In an interview CNET, following the announcement of the Kinect-less Xbox One, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer explained that the Kinect-less version of the Xbox One was part of Microsoft’s move to provide the consumer with a choice of whether they’d like to purchase the full package – Xbox One with Kinect – or buy just the console and then upgrade to buy the peripheral later.
He also thinks that this strategy will sell more Kinect-included Xbox ones later down the line.
“It was really all about consumer choice,” Spencer said in the interview. “Like we would have said on 360, the best experience was with the biggest hard drive possible. On Xbox One, I think the best experience is with Kinect.
If consumers choose that they don’t want Kinect, or they want to add it later, we’re going to make that available. But this is about a continuum and in the end, I hope everyone sees that the experience with Kinect is the best Xbox One experience,” he continued.
“In the long run, I think we’ll actually end up with more Xbox One’s with Kinect out there with this strategy,” he added.
Microsoft has revealed that it will release the Kinect as a standalone product later on in autumn this year, but it has yet to reveal any pricing information or a specific release date for the peripheral. The company has also confirmed that will not refund early buyers of the Xbox One.
Microsoft’s corporate vice president of marketing and strategy Yusuf Mehdi explained that the decision to remove the Kinect from the Xbox One came about after a couple months of serious discussion. Microsoft officials then spoke to both publishers and developers alike over the past few weeks to update them of the change to the console.
The Kinect-less Xbox One will start shipping on Monday, June 9 for $399 – $100 less than its Kinect-included counterpart. The package will include everything that’s been in the box prior to the announcement (just minus the Kinect).
[ CNET ]