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[salromano]

http://youtu.be/HvXZsufIS5U
http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2013/07/23/xbox-one-to-release-in-kinect-less-bundle-in-2014/

Inside Gaming (/ Machinima? Are they the same?) cites an "anonymous source familiar with the matter" for this information.

• Day 1 Edition: 500 GB HDD w/ Kinect - $500, Holiday 2013
• 2nd Version: No Kinect - $???, Summer 2014
• 3rd Version: Smaller HDD, No Kinect - less than $400, Summer 2014

I'm not sure how viable the rumor is considering Kinect is required for the system to function, but Inside Gaming suggests "it’s sounding more and more like that’s a bit of PR smoke just to get the Kinect in people’s homes." Considering you can freely pause Kinect, it doesn't seem mandatory for the console to operate.

Edit

fckn lool

I guess that's the thread then.

 

[RoboPlato]

Depending on how well the console sells into early next year I was kind of expecting a Kinect-less SKU by Fall 2014. I don't think they're planning this far ahead for something like that though.

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

too many versions on summer, but could be possible.

 

[Surface of Me]

Why would MS do this though? Wouldn't it make sense to try to please everyone at launch to get a head start? I mean, if they can do this, why wait? Then again the yield issues might mean they can't even make hardly enough of one SKU at the moment.

 

[diffusionx]

Not gonna happen.

 

[bluecapsule]

Why would MS do this though? Wouldn't it make sense to try to please everyone at launch to get a head start? I mean, if they can do this, why wait? Then again the yield issues might mean they can't even make hardly enough of one SKU at the moment.

Early adopters are always willing to pay a premium. Squeeze as much money as possible at launch, and then lower prices a year later once sales have tapered off a bit.

 

[Tyrax]

No

 

[PSGames]

No. Kinect will always come standard.

 

[EnderWiggles]

Why would MS do this though? Wouldn't it make sense to try to please everyone at launch to get a head start? I mean, if they can do this, why wait? Then again the yield issues might mean they can't even make hardly enough of one SKU at the moment.

They're going to sell out at launch no matter what. Might as well get as many Kinects in people's homes as possible before the real demand (or lack of) for the console rears its head.

 

[Wishmaster92]

That means first party developers won't have to code with kinect in mind then? That would be horrible.

 

[Cake Boss]

More reason to not buy one at launch.

 

[Vibranium]

Well if this is true this'll be a good thing for GAF Microsoft fans willing to wait a while if they don't want to get a Kinect.

 

[RadarScope1]

Why, though? Seems like BS. This only happens if the thing bombs right out of the gate, which isn't very likely.

 

[NavyPharaoh]

I think that's too quick for spin off bundles. Talk about confusing the masses. I can see this all happening in 2 years but to launch 2 skus before the console has even been out a whole year is unprecedented

 

[Sub_Level]

They will probably coincide the cheaper version with the Japanese release.

 

[AdvanS13]

Xbox one: Back-pedal edition. "Hop on"

 

[Whompa]

even if it is true, the more they're doing, the more confusing its all getting.

 

[PhoenixDark]

What's the point? Kinect led to them spending less on beefing up the CPU/GPU/etc, so removing it would just leave you with a gimped system.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

Not gonna happen.

Pretty much. First off they'd be pissing off the people who bought at launch who didn't want a Kinect. Then they'd obviously be pissing people off who want a kinect free xbox one who didn't buy one by making them wait almost a year for it. Lastly they'd be pissing off developers by forcing kinect integration on them while having told them every xbox one would have one.

So yea I really don't think they'd be that stupid to do that.

 

[The Wraith]

Why would MS do this though? Wouldn't it make sense to try to please everyone at launch to get a head start? I mean, if they can do this, why wait? Then again the yield issues might mean they can't even make hardly enough of one SKU at the moment.

That's a good point. If there are supply constraints I can see them only offering one sku. Then again considering the fact that most people who are going to line up to get the XBone are the "core" audience who more than likely do not care about a stupid camera.

 

[tino]

Has NSA approved this decision?

 

[childplease]

They should do this day one.

Kinda idiotic to include kinect and bump the price to 500.

No kinect
300 gig HD

Three Fitty.

 

[Surface of Me]

That's a good point. If there are supply constraints I can see them only offering one sku. Then again considering the fact that most people who are going to line up to get the XBone are the "core" audience who more than likely do not care about a stupid camera.

Exactly, you have to do a lot of mental work arounds for this to start to make sense.

 

[Cidd]

Inside gaming is full of shit, they don't know anything. it's ran by the idiots at Machinima.

 

[Kyoufu]

I definitely see a price drop announcement at E3 2014. Whether that means Kinect is removed remains to be seen.

Inside Gaming are not credible though.

 

[Neuromancer]

Going to go with 'yeah right' on this one. I find it hard to believe, almost impossible, that they'd drop Kinect after all they've said.

 

[Archpath1]

possible.

BUT kinect came with the box because it was part of the overall experience ,and gave the option for devs to have access at it knowing all boxes came equipped with kinect.

 

[LightOfTruth]

If this is true then I will get an Xbone sometime in the future for sure. But I'll still probably get the PS4 first.

 

[Ricerocket]

Kinect is pretty integral to their whole console (voice commands and gestures for UI), I doubt they will ditch it.

 

[SatansReverence]

That means first party developers won't have to code with kinect in mind then? That would be horrible.

Microsoft could easily force kinect integration on first party and maybe even third party devs.

And this is good news if true. Would be even better if it happens a lot sooner.

 

[Espada]

This doesn't really make sense. The whole point of bundling the Kinect and making it mandatory for the console's operation is to assure developers that it's a default part of every Xbox One. We've heard things to the effect that the console has hardware and software specifically for Kinect, and it's been a selling point for the machine. Not to mention the R&D sunk into the thing.

I mean... what?

Microsoft could easily force kinect integration on first party and maybe even third party devs.

So they'd create policy to force developers to create features for a peripheral many Xbox Ones won't even have?

 

[AlphaStriker]

I think they've invested too much into Kinect to let it become a side accessory.

 

[Arc]

Nope.



Though it would be great unintentional comedy.

 

[shinobi602]

I'm not sure how viable the rumor is considering Kinect is required for the system to function.

Kind of like how required online couldn't be "turned off with a switch".

I don't see how the things like navigating menus and the dashboard requires Kinect, they could just as easily allow controller input to do all that.

 

[KrAzEd]

Doesn't sound very plausible...I am actually glad they are including it in every system, as it will allow developers to innovate and give us some cool features. I am not into motion gaming at all, but some of the implementations they have been talking about sound really interesting and wouldn't be possible if the Kinect wasn't included with every system. I think its a shame that the PS4 took it out of their system just to undercut Microsoft with the price, now the playstation move will become a useless niche accessory that only a handful of developers will utilize.

 

[nailbombxx]

If this is somehow true, its a hilarious depseration move.

 

[sakipon]

Sounds like someone doesn't want people to buy Xbox One at launch. Guess we should wait and get a PS4 in the meanwhile, huh, Anonymous source?

 

[Servbot24]

They may have this as a backup strategy, but they certainly don't want to do it.

 

[SlowRevolution]

Really doubt they would ditch Kinect, they're stuck with it now.

 

[razgriz417]

As much as I hate the Kinect, I can't see MS doing this since it seems integral to their OS

 

[ULTROS!]

Even if this turned out true, it shows what a mess Microsoft is. Suddenly dropping DRM when enforcing it? Suddenly making a Kinect-less cheaper Xbox One just right after launch? Good job Microsoft.

 

[imBask]

bullshit, but if it ever turns out to be true, Yakety Sax becomes the anthem of Microsoft's gaming department

 

[Mac the KNife]

They've made their decisions.

 

[Satchel]

This is a horrible idea. "Hey guys, come check out our weaker PS4!"

No,with Kinect and with the old DRM, the One had a point if difference which hid the weaker specs.

The more you strip those differences back, the more worthless you make the console.

 

[Barzul]

Can't see it happening, but we'll see next summer. I would even imagine a lower space hard drive model with Kinect before no Kinect.

 

[Phire Phox]

No. Kinect will always come standard.

This.

 

[I H8 Memes]

This is not the move of a company that is looking at healthy sales forecast. Every move since the announcement of Xbox 1 has confirmed what we already pretty much knew. The sales projections for this console are not looking good at all.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Better milk that 500 SKU as long as they can then.

 

[AdvanS13]

Better milk that 500 SKU as long as they can then.

They will, don't you worry

 

[NomarTyme]

That would be really stupid if they do this.