Microsoft: core gamers 'incredibly important' for Xbox One

The Xbox One is not only aimed at core gamers, though this group remains "incredibly important" for the next-generation platform, Microsoft has said.

Speaking with VentureBeat, Microsoft executive Phil Harrison said because the Xbox One is not only a game console, but also an "all-in-one" entertainment device, a new set of consumers are opened up to the system.

"By making it simple and instant and complete, it means we can get men, women, old, young to enjoy playing and interacting with the device. It's not just about core gamers; although, they are incredibly important to our future," Harrison said. "It's also about finding entry points for all members of the household."

Harrison explained that the barriers for entry are being knocked down with the Xbox One, due in part to the updated Kinect 2.0 sensor. He said that not enough attention is being paid to the Kinect automatic identity system, which can detect who is playing--without any manual input--and assemble games and content specific to them.

"One of the things that I don't think we truly understand the significance of yet is automatic identity through Kinect. If your wife or your daughter or your son or yourself starts interacting with the machine, it instantly switches to their choice of content, their profile, their personalization, their recommendation," he said. "That alone, that simplicity, is going to dramatically increase the number of people who want to interact with Xbox One. "

In fact, Harrison said he believes the most impactful element of the Xbox One is that Kinect is included with every system, as opposed to being an optional peripheral, which is the case for the Xbox 360.

"That made it difficult for developers to invest against 20 percent of the installed base or whatever it was. Having it as 100 percent--that’s a game-changer," Harrison said.

The Xbox One launches later this year, though pricing information and specific launch timing has not been divulged. According to comments from GameStop management, the Xbox One will launch at a lower price point than the Xbox 360 did in 2005.