Microsoft unboxes the new Xbox One

Whether they want one or not, gamers everywhere are talking about the Xbox One game console scheduled for release in November.

Microsoft’s director of programing for Xbox Live, Larry Hyrb, revealed Thursday what would be in the box come November in a video posted on Xbox’s blog.

Among the items shown in the video are a special “Day One” edition of the console, a controller, the next-generation Kinect motion sensor, an HDMI cable and an Xbox One chat headset. The Xbox One is set at a $500 price point.

“They’re finally bundling the headset with the Xbox one! Sony fanboys are running out of things to argue about,” tweeted Jason Garwood (OfficialGarwood).

First unveiled to the public in May, the Xbox One hit a rocky launch path, mostly due to gamers’ reaction to the console’s requirement that users connect to the Internet every 24 hours in order to play games, as well as limitations on sharing games. But Microsoft later reversed its decisions on both fronts.

But still to come is the pending release of Sony’s own next-generation game system, the PlayStation 4, which will be free of Xbox One’s initial restrictions and is expected to be cost $100 less.

“Wake me up when the PS4 gets unboxed. That’s the system that has developers excited and that’s the one where the best games will be,” said an online commenter who goes by the screen name “vagreville.”

Microsoft also confirmed Xbox One owners will need a $59.99 Xbox Live Gold subscription to access some of the online features of the console, including the Game DVR system that automatically records and lets gamers share video clips of gameplay achievements, Skype video calling and the OneGuide TV programming guide that lets gamers browse and control live TV.

As of now, Sony is said to continue to offer most services, such as streaming BBC iPlayer, for free on the PlayStation 4, Sony confirmed to the IBTimes UK.

Contact reporter Yvette Cruz at ycruz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0256. Follow @YvyReports on Twitter.