Xbox One Available Without Kinect Starting This June, Plus Other Changes!
Briefly: Despite stating that the console would never be without it, Microsoft essentially completed the Xbox One 180 today by announcing a Kinect-less Xbox One system. The new package will be available on June 9th for $399, which is $100 less than the current Kinect package.
Phil Spencer stated back in March that the Games with Gold program is ‘fundamentally different’ from Playstation Plus because it allows gamers to keep the titles even if their subscription lapses. It looks like that is changing too, at least for Xbox One owners, as the Games with Gold announcement states that “Members will have subscription-based access to free games ranging from top hits to breaking indie stars. The program will launch on Xbox One with Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault.”
Lastly, Microsoft is FINALLY (finally) dropping the Xbox Live Gold requirement for using services such as Netflix and Hulu. I don’t know how anyone ever though this was a good idea, especially as there’s not another device on the planet (as far as I know) that requires an additional fee to watch Netflix on it. Here’s what Microsoft said about that:
“Coming in June, anyone with an Xbox will be able to access popular entertainment experiences – whether or not you have an Xbox Live Gold membership. This includes great gaming apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more.*** Microsoft experiences including Internet Explorer, Skype, OneDrive and OneGuide will also be available to all Xbox customers.”
Don’t get me wrong, everything change made here is positive, but I really wish that they didn’t have to directly contradict Microsoft’s previous statements! It’s going to make my Xbox One more fun however (free games, and essentially a price drop so more friends can pick one up) so I’m down with all of the changes!
What are you thoughts?
Source: Xbox Wire
