Reddit AMA with Microsoft Dev Notes Kinect ‘Costs Almost as Much’ as Xbox One to Manufacture
Talk about flipping the script. When the PlayStation 3 debuted, it was criticized by gamers as being too expensive, though Sony held firm it was worth the pricing premium because it had a Blu-ray drive. Now Microsoft's the one catching flak for pricing its upcoming Xbox One console at $500, which is $100 more than the PlayStation 4. Microsoft has justification for its higher price tag, as the Xbox One comes with a second generation Kinect sensor. Interestingly enough, the motion controlled device costs almost as much as the console to manufacturer.
That revelation was made during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session with an anonymous app developer working on the Xbox One. While his or her anonymity may raise some eyebrows, Reddit's moderators were apparently satisfied with the proof they received to consider the developer a verified Xbox One employee.
"The majority of the masses care only about the console," the developer stated, according to GamesIndustry.biz. "Except that the success of the Kinect carries much more weight to us. The sensor costs almost as much as the console to make."
If that's the case, then why force the accessory onto gamers at an added cost to the console?
"The goal with having a Kinect ship with every Xbox is to guarantee to game developers if they implement Kinect features into their games, everyone who has an Xbox will be able to experience it," the developer said. "I often see people dismiss the Kinect instantly because they haven't seen it work like I have it. It is an integral part of the Xbox One experience."
So there you have it -- that's why the Xbox One costs $500 instead of $400.
That revelation was made during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session with an anonymous app developer working on the Xbox One. While his or her anonymity may raise some eyebrows, Reddit's moderators were apparently satisfied with the proof they received to consider the developer a verified Xbox One employee.
"The majority of the masses care only about the console," the developer stated, according to GamesIndustry.biz. "Except that the success of the Kinect carries much more weight to us. The sensor costs almost as much as the console to make."
If that's the case, then why force the accessory onto gamers at an added cost to the console?
"The goal with having a Kinect ship with every Xbox is to guarantee to game developers if they implement Kinect features into their games, everyone who has an Xbox will be able to experience it," the developer said. "I often see people dismiss the Kinect instantly because they haven't seen it work like I have it. It is an integral part of the Xbox One experience."
So there you have it -- that's why the Xbox One costs $500 instead of $400.
