When Microsoft first announced its Xbox One, there were some interesting features, such as the always online connectivity and the requirement for the Kinect motion sensor. Microsoft backtracked on the persistent net connection early on before the release, and now it appears to be doing the same with the Kinect.
In a move that appears to bring the Xbox pricing down a peg so more people can afford it, Microsoft is releasing a second version of the new Xbox One for anyone who doesn’t care about the motion gaming side of things.
Heading to stores next month, the standalone Xbox One is just the Xbox One and controller, and nothing else, catering to gamers who might not need the motion controls, the voice commands, or the hand gestures, and just want a powerful next-generation gaming console that isn’t the PlayStation 4.
Priced at $499, it looks like a move designed to influence the movement that the $549 PlayStation 4 has had, which is also released without its motion sensor interface.
Microsoft will still be releasing its Kinect-inclusive XBOne, and that will keep the $599 price tag, but like the PlayStation, will be trying to lure people with bundles, such as the Titanfall bundle, which includes the Xbox One, Kinect, Forza 5, and Titanfall for the same recommended retail price as the Xbox One and Kinect ($599).
Bundles are also available on the Sony PlayStation side of things, but what most gamers are probably looking forward to are games, which both next-gen consoles are trying to gather up in number.
Right now, there is no backwards compatibility on either console, and very few games across both, as well, meaning the only games you can play are made for those consoles.
At the moment, that number is pretty small for both, but later on with more games out, it won’t just be the price drop that causes people to jump ship from their older consoles to the new ones, so here’s hoping it happens soon.
