Microsoft Drops Xbox One Price to $399 Without Kinect Sensor at E3

Written by Brandon Hofer on May 13, 2014

News: Microsoft has revealed that there will be an Xbox One model without Kinect for $399 along with Games with Gold coming to Xbox One and more.

E3 is still a few weeks away but that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from releasing a ton of news about what they have planned for Xbox. Plans range from a permanent price drop for Xbox One, a version of the console sold without Kinect, Games with Gold arriving on Xbox One in June and more.

Xbox One Price Cut

Starting on June 9th the Xbox One will be available for $399 and will come without a Kinect sensor. It is important to note here that Microsoft said this is a new “option.” I’m assuming what that means is that the $499 bundle with Kinect will still be available but you will also be able to get an Xbox One for just $399 as well. If you decide to buy the $399 model and then decide at a later point that you want to pick up a Kinect sensor Microsoft has also revealed they will sell Kinect standalone beginning this fall.

Games with Gold Coming to Xbox One

It has long been rumored that Games with Gold would arrive on Xbox One this June at E3 and Microsoft has just confirmed it. In the month of June there will be five games available for free for Xbox customers. Three of the free games will be on the Xbox 360 and two of them will be Xbox One games. The Games with Gold titles for the Xbox 360 will include Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and a bonus game of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Gamers who have Xbox One will be receiving Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault. It is important to note that a single Gold membership will get you access to these games as well.

Deals with Gold Coming to Xbox One

Microsoft has been holding a lot of sales lately and some of them have been really good. Now they have an official program titled, Deals With Gold. This will launch for Xbox One in June and will give you discounts on games every month. The first games that will be offered in this program during the month of June will include Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome and a few other surprises that Microsoft isn’t revealing quite yet. Microsoft was also quick to point out that Xbox 360 owners will also continue to receive sales like they always have been. There will also be a virtual VIP room exclusive to Gold members where Microsoft will feature free games, monthly deals and other great benefits.

Netflix, Hulu and other apps no longer behind the Xbox Live paywall

In addition to all of that, Microsoft has revealed that beginning in June everyone will have access to popular entertainment experiences. What that means is that you will no longer be required to have Xbox Live Gold if you want to use Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, the NFL app and much more. Everyone will also have access to Internet Explorer, Skype, OneDrive and OneGuide, as long as those are available in your country.

What do you think about these announcements? Check out the video and leave your comments below. If you do not own an Xbox One, does this entice you to go pick one up? With E3 a few weeks away there will be a lot more news coming so be sure to keep checking Gaming Target for any updates.

source: Xbox Wire