How consumer opinion has shaped this console generation

Sometimes, it’s as simple as speaking with your wallet. After the launch of Nintendo’s 3DS handheld, sales weren’t even close to matching up with its incredibly successful predecessor. Nintendo then did the impossible: reduced the price of the system. They also slowly but surely started releasing quality games. The rest is history, as the 3DS is continually regarded as one of the best game systems available on the market today.

In the case of the home console, though, it’s been more than just speaking with your wallet. Gamers haven’t been the least bit shy when it comes to voicing their desires for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Remember #NoDRMPS4? Sony acknowledged the desires of their fans during last year’s E3 press conference. You know who didn’t? Microsoft.

Now, this isn’t a shot at Microsoft; they had a vision and they wanted to see if it would be accepted. Ultimately it wasn’t; the dream of an online marketplace for consoles (albeit one that comes with DRM and an always-online requirement) never came to fruition. Yesterday, another dream of theirs has bitten the dust: the integration of the Xbox One console with Kinect.

Those that own an Xbox One were quick to come to the peripheral’s (at the end of the day, that’s all it really is) defense. Truth be told, I absolutely adore my Kinect. I like being able to turn on the console and load my game or app of choice while I get changed from my work clothes. I enjoy being able to say “Xbox, record that” when I want to use the in-game DVR. It’s really easy to snap Netflix while playing games I may not be fully invested in (I’m looking at you, Dead Rising 3).

I’ll still be able to do all of these things, but it’s no longer mandatory.

I’ve honestly never had a problem with either the Kinect or the always-online digital marketplace dream. Instead, I had a problem that we, the people, never had a say or choice in the matter. Just because I’d be interested in these things doesn’t necessarily mean that you are either, a fact that was made apparent incredibly often.

Because of that determination and continued voicing of your opinion, now you do have a choice: do you pick up the Xbox One with Kinect and see what’s possible (though you’re now going to be lacking when it comes to the games for Kinect) or do you save $100 and just pick up an Xbox One strictly for the games? Thanks to you, that choice is now possible.