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[SwiftDeath]

lol, I'm honestly confused by responses like this. Assuming you're already paying for it, why not plug it in and use whatever benefits it does happen to offer? It's not solely a "herp derp wave your arms around" device.

Or is this just another version of the "I don't want anyone watching/listening to me" criticism?

That's great for all the paranoids out there who like to play with their dicks out and are sure there's people watching / listening to them all day.
Eh.

I wish to disconnect the kinect because of the target advertising that MS have alluded to

Why should my $500 console make money off of me watching TV through it?

Especially if I have to subscribe to gold to watch said TV?

I want an X1 but not a kinect and not for $500

I'll buy one used next year for Halo and maybe Dead Rising 3

 

[ironcreed]

I honestly don't like the idea of selling a Kinectless Xbox One.

But plenty more do. Why not sell to both sides? I should not be forced to buy one if it is not required.

 

[luxarific]

I hope that this isn't CBOAT's news

Spoiler

(and that backwards compatibility is)

.

 

[eastmen]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Albert can you guys talk about if the one will be a windows media extender ? If it isn't theres no reason for me to buy it.

 

[RoKKeR]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks for the post, and thanks further for the changes; it has put a lot of my concerns about Kinect to bed. That said, I've yet to see a demo of an actual game that convinces me of the Kinect's improved power. The tech demos are great, but they haven't translated to new gameplay experiences yet.

Spoiler

No Kinect-less model then.

 

[KoopaTheCasual]

I still like it being packed with every system, gives devs that assurance and automatically lets them know the market size.

Yep, and now people can rest easy with their concerns to privacy. It's a win-win. I just wonder why it took so long for this to happen. It's pretty crazy that a peripheral NOT being mandatory is now qualified as a megaton.

 

[RussellXV]

A Kinect-less package seems possible, but is it too late for launch? Pre-orders should be sold out by now and it doesn't seem like more X1s can be made in time for launch. Another option is to delay the release, maybe into December. IMO, not a bad option. MS can have a $399 package and a complete version of Forza 5.

 

[oVerde]

Well, a confirmed Microsoft engineer seems to disagree.



http://www.reddit.com/r/xboxone/comments/1i71s5/i_am_an_xbox_one_dev_ask_me_almost_anything/cb1ls3d

He later clarified in a more recent post on the subreddit that he meant R&D costs, not manufacturing costs.

Yeah right, "as much as the console to make", so it adds exactly a hundred bucks to and 499 console.
Sorry mate, as stated the costs where about engineering Kinect 2 not the manufacturing.

And again, stop demanding a Kinectless version, I don't want Developers and Publishers to see the userbase splited as over X360.

edit: I a buch of grammar, and won't fix it.

 

[Nymphae]

I really really hope they don't create a bundle without Kinect. When developers know for sure that every One owner is also a Kinect owner, they'll have an incentive to create great Kinect games or games with creative and interesting use of the device. That wasn't the case on the 360.

Force consumers to pay for a shitty piece of technology, in the hopes that the mass adoption will kickstart devs into making something that makes it worth the asking price?

 

[SolsticeZero]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

So you're telling me I can never plug that in from the moment I take it out of the box if I want to?

 

[Oppo]

I really really hope they don't create a bundle without Kinect. When developers know for sure that every One owner is also a Kinect owner, they'll have an incentive to create great Kinect games or games with creative and interesting use of the device. That wasn't the case on the 360.

And I'm for it, because they had lots of incentive before to make Kinect software, and only a few interesting possibilities came out of it. I'll happily eat crow on the new Kinect proves to be a breakthrough but so far I'm just not seeing any use cases outside of dancing and fitness.

Heck even Fantasia could easily adapt to the Leap thingy. Because, y'know, hand dancing.

 

[Quadraphonic]

That said, like online, the console will still function if Kinect isn’t plugged in, although you won’t be able to use any feature or experience that explicitly uses the sensor.

So really, the entire point of this thread is built around this one sentence. The company who put the DVR and Internet Explorer behind a paywall, and you think you'll be able to play games simply because they say "the console will still function"? Have you TRIED to use an Xbox 360 without Gold? It barely functions, but still technically does.

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

Well, Jesus. You're answering this crap better than whoever writes this PR fluff.

 

[Garrett 2U]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks Albert! Can't wait for that price drop announcement at Gamescom

 

[DBT85]

"If Kinect-less SKU appears, then I'm out"? That's what I got, haha.

If a Kinectless SKU appears then call me out.

 

[Ghazi]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks for the heads up, sounds great!

 

[Stillmatic]

"Why does the PS4 have an ethernet port and wireless adapter, if you don't need it to play games?"

That's quite a bit different than an optional external $100+ device.

 

[FalsettoVibe]

$399 Kinect-less XBOX One incoming.....

 

[SgtCobra]

We all skipped over this post because it's so ridiculous so I'd LOVE to hear the rationale behind this.

Who is we, are you representing the whole forum? Nice to meet you mister NeoGAF.
Don't you agree that if a Kinect-less XB1 priced at 299 gets revealed it would "win" (sales wise)from the competition solely because of the price? Tell me it ain't so.
And with all those 180's it would be logical for them to reveal a kinect-less XB1, it's not guaranteed but still possible.

 

[Filthy Blood Junkie]

We all skipped over this post because it's so ridiculous so I'd LOVE to hear the rationale behind this.

I think he is right. At the same price point and very similar architecture, you would have to look at the games being offered. And for me, the XBO launch line up is WAY BETTER than the one for PS4.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

Xbox One WITH Kinect $399 announcement incoming

 

[EvB]

this is the worst news I've heard all month, I bought shares in tin foil just the other day!

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Why couldn't they say that in the first place. Jesus Christ.

Presumably because it's only a very recent decision. I think I'll still waiting for an actual, official press release from MS to indisputably confirm this though.

 

[NullPointer]

The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

Good for you guys, and good for everybody that can get the chance to see Kinect proven for themselves, or to choose to keep it disconnected out of concerns for space or privacy.

 

[njr]

They've done so many 180's I don't even know what the xbone is anymore

 

[iMax]

Cool, now I just need to find a smartphone without a camera.

 

[JawzPause]

wait if this is true then why even include the kinect?

 

[CosmicQueso]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

You just sold me an Xbox One. Now pre-ordered. Hope you get the commission.

 

[The Flash]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Stay classy Penello

 

[Lighthouse]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thank you for the confirmation Albert! Was this a recent change or was the Xbox One designed to work without kinect plugged in from day one?

Again cant thank you enough, will buy an Xbone now.

 

[Garjon]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Better confirmation.

 

[shinobi602]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks so much Al.

 

[2San]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks for the clarification. I think the Kinect is cool.

 

[calder]

Well thank god it is a change and not just a 3ish month long misunderstanding, because if it had turned out that MS simply hadn't understood the question for this long it would have been a thousand times worse.

 

[stktt]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Kinyou]

It never really bothered me that much but I'm glad to have the option.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

I think i just got whiplash from the amount of policy changing microsoft has done.

I couldn't articulate this company's bone headed moves any better.

 

[VanWinkle]

Who is we, are you representing the whole forum? Nice to meet you mister NeoGAF.
Don't you agree that if a Kinect-less XB1 priced at 299 gets revealed it would "win" (sales wise)from the competition solely because of the price? Tell me it ain't so.
And with all those 180 it would be logical for them to reveal a kinect-less XB1, it's not guaranteed but still possible.

Why on earth do you think it would be $299?

 

[SwiftDeath]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

Can you comment at all about the targeted advertising/data collection alluded to in this article?

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/microsoft-xbox-one-advertising-will-integrate-with-kinect/

This was my biggest complaint with the kinect

Might actually use it assuming there are guarantees about this

 

[Liquidsnake]

They've done so many 180's I don't even know what the xbone is anymore

Yes you do, as do we all.

Its a rightful successor to the 360.

 

[Phire Phox]

wait if this is true then why even include the kinect?

So devs know everyone will at least have it and actually want to develop for it

 

[Guymelef]

Xbox One WITH Kinect $399 announcement incoming

Microsoft going ONG announcement incoming.

 

[Penguins&PolarBears]

As soon as MS unbundles Kinect the Xbox One will officially be a PS4-lite and there will be practically no reason to buy it other than a handful of exclusive 1st party games (which mainstream consumers don't care about).

What is the point in trying to copy PS4 so closely? Really shows Microsoft has no confidence in the platform they envisioned or they feel the price war is going to compel them to unbundle Kinect eventually. Can't win by being a follower.

Too bad the Xbox team that made broadband and HDD standards on consoles isn't still around. This Xbox team has lost it's backbone and now follows Sony around like a lost puppy.

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

We still believe in Kinect. We aren’t interested in splitting the development base. The more demos I’ve seen, the more I’ve used it – the more impressed I am. The team feels strongly about Kinect, and I hope we’re able to prove that when you use it.

We also have a ton of privacy settings to allow people to turn off the camera, or microphones, or put it in a state just for “Xbox On” and IR blasting – there will be a lot of user control for that.

The thing we all understood, and hence this change, is that there are some scenarios where people just may not be comfortable. We wanted people to be 100% comfortable, so we allow the sensor to be unplugged. And clearly the “it dropped” scenario is possible.

The most obvious thing is watching a DVD/BD, or streaming a movie, or HDMI pass-through, your experience isn’t impacted (except you miss voice and IR blasting)

There is no “gotcha”, but obviously, if there is a game that REQUIRES Kinect (like Rivals), or something where Kinect IS the experience (like Skype), those won’t work.

That said, for people who have privacy concerns there are user control settings, which we believe are great.

thank you sir. Much appreciated. You have been doing an amazing job at keeping us informed. Thank you for your work.

 

[KoopaTheCasual]

Xbox One WITH Kinect $399 announcement incoming

About as likely as a PS4 & PSVita bundle for $499. Would be amazing, but would never ever ever happen at launch. No chance. If it does, call me the Crow King, for I shall feast upon the carcasses of so many crows, that I will be imbued with their divine power.

Spoiler

But I really want to be wrong

 

[Garrett 2U]

Xbox One WITH Kinect $399 announcement incoming

The Internet would die

 

[zakislam]

Surprised they didn't announce this in one of their news posts.

 

[VanWinkle]

I think he is right. At the same price point and very similar architecture, you would have to look at the games being offered. And for me, the XBO launch line up is WAY BETTER than the one for PS4.

There's one more game exclusive announced for the XBOX One than the PS4, and we don't know the quality of any of them except Forza which will probably be good.

 

[soul creator]

That's quite a bit different than an optional external $100+ device.

The point I was making is that MS (as evidenced by Albert Penello's post earlier) strongly believes in Kinect, and they feel it's worth whatever extra costs it adds. Allowing it to optionally be disconnected in certain cases, doesn't change their feeling towards it.

Just like how Sony still believes online/connected/social/whatever is also the future, and they're enabling their hardware to take advantage of that as much as they can, even if it's technically "optional". Companies can strongly encourage something, while still technically making it an option.

Yes, one "option" is $100 (and even that is still up for debate since there hasn't been a teardown done AFAIK), but that's a matter of degree, not kind. From MS perspective, Kinect is just as important to the system as the network connections.

So that's why they will (likely, I could always be wrong of course) still bundle it.

 

[Sojgat]

Lol fucking knew this was coming when they packaged a headset with the console.

 

[Kinyou]

Why on earth do you think it would be $299?

edit: nm