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[gofreak]

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.

That was the idea of that RFID system Sony was patenting, though - to be able to detect second hand software without a net connection. Maybe Sony wants to do the same but without the connection requirement.

 

[LyleLanley]

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

That's why they'll probably both do it.

 

[grimshawish]

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.

It'll be the biggest PR disaster in the history of PR disasters if Kinect even comes close to really being a spy on the customer.

Can you imagine the 1984 comparisons. MS would tarnish their entire company.
Thing is...I can see them saying 'but google--!'.

Surely not...
The OS is for Kinect and I suspect constant calculations of complex 3D images and needing to source those; but I can't believe MS would truely be stupid enough to use your internet connection to go sending information on Kinect back to them.

I mean...their not that stupid are they?

 

[snap0212]

You know, if you want me to give up the right to re-sell games then I want something in exchange. Like ridiculously good sales throughout the year, free online and stuff like that. I'll probably go with a PC next gen.

If this is true about Microsoft then Sony will do it as well - what a shame.

 

[stryke]

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

What a fucking disgrace.

My borrowed copy of Golden Abyss says otherwise. Is there a specific game that does this?

 

[omonimo]

.

lol. So microsoft is really that stupid at the end; I can't believe all the xbox owners has a gold subscription...outside the US, you destroy a market which it's not interested to have an online connection, good luck for them.

 

[Ashes]

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

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



As for Steam/Digital Distribution:



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

So why isn't this possible now though?

 

[Erethian]

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.

I'd assume that's how it works. Also it's not that crazy when you consider how service focused the consoles are going to be, and Microsoft seems to be going deeper into that stuff than Sony has thus far. Which is also reflected in the rumoured specs of the console, and why it has 8GB DDR3.

 

[UberTag]

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..

This is the kind of hyperbole that Microsoft is almost compelled to make a public statement to debunk if not true. They don't want this messaging to permeate the public consciousness for a prolonged period of time especially if Sony's conference in two weeks is all sunshine and lollipops and has no mention of shutting out second-hand games and/or always online.

 

[AdventureRacing]

What. The . Fuck. I will not buy any consoles that require me to always be online. I really find this hard to believe and it would be incredibly stupid imo.

 

[stryker1138]

It would be amazing if the marketplace was really the only way to purchase new games and Microsoft maintained the stupid 1 week head start on new content for Gold subscribers model.

 

[Despera]

Sony.

Hey, Sony.

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

Hey there. Sony here

Get a PC.

 

[GregLombardi]

Color me surprised that the presumed market leader of this generation would make such vicious mistakes.

 

[GeoramA]

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.

That's good to know. Still, if MS does this then I still see Sony following suit.

PS+ better offer Steam-like deals, or I'm going PC-only for sure next-gen.

 

[Blue Submarine No. 6]

I have trouble believing that they would go "always" on-line and "no used games"... this kind of change is usually an evolutionary process. I can see a network connection required for install, and an "administration" fee of some kind being applied if you're trying to install a "used" (read: previously installed on another XBox) game. Console manufacturers and publishers want a cut of the used market, and they'll need to take that piece out of the bottom line of Game Stop and its ilk to do that, but I wouldn't think they can risk alienating dedicated gaming retail entirely... this has to be managed piece-meal.

 

[gofreak]

I'm very very curious about the API thing.

How abstract are they? More than 360?

It could point at some interesting scenarios down the line that they're keeping the door open to.

 

[aganu]

Microsoft’s next console will require an Internet connection in order to function.

It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user.

What on earth? They can't do that.

 

[noffles]

Sonytendo for me this gen, it seems.

What on earth? They can't do that.

They can. It's your choice whether or not to buy it though.

 

[Hindle]

They're going to have add serious replay value to thier games for me to buy this.

 

[RurouniZel]

Well, fuck that.

 

[jbug617]

This is the kind of hyperbole that Microsoft is almost compelled to make a public statement to debunk if not true. They don't want this messaging to permeate the public consciousness for a prolonged period of time especially if Sony's conference in two weeks is all sunshine and lollipops and has no mention of shutting out second-hand games and/or always online.

But there has been articles about Sony patent for blocking used games. This article doesn't mention it.

 

[Alcoholikaust]

so I'm the only one who is always online when I use my 360 and doesent really buy used games....

well then I'm ok with this.

*hides

 

[Durante]

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.

That's just completely wrong. A very small number of publishers are experimenting with a $60 price point, but it's certainly not the norm.

RE6 will release at $40 on PC.

 

[gcubed]

There would be no way MS does this alone. If it happens on one it will happen on both.

 

[Nosgoroth]

What on earth? They can't do that.

Well, they can, just like Steamworks games work.

 

[Goldrusher]

The Vita locks out trophies on used games.

No, it does not.

 

[Pooya]

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

well, if the system is cracked wide open, no it won't. like it doesn't on PC. It's just a hurdle for legit owners in that sense and a way to prevent resale. if the system is hacked it's not going to prevent piracy unless the games have code running server side which won't be the case.

 

[Manmademan]

If the console (and Sony's) must always be connected online and will be tied to product activation codes, then I will ignore the system and play RE7 on a PC.

loads of PC games have mandated always on online for a long time now. I bought diablo 3, and not only does it need a connection, but if the game servers are down or overloaded, your single player game is a coaster. PC gaming can eat shit.

 

[Replicant]

What.the.fuck

I hope Sony doesn't follow this BS.

 

[maquiladora]

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

Hopefully.

 

[RagingAvatar]

so I'm the only one who is always online when I use my 360 and doesent really buy used games....

well then I'm ok with this.

*hides

Just wait until you upgrade your internet connection and sit there crying because you can't play your new games for a while.

 

[CaptainTiptop]

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

What a fucking disgrace.

Nah, all you need to do is put the cart in your Vita, delete the bubble it creates, then reinsert the cart and you'll be able to earn trophies.

I had to do it with Dynasty Warriors Next. The carts sometimes retain data from previous users so you need to delete it before you can earn trophies and such.

 

[Snowden's Secret]

Does GameStop have big enough balls not to stock Durango and its games? Does Microsoft have big enough balls to move forward without GameStop?

 

[harrypmgaga]

well, if the system is cracked wide open, no it won't. like it doesn't on PC. It's just a hurdle for legit owners in that sense and a way to prevent resale. if the system is hacked it's not going to prevent piracy unless the games have code running server side which won't be the case.

But what if they do?

Imagine.

Believe.

Neogaf (TM)

Does GameStop have big enough balls not to stock Durango and its games? Does Microsoft have big enough balls to move forward without GameStop?

GameStop can fuck itself right off and games would absolutely keep selling.

 

[Joni]

i only buy second hand, so f them. your turn, Sony.

Cynical answer: You only buy second hand so they didn't care about you anyway. The only thing you do is buy a console on which they make a loss, so they would rather not have you.

 

[allan-bh]

Does anyone really think that Microsoft will adopt a system that prevents you from playing if the internet conection is off? Waste of time to discuss it.

About block second hand, is more plausible, but I don't see Microsoft doing this without Sony doing too.

 

[Clevinger]

What.the.fuck

I hope Sony doesn't follow this BS.

Sony will probably do the same, unfortunately.

 

[PBY]

Does GameStop have big enough balls not to stock Durango and its games? Does Microsoft have big enough balls to move forward without GameStop?

If Sony does it too then it's not that big of a risk as far as GameStop goes.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

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

What a fucking disgrace.

Holy crap really?

 

[Hoo-doo]

so I'm the only one who is always online when I use my 360 and doesent really buy used games....

well then I'm ok with this.

*hides

I think many, many people on these boards are like you.

It's the principle, mostly.
But then again, we have thousands here who think paying 60 bucks a year for p2p multiplayer is "great value", so people will eventually cave to what Microsoft comes up with.

Holy crap really?

No.

 

[RagnarokX]

There is absolutely NO WAY one of the next-gen systems will lock out used games and the other won't.
Either BOTH Microsoft and Sony enable this to appease third-party developers and screw Gamestop over... or NEITHER of them will.
It would be suicide for one company to approach this without the other following suit... unless, of course, they adopt an aggressive Steam-like pricing model.

Always online is a tougher nut to crack. I can't see it being especially smart to enforce this out of the box. But I don't believe it would necessarily be a fatal blow, either.
If any company can implement this without a blowback effect, it's Microsoft.

Well Nintendo's next gen console is already not doing this, so...

 

[TheDarkKnight774]

I'm indifferent to the second hand gaming restrictions. Its like PC gaming and in a lot of cases retail prices drop faster or as fast as the PC gaming steam sale events. So you can get games for $20 for $60 games in a couple months of release so I have no need to get used games

Always online just seems too crazy to believe

 

[BY2K]

Gamestop just pooped his pants.

 

[sprsk]

Finally game publishers can drop the prices on their games now that they will have ended the scourge that is second hand games.

 

[Vagabundo]

If this happens I can see a major crash in the industry as prices adjust, games stores go bankrupt, casuals lose interest or look elsewhere. Nintendo could actually benefit hugely.

Hackers will have a field day. They'll have a tonne of support in getting second hand games working, and then you will have an underground market in second hands.

Interesting times. <hugs PC>

 

[ugoo18]

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).

Publisher power will be overruled if console and game sales tank because of it.

Frankly some publishers are getting a bit pig headed as it is.

 

[test_account]

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

What a fucking disgrace.

When you insert a used Vita game, then delete the bubble that is installed. This should erase any save/trophy data for that game.

 

[Kun Aguero]

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.

Ye, it's got to be this. Anything else would be lunacy.

 

[stryke]

Holy crap really?

No, I'm getting the impression he doesn't even own a Vita ffs.

 

[slider]

Man, if this is true (I suspect there's a degree of inaccuracy to it) the amount of people that'll end up buying already used games and be screwed will number in the 1000s. It's, like, a huge cultural shift man.