It’s all about more options
Approximately a month ago, Microsoft revealed that it was releasing a new Xbox One SKU — a package that was $400 and didn’t include a Kinect. A lot of people interpreted this as the beginning of the end for Kinect, a sign that Microsoft was no longer intent on pushing it as integral to the Xbox experience.
In an interview with Redmond Game Studios’ general manager Matt Booty, he commented that he thought this move was actually the best case scenario for Kinect, especially with regard to developers. “We are really committed to Kinect going forward. For us, the new SKU is about options for people to get on-board. The more boxes there are out there, the bigger audience there is, the better for developers,” he said.
Booty continued “Whether people want the SKU with the Kinect in it, or they want to make that purchase at a separate point in time, more options means more boxes means bigger audience and that’s overall good for developers. You could say this is the best thing to happen to Kinect, because it ensures that there’ll be momentum going forward for Xbox One.”
Booty further confirmed the obvious by stating that for those who purchase a Kinectless Xbox One, the device will be available to buy independently. He didn’t have any information to share with regard to a price or date, however.
