During a Reddit AMA (ask me anything), an alleged Microsoft developer that worked on the Xbox One stated that the while, yes, the success of the console is important, the market acceptance of the Kinect is far more important to the company.
During the interview with the supposed dev, Reddit moderators confirmed his claim as an employee, the anonymous app developer talked about the Xbox Ones' miscommunicated PR strategy during the console's unveiling. More interesting still was the reveal that the Kinect bundled with the Xbox One is almost as expensive as the console itself to produce.
"The majority of the masses care only about the console," they wrote. "Except that the success of the Kinect carries much more weight to us. The sensor costs almost as much as the console to make.
"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. I often see people dismiss the Kinect instantly because they haven't seen it work like I have. It is an integral part of the Xbox One experience."
We think one of the biggest hurdles facing the Kinect is that it still remains unproven. The first Kinect, and the games released for it, were at best novelties. Until the Kinect can prove its worth as a 'legit' gaming component, most adult gamers will remain skeptical. Although this does go a good distance in explaining why the Xbox One will have a $500 price tag wrapped around its neck.
