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[ekim]

Even if they changed this policy, it sort of shows you what kind of company this is for having always online on the table. At least you can say they're ballsy and is not afraid of complete failure.

3rd console curse etc.

I'll tell your manager about this post

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

He had a $10 bet with another gaffer and lost did not pay him and has not posted since.

LOL. What was the bet over?

 

[Punkster_NY]

for some reason I'm feeling exceptionally well at this moment.
http://youtu.be/eyooCErXdMI?t=8s

 

[Voice of Reason]

I really want this to be true, mainly because I want to see how people would react to it. I get the feeling that while the majority of GAF would be up in arms about it, most mainstream consumers wouldn't give two shits and would still buy "the new Xbox."

If there's enough of an outcry, even stemming from forums, people will realize how terrible it is and just go with the PS4.

I reiterate though: I have a feeling it's all bullshit.

 

[Monkeylord]

What are the chances that (if true) this is just a security measure applied to dev units, and won't be in the consumer release?

 

[shungokusatsu]

I really want this to be true, mainly because I want to see how people would react to it. I get the feeling that while the majority of GAF would be up in arms about it, most mainstream consumers wouldn't give two shits and would still buy "the new Xbox."

Precisely how I feel. If it's true, the sales will still explode.

 

[Hoo-doo]

The people saying "everyone will buy it anyway lol", do you realize that this is the exact same hubris that cost Sony their colossal marketshare at the start of this generation?

 

[enzo_gt]

My 360 has been connected to the Internet since 2005. This is a non issue. It's 2013 everything should be connected

That's good for you, but it's more that you don't understand the issue. Having your console HAVING to be online to even function is unnecessary.

 

[Kazuma Kiryu]

it's Kotaku so unlike the other rumours about this from a source that had a good track record, I'll not add this in as weighty evidence that it is true one way or the other.

but as with the other rumours, if it's true, I'm glad Microsoft is making it easier to ignore their console. Save me money and shit.

i can only think of two scenarios for this:
1-ms is feeding false information (or not so accurate) so that in their unveil they come out on top of the situation by disproving some of these rumors.
2-we've had these rumors for so long, from so many places, not to mention EDGE of all places, that one has to think "where there's smoke, there's fire".

 

[mysteriousmage09]

My 360 has been connected to the Internet since 2005. This is a non issue. It's 2013 everything should be connected

lol

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Will be interesting to see if his tune changes if it turns out the always online stuff is real.

If it's true, he will immediately claim it is necessary, can never be changed, and everyone whining about it is just jealous.

 

[Persona86]

I had one of my best gaming time when my internet was down for 2 weeks.

So if this is true, no internet no games on xbox?......

 

[shandy706]

This thing is going to launch with Dual APUs and no required Internet connection.

LOL

 

[Dreams-Visions]

There is no way this is real. They cannot be that stupid.

I'm thinking the same.

But as has been said, where there's smoke there's fire. There is probably a reason to be concerned. Even if it wants to be "always online", they have to have a contingency for when people *aren't online* for whatever reason they are off. Nothing else makes sense. As you said, they're not that stupid. I guess we'll all see soon enough.

 

[AngryMoth]

Even if their tech works great and is able to handle big launches without the servers going down, there is just no way that they can make it through a console life cycle without having trouble at some point, it will be a pr time bomb. Even if the servers only go down for an hour or so it will be a huge deal if it means nobody can play games at all, not even single player. Can you imagine if when psn got hacked nobody was able to play games for on ps3 for that month.

 

[Interfectum]

Come on MS, just hire Gies already. Don't let him keep humiliating himself like this.

 

[KageMaru]

No they won't. They'll sell millions in their domestic market. Even though 22 million is over 1/3rd of the entire userbase, it's still a large number in absolute terms. Plus, UK much like NA loves Xbox so it'll do well over there as well.

If it's only about having it connected and nothing do with subscribing to XBL gold, then it shouldn't be a problem because then that 22million increases substantially.

Maybe fail was a bit hyperbolic, but they would still be limiting their potential market. Unless something has changed, roughly half of the 360s are online IIRC. So picture this requirement on the 360 and right there you would have to cut the install base in half.

On top of this, why would online be required outside of DRM or anti-used games, which both are horrible ideas for a game console. No good would come from this if it's true.

Number of times my internet has been out this gen = once or twice

Number of times I have not been able to play a single player game because of "always online" connectivity = nonzero

Do you understand the real problem?

Yup, pretty much. I've been bothered by their current licensed DRM during the few times I've been without internet. Applying this to the whole console would be suicide IMO.

Edit:

Come on MS, just hire Gies already. Don't let him keep humiliating himself like this.

Oh come on now. The guy just seems to repeat what he hears and all of a sudden he's some MS fanboy? The nonsense some of you post...

 

[bunbun777]

What about blu ray movies? I do not care what console is your favorite, none of us can think this is good.

 

[G17]

So your entire 720 library would be temporary and not be playable in the future if the servers aren't up anymore? No thanks.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

If Microsoft thinks those users aren't generating enough revenue compared to online users (through ads, DLC, Live subscriptions, ect.) They may deem it worthwhile to just cut them out entirely.

They must feel extremely confident in the package they are offering then, it is going to be a interesting unveil.

And yet, SimCity has been one of the fastest-selling SimCity games, despite all of the negative backlash.

I don't think it will have as much impact on sales as you think it will.

Lets wait & see if Sim City becomes the biggest selling Sim City before making assumptions on how it has been affected by the incompetent launch.

Come on MS, just hire Gies already. Don't let him keep humiliating himself like this.

I doubt there is anyone at MS stupid enough to do that.

 

[Snaku]

No, the real scenario will be countless soccer moms buying it for Christmas and finding out the system is literally worthless because they don't have Internet or a good connection.

I almost want it to happen for the meltdowns.

There will be massive returns, and Amazon won't stock it anymore just like Nintendo hardware.

 

[maltrain]

late 2013 or early 2014 ....

i dont think nextbox is coming this year

Hey... I said that first!!!

XD

 

[ThisWreckage]

You can blame the morons that bought three, four, or even five 360s because of the red ring. Or the people that still paid for Live even though they raised the price. Or the people that shelled out ridiculous amounts of money for things like WiFi adapters and hard drives. Or the people that love a paywall. This is the fault of stupid, uneducated consumers that have no problem shelling out cash for anti-consumer business practices. This has made Microsoft arrogant as hell.

 

[i-Lo]

The people saying "everyone will buy it anyway lol", do you realize that this is the exact same hubris that cost Sony their colossal marketshare at the start of this generation?

In the end, all will be forgiven if they can deliver on the games and service. People are like that. You give the plebs a good enough excuse and distract them with things that they assign greater value to and they will look past the issues that previously caused the uproar.

 

[Wuthering_Heights]

Come on MS, just hire Gies already. Don't let him keep humiliating himself like this.

I feel like he's happy with offering his ball-washing services for free. =P

 

[UrbanRats]

The people saying "everyone will buy it anyway lol", do you realize that this is the exact same hubris that cost Sony their colossal marketshare at the start of this generation?

Well in that case it was Sony saying it.

 

[shungokusatsu]

There is no way this is real. They cannot be that stupid.

The absolute only way all of this is real is that they have something just so mind blowing, people will jump on board despite the shitty DRM. Like.. EA exclusive to Nextbox. And comparable hardware to PS4, for only $200. I mean, it would take something monumental for them to get away with something so terribly stupid. Especially since it will be announced while we gamers are still mourning SimCity.

They got away with charging for XBL, making consumers pay for a service on top of their ISP service. They also got away with raising the price of XBL. Everyone was up in arms, but they still pay.

 

[The Lamp]

So.. Halo, Gears, Forza?

Ew. :/ haha

Lol those couldn't win me over (I'm not a fan of most shooters, especially Halo, and driving games bore me to tears) but I know my friends will buy a new Xbox for new Halo no matter what. So ill get to try out the new Xbox regardless!

 

[daxgame]

ahahahahahah

looks like Sony wants my cash! WiiU+Orbis is it for me, then.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

wow bad news, I hope people realise what this means when they buy this thing :/

 

[Stuart444]

I know Live has been pretty stable for the most part, although that could change at any time, but remember that 2-3 week outage/connection issues a ton of people had during christmas break a few years back?

Now imagine something like that where the people affected not only can't play online or download anything...but can't play their xbox at all.

I'm almost hoping something like this happens if only to show those defending this why it was a bad idea in the first place (then again they will still find some way to defend this I'm sure).

Meh, hopefully we find out if this is true or not soon.

 

[jond76]

Hmmm... Wonder if its going to be subscription subsidized, if it could have a 3g antenna to verify games over a cell network.

Very curious for them to announce this thing.

 

[btkadams]

How is that even possible. No temporary ISP internet outtages? No router glitches? Moved into a new place and the internet provider won't be out to set up until the end of the week?

Maybe it's just where I am, but I've experienced all of the above and it's absolutely unacceptable that they would even think such a policy is acceptable for any reason. I know we agree on that point, but I'm surprised you haven't had to go without internet for an extended period a single time in 7 years.

this is me completely. i've always had my ps3 connected (in that it had an ethernet cable), but router and ISP issues have still plagued me for years. i remember one night in particular where my internet was down at the house, as well as my phone internet. it was a really bizarre night. my friend and i played ps3 during the time. to think that we wouldn't even be able to play anything is insane.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

"If there isn't a connection, no games or apps can be started," the source continued. "If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time--currently three minutes, if I remember correctly--the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started."

Incredibly stupid decision by Microsoft if true.

Although it does make some sense with the games installing to the hard drive and with it allegedly being possible to suspend one game and jump to another. Such a feature would require there be an online connection at least at the start of games to ensure the licence is transferred from the disc to account.

 

[The Omega Man]

Come on MS, just hire Gies already. Don't let him keep humiliating himself like this.

what are you talking about? the dude is so not bias, I mean just look at his post history here for some lols

 

[JaggedSac]

If you can rely on every player being online even in singleplayer it allows for some new game concepts, but I'm sure it has more to do with pushing ads and services, cloud processing for kinect etc. DRM is probably pretty far down the list. There are better solutions for console DRM

Some new possible game concepts are certainly no reason to alienate large swathes of the market, and irritate immensely another segment once their connections drop for the first time. That would, and should be done on a per game basis. Like Destiny.

Ads. That doesn't require always online, and certainly wouldn't give MS enough monetary impetus to require it, especially when it would have to make up for the market segment that is alienated.

Service, maybe, but this is the strange part. Currently, none of their services require a constant connection, Music, Video, cloud storage, Kinect(already utilizes some cloud processing and still doesn't require a connection at all times).

I just don't see anyone at MS making a business case to upper management where the numbers make sense in requiring the internet connection. Not unless something about that always on internet connection is a money generator. And, perhaps I am lacking in vision, but I just don't foresee anything being that kind of generator.

 

[Sky Chief]

I am really hoping that this is why MS hasn't revealed yet. Hopefully, mandatory online was what they were previously planning and when the EDGE article hit and got a lot of negative feedback and after the whole SimCity fiasco they decided to change this at the last minute and this is why we haven't had a reveal yet while they are working this issue out. Hopefully "something has changed recently".

 

[Replicant]

I really want this to be true, mainly because I want to see how people would react to it. I get the feeling that while the majority of GAF would be up in arms about it, most mainstream consumers wouldn't give two shits and would still buy "the new Xbox."

If this were true, rest assured that I'd use whatever social media I have in my disposal to alert people to stay away from this kind of anti-consumer bullshit unless they want it to be a norm in the future. I hope others will do the same as well. I don't think people realize the implication of this being accepted as a norm. This is just more way to control what we get out of a product we buy.

 

[nasos_333]

So your entire 720 library would be temporary and not be playable in the future if the servers aren't up anymore? No thanks.

Indeed, i will just go with PS4 and buy everything there

 

[Toki767]

I wonder if part of this is more to allow them to have ads running at all times in the background to get extra money.

 

[JB1981]

There is no way this is true.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Can someone dig up the Sim City always-online announcement thread?

I am curious to see some things.

 

[Dance Inferno]

The people saying "everyone will buy it anyway lol", do you realize that this is the exact same hubris that cost Sony their colossal marketshare at the start of this generation?

The difference is selling anything at $600 is a tough sell, no matter how good it is. A hidden feature like an always-online requirement is only something that you realize after you've bought the system and put some time into it.

 

[Majine]

And people will eat it up, just like they did for Simcity, Diablo 3 and so on. If you got powerful IPs, and good marketing, shit like this won't matter much in the grand scheme of things.

 

[IdreamofHIME]

Next gen is last gen, 2nd vidoegame crash confirmed. Lets see what awesomeness can crawl out of the ashes. Last time we got Mario and Zelda.

 

[Alebrije]

You can blame the morons that bought three, four, or even five 360s because of the red ring. Or the people that still paid for Live even though they raised the price. Or the people that shelled out ridiculous amounts of money for things like WiFi adapters and hard drives. Or the people that love a paywall. This is the fault of stupid, uneducated consumers that have no problem shelling out cash for anti-consumer business practices. This has made Microsoft arrogant as hell.

I do not get people that got 3-4 xboxs this generation and still support it

 

[Jhriad]

never change aegies, never change.

Why would he consider changing? He has never been wrong. Ever. End of discussion.

 

[Neuromancer]

Yo man fuck that shit. Never. Imma buy a PS4

 

[inner-G]

So your entire 720 library would be temporary and not be playable in the future if the servers aren't up anymore? No thanks.

Basically, yes.

It's the SimCity of a new generation.

 

[Polk]

It has to be some ruse. I refuse to believe it.