Kotaku: Next Xbox will require online connection to start games

Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
 
That said, a caution and a caveat: other sources familiar with the codenamed Durango console have told us that they are still unaware of any Microsoft plans regarding an online requirement.
Click to expand...

I just realized that this is going to become the ultimate bait and switch for supply side providers. When MS announces that the system will be always online, a whole bunch of devs and publishers who haven't been told, precisely because they would see no reason to invest time in such a console in the short term, would get suckered into making games for this platform.

I just wonder how devs will react when they figure out they've been conned into making launch games for this possible turd.

As bad as this is for gamers who care about this as a gaming console MS may still dodge a bullet if they can sell this like a cable box. A Durango selling for $50-$120 and a mildly inflated cable fee would make this an ignorable problem for people who don't take gaming seriously enough to care as long as their TV and movie programs are streaming fine.
 
Microsoft probably thinks that they can just announce another Halo game and all will be right in the world. The said thing is that they're probably right.
 
darkwing said:
sadly, you are correct
Click to expand...

The people who know won't care at all. However I think I shit load of people are going to buy it withone knowing and that's where the complaints will come from. This won't hurt Xbox sales one bit and it will only further the cause.

So, is this because the Bbox gets hacked so quick? DRM only or is there any other benefit they can try to sell people on.

Also, do they even mention this in a big event before it launches or do they hide it.
 
eXistor said:
Man, these rumors are starting to become really persistent. I just don't believe a company would be so dumb to go through with this.
Click to expand...

If they think they'll make more money by forcing people to be online (thus increasing the odds people will buy stuff) then of course they're "that stupid."

It's the same company that charges for basic services that are free on literally every other platform you can imagine. The only way Microsoft is going to stop being so anti-consumer is if the consumers wake up and realize they're getting repeatedly shafted in the rear.
 
Miles Quaritch said:
I found this interesting. What if it's something they intend to trial or perhaps something they intended to implement, but have since changed tact?
Click to expand...

Sounds like something they're going to try and then when the massive backlash hits they'll quickly turn it off through firmware, hoping that it will save the console.
 
Plinko said:
Every rumor we've had for over a year so far points to it and now two more sources confirm it. If you don't believe it now, I don't think anything will convince you.
Click to expand...

The next Xbox will require online connection to start games. I haven't been in the loop in ages, Microsoft can change it in little time with minimal effort and there haven't been any backlashes about always online DRM lately so aw shit.
 
BroBuzz said:
Obviously not the most important issue regarding this, but what happens 20+ years from now when Microsoft pulls the plug on the servers? If this is true, won't every game released for the system be unplayable in the future?
Click to expand...

I do not like this future , I still enjoy plug my old NES or ATARY 2600 an play them like 20 years before ( or more) .

Saddly it seems from now on we will have consoles with "expiration dates" like fruits or food.
 
Coolwhip said:
I hope it doesnt require electricity.
Click to expand...
Electricity is much more dependable than both my internet and theirs staying up and accessible. NOt that it isn't a good bet 99% of the time, but the 1% really sucks, especially if you're booted out of a game for just being off 3 minutes.
 
MVP said:
Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
Click to expand...

This is my point. Everyone relevant on planet earf has internet. If people can afford to have the two you aptly mentioned, they can get internet connection as well.
 
MVP said:
Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
Click to expand...

You have never been playing a game and noticed that for some reason you have been logged out or cannot access the network? Happens to me pretty often.
 
Plinko said:
Every rumor we've had for over a year so far points to it and now two more sources confirm it. If you don't believe it now, I don't think anything will convince you.
Click to expand...


I am willing to believe a lot of rumors as long as they make sense. This doesn't, with the first server problem they'll have an onslaught of bad publicity and furious customers even if it's for half a day. Not to mention pissed off people not being able to play their single player games because their internet connection has a problem or they didn't pay their internet provider on time.

This would be a historically stupid move by Microsoft so my guess is that the company isn't run by monkeys.
 
I wouldn't mind this so much if we were getting some benefit. Say the hardware is significantly more powerful than the competition but otherwise why would anyone choose this over a more consumer friendly console?
 
I have no problems with my internet connection, but this sounds insane. Worst part is MS might actually implement this. Remembers me of Office 2013 which is tied to your machine and cannot be installed on a new pc. Fuck that.
 
I'm really trying to stay positive about the 720 but rumors like this are really disappointing. Although always online won't impact me greatly, the more I think about it the more it bothers me. I'm a console gamer, but the recent simcity debacle really opened my eyes to this type of DRM.
 
WalkMan said:
It's obvious that Microsoft will sell their service in a way where you simply won't want to play offline.
Click to expand...

Too bad they have failed to do this for years. Unless you count putting paywall services like Netflix behind another paywall. Live has been a waste of money for years, before they even raised the price, but a number of jaded people attempted to justify paying essentially for P2P gaming. I take it you think the price of the service is well worth the money, right? What good does it get you that any of the other platforms that support video games doesn't? Besides the loss of $60.
 
MVP said:
Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
Click to expand...

Because no system, game or online server has ever been perfect. The SECOND they have a problem and you can't connect, you are paying them money to fuck you over.
 
Even assuming Live is up 100% of the time with no interruptions (which isn't guaranteed, but whatever, I'll humor you), my ISP isn't so kind. I have had outages lasting seven+ hours before. My router could die when I want to play a game.

And fuck the practicality of it, I just don't want to. If my purchasing decision being based on how deeply I feel like getting screwed with my pants bothers you personally, then I advise you to get the fuck over yourself.
 
Plinko said:
Every rumor we've had for over a year so far points to it and now two more sources confirm it. If you don't believe it now, I don't think anything will convince you.
Click to expand...

Think of it this way. Traditional journalists and reporters need at least three separate sources to verify it before they can go to press.
 
MVP said:
Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
Click to expand...

1. Not everyone has a stable online connection.

2. Even with people who do, there will likely be issues.

3. What happens when MS takes down servers for the 720? There's no guarantee they'll enforce BC in their next platform after, and thus no guarantee that you'll be able to play your 720 games in the future. You could say "everyone will move on by then" but there'll still be people who want to play games on the 720, and people who won't buy future MS consoles too.
 
CrunchinJelly said:
Won't affect me.

My Xbox is connected 100% of the time, anyway.
Click to expand...
That's not the point though really. All of my consoles and PC are constantly connected to the Internet, but what if there are issues with servers at the other end? Look at the Sim City fiasco. What if they have to take Live offline for maintenance or it goes down because it's hacked? There's also the question of whether they use this to block used game sales - why else would they do it though? I recently sold a PS3 for £275 and I only got that much for it because I included a bunch of games with it. I don't want to buy discs that become worthless after 1 install on a console. I also want to be able to lend games to friends or have them lend games to me.
 
Let's think of the possible advantages, or rather how they are going to sell this idea.


The only possible thing I can see is if they plan to sell the console at a STEEP loss to make it a subscription device.

For example, like the pilot program they did with the 360 at MS stores a while back.

*Durango: Next gen console - $99 (with 2-year LIVE subscription @ $9.99/month).
*Games are cheaper on the console than other platforms ($50/game instead of $60).
*Automatic cloud saves

... still wouldnt buy, but they have to do something drastic to move boxes if this rumor is true.
 
Wario64 said:
PFIfkaE.jpg
Click to expand...
Is there a bigger shill in gaming journalism than Geis? He's not even being subtle with his bullshit.
 
PSGames said:
I wouldn't mind this so much if we were getting some benefit. Say the hardware is significantly more powerful than the competition but otherwise why would anyone choose this over a more consumer friendly console?
Click to expand...
They may be banking on brand loyalty, or have some exclusivity deals lined up. Speaking of which, there IS a good point that the right exclusives could make people change their minds, problem is that Microsoft didn't really care to pursue them anymore beyond DLC exclusives and garbage like that, timed at that, so I think it may be easier to go "Nope" than the 360 that had all these amazing looking games coming along. If nothing else, their exclusives PROBABLY won't be of interest to me, and if things do bad enough they may well be desperate enough to port to PC.
 
MVP said:
Why is this a big deal anyway? Who doesn't have an internet connection that can afford an Xbox 360 and an HDTV?
Click to expand...
Why should I have to be online to play a single player game? It's about taking choice away from the consumer. Online should be an option, there's no reason for it to be mandatory.

If Microsoft want to push anti-consumer crap then that's fine, I just won't buy their console.

Saying that, I doubt this rumour is true because it would be mass market suicide.
 
I hope I'm reading that wrong, cause it sounds like one of the stupidest ideas ever.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

will games start to require windows 11 soon ?
2
340
IAmRei replied
Switch 2 will require an internet connection / system update to use an SD card
2
53
4K
DenchDeckard replied
Assassin's Creed Shadows needs an online connection to install on PS5
2 3
101
5K
Fortress of Regrets replied
Qualcomm Job Posting Suggest the next Xbox will be based on ARM
2 3
122
1K
simpatico replied
‘We stand ready’: Nightdive says it wants to start remastering Xbox 360 and PS3 era games
Game Dev  2 3
107
5K
fastest finger replied
Top Bottom