Currently, all retail models of the Xbox One, including the "launch edition" that was officially unveiled by Microsoft last week, come bundled with a Kinect One motion-sensing device. This has set the price for the standard version of the Xbox One at $499 (approximately RMB 3060), which is $100 more expensive than its rival, the PS4.
When players and media previously inquired about whether Microsoft would release an Xbox One model without Kinect, the response was negative. Microsoft continued to state that Kinect is a core feature of the Xbox One and an essential part of the entire platform. So, if Kinect were removed, would the Xbox One really be unable to function? IGN sought the opinion of Microsoft Vice President Marc Whitten on this issue:
"Just like how the Xbox One can be used offline, if the player does not connect the Kinect, the console itself will still work, but the player will not get the most complete gaming experience. Any features based on Kinect will not be available."
From the above statement, it seems that Kinect is not necessarily required for the Xbox One to start or function properly; its presence just makes the console's functions richer and more complete. Therefore, despite Microsoft's strong denial, the possibility of releasing a Kinect-free version of the Xbox One in the future still exists.
At the same time, some believe that the Kinect One is currently facing an awkward situation where there are few games available to fully utilize its capabilities. Among the many games released so far, very few have been able to take full advantage of its functions. The game "Kinect Sports Rivals," which was previously confirmed to focus on motion-sensing features, has recently been delayed until early 2014. The only game to look forward to in the near term is "Just Dance 2014," which is expected to be released by the end of the year.