The Xbox One has had a rocky road onto the next gen console scene, taking one step forward and then seemingly, almost as quickly, reversing course. Now, the latest news apparently reflecting this approach, is that the Kinect, which ships with the console, will apparently no longer have to be turned on in order for Xbox One’s to work.

Previously, the Xbox One and its motion sensing camera were apparently wed and joined at the hip, with the latter required to be on and active at all times. Now though, Microsoft has ditched that plan.

Microsoft’s corporate vice president, Marc Whitten, elaborated to IGN that moving forward, the console would still work if the Kinect was unplugged. Obviously, players would not be able to use features that relied upon the sensor, such as voice commands or player identification.

Back up, back up!

This is not the first time Microsoft has changed its mind around the Xbox One’s strategy. Most notably, it first did so in the wake of E3, announcing that it was abandoning its DRM plans and always on connectivity requirements, and dropping the console’s region locking as well. In that case, it was in response to an outcry post-E3 against the company’s initial approach, when it looked as though Microsoft had offended its base and lost their loyalty.

Subsequently, the company course-corrected with indie developers as well, announcing that these developers would find a friendlier, more accessible environment in which to develop games for the next gen console. This, after some developers complained that Microsoft was ignoring independent developers in favour large studios.  

The reason for its latest reversal, with regards to the Kinect, is no less welcome, but considerably more nebulous. According to IGN, the change opens the way for a cheaper, Kinect-less iteration down the line (a dis-Kinected version, if you will).

PRISMS of Paranoia

To our minds though, we can’t say we are entirely surprised by Microsoft’s change in heart. Given the levels of paranoia, justified or otherwise, around the loss of privacy in lieu of the revelations of PRISM and the extent to which Microsoft had to comply with federal agencies, there may well have been users who were already balking at the idea of having an always connected sensor potentially watching their every move and listening to their voice at all times.

Whether the Kinect even could, or would, be hacked or covertly commandeered, may not even matter at this point. It is rather simply a commentary – and a sad one at that – on the present environment in which we live, in which even a gaming and entertainment console is looked at with a measure of suspicion and distrust.

To the point

Nonetheless though, we have to commend Microsoft for at least being sensitive to the fact that not everyone may be so quick to embrace an always on, camera – no matter how good it is – in the living room. At least, not now.

Slowly but surely though, it looks as if the Xbox One is shaping up to be the kind of console that, quite frankly, should have been unveiled at its launch – one that put users’ concerns first and then offered features accordingly. The question is, can Microsoft shore up its strategy enough in time for its launch? No doubt, what would certainly help now is a price cut.