Yell at your Xbox One’s Kinect or pay a fee to yell into an old headset

Microsoft confirmed via Twitter that there will be an adapter solution for gamers that want to use their Xbox 360 headsets with the Xbox One. Microsoft product planning manager Alberto Penello tweeted the news after he was asked if there was any plan to allow current “hi-end” gaming headsets on the new console. Penello later clarified that the adapter would be sold separately.

The Xbox One Chat Headset uses a proprietary connection exclusive to the console and does not come with the base hardware. It is sold separately for $24.99. Microsoft has explained the lack of a pack-in headset by saying that the Kinect sensor can be used to communicate.

Each Xbox One includes the new Kinect sensor, with 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.

Sony’s PS4 will ship with a headset in the box. It’s also been confirmed that the console will allow gamers to use any Bluetooth headset for communication, so frugal folks will be able to continue yelling into whatever they’re yelling into now.