Microsoft has shot down rumors regarding the summer 2014 release of two additional Xbox One systems, both of which would allegedly ship without the Kinect peripheral. The rumor begin with Inside Gaming Daily reporting that "sources" knew of Microsoft's plans to release a Kinect-free Xbox One bundle.
Although this contradicted Microsoft's repeated statements that the Xbox One won't function without the Kinect, Inside Gaming reasoned it was "a bit of PR smoke just to get the Kinect in people's homes," since technically the Xbox One can function with the Kinect on pause or even turned off. It makes sense; if the Xbox One can work with the Kinect turned off, why can't it work with one not attached at all?
Either way, Microsoft has put the speculation to an end.
"We have no plans to introduce an Xbox One without Kinect," a spokesperson said. "We believe in Kinect and the value it brings to both games and entertainment, and believe $499 is a great value for what consumers receive with their Xbox One."
Hey, they did a 180 before, they can do one again. I'm not ruling out the notion that the Xbox One can work without the Kinect, and that we could see one eventually offered — maybe just a little later than summer 2014. The Xbox One WITH Kinect is due out this November.
[Kotaku]
