Xbox One no longer requires Kinect
Microsoft has rolled back another Xbox One policy: now the console won't need Kinect plugged in to function.
Microsoft has made yet another policy change to the Xbox One — now you won't need to have Kinect plugged in for the console to work.
Microsoft chief product officer Marc Whitten told IGN that while the Xbox One will still ship with the new version of the Kinect camera, connecting it will no longer be a mandatory requirement.
"Like online, the console will still function if Kinect isn't plugged in, although you won't be able to use any feature or experience that explicitly uses the sensor," Whitten said.
When it launched the Xbox One, Microsoft made much of the console being a full package, shipping with both Kinect and a controller. Microsoft highlighted that the controller and Kinect sensor worked together, telling people back in May that "Kinect does require to be connected to Xbox One in all cases".
The latest policy reversal follows Microsoft removing its infamous "internet check-in" requirement, which would shut down key features of the Xbox One, such as offline single-player gaming, if it couldn't connect to the net at least once every 24 hours.
Whitten did note that the Kinect could also simply be turned off if people had fears about the device collecting information on them.
"You have the ability to completely turn the sensor off in your settings. When in this mode, the sensor is not collecting any information," he said.