It finally happened. Microsoft have announced that the Xbox One will be receiving a bundle completely free of Kinect and priced at $399. This bundle will include the console itself, a controller, a chat headset, HDMI cable and power supply, but no Kinect this time. This is exciting news for anyone who has been waiting to pick up the console for a cheaper price and it definitely sparks up the competition between PS4 which has been selling really well lately.
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, relayed some information in a news post about the new Xbox One bundle. He said:
Since the beginning, we have focused on delivering great games and entertainment experiences for you. Your feedback matters to us and it shapes the products and services we build. Your feedback showed up in the Xbox One console we launched back in November and in the monthly updates we’ve delivered since.
First, beginning on June 9th, in all markets where Xbox One is sold, we will offer Xbox One starting at $399*. This is a new console option that does not include Kinect. For $399, our new Xbox One offering will continue to deliver access to the best blockbuster games like “Titanfall,” “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” “Forza Motorsport 5,” “Dead Rising 3,” and the upcoming “Watch Dogs,” “Destiny” and “Sunset Overdrive.”
Phil Spencer also mentions that June’s Free Games With Gold will include an extra game as thanks for the massive support for the program, as well as the program coming to Xbox One in June as a subscription based service. Xbox One users will get Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault in June, and “access to free games ranging from top hits to breaking indie stars” in the future. Xbox 360 users will get Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition as a bonus game, all for free.
Microsoft is now removing the paywall behind its free and subscription based apps such as Twitch TV, Netflix, HBO Go and more, so you’ll no longer need a Xbox Live Gold subscription to use these services. Phil Spencer ends by mentioning that the Kinect is still an important part of their vision and they will offer a standalone Kinect sensor this fall.