Remember how, back when the Xbox One was first announced, Microsoft continuously defended the included Kinect as a feature supposedly “instrumental” in using the system to its fullest? Well, much as many of us predicted, this was never so, as proven by today’s news. Microsoft announced this morning that a new Xbox One package will be released. This version of the system will include everything you need to play games and connect to Xbox Live, but will lack Microsoft’s signature webcam attachment that has been such a big focal point for them in the last couple of years. The original package’s $500 price tag turned more than a few heads, so consumers may be relieved to know that this new, slightly lighter (and less gimmicky) package comes in at $400, a price comparable to that of the Playstation 4. But that’s not all Microsoft had to say today. In addition to their Kinect-less Xbone, Microsoft made some announcements regarding the future of Xbox Live, both for Gold and regular members.

• More free games with Gold. Last year, Microsoft began to offer their own version of Playstation+. Games With Gold has given us new free games every month, with classics like Halo 3 and Dead Rising 2 just to name a couple. This June Microsoft will be celebrating the 1-year anniversary of Games with Gold by offering a third free game. Dark Souls, Charlie Murder, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition will all be free in June. Additionally, Games for Gold is coming to Xbox One. The Xbox One’s terms of service will be a bit stricter, with gamers only keeping access to the Xbone-exclusive free titles as long as they have Gold, even if they redeemed them while they were free. The Xbox One’s Games with Gold will also begin in June, starting with Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Halo: Spartan Assault. A single Gold membership is all you’ll need to gain access to both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One’s free games library.
• Deals with Gold. Xbox One owners will be getting even more deals starting in June. Gold members will gain access to monthly discounts on downloadable titles, starting in June with Ryse: Son of Rome, Forza Motorsport 5, and more to be announced. Microsoft claims to offer deals of up to 75% off certain titles. Discounts will continue on Xbox Live for the 360 as well, but Gold members on Xbox One will also get a special VIP app on Xbox Live, offering more free games, deals, and other benefits.
• Netflix and other apps no longer require Gold. Ding ding ding! There it is! The announcement you’ve been hoping for has finally come to pass. After 6 years of charging the price of Gold membership to use most of the media apps offered on the system, Microsoft has finally realized that every other system has allowed free access to Netflix for years, so maybe they should too. Good detective work on that one, Microsoft. It’s not only Netflix that will be made free, of course. Check out the full list.

Let us know what you think of these new announcements! What do you think of the Xbox One, and does any of this change your tune on the system and what it offers? Tell us in the comments below! [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://www.heypoorplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/011.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]If danger had a face…oh, if danger had a face. Jay started writing at HeyPoorPlayer in the summer of 2012, but has always been a writer, be it in the form of articles and reviews here at HPP or in that of fiction and articles written over at PkMnCast.com. Jay has been a gamer from a young age, first finding his legs on a GBA and a copy of Pokemon Sapphire. He enjoys a game with a strong narrative and art design, but also appreciates the retro stuff from before his time. Jay also has a passion for comics, movies and anime. He likes to yell a lot on his Twitter @extremesalsaing, which is only the coolest twitter in town. Favorite games: Okami, Bioshock, Shadow of the Colossus, Xenoblade Chronicles, The World Ends With You, Pokemon Emerald[/author_info] [/author]