Something Weird I've Noticed Since the Xbone Reveal

[Shoggoth2588]

I have noticed something along these lines but the main defenders I've seen have had post counts between the tens and the mid-three hundreds or so. As others have stated before me, Microsoft and other companies have been known to get people to go onto various forums and score sites in a way to boost positive numbers and defend an unpopular thing.

Honestly, I can't see how anybody would want to defend the XBone unless they were paid to do so.

The Xbox One feature set seems to be a list of things I (and I assume a lot of you too) would never want. For example:

-The hardware specs are WORSE than the PS4
-Internet connections are mandatory at least some of the time.
-You MUST USE the Kinect (a device that I personally consider stupid and worthless).
-Used games are restricted by licensing somehow.
-Games MUST be installed
-They're marketing it as a device that does everything... even games. To gamers that's insulting.
-I think it's ugly (but you might disagree).

You beat me to the list. I would add that the Kinect 2.0 is always on and I don't mean online. It recognizes faces and makes profiles when it sees a new one, learning names to attach to those faces through conversation. It can see in pitch darkness and is able to read heartbeats and, emotions. The thing could easily be the sensory array of a killbot. I don't think the XBone is ugly though just cold and angular. It's a damn-near literal brick.

 

[Maximum Bert]

Anyone praising the Xbone is quite frankly an idiot or on Microsoft payroll or quite possibly both. I can see people saying ah cmon guys its not that bad your usually online anyway blah blah blah but thats not being happy about the direction thats just a meh.

After all why would you be happy about restrictions on what you do with your stuff? people put up with restrictions but dont embrace them unless there is a seriously good reason for doing so. Reasons which I cant ever see applying to the entertainment sector.

 

[Delta342]

Snip

I will await the massive amount of insults I'm probably about to get (also note my account is not new). I'm looking forward to seeing the games being shown off for the xb1 at E3 (You know the games expo in a couple of weeks) Microsoft definitely should have given a bit more away about games I will admit but for the most part I'm fine with stuff.

We don't actually know all the hardware specs for either quite yet (from what I've learned we're not sure specifically what type of RAM each is sporting other than rumour and since GDDR is good for some things while regular DDR is better for others we shall have to wait and see!) Microsoft have always gone for the slightly cheaper alternative anyway and I've always been happy with the 360 graphics.

The internet connection thing does sound pretty silly but for me personally I'm usually connected - I realise this could be a pain for a lot of people though - it's too early to expect everyone to have perfect and disposable internet!

The new kinect which is bundled with all consoles I imagine can be turned to the wall, disabled in menus (I would assume), from the looks this one might actually not be half bad.. In that you don't have to flail at it for five minutes before it has a hissy fit and freezes everything..

The old games thing could prove slightly annoying.. I usually trade with friends since I resent trading in a newish game for £10 credit in a store that then resell it at £35.. That just seems like daylight robbery to me! But yeah, I guess we shall have to see what they do in terms of "lending games to friends" it'd be lovely to see a kindle type lending system but meh. I know that it's said that you can play a game at a friend's if you're both signed in or something similar but I'm not too sure on that..

Why is it insulting? The 360 is one of the most popular streaming devices on the market. We all know how microsoft like to get their greedy fingers into every possible market they can Lots of people game, then stick on netflix when they go to bed *shrugs*.

I kind of like the more grown up design (reminds me of hifi amps etc) but meh it's all aesthetics. I'm pleased that they've finally taken the plunge into blu ray territory (good news for me anyway).

All in all, I want to see what they pull off at E3 really!

Snip

I guess I'm an idiot =)

 

[VoidWanderer]

Well... Their reveal was extremely sloppy, and it looks like the picked the Xbox design out of a retro electronics brochure, won't the TV thing only work in America anyways?

I know Microsoft are clamouring around trying to defend their almost Ubisoftian DRM practices along with the used games fee that you might or might not have to pay, but the console itself has decent hardware...

Yeah, that's about the only praise I can give the ugly piece of plastic. The Kinect acting like a mini-me to Big Brother is creepy to the point of stalking, the games weren't even exclusive titles. The sheer fanaticism is amusing to watch as I will not go near this lump of charcoal they pretend to be the 'next revolution in gaming', because I never got into the 'all-in-one' thing. If I want to watch TV, I'll use my TV, if I want to play games, I'll use my console, if I want to surf the net, I'll use my computer.

Console Wars encourage the deluded masses into picking their 'Chosen One'. I have had good experiences with my PS3. I respect what the Wii and WiiU has done for gaming. The Xbox360 has its chat on XboxLive, but other than that /shrug.

 

[ninjaRiv]

I HAVE noticed, actually. There's a guy called "Staycalmandhatexbox" who I keep seeing. He seems to think he can defend the new Xbox by insulting people who disagree with what we've learnt so far. Worst part is, he seems to go after people who aren't even insulting the Xbox but are just talking about the bad stuff.

I agree, we don't know everything. But first impressions count for a lot and Microsoft are not winning any points with me.

 

[nvzboy]

The idea seems a bit paranoid really but I wouldn't be surprised if the next day some marketeer would go out saying they have been doing this sort of "advertising" all along.
I think a lot of people are just excited that there is even going to be a next generation of consoles. A lot of my buddies especially those who rarely get into contact with gaming only know that the new xbox exists but not that its presentation was a folly or that its functions can perfectly serve as a means of espionage.

 

[Tanakh]

I am more concerned with the reading level and the math comprehension of people bashing the Xbox. Chances of me buying one are low, and almost zero at launch, still it's amazing how around 3/4 of the "facts" they post are either full lies or half truths.

Maybe I am just old and jaded, but I don't remember such abysmal thought process back in the old days.

 

[CriticalMiss]

It wouldn't suprise me if this was happening, people have done it before and people will continue to do it. I doubt it will change many peoples minds though.

I also wonder whether or not Microsoft had a bunch of employees at the launch event who were cheering at key moments during the reveal. Who would 'whoop' with delight at seeing a glorified VCR? Clap, sure. It's the polite thing to do even if you're unenthused. I don't know who was cheering but they're either on the payroll or easily excited, possibly both.

 

[ninjaRiv]

I HAVE noticed, actually. There's a guy called "Staycalmandhatexbox" who I keep seeing. He seems to think he can defend the new Xbox by insulting people who disagree with what we've learnt so far. Worst part is, he seems to go after people who aren't even insulting the Xbox but are just talking about the bad stuff.

I agree, we don't know everything. But first impressions count for a lot and Microsoft are not winning any points with me.

Yea, I've seen that guy, how dare that guy suggest that gamers are at fault for DRM, or that losing your mind over backwards compatibility is silly! F that guy!

I reported him every time I see him, that way he'll get suspended and I won't have to be confronted with a differing opinion. Cry to the mods first to win on escapist forums, works every time.

That's a lot of sarcasm for one post. You ARE that guy, aren't you? did you get suspended, then?

You may not be that guy, I don't care. Point is you're currently attacking my opinion because you think it's wrong. That blows your sarcasm apart. I never said people shouldn't look forward to the xbox I said I'M not. Something Staycalmandhatexbox failed to realise is that people are allowed to state their opinions, just as you and/or Staycalm is allowed to insult people who disagree with you. You just have to put up with the mods calling you out. If you/he had offered reasonable and calm discussion instead of sarcastic insults, that would be one thing. But Staycalm insulted people, called them idiots.

 

[Compatriot Block]

Listen, I'm not excited for the new Xbox at all after that reveal. That said, if someone was excited for it (and no matter how much you yell about it, some people will be, which is completely fine), I think it's pretty understandable that they'd be a little perturbed by the constant circle-jerk of Xbox bashing.

Because that's what it is, at this point. You all know all the bad decisions Microsoft has made. The new threads and posts aren't revealing new information the vast majority of the time. They made bad decisions, and so people are enjoying everyone joining them in laughing and pointing fingers.

For a forum that has a collective meltdown when some of their "sacred pillars" are insulted, it seems a bit hypocritical to take it beyond "Microsoft did X. That is dumb, for reasons Y and Z."

EDIT: Oh, and it looks ridiculous to assume that someone holding a certain opinion is likely a spambot or paid employee because no sane person would think that.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I HAVE noticed, actually. There's a guy called "Staycalmandhatexbox" who I keep seeing. He seems to think he can defend the new Xbox by insulting people who disagree with what we've learnt so far. Worst part is, he seems to go after people who aren't even insulting the Xbox but are just talking about the bad stuff.

I agree, we don't know everything. But first impressions count for a lot and Microsoft are not winning any points with me.

Yea, I've seen that guy, how dare that guy suggest that gamers are at fault for DRM, or that losing your mind over backwards compatibility is silly! F that guy!

I reported him every time I see him, that way he'll get suspended and I won't have to be confronted with a differing opinion. Cry to the mods first to win on escapist forums, works every time.

That's a lot of sarcasm for one post. You ARE that guy, aren't you? did you get suspended, then?

You may not be that guy, I don't care. Point is you're currently attacking my opinion because you think it's wrong. That blows your sarcasm apart. I never said people shouldn't look forward to the xbox I said I'M not. Something Staycalmandhatexbox failed to realise is that people are allowed to state their opinions, just as you and/or Staycalm is allowed to insult people who disagree with you. You just have to put up with the mods calling you out. If you/he had offered reasonable and calm discussion instead of sarcastic insults, that would be one thing. But Staycalm insulted people, called them idiots.

He's totally the same guy. He got suspended yesterday. And I'm flagging him again for this ridiculousness

 

[LetalisK]

-The hardware specs are WORSE than the PS4

I didn't think Microsoft or PS4 had released tech specs for their consoles.

 

[ninjaRiv]

I HAVE noticed, actually. There's a guy called "Staycalmandhatexbox" who I keep seeing. He seems to think he can defend the new Xbox by insulting people who disagree with what we've learnt so far. Worst part is, he seems to go after people who aren't even insulting the Xbox but are just talking about the bad stuff.

I agree, we don't know everything. But first impressions count for a lot and Microsoft are not winning any points with me.

Yea, I've seen that guy, how dare that guy suggest that gamers are at fault for DRM, or that losing your mind over backwards compatibility is silly! F that guy!

I reported him every time I see him, that way he'll get suspended and I won't have to be confronted with a differing opinion. Cry to the mods first to win on escapist forums, works every time.

That's a lot of sarcasm for one post. You ARE that guy, aren't you? did you get suspended, then?

You may not be that guy, I don't care. Point is you're currently attacking my opinion because you think it's wrong. That blows your sarcasm apart. I never said people shouldn't look forward to the xbox I said I'M not. Something Staycalmandhatexbox failed to realise is that people are allowed to state their opinions, just as you and/or Staycalm is allowed to insult people who disagree with you. You just have to put up with the mods calling you out. If you/he had offered reasonable and calm discussion instead of sarcastic insults, that would be one thing. But Staycalm insulted people, called them idiots.

That's what I thought. I don't think his intention is to support the xbone, he just wants to insult.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Im sure there is a lot of people that love it and it fills alot of their needs. But for me, it does a lot of stuff i find worthless, pointless and i am not interested. Now we still have E3 to give s the final info on what it is, but ive lost interested in next gen already. Even current gen grew boring with very few standout titles and lots of filler games. So unless there are some amazing games, i will just ignore this next gen.

 

[ninjaRiv]

I HAVE noticed, actually. There's a guy called "Staycalmandhatexbox" who I keep seeing. He seems to think he can defend the new Xbox by insulting people who disagree with what we've learnt so far. Worst part is, he seems to go after people who aren't even insulting the Xbox but are just talking about the bad stuff.

I agree, we don't know everything. But first impressions count for a lot and Microsoft are not winning any points with me.

Yea, I've seen that guy, how dare that guy suggest that gamers are at fault for DRM, or that losing your mind over backwards compatibility is silly! F that guy!

I reported him every time I see him, that way he'll get suspended and I won't have to be confronted with a differing opinion. Cry to the mods first to win on escapist forums, works every time.

That's a lot of sarcasm for one post. You ARE that guy, aren't you? did you get suspended, then?

You may not be that guy, I don't care. Point is you're currently attacking my opinion because you think it's wrong. That blows your sarcasm apart. I never said people shouldn't look forward to the xbox I said I'M not. Something Staycalmandhatexbox failed to realise is that people are allowed to state their opinions, just as you and/or Staycalm is allowed to insult people who disagree with you. You just have to put up with the mods calling you out. If you/he had offered reasonable and calm discussion instead of sarcastic insults, that would be one thing. But Staycalm insulted people, called them idiots.

Thats not behavior I condone. But I don't remember him calling anyone an idiot, care to link that? I think I saw him refer to gamers as whiners, and spoiled, but I dont remember him calling an one person an idiot. I agree you that his methods left much to be desired, but I agree with him that its a little early to be getting out the coffin nails on the XBone.

I didn't quote you, man. I'm not sure if you called anybody an idiot using that specific word. But you insulted them, implied they were idiots and, as you say, called them "whiners."

 

[Trueflame]

I don't frequent forums enough to notice this, but what I have noticed is that while the new Xbox is almost universally derided on forums, most news articles about it still simply talk about it as a new technology without even mentioning any backlash, and actually painting it in positive terms, such as a beneficial NFL partnership, and praising the Kinect, and so forth. Makes me really wonder when the news companies will get their heads out of their asses. Or Microsoft's ass to be particular.

 

[Wolf In A Bear Suit]

No. They're probably not Microsoft moles. They have a right to defend it iF they want, as long as they do it in a polite way. The XBONE looks a bit shit, but lets not turn this into a MS witch hunt. They don't tend to end in reasonable debate. I'm holding out to judge it at the moment, no need to be so cynical about it.
That said, those who choose to act like the rabid hounds of Microsoft, and feel the need to shout down opposition should get rightly fu**ed in the knee.