Microsoft explains its Xbox One Kinect U-turn; Games with Gold dated for June

Available on June 9th, the 350 Kinect-less Xbox One is Microsoft’s biggest U-turn yet and represents a complete reversal of its controversial E3 strategy outline.

It’s also the console’s second UK price drop since arriving in the UK last November, a period that has seen 80 shaved off the machine’s price. Note this is the console’s first price drop outside of the UK.

It also confirmed the decision to free video streaming apps such as Netflix from their subscription shackles, meaning Xbox Live Silver members will be able to access them.

Your feedback matters to us and it shapes the products and services we build,” Xbox boss Phil Spencer said.

This is a new console option that does not include Kinect. Next, we’re bringing more value to Xbox Live Gold members and offering all Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners access to entertainment apps whether or not you have an Xbox Live Gold membership.”

Games With Gold is also being stepped up – in June the offer will include Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition on Xbox 360. The service will also hit Xbox One in June, launching with discount of between 50-75 per cent for Forza 5 and Ryse and free copies ofMax: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault for subscribers.

To be clear, as we introduce this new Xbox One console option, Kinect remains an important part of our vision,” Spencer insisted. Many of you are using Kinect for Xbox One every day. In fact, more than 80 per cent of you are actively using Kinect, with an average of 120 voice commands per month on each console.

If you buy Xbox One for $399 and later decide you want to have all the experiences Kinect enables, we will also offer a standalone sensor for Xbox One later this fall.”