Every time Microsoft changes some of the more unpopular policies concerning the upcoming Xbox One, such as the used games/always online policy and their indie game self-publishing policy, rumors emerge about other policies gamers hope the company will change. The latest batch circulating concern Microsoft eventually planning to release a version of the Xbox One without the Kinect, which currently comes standard with Xbox One preorders and must stay plugged in for the Xbox One to function. Microsoft has squashed the rumors already, though. A Microsoft representative explained to Gamespot that there are no plans to offer a Kinect-less Xbox One at launch or in the near future:
"We have no plans to introduce an Xbox One without Kinect. We believe in Kinect and the value it brings to both games and entertainment, and believe $499 is a great value for what consumers receive with their Xbox One."
This may disappoint gamers hoping they could get a cheaper Xbox One without the Kinect, or those concerned about potential privacy concerns with the Kinect monitoring users. Considering the improvements Microsoft has made to the Xbox One's Kinect, gamers on the fence with motion control may want to give the new Kinect another chance, especially if that is the only thing stopping them from buying the Xbox One.
For example, the new Kinect will have an increased degree of sensitivity to movements, and will be able to detect a finer degree of movement from gamers, thus reducing the amount of flailing gamers will have to execute playing Kinect games. The camera will also be able to register the user's facial features and input them into games such as the upcoming Kinect Sports Rivals.
While a Xbox One without a Kinect may help close the gap between the Xbox One's price and the PlayStation 4's, the Kinect is one of the main features that make the device unique, and without it, the highly touted voice command features will not be able to work, and many sharing features will be disabled. Perhaps if gamers really do not take to the Kinect, or the Xbox One does not sell nearly as well as the PlayStation 4, we will see Microsoft reconsider this policy. Until then though, gamers will just have to get use to the black bar on top of their Xbox One.