The Xbox One headset. Sold separately.

Microsoft has thrown out some sandbags and jumped into the trenches to defend its decision to not include a headset with the Xbox One console.

A headset will be available at launch, but will be sold separately (price unconfirmed as yet), and this has given people cause to complain due to the fact that the Xbox One uses a proprietary connector for headsets, meaning that if they want to use earphones, they won't even be able to plug in a set that they already own.

In speaking to Ars Technica, the company has said that because the console comes with Kinect, you don't really need a headset. "Each Xbox One includes the new Kinect sensor, with a highly sensitive multi-array microphones designed to enable voice inputs and chat as a system-level capability, both in-game and with Skype and other experiences. For gamers who prefer a headset, we have a variety of offerings that you can find on the Xbox Wire."

This is a bit of a lame excuse, if we're honest. Opponents bellowing through the TV speakers isn't fun, as most of us have found out with the Xbox 360.

We're sure that third parties will be launching their own Xbox One-compatible headsets around the time of the Xbox One launch, but that's hardly the point.

[source arstechnica.com]