Fans of game-console wars get excited and listen to this: Microsoft has announced a new Xbox One bundle which comes without Kinect and costs $399 (same as the PS4), less than a year after its release.
Microsoft insists that the change is not only due to faltering sales but to make the next-gen console affordable.
If you remember, the Xbox One originally came with a restriction which made a Kinect mandatory for any usage which, however, was scraped before launch. Still, it will undoubtedly help in close the gap with Sony’s PlayStation 4 which leads sales by several million at this point.
“To be clear, as we introduce this new Xbox One console option, Kinect remains an important part of our vision.”
The PlayStation 4 got a headstart in release in a lot of regions, but its hundred-dollar cheaper price-tag did help move many, many units. The camera can be brought separately anytime later for $60.
However, what can’t be neglected is that its webcam isn’t quite nearly as functional as Kinect, which is Microsoft’s strong point. In fact, so strong a point it is that according to Redmond, about 80 percent users still use the device regularly for an average of 120 commands per month.
“We have 80-plus million Xbox 360 users today who want an Xbox One,” Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi said in an interview, “and many of them tell us, ‘For me, it’s an affordability issue. I’m gonna get there, it’s just a question of time. If you make it more affordable, then I’ll upgrade faster.’ So this is an opportunity to really make it easier for them to get there at their pace.”
Not to forget, that the Xbox is a full-fledged entertainment center, rather than just a game console. If it manages to make this bundle widespread, it might have a sleeper-hit in its hands right now.
It is said to hit the market by June. Would you take an Xbox One over a PS4? Or you would like to wait for sometime more? You can’t help but feel that the early adopters must be feeling screwed by now.
