I have to admit: I want the Xbox One to fail

[TheMagicLemur]

I own a PS3, a 360, and a medium-end laptop for gaming. I think of myself as pretty even-handed when it comes to games; I don't get into the "MUST SUPPORT X CONSOLE/ MUST DESTROY Y CONSOLE" thing. But I really, really want this damned thing to crash and burn, hard. This isn't due to any particular allegiance to any company or console. In fact, I generally get much more use out of my 360 than my PS3.

No, I want this console to fail because it represents the culmination of a lot of shitty business practices in the gaming industry. Punishing customers for not wanting to buy new games. Allowing publishers to further demand proof of loyalty by requiring a constant internet connection. Ignoring the core gaming consumer base in favor of trying to be a "family media center" (not that that's a problem per se, but they don't seem to really care much about games on their gaming console).

The triple-A, console-based game industry is careening towards a second Great Crash, and I for one am ready to sit back and watch it burn. Maybe it'll learn something.

Thoughts?

 

[ohnoitsabear]

First off, the odds that the system will require a constant connection to play games is slim to none. There is a good chance that you'll require a connection to install games, and possibly to launch them, but it's been practically confirmed that it won't have to be a constant connection. There are enough problems with the system as it is, let's not bring false rumors into it.

Anyway, for me, it's not even about wanting the Nextbox (I refuse to call it Xbox One because that's a stupid name) to fail, I just don't see any other possibility. I mean, it seems to be primarily focused on playing movies and tv and such, aka stuff that I can do on almost every device I own, and that's only going to become more true as time goes on. You're not going to be able to sell a $400 device just on this functionality.

Look, the thing I do the most on my PS3 is watch Netflix. But the thing is, this isn't something that I need a PS3 to do. If I didn't have a PS3, I would just plug my laptop into my TV, I just use the PS3 because it's more convenient. I never would have bought it if it didn't have several games that I wanted to play and couldn't play elsewhere.

Microsoft still has a chance to turn this around, but honestly, I'm not seeing it happening, at least not until the system has sold poorly for a couple of years.

 

[Crazie_Guy]

All I can say, is I'm looking forward to upgraded my PC gamepad from a corded 360 controller to a One controller.

I sit out a console generation thinking I'll get into the next one and it'll be awesome, then it looks like I've missed the best generation and the spark isn't coming back... sheesh

 

[TheMagicLemur]

First off, the odds that the system will require a constant connection to play games is slim to none. There is a good chance that you'll require a connection to install games, and possibly to launch them, but it's been practically confirmed that it won't have to be a constant connection. There are enough problems with the system as it is, let's not bring false rumors into it.

I'm not. The system won't require it, but Publishers can opt to. Which is what I said, because it's what they said.

Besides, requiring a connection to install and launch the games essentially screws customers nearly as much as requiring a constant connection. I have a friend who's job requires a lot of travel and a lot of staying in hotels with barely-functioning wi-fi or cabins that have electricity but no net at all. It might as well be a big shiny paperweight for him, which is why he's not buying one.

All I can say, is I'm looking forward to upgraded my PC gamepad from a corded 360 controller to a One controller.

I sit out a console generation thinking I'll get into the next one and it'll be awesome, then it looks like I've missed the best generation and the spark isn't coming back... sheesh

I think that controller looks pretty nifty, I'll admit.

 

[ChickenFingerz]

Punishing customers for not wanting to buy new games.

The rumor about there being a fee to play used games is just a rumor. There have been many negative rumors about the new Xbox console, and many of them have been wrong. So there is no reason to get upset about that because it has not been confirmed by Microsoft.

EDIT: And here is the rumor being shot down by Microsoft. https://twitter.com/XboxSupport/status/336933801517260800

Used games will remain the same.

Allowing publishers to further demand proof of loyalty by requiring a constant internet connection.

The constant internet connection rumor was already proven to be false and was confirmed to be false again today by Microsoft. The only things you need constant internet connection for is streaming, online gaming, and any other online features (obviously).

Ignoring the core gaming consumer base in favor of trying to be a "family media center" (not that that's a problem per se, but they don't seem to really care much about games on their gaming console).

Nobody is forcing you to use all the extra features on the console. The console will still do everything that you want it to do and more. There will still be all the same games that you are accustomed to. The 360 has many features now that I am sure most of us gamers don't use.

I see no reason to hate on the Xbox one. It looks like a solid console that will last a long time. That being said, I am most likely going to buy a PS4 because I tend to enjoy the PS exclusives much more than Xbox exclusives.

 

[TheMagicLemur]

The constant internet connection rumor was already proven to be false and was confirmed to be false again today by Microsoft. The only things you need constant internet connection for is streaming, online gaming, and any other online features (obviously).

Ok, once again I didn't say the console was going to require an always-on connection, I said they freely admitted that they were leaving that decision up to the publishers.

And to me, it doesn't look like they're really focusing on games, and that's my issue. They seem to want to make games "just another feature" instead of thr primary focus. They're offering a lot I don't care about and not much that I do. I'm not particularly excited for either console; the Xbox One just seems to be trying to get on my nerves.

 

[Atmos Duality]

The triple-A, console-based game industry is careening towards a second Great Crash, and I for one am ready to sit back and watch it burn.

Largely agree except with the Great Crash bit.
There won't be another Great Gaming Crash because there are just so many avenues for recovery lying in wait.

It's more like a Big Predator dies, lots of Smaller Predators will fill the void.

EDIT:

Ok, once again I didn't say the console was going to require an always-on connection, I said they freely admitted that they were leaving that decision up to the publishers.

This is still strictly-worse than the status quo.
All it means is that while Microsoft isn't going to hold the gamer's purchases hostage unless they stay connected, they left the gun on the table in case everyone making games for their system want to do it instead.

That makes them the proverbial accessory to the crime, rather than the prime offender.
The fact that it's built into the platform is more than enough cause for concern.

 

[Tom_green_day]

constant internet connection.

They did admit that it was NOT always on, just to clear that up.
I'm actually hopeful for it. I'm a Sony fanboy but the PS4 reveal in my opinion was dreadful, and the new XBOX looks like it has more interesting things. That said, it barely revealed any games because of E3 soon, so I have less to root for until E3.

 

[Altorin]

constant internet connection.

They did admit that it was NOT always on, just to clear that up.
I'm actually hopeful for it. I'm a Sony fanboy but the PS4 reveal in my opinion was dreadful, and the new XBOX looks like it has more interesting things. That said, it barely revealed any games because of E3 soon, so I have less to root for until E3.

the system itself is NOT always on.

The individual games might be, at the publisher's whim, and knowing the big publishers, they might be.

But the thing is, with the way DLC worked in the last gen (this gen), that was already the case. If you had DLC on your save for Mass Effect 2, or Dragon Age Origins, and you weren't connected, the saves didn't load..

So publishers have already had this power all along.

 

[Zeh Don]

EDIT: And here is the rumor being shot down by Microsoft. https://twitter.com/XboxSupport/status/336933801517260800
Used games will remain the same.

Ha, not even close.
Major Nelson, Xbox Live's public face, took to his website to say the following:

"...should you choose to play your game at your friend?s house, there is no fee to play that game while you are signed in to your profile.

.

Source: http://majornelson.com/

You cannot share games across consoles without taking your personal profile with you. Your friend cannot borrow your games. Your friend cannot try out the games for free, and buy later.

Edit:
And it just keeps getting worse.

http://au.ign.com/articles/2013/05/21/xbox-one-doesnt-require-internet-connection

When Kotaku's Stephen Totilo pressed Harrison on the specifics of how long you could be offline before the Xbox One stopped you from playing a single-player game, Harrison responded with, "I believe it?s 24 hours."

Done. PS4 it is.

 

[Tom_green_day]

constant internet connection.

They did admit that it was NOT always on, just to clear that up.
I'm actually hopeful for it. I'm a Sony fanboy but the PS4 reveal in my opinion was dreadful, and the new XBOX looks like it has more interesting things. That said, it barely revealed any games because of E3 soon, so I have less to root for until E3.

the system itself is NOT always on.

The individual games might be, at the publisher's whim, and knowing the big publishers, they might be.

But the thing is, with the way DLC worked in the last gen (this gen), that was already the case. If you had DLC on your save for Mass Effect 2, or Dragon Age Origins, and you weren't connected, the saves didn't load..

So publishers have already had this power all along.

I'm not sure what console you use, but on my PS3 I can easily load up ME2 when I have DLC regardless of connection, and play the DLC too. Maybe that's a PC thing?
I think the publishers wouldn't do that, looking at the way people have been hating on always-on. Maybe the big ones like EA, and maybe for big multiplayer titles like Destiny, but I don't see it being too widespread.

 

[Dryk]

Punishing customers for not wanting to buy new games.

The rumor about there being a fee to play used games is just a rumor. There have been many negative rumors about the new Xbox console, and many of them have been wrong. So there is no reason to get upset about that because it has not been confirmed by Microsoft.

EDIT: And here is the rumor being shot down by Microsoft. https://twitter.com/XboxSupport/status/336933801517260800

As much as Microsoft wants to convince people it's just a rumour, when it's coming from your VICE-PRESIDENT that shit doesn't fly

 

[Whitbane]

Let it all burn. Fuck if I care for it now. If they want to screw over customers and force shitty business practices into their console, then I'll gladly sit back and watch it fail.

Jesus, if this actually ends up selling well, then I might as well just resort to buying everything 90% off on Steam's Summer Sale.

Fuck that noise.

 

[EstrogenicMuscle]

No, I want this console to fail because it represents the culmination of a lot of shitty business practices in the gaming industry. Punishing customers for not wanting to buy new games. Allowing publishers to further demand proof of loyalty by requiring a constant internet connection. Ignoring the core gaming consumer base in favor of trying to be a "family media center" (not that that's a problem per se, but they don't seem to really care much about games on their gaming console).

That's pretty much everyone.

And you don't have to worry about it. The XBOX One will crash and burn.

Why do you think the Wii U has done so poorly? Because it failed interest the same people who are upset by the XBOX One. There's only so much video game fans are willing to put up with. And this definitely crosses the line.