The Button Presser

5/13/14 1:30PM |



Starting next month, Microsoft will have an Xbox One available for purchase with the retail price of $399. Price drops are always expected sometime after a new system has been released, but this is interesting as the Xbox One that can be bought in June will be available without the Kinect, a tool Microsoft has stated before to be very integral to the console's DNA. 

This change will make the Xbox One available for the same price as the PlayStation 4, which has had a successful launch since November. Price drops are always great, but you have to wonder how Kinect developers may feel about this news since it was first believed that every Xbox One user would have a Kinect allowing for more potential sales of the games that require Kinect to play.

Another change Microsoft has made and one without any real controversy is the ability to use previously Gold Member locked apps on both Xbox 360 and XB1 without the need to purchase Xbox Live. Starting in June, you'll no longer have to be a Gold member to enjoy Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, and other premium apps that already require a subscription to use.

Lastly is the announcement of Games With Gold for Xbox One. The popular program which began last year for Xbox 360 will start up on XB1 this June, with Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault. It was also announced that Dark Souls, Charlie Murder, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition will be the next games with gold for Xbox 360 next month, so you'll be able to grab another free game next month.

All in all, this is great news for gamers, and it'll be interesting to see how these changes will effect Microsoft next month as they show the future of Xbox at E3 2014.