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[Tummi Gummi]

"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."

Ha ha.

Fuck off.

 

[Chuckpebble]

The plot thickens.

 

[RedNumberFive]

Thanks, but no thanks Microsoft.

 

[gofreak]

Wowzers.

I thought it was all a misunderstanding, based around the idea that a one-time activation would be needed. But a connection to start each time, and constant connection to keep running? Hmm.

I mean, it's not a HUGE deal for me, except for the odd time my net goes down...I guess. But wasn't there some crazy statistic about how around a third of 360s weren't net connected?

I suppose MS wants to force all consoles online, since an online console is a more valuable one (in terms of content sales, ads etc.)

If true this also suggests there will indeed be sort of more universal caveats around game sharing and second hand games.

 

[Shinta]

Sim City: The Console

 

[Dreamgazer]

To be honest, I do think something has changed lately. Microsoft probably revised what they were originally planning, and scrapped the whole "always-online" aspect along with "anti-used," hence Gamestop's sudden excitement for the product.

It seems they're just basing it off previous speculations that we had over a month ago.

Fight speculation with a speculation.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

I still won't believe it until MS confirms it. It would be such a crazy brazen move that I can't believe any of the big three is dumb enough to try it.

 

[crinale]

Sim City: The Console

This

 

[Wiz]

I'm tired of all these rumours. I want a reveal.

 

[Kyoufu]

Who thought this was a good idea? Baffling.

 

[deadlast]

EA Microsoft partnership confirmed

 

[LyleLanley]

I'm not 100% opposed to an always online console but three minutes is far too short, my connection goes down for a couple of minutes probably close to daily.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Fight speculation with a speculation.

Gamestop's excitement isn't speculation.

 

[Green Yoshi]

Not the first rumour that says it. I think it could be true. At least there is an alternative thanks to Sony.

 

[Captain Pants]

Pretend you are Microsoft for a minute and tell me why this is a good idea.

 

[Wario64]

 

[Delusibeta]

If true, deal breaker.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

Enjoy it, fellas!

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

Sim City: The Console

LOL. Yep.

Every time the wind blows my fucking Mediacom internet goes out, so fuck this. If true I'll be PS4 exclusive next gen.

 

[Raxus]

I really hope that these sources are bull.

One source, could be bull. Two sources (EDGE), now you got me worried.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

Surely this can't be true, aren't a significant minority of 360s only used offline?

 

[Beer Monkey]

There's a better chance MS will fuck up something regarding always-online....than not at this point.

Nothing's still set in stone and MS can always change their mind at any moment, but it seems like the cloud + Xbox Live is going to be CENTRAL in Durango's design, and an always-online console would ensure uniformity.

Always-online will guarantee they'll get hacked and go out of business.

Remember when PSN was down for 24 days? If they were an online-required console, the Playstation brand would have ended in spring 2011. Ended forever.

Internet required? Paging Anonymous...

 

[Con_Smith]

Why do I need to be checked on before I can play a video game on a console I purchased? I swear if this stuff isn't bullshit Microsoft really has gone full stupid.

 

[enzo_gt]

Notable:

Our main sources for this story have a perfect track record in getting these kinds of things right.

Wonder what "these kinds of things" means, but I'll take their word for it.

But this is weird:

One of our sources says that the always-online plan was in effect as recently as two weeks ago.

In conjunction with the article mentioning how not all developers are aware of the same stuff, is it possible MS is feeding devs different info to see who's leaking they're plans? Always on all the time as a previous rumour before these devs were even aware?

This is also pretty significant, and will be overlooked amongst the fury in this thread:

Some sources told us that they believed that the Durango development kit required an online connection so that Microsoft could keep tabs on them and update them with new, ever-evolving firmware. Others weren't sure.

Perhaps a dev-kit only thing + devs being told different things to snuff out leaks? Sounds like a good way to keep people from leaking stuff from your actual runtime if you ask me.

 

[AllIsOneIsNone]

All i can think about is how microsoft must have some really awesome shit up their sleeves if all this crap is true.

 

[Dreamgazer]

Pretend you are Microsoft for a minute and tell me why this is a good idea.

Cause gamer boycotts never works.
They're weak and they'll cave.

 

[WJD]

There better be some really good new IP's. Halo 4 let me down immeasurably; killing all hype for any later instalments with it and with that, all hype for the future console.

Pricing may yet play a part though.

 

[mnannola]

Buy Xbox Platinum to remove the online requirement, only $299 a year!

 

[Omegasquash]

Not interested in that, only because my internet can get spotty sometimes. I understand the desire to monitor my gameplay and show me ads, I do. It's the "future".

But if for some reason I'm booted from a game because my internets are down, then that doesn't make me dislike my ISP, it makes me dislike my console. Because it's the console that's stopping me from playing.

 

[mugurumakensei]

I guess that confirms it.

 

[Gorillaz]

I hope they just reveal it soon because I'm getting a little tired of all of this "possibly could happen or not" vibe from everyone.

Let's just get this shit over with so we know what were dealing with.

 

[Data West]

 

[WeAreStarStuff]

I'm starting to have a feeling this is bullshit.

Same. This is just too dumb of an idea to be true.

 

[TheNatural]

I hope people hack the SHIT out of this console.

 

[metalslimer]

MS does realize there is a large part of the country on freaking dial up? They are basically handing the gen to Sony.

 

[ASIS]

Let's hope the games areREALLYgood to justify a purchase.

 

[Aquamarine]

Wowzers.

I thought it was all a misunderstanding, based around the idea that a one-time activation would be needed. But a connection to start each time, and constant connection to keep running? Hmm.

I mean, it's not a HUGE deal for me, except for the odd time my net goes down...I guess. But wasn't there some crazy statistic about how around a third of 360s weren't net connected?

I suppose MS wants to force all consoles online, since an online console is a more valuable one (in terms of content sales, ads etc.)

If true this also suggests there will indeed be sort of more universal caveats around game sharing and second hand games.

* Better for publishers (creates a platform that fundamentally discourages used game sales and piracy through always online)

* More revenue for Microsoft (always-online = more adoption of Xbox Live Gold, ads on the dashboard of 100% of consoles)

* Allows MS to focus on their vision of the cloud (Game saving in the cloud, streaming game and multimedia content from the cloud, etc.)

It seems good on paper.....

.....It just happens to be horridly anti-consumer.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Don't believe his gies.

 

[Hawkian]

Oh hey, neat. Easy to rule out ever purchasing this console.

 

[Beckx]

This seems like such a terrible idea I have a hard time believing the rumors.

What are the potential upsides that would make the company do this? What do you gain from always online?

 

[Kazuma Kiryu]

never change aegies, never change.

 

[eot]

No way, I don't buy it (not literally or figuratively).

 

[RibbedHero]

Will developers like this? I think they would, but the poor install base will deter them more.

 

[Burt]

There aren't enough gifs on the internet to express my amazement at their stupidity.

 

[flyinpiranha]

Still holding it to rumor but all these rumors are pointing to the same conclusion which is scary.

I just hope that both consoles aren't going to have so many controls in place.

In the end it probably won't affect me at all, it really depends on how they present Live and what the costs are going to be. I don't want to pay monthly anymore.

 

[The Culture Vulture]

When did we start believing Kotaku?

 

[JaggedSac]

Oh boy. Gotta say I am not a fan of this. 3 minutes is not a long time. Not even a fan of the initial connection required. I could see for an installed game, but if you have the disc, that is bs.

 

[oVerde]

Kotaku doing their service to fuel the negativity burn.

 

[PAULINK]

If this rumor turns out to be true, I am going to be pretty conflicted:/

 

[GoofsterStud]

The one thing that would detour me from owning the Next Xbox confirmed. The second thing sounds probable.

Looks like 3 PS4 and 0 Xbox for me, unless this turns out to be bunk.