Microsoft: "Absolutely no plans" to release Xbox One without Kinect

Microsoft has reiterated that it has no plans to release the Xbox One without Kinect.

Corporate vice president Phil Harrison told Metro in a new interview that Kinect is a core component of the next-generation console.

"Absolutely no plans at all," Harrison said when asked if a Kinect-free bundle may be offered. "We think Kinect is an integral part of our platform. All of the magical experiences that you get, both as a games-player and also the way you navigate the system are made even more amazing because of Kinect."

Harrison said that because every Xbox One console will come with Kinect, developers can design projects for the "widest possible install base."

Last week at Gamescom, Harrison said there is no differentiation between Xbox One and Kinect. The two systems are one, he said.

"Xbox One is Kinect," Harrison said at the time. "They are not separate systems. An Xbox One has chips, it has memory, it has Blu-ray, it has Kinect, it has a controller. These are all part of the platform ecosystem."

Microsoft has said that the Xbox One will launch this November for $499/€499/£429/A$599.