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[LabouredSubterfuge]

More I hear about this new Xbox the more disastrous it gets.

 

[maquiladora]

Internet-only it's a massive damage for the future of next xbox; if it's really true, could lost a lot of gamers, it's not matter of outrage, simply a lot of people don't care to have internet connection to play the game, believe me.

"Ultimately, Microsoft has asked itself a simple question: who wants to play games on a next-generation Xbox and yet doesn't have access to the internet? The answer: not enough to make a considerable difference."

.

 

[iceatcs]

Interesting. I don't really understand why they enforce that, if it gives them a disadvantage. Maybe BC for the future? Doesn't sound to clever when they are already behind power-wise.

Make port more difficult. MS really don't want it to be easy port to the other non-MS.

 

[ChryZ]

I really hope there will be an annual fee for the always online thing.

 

[Vinterbird]

No second-hand games, huh? That'll be interesting in in the way of unintended consequences.

Objective: butter up developers by locking out secondhand to boost developer revenue

Results:
- No sales of new "slim" console as people won't be able to play their games on it
- No entry point for people who can't pay full price, lower uptake of games/genres
- No game sharing = lower exposure to games = reduced sales
- Whatever goodies and massive fines the European Commission comes up with

Without doubt there will be the ability to do a game license transfer every sixth months in case of a dead system, new system or the likes. Just like it is now.

 

[zomgbbqftw]

Oh man, I was just joking when I said Kinect would use always on eye tracking to push down adverts, but if MS are putting aside 3GB of RAM to keep Kinect on all the time, and they are forcing always online, they will definitely be using Kinect as some kind of invasive tool.

 

[GitarooMan]

Require an Internet connection to function very likely means you need to activate the software online. Always on for all software would be crazy and very unlikely.

 

[educator]

Microsoft will never require you to be online to have access to the console. And if they, against all odds, would do such a thing, they'll alienate a very large part of the market + their current users/fans.

I can see why MS would want it, but it'll never happen. Remember, it's only 2013...

 

[bro1]

How about when you buy a used game, MS charges $5 to activate the game?

 

[SovanJedi]

Didn't like Gamestop say they wouldn't support any console that restricted second-hand games?

If they did then they sure as hell didn't mean it, since they're stocking Ouya and I believe that's eliminated the potential for second hand game sales.

How about when you buy a used game, MS charges $5 to activate the game?

You mean like Online Passes?

 

[TheOddOne]

Did everybody miss this?

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft is continuing to invest heavily in motion-control interfaces, and a new, more reliably responsive Kinect will also ship alongside the next Xbox. Sony’s next-generation console camera system is said to have a similar set of features, and is expected to be discussed at the company’s PlayStation event on February 20.

Sony’s next-generation console camera system is said to have a similar set of features, and is expected to be discussed at the company’s PlayStation event on February 20

is expected to be discussed at the company’s PlayStation event on February 20.

February 20

 

[entremet]

You can't borrow games from friends or rent them?

 

[harrypmgaga]

A part of me loves the fact that used games won't work, because that would fuck the game retailers (they make most of their money off pre-owned).

That said, this is absolute bullshit if it happens to be true.

 

[clay_ghost]

If Sony does this as well leaving the WiiU as the only one not doing it then that will be a very very hard pill to swallow for some people here.

judging by the reaction on this thread , It not some , its a lot.

 

[Daeda]

To clarify some laws and why this is in all likelihood illegal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine

The first-sale doctrine creates a basic exception to the copyright holder's distribution right. Once the work is lawfully sold or even transferred gratuitously, the copyright owner's interest in the material object in which the copyrighted work is embodied is exhausted. The owner of the material object can then dispose of it as he sees fit. Thus, one who buys a copy of a book is entitled to resell it, rent it, give it away, or destroy it. However, the owner of the copy of the book will not be able to make new copies of the book because the first-sale doctrine does not limit copyright owner's reproduction right. The rationale of the doctrine is to prevent the copyright owner from restraining the free alienability of goods. Without the doctrine, a possessor of a copy of a copyrighted work would have to negotiate with the copyright owner every time he wished to dispose of his copy. After the initial transfer of ownership of a legal copy of a copyrighted work, the first-sale doctrine exhausts copyright holder's right to control how ownership of that copy can be disposed of. For this reason, this doctrine is also referred to as "exhaustion rule."

As for Steam/Digital Distribution:

However, in Europe, the European Court of Justice ruled on July 3, 2012, that it is indeed permissible to resell software licenses even if the digital good has been downloaded directly from the Internet, and that the first-sale doctrine applied whenever software was originally sold to a customer for an unlimited amount of time, as such sale involves a transfer of ownership, thus prohibiting any software maker from preventing the resale of their software by any of their legitimate owners.[2][3] The court requires that the previous owner must no longer be able to use the licensed software after the resale, but finds that the practical difficulties in enforcing this clause should not be an obstacle to authorizing resale, as they are also present for software which can be installed from physical supports, where the first-sale doctrine is in force.[4][5] The ruling applies to the European Union, but could indirectly find its way to North America; moreover the situation could entice publishers to offer platforms for a secondary market.[3]

E.G. Disked copies should always be sellable, DD copies should be provided that this ruling holds up (which it should)

 

[LyleLanley]

I love typing in 16 digit activation codes with a gamepad.

 

[FerranMG]

I don't care much about no second-hand games (though I understand it's inconvenient for many people, and I would hate no being able to lend my games to my brother, for example), but if they force in an always online policy, I'm definitely out.
Because of a matter of principles, and because I have a shitty connection (that will probably improve over time, so that brings me back to the first point).

 

[mrklaw]

Maybe 'requires internet connection' means that it's required for the one-time activation of the software. But you can play activated software without a net connection thereafter.

Rather than actually needing a constant, permanent connection in order to function at all.

this would be my guess. also it might tie the game to your account so you might still be able to sign in and download the game at a friends house (but not very practical)

I don't see how you get around activation codes without requiring an internet connection. If MS/Sony have pressure from third parties to do what steam does, then they might have to take the hit of not supporting offline players.

 

[Sid]

Did everybody miss this?

Upgraded PSEye? OK?

 

[saladine1]

If this does happen, it would be marked down as one of the greatest blunders in gaming history..
It would be a disaster for all concerned..

 

[j0hnny_385]

- I'd take this with a grain of salt. Could be MS is letting some balloons go to test the weather.

- Activation/code thing is something expected. I have the same thing on Steam now.

- Always on requirement is a big no no. I have a good and stable Internet connection, but a ton of folks don't. The state of broadband in most of the world is abysmal.

- No second hand sales? Doesn't affect me personally since I don't buy used games BUT this is horrible if true. A lot of gamers depend on this. Fuck.

 

[Ashes]

Did everybody miss this?

buttons. ;P

 

[Beermeister]

It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user... ruling out a second-hand game market for the platform.

No 720 for me.

 

[thecouncil]

The Steam-like features would only be ok if, like Steam, there were seasonal sales where the game you wanted went down to $7.50.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I'm one of the few core gamers who probably does not, and never has, owned an xbox of any kind. I was strongly considering the third gen xbox so I can go back and play some of the games i missed along with new stuff. But I guess I'll just stick with Sony instead if this happens. If sony makes the same choice then I have a dilemma on my hands.

You have a dilemma on your hands

 

[lefantome]

.

there are 40+ millions accounts on Xbox Live and 76 millions 360 out there.

 

[Johnny Dazzle]

lol

Oh, Microsoft.

 

[awm8604]

If the PS4 and next Xbox don't allow you to play used games, I will never buy either one. That's a dealbreaker for me.

I'll be fine with just the Wii U.

 

[Pie and Beans]

The Vita locks out trophies on used games, so you know Sony will go an extra level with their new console.

No it doesnt, I see you fell for sloppy journalism. You just have to wipe any game-data on the card to reset it to become "your" copy.

 

[Broder Salsa]

I love typing in 16 digit activation codes with a gamepad.

Don't worry, you can probably read it out loud or scan it in with the new kinect!

 

[Orayn]

If they did then they sure as hell didn't mean it, since they're stocking Ouya and I believe that's eliminated the potential for second hand game sales.

With the possible exception of gift cards for its store, Ouya doesn't make them any money on first-hand game sales, so it's not like they're losing anything.

 

[tamaster92]

I won't believe it till I see it but if true

Goodbye MS, nice knowing you

 

[mrklaw]

I love typing in 16 digit activation codes with a gamepad.

kinect and 2D barcode has you covered

 

[Slayer-33]

Don't activation and always online solve piracy problems 100%?

 

[Feindflug]

If any of this crap turns out true for either Orbis or Durango then I'm not going to bother with the "next gen" systems at all, maybe I'll get them used after 8 years for 100e and play whatever games I want.

Not gonna support shit like this with my money, there's no way in hell.

BTW did we have any positive rumors about Durango lately? the system going by the rumors sounds like a big fuckin' mess.

 

[gofreak]

Did everybody miss this?

We've known for a little while that there's going to be a stereo-camera. Will be interesting to see how they're using it.

 

[harrypmgaga]

I'll be fine with just the Wii U.

Lol.

Did everybody miss this?

Uh, we've known the Feb 20 date for a while now.

 

[LyleLanley]

Don't worry, you can probably read it out loud or scan it in with the new kinect!

That actually doesn't sound that bad.

 

[Biggzy]

Don't activation and always online solve piracy problems 100%?

This is why it's so tempting for Microsoft to put it in.

 

[espher]

I buy new when I can, but there are tons of titles I own second-hand because they've extremely difficult to find new and/or since gone out of print.

Definitely passing on this.

(Mind you, if they announce that they'll be removing the always-online component and allowing second-hand titles to be played at the point where they discontinue support for the console (for the next generation), I'll probably gobble one up to find out what I missed out on at that point, but I sure as hell won't be buying at launch.)

 

[Xater]

The no second hand games situation would only be ok if, like Steam, there were seasonal sales where the game you wanted went down to $7.50.

Too bad MS doesn't do that.

 

[I-hate-u]

This is obviously not true. No way either company will damage their own reputation like this

 

[Harlock]

If Sony don´t put the same restrictions in online or disc, will get an edge. Now if Sony and MS play dirt with the next-gen, will be time to put a nice PC in the living room.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

PC games are cheaper for a start and then they have better graphics etc. but seriously this won't dissuade me from buying the next gen consoles anyways.

AAA PC games have been $60 for a while now like Skyrim, Diablo 3, BLOPS2 and many other. That may apply to smaller indie games or older console ports but any high end game on PC is releasing at $60 and has for a while.

 

[plainr_]

Maybe 'requires internet connection' means that it's required for the one-time activation of the software. But you can play activated software without a net connection thereafter.

Rather than actually needing a constant, permanent connection in order to function at all.

Let's hope that's the case. Being required to be online would be a deal breaker.

 

[Charrettizard]

I can imagine this is the reason why CoD could possibly be having a F2P version come out within the next year. Customers who frequently purchase used games will probably end up refusing to buy a $60 game anyway, but at least with F2P they can get microtransactions and map packs out of them.

 

[Nosgoroth]

Sony.

Hey, Sony.

Don't do this. Or I'm going to have to retreat to PC.

 

[PBY]

If any of this crap turns out true for either Orbis or Durango then I'm not going to bother with the "next gen" systems at all, maybe I'll get them used after 8 years for 100e and play whatever games I want.

Not gonna support shit like this with my money, there's no way in hell.

BTW did we have any positive rumors about Durango lately? the system going by the rumors sounds like a big fuckin' mess.

You may follow through w this, but honestly if both consoles do it ppl will still want the new COD and Madden

 

[Stuart444]

I don't think you understand. This feature will be there because publishers want this. If you don't want this, you will have to ignore all non-Nintendo games too (oh, and have fun with region-locked Nintendo games).

I don't like region locking but it's a lesser evil than this rumour.

And yes publishers want this but guess what? They will back down once (and blame the Sony/MS) they see how low sales are of the consoles and their games.

Publishers can want it all they want, doesn't mean it will be good for their bottom line in the end though, especially if retailers refuse to stock consoles because of moves like this making it harder for people to even buy the consoles on impulse in a shop. The bottom line won't be too pretty if this type of move happens.

 

[jbug617]

I wonder if devs will open up about some of this stuff to reporters at Dice.