Well, this one’s a bit of a surprise. Microsoft, who have been extremely eager to push Kinect as part of the Xbox One package, have finally decided to take the camera and motion sensor combo out of the equation, revealing a cheaper price for the system.
They’re cutting the price to $399, or £349 in the UK, but that’s just the RRP so further cuts could come from retailers themselves. The system without Kinect will be available from June 9th, the same day as Microsoft’s E3 press conference.
Previously, Microsoft have stated that the Kinect was mandatory, before allowing it to be unplugged, and then suggested that it’s required for the share features it can bring via voice. They’ve done a lot of backtracking before, but this is huge. In fact, Peter said in his blog about E3, published just an hour ago ” I think dropping Kinect would not only confuse their message and strategy, it would be incredibly difficult to implement because of how integral it is to their system.”
It seems as though Microsoft aren’t thinking the same, and really just want to get their system to as many people as possible, though they still say that “Kinect remains an important part of our vision” and will offer a standalone Kinect unit for people who wish to buy the sensor further down the line.
Secondly, they’ve also removed the Xbox Live Gold requirements for entertainment apps – meaning you can access Netflix, Hulu, and any other video service without having to pay two subscriptions. Also, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault will come free with your Gold subscription, much like PlayStation Plus.
JustTaylorNow
Day one buyers must be pissed
bunimomike
Some of them knew the risk with early adoption but others are furious. Still…good to see Kaz Hirai chipping in with this.
GTOWN
That is an amazing twitter account. Always makes me laugh.
JustTaylorNow
Ha brilliant that is
hornet1990
Me thinks this is what they should have done at E3, which makes me wonder what else they might do in that case…
Tuffcub
Beep. Beep. This console manufacturer is reversing. Again.
seravok
Maybe reverse is the only way to go because of the angry mob that is coming against the truck? But there is probably already someone standing behind the truck. :)
Kennykazey
Next up, 1TB model.
double-o-dave
Oh dear lol… It seems that Microsoft are putting Pinocchio to shame.
Maybe after that, their next move should be to make a smaller model which will oddly look like the PS4, rename the Xbox One to the XB4 and work on a new IP like ‘Undiscovered – Amid Burglars.
I wouldn’t be happy if I bought an XBone on release, especially after saying KInect was Mandatory.
a inferior race
Do Microsoft have a usp in respect of the console itself anymore?
bunimomike
Yep. It’s massive.
double-o-dave
& once it breaks or comes to the end of it’s life cycle, it can be used to shelter the homeless.
Tuffcub
Post of the week :)
boeboe
pah!
gazzagb
Wow, wasn’t expecting this until E3. But is there anything else that MS can do a u-turn on? DRM, preowned games and now Kinect. I think that’s the full package isn’t it?
I guess now that consoles are pretty level in terms of price and features, MS are really going to be pushing their games at E3. I predict lots of ‘hey, we’re gamers too guys!”
Also, it seems a bit weird announcing a price cut a month early. Surely that’s just written off any potential sales of the One for the rest of May?
Geeby
God damn parity clause for indies!!!
Remove that and THEN I’ll consider them nice people.
They’ve only removed kinect to save their hides from shareholders and increase sales. They couldn’t give a monkey’s ass about the customers; they’ll spin it that way though of course.
Avenger
Unless they’re going to do better than £349, they can forget it. Misers.
phantom5813
I knew this would happen. Microsoft are in shambles and seems to be run by a bunch of clowns and monkeys. Good luck to them this coming E3.