This is pretty much it.. MS knows they will get a bad rep at online message boards and gaming sites but the majority of their customers don't use those. They get their information from big magazines and ads and they will only see the shiny pretty game videos and the sleek console so they will buy it. Adam Orth may be an arrogant ass but right down to the reality he was right.. most gamers do tend to have an always on internet connection because most gamers live in urban centres that have the kind of connection needed to use the 720. Sucks for those in rural areas but MS most likely did the math and came to the conclusion that they stand to gain more by appeasing game developers and lay the foundation for things to come than appeasing and bowing to 10-20% of gamers. I'll still not buy a mandatory online console even though i have a very stable broadband connection here.. it's about principle. I just don't like being handled by companies that ultimately want my money but also want to dictate the terms how i use their product once i bought it. Once i shell out the money the product should be mine to do with as i please (within legal boundaries of course). So i vote with my wallet as i have done with other companies.
Well as a current xbox owner but not anyone with a particular preference my ball is firmly in the playstation court at the minute. Judging from comments i've read online and what my friends think (already had one my mate get rid of his xbox and just use his ps3 in anticipation of the next gen) i'm not sure it's the best thing they've ever done to let these rumours persist if they're not true.
To me, as stated before the whole "always online" thing isn't a huge issue. I bought an Xbox360, because it came out first. I then bought a PS3 when it came out and I wanted to play uncharted. I'll get both of the next gen consoles, because fact is both will have games I want to play. Curious strategy by Microsoft however, if they go through with this despite many not being happy about it. they made a dent the size of the Grand Canyon in Sony's market share this gen, why gamble? Simply go with what worked this gen, and put the effort into making some coups in terms of studio support. Imagine if Microsoft waved enough money in naughty dog's faces, the PS4 would be dead on arrival without their exclusives. Regardless, competition is always good for the consumer, so let's hope both produce good consoles.
They call it 'Always online'. I call it 'They reserve the right to micromanage the way I play their games'. They can force upgrades, they can censor-patch, they can completely shut down the used market, or they can completely disable my ability to play the game at will. And it paves the way for forcing you to pay a subscription service just to keep playing a game you payed for. If all major consoles switch to any model other than 'Pay once, play forever', and make me keep paying to play games I already bought, I will never buy another new game, period. There have been hundreds of great games released in the last 30 years, and I don't have to pay another dime to keep paying them. I can entertain myself until I die without buying a single new game. So, always online, no more money from me. Your call Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.
So wait, the new XBox is going to be "always online" and you won't be able to play your games if they aren't connected to the Internet? So what happens when the XBox 4 comes out and Live is discontinued for XBox 3?? You won't be able to play your XBox 3 games ever again? How is this a good idea??? I don't know about you, but I think this is the stupidest idea I've ever heard of. What a HUUUGE waste of money. "Oh I spent hundreds of dollars on games for my XBox 3, but now they're just a bunch of drink coasters because XBox Live has been discontinued for it." I wouldn't be surprised if they actually do this, though. I've already noticed that certain of my 360 games, if they have an update for them, don't play offline until you install the update from Live. I find it extremely annoying.
That is the rumor. It hasn't been officially announced (or denied). Microsoft doesn't care. They already have your money. Which games? I've never seen that happen.
I can't remember, but I know Transformers War for Cybertron was one, and Dragon Age: Origins wouldn't let me play any of the DLC missions until I logged on and updated the game.
Ah. With Dragon Age, that's a different scenario - the DLC depends on some content that was included in the patches. If you bought the Ultimate Edition, the game should have already been updated on-disc; if not, since you had the connection once to install the DLC they assume you can (re)connect to patch, I guess.
According to an internal Microsoft email, the rumours are false. It's still not an official confirmation, but I think it's solid enough evidence that we can put our pitchforks down.
I just came here to post the same thing. I hope this is true.... Watching Live TV, huh?? Coaxial or HDMI input?
Seems like it.. MS is in the game to make profit and it may be that they made some calculations about lost customers vs. financial gain with an always on console. Seems like the result was too uncertain (or plain certain in favor for an unconnected console) and MS didn't want to risk anything. We will all know for sure in a couple of weeks.
Microsoft must have been at least considering blocking used game sales or they would have quashed this rumor a long time ago. Its just damaging their brand. We wont know for sure for years but I think all the backlash is what made them back off it. So please continue complaining about it on the net. Companies do pay attention to it. And for the posters who said that no one listens to reviews and it doesnt matter what the hardcore think I think that is incorrect. Most people really dont know what the specs are or anything at all but they do get the 'buzz'. It doesn't matter why we all hate the new xbox it only matters that enough people do so that consumers develop a negative feeling towards it.