Looks like Microsoft finally got the memo, and it only took pushing the former XBox lead out to head (dying) Zynga and getting old boss Phil Spenser back in to get things moving in the right direction:
XBox One w/o Kinect for $399.99 Confirmed, Available June 9
Microsoft removing Live paywall for streaming video services you already pay for (e.g. HBO Go, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime)
And this was already echoed elsewhere on the 'tubes, but between Microsoft finally shoring up dev kit support (they were roughly four to six months behind Sony) and
potentially allowing the reallocation of CPU cycles dedicated to the Kinect, the chasm between third party title performance on the PS4 and XBox One will likely become as negligible as the one between the PS3 and 360 now. And I say third party, because first party titles have been able to hit 1080p (Forza 5) or come very close for a launch title (Ryse).
Also, interesting info about leaks via the NeoGAF forums re: XBox One and future titles:
- Forza Horizon sequel for XBox One this fall, runs 1080p (underrated gem on 360), online co-op play
- New Gears of War title started, probably 2016 before it appears
- Halo 2: Anniversary Edition out November 11, 2014 for XBox One, will have Halo 5 Beta (as well as all of the Halo 2 matchmaking goodness)
- Halo 2: AE will have a Collector's Edition with Halo 3 and 4 for XBox One included.
- Microsoft will release a while XBox One this fall for North America
- Crackdown 3 in 2016 for XBox One
- Fable Legends (MMORPG set in Fable universe) Summer 2015
Anyway, good information, and it's not even E3 yet. Some good news for consumers out there, to say the least.