millions and opened the platform to new types of games, like Dance Central. Microsoft then decided to make it a mandatory part of the Xbox One package, driving up the price of the system at launch to $500. It would later be made optional, allowing Microsoft to bring the price down and attempt to appeal to those with no interest in voice controls or motion sensors.

Something else to be aware of is that Kinect voice commands work without the camera, as you can use a headset microphone.