An open letter to Microsoft

[kiwi_poo]

Dear sir or madam,

For years I have been a customer of your company, and this talk about always online DRM worries me. If this form of DRM is to really become mainstream and be implemented in the next console generation and a bunch of PC games, why not appeal to the gamer crowd by incentivizing them to buy games with this DRM on it?
I suggest you only add this form of DRM to high quality games, which have had all the time they needed to develop, and with every sale, the customer gets a free cake. I guarantee you sales would skyrocket and people would be less likely to complain. After all, who would have time to complain about servers being down when they?re eating a delicious cake?
Trust in your company would be fully restored if you ensured these things, which means it might save it from bankruptcy in the long run.

Thank you for your time.

 

[kiwi_poo]

When did EA ever talk, or consider, always online? Outside of SimCity and the Battlefield series, every thing has an offline mode and this is from someone that uses Origin.

Hmm.... Good point. I'll change the title to Microsoft because of the always on DRM on their new console thing.

 

[titankore]

snip

snip

When did EA ever talk, or consider, always online? Outside of SimCity and the Battlefield series, every thing has an offline mode and this is from someone that uses Origin.

It is about the growing trend within those companies to make things always online. Honestly though, the only reason I have not and will not buy the new sim city and stuff is because of that feature, and if more companies do it with more of their series I would either have to move to someplace with better internet access or forgo all gaming.

 

[ThriKreen]

Maybe you guys should also write a letter to your ISPs too?

I know people will complain about not all games require online, but at the same time, there's only so much a game studio can do when it comes to a game taking advantage of technology. Do you complain that a game requires a video card that supports Shader model 2.0 when your current, older one only supports 1.2? What about wanting to play on your laptop which doesn't even have a GPU capable of 3D?

We know Internet providers overcharge for under-performing services (which telco CEO said no one wants fibre?). And many opt not to support areas, not due to any technical reason, but just due to lack of profit back. Yet it's getting to the point in our society when network access is almost as important as utilities like water and electricity. Heck, even data, roaming and wifi hotspot support on smartphones are often restricted and priced out the wazoo.

There are more parties involved in this conflict than just between the gamers and the game makers. Target accordingly.

 

[Hagi]

Maybe you guys should also write a letter to your ISPs too?

I know people will complain about not all games require online, but at the same time, there's only so much a game studio can do when it comes to a game taking advantage of technology. Do you complain that a game requires a video card that supports Shader model 2.0 when your current, older one only supports 1.2? What about wanting to play on your laptop which doesn't even have a GPU capable of 3D?

We know Internet providers overcharge for under-performing services (which telco CEO said no one wants fibre?). And many opt not to support areas, not due to any technical reason, but just due to lack of profit back. Yet it's getting to the point in our society when network access is almost as important as utilities like water and electricity. Heck, even data, roaming and wifi hotspot support on smartphones are often restricted and priced out the wazoo.

There are more parties involved in this conflict than just between the gamers and the game makers. Target accordingly.

Because, unlike a video card, you don't have control over your connection.

It's not a case of people having crappy, old, malfunctioning routers or anything like that.

If you want an analogy for a video card then think about a game that required you to have a video card specifically from China, no other video card will work, made by a company which doesn't do international shipping under any circumstances.

Because that's what we're talking about. We've got a specific set of areas from which you can play these games (either in cities or in China) because of externally imposed superfluous requirements and an even larger set of areas (the rest of the world) for whom these games now become an utter pain in the ass to play.

 

[Esotera]

Dear OP,

Whilst I agree with your points, where is the discussion value in this thread, especially when we already have other active threads that cover this issue? Also, will Microsoft actually see your open letter by just posting it on here?

 

[titankore]

snip

Actually that is pretty much the point and very well said. In general around here during a major storm the internet is the first thing to go. It could be a day or two before it comes on and remains stable, but electricity will be running. So yeah, it would suck to go a couple days without any games and roads too icey to drive someplace like the library.

 

[Scrustle]

In light of the recent news with the "deal with it" business, I was seriously considering sending MS an email telling them how much they're alienating me and how terrible things are looking for them. But luckily for them, when I tried to actually go to the "contact us" page on the Xbox website, the site borked itself! Several times over in fact. So yeah, fuck them.

 

[Hiroshi Mishima]

While we're at it, we should tell them to stop bloating the production costs with needlessly realistic graphics - and other money sinks - so that games will become cheaper meaning more people will likely buy them new as opposed to used or not at all. Which is certainly my situation.

 

[FoolKiller]

Maybe you guys should also write a letter to your ISPs too?

I know people will complain about not all games require online, but at the same time, there's only so much a game studio can do when it comes to a game taking advantage of technology. Do you complain that a game requires a video card that supports Shader model 2.0 when your current, older one only supports 1.2? What about wanting to play on your laptop which doesn't even have a GPU capable of 3D?

We know Internet providers overcharge for under-performing services (which telco CEO said no one wants fibre?). And many opt not to support areas, not due to any technical reason, but just due to lack of profit back. Yet it's getting to the point in our society when network access is almost as important as utilities like water and electricity. Heck, even data, roaming and wifi hotspot support on smartphones are often restricted and priced out the wazoo.

There are more parties involved in this conflict than just between the gamers and the game makers. Target accordingly.

I think the point being made is that there is a superfluous requirement of high speed internet. A good video card is not a superfluous requirement.

Also, while its a creature comfort that I love and use, it is ludicrous to suggest that internet is anywhere as important as water and electricity.

 

[JemJar]

Dear Microsoft, EA, Activision and others trying this always-online DRM idea,

Have any of you ever tried to move house? I was offline for three weeks when I moved. Fortunately, my trusty XBox 360 and I became very well acquainted. I played Assassin's Creed Bro'hood. I played Dragon Age. I played Crackdown. It was awesome.

Even Steam let me play most of my collection without complaint.

So no Durango for me I'm afraid.

 

[cikame]

Dear gaming community, Microsoft hasn't announced the next Xbox or its features yet, just wait a minute please.

 

[Laughing Man]

Dear sir or madam,

For years I have been a customer of your company, and this talk about always online DRM worries me. If this form of DRM is to really become mainstream and be implemented in the next console generation and a bunch of PC games, why not appeal to the gamer crowd by incentivizing them to buy games with this DRM on it?
I suggest you only add this form of DRM to high quality games, which have had all the time they needed to develop, and with every sale, the customer gets a free cake. I guarantee you sales would skyrocket and people would be less likely to complain. After all, who would have time to complain about servers being down when they're eating a delicious cake?
Trust in your company would be fully restored if you ensured these things, which means it might save it from bankruptcy in the long run.

Thank you for your time.

Pointless, letter. The letter would maybe be worthwhile if Microsoft actually made any games. The rumour is that the console will always be online and that any games bought from any publisher will have the game tied to your account and require you to be online to verify the account, ala Steam. Would you write to Valve to try and get them to incentives your purchase of Skyrim? Would you actually write to Bethesda to get them to incentives your purchase because they had chosen to use Steam?

Writing to Microsoft to get them to incentives your purchase of games is wrong you should be writing asking them to incentives your purchase of their console.

 

[Daget Sparrow]

Just relaying what everyone already knows: if Microsoft goes ahead with its always online console, it's going to potentially destroy the Xbox. Playstation 4 already has a major advantage by being announced earlier and stating that they have no intention of utilising the always online model. Even if Microsoft can market a few console exclusives early, it might not be enough to win back potential customers. I'm sure the Xbox will still see some strong sales, but overall the Playstation 4, Wii U and maybe even the Ouya will all overtake the Xbox, and it will be left to the rich indoctrinated hipsters with internet to buy and support the console.

And this is coming from someone who has played and defended the Xbox 360 for half a decade. If Microsoft's next-gen console indeed uses Always Online, I'll either convert to Playstation, or give up on Console gaming altogether.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

Maybe you guys should also write a letter to your ISPs too?

I know people will complain about not all games require online, but at the same time, there's only so much a game studio can do when it comes to a game taking advantage of technology. Do you complain that a game requires a video card that supports Shader model 2.0 when your current, older one only supports 1.2? What about wanting to play on your laptop which doesn't even have a GPU capable of 3D?

We know Internet providers overcharge for under-performing services (which telco CEO said no one wants fibre?). And many opt not to support areas, not due to any technical reason, but just due to lack of profit back. Yet it's getting to the point in our society when network access is almost as important as utilities like water and electricity. Heck, even data, roaming and wifi hotspot support on smartphones are often restricted and priced out the wazoo.

There are more parties involved in this conflict than just between the gamers and the game makers. Target accordingly.

The biggest issue with a Online Only console is that it introduces 2 additional points of failure. One is as you said the ISP provider and the network, the other is the servers at Microsoft itself. Good design tries to minimise the number of failure points, which isn't happening here.

Of course whether or not Mr Orths comments mean there will be targets servers for hackers to attack or deny service to, (see the Assassins Creed 2 DRM server debarkle where Ubisofts servers got knocked out within a day going live). But then again he chose the term "Always Online" a term with negative connotations and one most minds will connect with the Diablo 3 'error 37' and the Simcity debarkle.

Microsoft should have really announced that there will be no servers that their 'hypothetical' console needs to be connected to at all times rather then let this fester.

Captcha, Describe ebay: Sh!t, Trade Me RULES!

 

[Auron]

My open letter to microsoft would be so different...



"for years we have cursed your name for ending Emsemble studios and making AOE into a ridiculous cartoony online rts wannabe. Now that we gave you money for AOE II HD, please rebuild the studio and make AOE IV the 20th century sequel!"

 

[Zeh Don]

No, you need to speak in terms that a company like Microsoft understands. Short, concise statements that highlight the problem.

"Dear Microsoft,

Current total spent on Xbox 360: +AU$4,000.00
Estimated total spending on new Xbox with Online Requirement: +AU$0.00
----
Potential profit deviation across generation: -AU$4,000.00

Yours faithfully,
Unconnected in Australia"

 

[averydeeadaccount]

That was a bad letter. There was no structure, development or examples. It was poorly pased, and it severly lacked any charisma or personal connection.

That was a bad review. There was no structure, development or examples. It was poorly paced, and it severely lacked any charisma or personal connection. also, unlike its subject matter, it misspelt 'paced' and 'severely'.