Remember when the Xbox One was first revealed? It was a console that required a constant internet connection, had a restrictive system for used games, and needed Kinect to be connected at all times to play. Since that reveal Microsoft have done quite a bit of backpedaling and reversals.
The always online aspect and used game DRM were removed, and now it has been confirmed by Marc Whitten, Xbox Corporate Vice President, that the Xbox One will not need the Kinect to be plugged in for users to use the console. This revelation came through IGN’s Ask Microsoft Anything feature.
It makes you wonder why Microsoft said all of these things were necessary in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good thing. A less restrictive console offers much more competition, but why didn’t Microsoft say this before? It may have been because the company needed to justify the price, which will stick as the Kinect will still be bundled with the One, but Microsoft could have just said that.
However, now that we know that the Kinect is not a necessity it may be possible that Microsoft release a Kinectless One, which could price match the PS4. I doubt it would happen anytime soon, but maybe a year or so after launch Microsoft could consider it, depending on sales figures.
Source: IGN
Tom Pitcher
It’s like a cliche car salesman, telling you things you ‘need’ then backpedaling in order to close the deal:
‘Kinect will be there to enrich the experien-…’
‘I don’t want Kinect’
‘Kinect will now not be necessary to experience the games that you want to pla-..’
‘I want to play used games’
‘Used games will now be available on Xbox One, with a simple connection to the int-…’
‘I don’t want to have to connect to the internet to play games’
‘You now won’t need an internet connection to play games anymore. Can I put you down for one?’
‘No thanks’
double-o-dave
Or trying to walk out of a restaurant without paying…
If they don’t notice it’s a bonus, we’ve screwed them out of £80.
If they do notice, not to worry, we’ll apologise for the misunderstanding and pay the £80. It was worth a try either way!
Germanos
Exactly. Funny thing is there are already people who have fallen for it xD
JR.
I never thought they’d change their stance on this. Good news but what a mess.
MaD dOctoR 79
what’s next, you will be able to change the HDD, the controller comes fitted with a rechargeable battery, it will play xbox (the 1st not the one) and 360 discs, it’ll play PS1, 2 3 and 4 discs, and even gamecube and wii/wii u discs, it’ll do the dishes and make you a cuppa…a Microsoft representative will come round and play the games for you to fill up your gamerscore (but only if you have a gold subscription…oh ok…you don’t need a gold subscription…
if they backtrack anymore they’ll end up bumping into Marty McFly and Emmett Brown…or more realistically, the faith of the people who still trust them.
Dazbobaby
Did Microsoft ever say that kinect “had to be connected” for the xbox one to work?
I think they did, but they also said that it could be turned off.
So are they now saying the it doesn’t need to be connected for the console to work?