14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft continues its series of major changes to policy related to the Xbox One by announcing that the next-generation console can be used without the Kinect motion tracking sensor, something that was not possible just a few months ago.
Marc Whitten, one of the leader of the Xbox One team, tells IGN that, "That said, 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."
When he is asked to elaborate, the Microsoft executive adds that, "You have the ability to completely turn the sensor off in your settings. When in this mode, the sensor is not collecting any information. Any functionality that relies on voice, video, gesture or more won’t work."
Even in this mode, the Kinect can be used for IR blasting and when the player launches a game or a program that uses the motion tracking feature, he will be prompted to turn the device back on so that the content can be played.
Initially, Microsoft told gamers that the entire new console experience was designed around motion tracking and there would be no way of turning Kinect off completely.
Many potential players complained that the move would violate their privacy and that they had no way of controlling what kind of information Microsoft was collecting and sending to third parties.
This would be yet another in a long line of reversals from Microsoft.
The company announced that it would make the entire Xbox One a development platform after initially withholding information on self-publishing.
Microsoft also first announced that used game sales could not be played on the Xbox One only to quickly perform an 180 when fans complained that their rights were being violated by the new policy, which was designed to promote digital game sales and ownership.