Sony unveiled the Playstation 4 last month and to the surprise of many, it turns out the new system won’t block used games or require players to always be connected to the Internet. So, obviously Microsoft is going to have to follow suit, right? They’d be handing Nintendo and Sony a huge competitive advantage if the next Xbox is the only next-gen console to block used games and/or require an Internet connection!
Well, it seems like Microsoft may be throwing caution and common sense to the wind and going for it anyways. A “hardware overview’ that comes with Xbox 720 development kits has been leaked, and it contains some, well, interesting tidbits…
- According to the document the next Xbox will “always maintain a network connection so the console software and games are always current.”
- The machine won’t play games directly from discs. Games will still be sold on Blu-rays, but the content from that disc will have to be installed on your Xbox’s hard drive before you can play it.
- There will be some sort of authorization system for disc-based games. In other words, Microsoft will be able to stop people from playing second-hand games on the system if they so desire.
- Kinect is required for the system to operate.
Of course Microsoft still has the opportunity to change their minds on some of these “features”. Given Sony’s decision to go with a more open system, and the recent disastrous SimCity launch you’d hope Microsoft might be second guessing some of this stuff, but then Microsoft’s hubris is force not to be underestimated.
via Ars Technica & VGLeaks
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Oooh, that’s bad. I hope this isn’t true – have they not paid any attention whatsoever to the news lately?
Mein Gott. The Supreme Court just effing ruled on First Sale doctrine too.
If they really follow through with this no-used-games suicide plan they are done.
And one step further: eventually, this will be seen as the nail in the coffin for consoles.
A USED GAME SALE IS NOT A LOST SALE YOU FUCKIN FUCKS.
So much for a free market economy?
IF… they really do this. I’m seriously not touching their bullshit console with a ten foot pole. I’ve been an xbox live member from damn near day one. And all the console exclusives in the world wont bring me back. If I want to play AAA titles, I have more than a few other options.
If anyone thinks it’s an overreaction or thinks “but this is how it’s gonna be anyways”, please just stop. The more that this kinda DRM crap is tolerated, the more it proliferates. Apathy only makes it worse. Soooo much worse. This anti-consumer garbage only stops when it ISN’T TOLERATED.
Fuckin fucks is exactly where I’m at right now. This piece of shit news angers me, Gates you cunt! Try and make the customer happy for once you money hoarding capitalist swine. Stopping people from playing second hand is such an inconvenience even for those who can afford new games, let a lone those who can’t. This connection bull shit is ridiculous, how often has the internet gone out or you simply haven’t been connected? I’m signing off with fuckin fucks cause I liked it so much
What I don’t understand is why don’t Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo combine their resources to make a better second-hand experience than Gamestop? I would think that my motivation is not to stop second-hand sales, but to be getting a cut from them. To do that I would provide a better second-hand sales store with better incentives. I am also a person who thinks that ham-fisted approaches are a foolish way to do business.
I understand the need to protect their products, but this seems like it’s going way too far. There’s no way I buy this thing if this is true.
“Microsoft’s hubris is force not to be underestimated.” said everyone who hated the Win8 UI on a desktop.
+1
If this nonsense is true I shall not be stealing one of these consoles from a pawn shop like I have all my other consoles. Just saying, DON’T SCREW THIS UP FOR ME MICROSOFT.
It seems like these were the things leaked at a few months ago. So it could be likely that the always on connection and the blocking used games parts has been thrown by the wayside.
I could see the Kinect must always be connected and playing games from the HDD requirements staying though. Playing from the HDD doesn’t necessarily mean used games are blocked, simply that load times are decreased to essentially nothing.
Believe me, I am truly hoping you’re correct.
I would not be surprised at all if things are changed last minute — in particular I have a feeling they may decide to be “generous” and not block used games. A lot of this stuff seems to be pretty deeply integrated into the system though. I bet they can’t easily get rid of the installation requirement for discs for instance (which, to me, sounds almost as annoying as the used game blocking and always-online requirement).
The installation requirement actually has a lot of positives. The always-on requirement not so much.
Right, the installation to HDD could have plenty of benefits as long as it isn’t a DRM measure.
Always-On internet requirements, we have seen recently, just do not work. There are too many factors that one can’t account for that could cause it to break, even for a short while, thus ruining a gamer’s experience. I’m sure that is some code that even if still in the Durango OS can be excised prior to launch. It may take overtime, but it can be done and should be done.
But really all these things are rumor until Microsoft comes out and says it. Even a “trusted” source could make up a rumor 1 time out of every 10. Just because there are supposed screencaps of the OS in use with the Dev Kit doesn’t mean that that is actually a Dev Kit.
Blocking used games = dealbreaker.
Eh, I’m totally cool with backing Sony the next console cycle. I can always build a PC for “Exclusives” and Sony is going to get more JRPGs anyway.
This chump doesn’t make dick writing freelance gossip pieces about whatever he feels.
ALL OLD NEWS THAT WE KNEW 3 MONTHS AGO.
What a chump, go play your ps3 and quit ragging on Nintendo and Microsoft every chance you get you chump love sucka.
Jeez, did I accidentally lure a YouTube commenter to the blog with the “YouTube Reacts” post?
The development kit “hardware overview” just leaked yesterday. Until now it’s all been rumors from anonymous sources — now we actually have documentation.
As much as I enjoy relative anonymity on the interwebs in this instance it would be nice to know who exactly “Morgan Hall” is. Just so I don’t ever make the mistake of interacting with the real “Morgan Hall.”
Spell check is this guys best friend.
Aaaaaand the first post by an annoying Microsoft fanboy goes to …
Was an Xbox customer this gen, but if any of these things are true they will most definitely lose me as a customer next gen. I will wait a year no doubt before committing to playstation to allow the kinks to be ironed out and to see what secret evil have they hidden in the fineprint!
Been hooked on xbox since before the 360 days, Always had more for me.
If this stuff happens, especially after the SIMS launch, they are done. I know I wont buy a 720 if all of that is true, they might aswell throw in the towel now if thats the case. Online only is another huge mistake and not necessary.
Isn’t it possible that this old leak of information may have been just for the dev kit itself and not what will be enforced on the public console?
Exactly my point above. Although this leaked this week, this seems like the information that was leaked a few months ago.
So, it could be from an old Dev Kit, since we know the final specs aren’t even locked down yet (neither are the PS4′s specs), that had this as a requirement. Or it could be, as you said, a Dev Kit only requirement so that Microsoft knows exactly who has their hands on a Dev Kit and one doesn’t find its way into the public.
Isn’t that just the same as Sony’s policy. Basically they’re leaving it to the publisher to decide… So I’ll be buying even less EA games next gen
This here deck of cards ain’t got no DRM.
I wonder if there’s a difference between “always maintain a network connection” and “required internet connection”. Maybe the new xbox will always be connected to the internet to download updates and shiz (like the PS4) but you won’t be stopped from playing if it’s down for a while. No chance in hell I’m buying a console that’s at the mercy of my shitty comcast connection.
Also I would trade used games for lower price points in a heartbeat. I mean I know that’s not going to happen, but it’s stupid that $100 is the norm for a game + a years worth of DLC.