Since the announcement of Xbox One , Microsoft has always claimed that, for this to work, the console requires the Kinect because designed as an integral part of the system. Now in a series of questions and answers with IGN, the Chief Platform Architect Marc Whitten has explained that, " the Xbox One is designed to work with the Kinect connected ", but that the console will still work even if the sensor is disconnected.

These are the words of the Director: " As for the online, the console will still work even if the Kinect is not connected, even if you won't be able to use any feature or experience that explicitly use the sensor face .

So does this mean that the console can be switched on and working, but there may be features or applications designed specifically for the Kinect, which obviously would be unusable. Now it only remains to be seen how many and what these are: also important functions as the coupling between the controller and the console or the player Association-controller seems to rely on the presence of Kinect. Whitten says: "Kinect helps you play immediately knowing which controller you automatically. There will be no need to interrupt your game from your friends or navigating in menus to connect and tell the system that you are using controllers. Associate the controller to the console if it is not associated with more should try not special "buttons.

If these functions can continue to be made to the " old way ", without the need for Kinect, then those who wish may disconnect when he wants-provided of course the games do not require it.

Whitten has finally explained that even when connected, the sensor may be placed in a State of "completely shut down" to the console on, during which does not capture voice commands, gestures or other. When a game it will support, will appear a screen that will ask the player if he wants to switch on the device to continue.