The PlayStation 4 has been the clear choice for gamers so far this console generation, and Microsoft has snapped into action with a movie to get rid of their Kinect tax bundle requirement for the Xbox One. Aside from putting Xbox One at the same price point as the PS4, Microsoft has a bunch of other incentives to move the Xbox One off store shelves.
Yes, in addition to paying no more for a console than a PS4 owner, Xbox One owners will be able to watch Netflix, HBO GO, and other services that they already pay for without having to also pay for an Xbox Live Gold membership. To be fair to Microsoft, many (if not most) Xbox owners already pay for a Gold membership to play games online, but it was still a strange requirement for using Netflix and other apps.
The removal of the paywall for entertainment apps on Xbox was announced in a statement from Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, on the Xbox news site today:
This includes great gaming apps like Machinima, Twitch and Upload, popular video services like Netflix, Univision Deportes, GoPro, Red Bull TV and HBO GO, sports experiences like the NFL app for Xbox One, MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL Game Center and more.
Yes, the “and more” also includes Hulu. They’ve got the full details on the page with the announcement, and the change will come in June.
Additionally, Games with Gold, Microsoft’s free game incentive program, is making the leap to Xbox One in June.
Members willĀ have subscription-based access to free games ranging from top hits to breaking indie stars. The programĀ will launch on Xbox One with āMax: The Curse of Brotherhoodā and āHalo: Spartan Assault.ā A singleĀ Gold membership will get you access to the free games for both Xbox One and Xbox 360.
The cheaper Xbox model is set to arrive June 9th, which is the same day as Microsoft’s E3 2014 press conference. They probably wanted to get these announcements out of the way before E3, because they’re nice but are still a clear admission of a need to do something to compete with the PS4. Now, they’re all set up to take that PR hit beforehand and then just quickly point to the changes as positives while they’re actually happening at E3.
It’ll probably work, too, provided we can hear anything at all over the fan reaction to the inevitableĀ Halo sequel announcement this year.
(Xbox via Polygon, image via Microsoft)
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