The Xbox One’s Kinect sensor will no longer need to be plugged in for the console to function, according to Xbox’s Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten. In addition to reversing its used game DRM policies for Xbox One, Xbox’s Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten has revealed that while you won’t be able to enjoy the complete experience for the next-gen console, it will not required for use.
In an AMA on IGN, Whitten said, “Games use Kinect in a variety of amazing ways from adding voice to control your squad mates to adding lean and other simple controls beyond the controller to full immersive gameplay. 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.”
While Microsoft’s decision to abandon mandatory Kinect connectivity opens the doors for a cheaper and Kinect-free version of the system, it seems unlikely as most people will just not purchase it. The Xbox One bundle will be available from November for $599.00 AUD.
To see Whitten’s answers to questions about the system’s gameplay DVR functionality, cross-platform party chat and more, check out the full AMA.