Xbox One still focused on Kinect and firm on $499 price point

Yesterday Microsoft announced that the Xbox One would see a radical shift in their feature set for the new console.  Ultimately, the changes were a result of Xbox Community feedback, according to Microsoft.  But not all of Microsoft’s talking points have become moot in the wake of the news.

The company is still very much invested in bringing Kinect to the forefront of the gaming experience on Xbox One.  In a conversation between Joystiq and Microsoft, Marc Whitten explains why the company is still very excited about delivering a Kinect with every Xbox One.

“We still absolutely believe in Kinect.  It’s a core part of the architecture.  Frankly, it’s really critical that you build it as something that’s always there, always part of the platform.  So that game creators, experienced creators can know they can rely on it.  And you, the user, that there’s always a consistent experience.  That it’s not just an accessory.”

Though the inclusion of the Kinect in every Xbox One is likely keep the price of the console higher than what Sony is offering its PS4 at.  Sony is pitching its PS Eye as an item that is not bundled with every console, and as a result, are offering the system at much lower price than the Xbox One.    So will Microsoft also drop the price of Xbox One to compete with Sony?  According to Whitten, the company is still convinced they are delivering value with the Xbox One.

“We really believe deeply in the value that we’re delivering.  Not just for the first day of launch, which we think is going to be amazing, with amazing games and entertainment experiences, but what this architecture can deliver over the long term… We feel good about our price.”

The overall response to Microsoft’s change in policy for the Xbox One has been met with both positive and negative sentiment.  For some, the features introduced like the Family Plan and Game Sharing features were sounding like good reasons to purchase the new system.  For others, the ability to play used games and share them with others is of higher importance.  If Microsoft is proving anything, it’s that you can’t please everyone.