Just when you thought it was the beginning of the end for the Xbox One. Reports this morning indicate sales of the Xbox One have more than doubled in the US since the cheaper Kinect-free console was launched.
The original console launched in November last year with a $499 price tag – $100 more than the PlayStation 4 which has always sold its motion-control device separately.
But after quickly falling behind in the console sales race, Microsoft launched a Kinect-free bundle on June 9 – at the same price as its Sony rival.
In Canada the Xbox One’s price fell from $499 to $399.
Microsoft originally said that Kinect would be an integral part of the Xbox One system, and thought that by bundling it with every console developers would be more likely to make use of it.
But privacy concerns over having an always-on camera which can record movements and conversations overshadowed the launch.
And despite promises that it was more accurate and powerful than previous attempts at motion-control technology, developers struggled to implement it into games.
However early adopters of the Xbox One reacted angrily after the price was slashed and Kinect ripped out.
Many took to social networks to voice fears that developers will no longer prioritise making use of the motion sensor features.
Source: TMCNet