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Xbox One available without Kinect

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The one thing that would have to happen for Microsoft to win over the public with its Xbox one would be to drop Kinect, and lower the price. That’s inconceivable, right? Nope. It’s happening.

Microsoft today announced that they’ll be offering the Xbox One without the silly motion-sensing peripheral for a much more palatable $399, pricing it exactly the same as the PlayStation 4 . It’ll be available in the US on June 9 – the same day as Microsoft’s E3 conference, where they will no doubt drop a few more bombs. They’ve also confirmed that the Gold requirement for streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube and HBO Go has been removed. 

It’s a good way of getting public favour in Microsoft’s opinion, and this 180 is even more dramatic than the DRM reversal.

What  do you make of the price cut and the excising of Kinect? Personally? I’m pretty elated.

Last Updated: May 13, 2014

89 Comments

  1. Hammersteyn

    May 13, 2014 at 18:19

    FINALLY!

    Reply

  2. ps4lol

    May 13, 2014 at 18:20

    Crow, anyone?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 18:45

      They sure are

      Reply

    • Johnny

      May 13, 2014 at 19:21

      I will take mine raw its better that way.

      Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    May 13, 2014 at 18:27

    I mean how pissed are everyone who bought the XBOX after MS said they would never sell the XBOX without it, another switch flipped. Plus minus 10000 to their credibility

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 13, 2014 at 18:33

      Yip. They obviously in a rock and hard place on this one – keep selling for $100 more and lose sales to PS4.

      So they either just bite bullet and drop price by $100 but include it (and then everyone will STILL say its overpriced because of Kinect).

      Or they do what they have now done! If I was a developer working on something I think I would be more pissed – especially if I wasn’t informed! Spare a thought for the Ryse developers…can that game even be played without Kinect? I think an update may be coming for that one.

      I won’t knock them now – they have been knocked about this last year enough. But still…

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 13, 2014 at 18:39

        But still…… first they announced that certain media features wont require XBOX Gold and now a Kinectless XBOX. This smells like panic. I think they are deathly afaid of SONY handing them their asses on a platter again.

        A least now it will be a lot more affordable. Even though thanks to our miners enjoying their traditional rights making the Rand even less valuable. Heck I might even reward me with one for Christmas. If they have more games than the WiiU by then.

        Would never get XBOX Gold though. Not until they catch up to PS+. Can you even buy games online without a Gold account?

        Reply

        • CAE9872

          May 13, 2014 at 18:50

          Couldn’t agree more re: Sony – Sony got it right (for now) straight out the gate and Microsoft have been trying to play catchup since.

          I have been eyeing a ONE forever now – I may get one for my birfday! August in case anyone wants to donate to a worthy cause :).

          As for gold, one of the other key differences Microsoft does is that only gold subs can get weekly deals. Most people go on about the PS+ vs Gold re: pure games (and yes I think + is better at what it is doing)[there are arguments re: keeping (gold) vs access (+) but moot point as most of us want to play the games].

          My point is that gold also locks yet further content away.

          By the way have you seen the Games for Gold in June? Some nice things there being Dark Souls (old I know), Brothers and Street Fighter IV [yip 3 games].

          And they have just announced the Game for Gold for Xbox One going forward. I have Gold and cannot complain too much to be honest.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            May 13, 2014 at 18:53

            Street Fighter IV is an awesome addition, but they need to start thinking about the XBOX One, yes the PS4 only has indie titles but quality non the less.

          • CAE9872

            May 13, 2014 at 18:57

            Yip

          • CAE9872

            May 13, 2014 at 19:03

            By the way – is ACIV Freedom Cry any good on PS4 (if you have played it)? I see on sale on site…and standalone so don’t need ACIV proper.

          • Hammersteyn

            May 13, 2014 at 19:16

            Not yet, not a big fan of the series though everyone says I’m mad.

          • FoxOneZA

            May 13, 2014 at 20:43

            It’s a half-baked side story. The full game itself is good but the story can become confusing about the twists and turns.

    • ps4lol

      May 13, 2014 at 19:05

      Bundling Kinect was a poor business decision that lost MS sales and money. Funny how microsoft fanboys are so blind and boneheaded they’ll defend ms’s bad business decisions even when it loses ms money.

      MS has 180-ed almost all of their initial Xbox reveal policies and will continue to do so even as their blind fanboys defend each one of them. Funny how ms keeps doing 180s on their most obstinate, blind fanboys.

      Reply

      • Rikus

        May 13, 2014 at 19:13

        Hahaha, boneheaded. Nice pun.

        Reply

        • ps4lol

          May 13, 2014 at 19:17

          lol

          Reply

      • Wesley Fick

        May 14, 2014 at 10:36

        The thing is, Kinect itself and the voice commands aren’t actually that bad. In fact they do actually add to the experience when they work, but Microsoft went about it the wrong way, forcing the bundle and losing a lot of goodwill built up from the 360 era with their stupid crazy ideas about DRM and ownership of games. A Kinect-less option should have been available from day one.

        Reply

    • RinceBroken

      May 14, 2014 at 07:57

      Shame man. What about Pieter though?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 14, 2014 at 08:29

        Dunno, he should be elated.

        Reply

        • RinceBroken

          May 14, 2014 at 08:31

          Not a chance. He has gone on about how the Kinect is the bestest thing and how it’s worth the month. Not even MS think that now lol

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            May 14, 2014 at 08:40

            I would think he would try harder than ever to convince us now that it’s better than the PS4

  4. Rikus

    May 13, 2014 at 18:36

    Are we taking bets? How long before Microsoft goes back on their “no DRM” policy?

    Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      May 13, 2014 at 18:55

      I bet one grapefruit

      Reply

      • CAE9872

        May 13, 2014 at 18:57

        I see your grapefruit and raise you a strawberry.

        Reply

      • RinceBroken

        May 14, 2014 at 08:33

        No more grapefruits!

        Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      May 14, 2014 at 09:19

      I bet by half-way through their E3 announcements.

      Reply

  5. Unavengedavo

    May 13, 2014 at 18:37

    How many 180’s have that been now?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 18:40

      Dunno but they have spun around so much I feel……

      Reply

      • Unavengedavo

        May 13, 2014 at 18:55

        Wait, I just realised something. Meat Spin’s acronym is also MS O_o

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          May 13, 2014 at 20:10

          As is multiple sclerosis – a neurological disease. All their er… indecision… suddenly makes more sense. :/

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            May 14, 2014 at 09:10

            As someone who has a close relative who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis I find this insulting.
            Also the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis do not include indecision.

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 13, 2014 at 18:46

      So many times I’m getting dizzy.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 13, 2014 at 18:47

        Hahaha I almost posted that song but chose another!

        Reply

      • CAE9872

        May 13, 2014 at 18:52

        What a great song…and now I have it locked in…DAMN YOU Alien 🙂

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          May 13, 2014 at 20:11

          I’m helpful that way 😀

          Reply

  6. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 13, 2014 at 18:43

    How did they flip the switch & do a 180 at the same time?

    Reply

  7. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 13, 2014 at 18:48

    Oh well, seriously, good for them. They did the right thing, that people have been begging for, eventually.

    Reply

  8. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 13, 2014 at 18:48

    Oh well, seriously, good for them. They did the right thing, that people have been begging for, eventually.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 18:50

      Agreed.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 18:50

      Agreed.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 18:50

      Agreed.

      Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 13, 2014 at 18:52

      *nods*

      Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 13, 2014 at 18:52

      *nods*

      Reply

    • CAE9872

      May 13, 2014 at 18:52

      *nods*

      Reply

    • RinceBroken

      May 14, 2014 at 07:59

      Agreed. But what about all those people who have bought one already who were PROMISED that the Bone would never be sold without the Kinect?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        May 14, 2014 at 08:05

        As jy dom is moet jy kak.

        Reply

        • RinceBroken

          May 14, 2014 at 08:06

          Not nice ;(

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 14, 2014 at 08:07

            What were you expecting? haha

          • RinceBroken

            May 14, 2014 at 08:09

            A little more compassion after this horrific news. You callous bastard.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 14, 2014 at 08:10

            #NoMorePCPC

          • RinceBroken

            May 14, 2014 at 08:10

            Think of the children!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 14, 2014 at 08:12

            I am. That’s why I’m not having any.

          • RinceBroken

            May 14, 2014 at 08:12

            DING! Door 1 open 😉

  9. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 13, 2014 at 18:48

    Oh well, seriously, good for them. They did the right thing, that people have been begging for, eventually.

    Reply

  10. Melasco

    May 13, 2014 at 19:29

    Makes little difference to me, sticking with my pea es fo…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 13, 2014 at 19:32

      4 sho

      Reply

  11. Satellite11

    May 13, 2014 at 20:33

    Damn that’s good news. That stupid Kinect thing was the only reason I haven’t bought one yet.

    Reply

  12. FoxOneZA

    May 13, 2014 at 20:44

    Wait there’s more… (no seriously)

    Reply

  13. Kromas

    May 14, 2014 at 06:50

    Called it! … Still don’t care though. 😛

    Reply

  14. Xcalibersa

    May 14, 2014 at 07:03

    So now there is no hope of a good game being developed on the Kinect

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 14, 2014 at 07:36

      Was there ever?

      Reply

  15. Tarisma

    May 14, 2014 at 07:23

    Stoked about this, its going to make the PS4 cheaper!

    Reply

  16. Umar Returns

    May 14, 2014 at 07:48

    Xbone cannot work without internet….NOT!

    Xbone cannot function without the cloud…NOT!

    Xbone cannot function without Kinect…NOT!

    Dat backtracking

    https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_meqckfAkIl1qegw8v.gif

    Reply

  17. Jonah Cash

    May 14, 2014 at 07:56

    Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!! ………………… Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

    Reply

    • RinceBroken

      May 14, 2014 at 07:57

      What you said 😉

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        May 14, 2014 at 08:03

        Pieter Kruger is going to be missing from this site till E3 when they start dropping bombs that the Xbone fanbois can defend again!! Hahahahahaha!!!

        Reply

        • RinceBroken

          May 14, 2014 at 08:04

          HAHAHAHAH! Agreed!

          Reply

        • Pieter Kruger

          May 14, 2014 at 08:39

          See my post re this on yesterdays ION! Pretty stoked, MS dropping bombs like this NOW makes me wonder what they deem worthy for E3 then! ????????????

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            May 14, 2014 at 08:40

            Another 180?

          • Pieter Kruger

            May 14, 2014 at 08:44

            If it’s good news like this then hell yeah, keep the 180’s coming I say! ???? If it’s bullshit 180’s like “will be full 1080p and 60 fps on PS4” then………????

          • RinceBroken

            May 14, 2014 at 08:48

            But you said they were doing right 5 months ago…

          • Hammersteyn

            May 14, 2014 at 08:53

            Yeah but still, I’d rather stick to something that isn’t full a switches that can be flipped as soon as the overlord feels like it.

          • Kensei Seraph

            May 14, 2014 at 09:18

            A 360 is more likely.
            They’ll announce Always Online being brought back or something similiar.

          • Jonah Cash

            May 14, 2014 at 10:57

            I like that there are people like you who stay brand loyal no matter what…. Last year you said MS was right in all their things, now they have changed EVERYTHING that they said back then and now that is also OK with you!!
            Good on you, back that horse man!!

  18. RinceBroken

    May 14, 2014 at 07:57

    HAhAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This has got to be the funniest thing I have seen. Man, all those fanboys who were going off about how important and awesome the fucking thing is and now this? Yeah, when MS admit it’s not wanted you know you are wrong, you know who you are Pieter.

    Reply

  19. RinceBroken

    May 14, 2014 at 07:58

    So… now you want to buy a machine that is less powerful than the other option?

    Reply

  20. RinceBroken

    May 14, 2014 at 08:01

    • Hammersteyn

      May 14, 2014 at 08:31

      4. No price drop x2 now. 360.

      Reply

  21. oVg Errorist

    May 14, 2014 at 08:35

    Another 180

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      May 14, 2014 at 09:16

      The gamers weren’t their target market.

      Reply

      • oVg Errorist

        May 14, 2014 at 09:27

        Sad but true. But it was the hardcore gamers that gave them their money and platform over 2 decades in order for them to be able to afford ditching us for the casual market. Same with the GameCubes predecessor.
        At least the PC is seeing record breaking sales now that most of the hardcore have jumped ship.

        Reply

  22. oVg Errorist

    May 14, 2014 at 09:02

    Its confirmed. The Bone can only render 720.
    4 x 180s = 720

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 14, 2014 at 09:32

      4 180s? Damn it, they just unconfirmed HL3.

      Reply

  23. fred

    May 14, 2014 at 10:49

    Next up, the truth about the power of ‘ the cloud’

    Reply

  24. MakeItLegal

    May 14, 2014 at 15:06

    Wow … Balls the size of Nintendo here

    Microsoft well played

    Reply

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