The next Xbox: Always online, no second-hand games, 50GB Blu-ray discs and new Kinect

[Easton Dark]

Skyrim is a Steam game because it requires Steam but you can buy a physical copy. Once you activate the game on Steam though the DVD is worthless.

My L4D disk has the version 1.0 content on it, so if I ever wanted to reinstall, all I'd need to download were the updates since then. Is Skyrim not like that?

And yes, ffs, once you start steam in offline mode it'll never check up on you. There *is* a bug that will cause one of the files to corrupt and require steam to redownload it, which it can't in offline mode. That will be fixed to my knowledge, or is in the steam beta.

 

[w9496]

I don't really mind. I have an internet connection, buy games new, and don't mind Kinect as long as it serves to make the game better.

 

[Epona]

Skyrim is a Steam game because it requires Steam but you can buy a physical copy. Once you activate the game on Steam though the DVD is worthless.

My L4D disk has the version 1.0 content on it, so if I ever wanted to reinstall, all I'd need to download were the updates since then. Is Skyrim not like that?

And yes, ffs, once you start steam in offline mode it'll never check up on you. There *is* a bug that will cause one of the files to corrupt and require steam to redownload it, which it can't in offline mode. That will be fixed to my knowledge, or is in the steam beta.

I am sure it is possible to install SkyBug 1.0 but why would you want to? The DVD is worthless after you activate it. Worthless = having no worth; you can't resell it; you can't even give it away.

 

[Easton Dark]

I am sure it is possible to install SkyBug 1.0 but why would you want to? The DVD is worthless after you activate it. Worthless = having no worth; you can't resell it; you can't even give it away.

To save time downloading all the textures you have on the disk. It's not worth it to me to have that since my internet's pretty good so the time lost downloading means little, but for someone else it may not be so worthless, aye?

 

[Epona]

I am sure it is possible to install SkyBug 1.0 but why would you want to? The DVD is worthless after you activate it. Worthless = having no worth; you can't resell it; you can't even give it away.

To save time downloading all the textures you have on the disk. It's not worth it to me to have that since my internet's pretty good so the time lost downloading means little, but for someone else it may not be so worthless, aye?

Well, whatever, I am speaking in term of reselling the physical disc, loaning it out or giving it to a friend. That is what will happen with physical 720 games thus destroying the used market.

It's strange that people have been using Steam for years but they can't grasp how this activation stuff works.

 

[Easton Dark]

Well, whatever, I am speaking in term of reselling the physical disc, loaning it out or giving it to a friend. That is what will happen with physical 720 games thus destroying the used market.

It's strange that people have been using Steam for years but they can't grasp how this activation stuff works.

That's what Germany's suing about, ain't it. So we'll see how that goes. I don't think they'll win, and if not, I don't care, since I never buy used games. And if Xbox does this, I wont care, since I don't like the Xbox.

 

[Dead Seerius]

This must be a joke. If the console requires a constant internet connection, what will happen when the day comes that Microsoft decides to stop supporting it? They'll shut down Xbox Live, and an entire generation of consoles will be bricked.

Exactly my thoughts. There's just no way this would work in the long run.
At least I really, really hope Microsoft isn't that stupid.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Seems unlikely, but I clearly picked a good time to become a PC gamer.

...because we have used games and no always online DRM?

Good point, but at least half of the stuff I have *is* DRM-free.

Granted it's mostly games from 10+ years ago, but DRM-free nonetheless.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Great. I was already not planning on not buying one and now I'm definitely not buying one.

 

[Vivid Kazumi]

considering there is a unsung alliance between gamestop and ms i highly doubt they would pull something like this...

 

[Another]

All the problems that PC gaming still has, without any of the benefits of modding and more powerful, easily updated hardware? No thank you.

Unless there is something stellar in the form of exclusives, I have no interest. Hell, considering the franchises and companies I like, I might just go PC and Wii U this next gen. (PC because it's PC,and Wii U because Bayonetta 2, Wonderful 101, and Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem)

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Hmm, until any official announcement is made about any new Microsoft or Sony console, I'm gonna file this article in 'hearsay, rumors and make believe'.

I do think the second to last paragraph is kinda interesting. Assuming any of it is true, it would mean that the new Sony console is now the more convenient to develop for. A reversal of the current situation.

 

[Asuka Soryu]

I wasn't gone to get their console. I may have, like I did with my 360(I found one for a ridiculously low price and bought it, even though at the time I didn't have an interest in the XBOX 360 to buy it for even 250/200$ and this was before the Kinect was ever announced), but if this is true I'd never get it even if it was cheap.

 

[sanquin]

Skyrim is a Steam game because it requires Steam but you can buy a physical copy. Once you activate the game on Steam though the DVD is worthless.

It doesn't matter what you think of games that require Steam, your opinion of them has nothing to do with our discussion. My point is that like Skyrim, 720 games will have an activation code that will make the disc worthless after it's activated. Why is this so hard for you to grasp?

First you (or was it someone else?) brings up steam, and now you tell me that it doesn't matter to the discussion... I wasn't the one to bring it up you know. -.- As for your example, it's exactly the reason I didn't get skyrim physically and waited for the game to be on sale for an acceptable price for a game that I won't actually be owning.

Secondly, I 'grasp' it perfectly. But that is entirely beside the point I'm making. What I'm saying is that I don't agree with such practices and no one should agree with it. And that it's one of the reasons that I won't be getting a new xbox when it comes out. Why is THIS so hard to grasp for YOU?

 

[Ambitiousmould]

Microsoft?s next console will require an Internet connection in order to function, ruling out a second-hand game market for the platform. A new iteration of Xbox Live will be an integral part of Microsoft?s next console, while improved Kinect hardware will also ship alongside the unit.

It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/the-next-xbox-always-online-no-second-hand-games-50gb-blu-ray-discs-and-new-kinect/

If this is true, are you going "Jump In" or "Jump Out"?

Do I only need to buy the console once to enjoy it for the whole console generation?
If so, Jump In.
If not, Jump Out.

360 was the only console I skipped because of it's hardware problems.
Locally I have four friends who own the console and luckiest of them still had to buy 3 of them.

The only person I know that has had to buy a new 360 is my brother (and most of my friends have a 360), but he kept his right next the radiator, so I wasn't surprised when it died, I have had mine since about 2008-ish and never had any problems.

OT: I really don't believe any of this (except maybe the Blu-Ray bit), but if it does come true, I am not touching that thing. I am a pretty big Xbox supporter, but I am already thinking about a switch to PC (I usually only use the xbox as a means of talking now, because all my friends are going through a huge Dawn of War 2 phase) and if the next xbox does this, then I am getting a new computer and giving up on console gaming. The thing I liked about console gaming was how physical copies worked, you can take them to a friend's house and play them there, or rent them, or trade them in for new ones, but this would ruin all of that and completely push me into PC gaming.

 

[StormShaun]

Always online - How about no.
No second-hand games - I like second-hand games you idiots.
50GB Blu-ray discs - ... meh.
New Kinect - Didn't you learn that MOST people hated the Kinect.
I mean... look at Angry Joe!

Most of these features should not be in here.
Always Online will not benefit anyone.
No second-hand games - Does this mean I can't take any games to my friend's house?
New Kinect - ... We all know...

No... just NO.
This better be a rumor!

 

[havoc33]

considering there is a unsung alliance between gamestop and ms i highly doubt they would pull something like this...

Unless, both Microsoft and Sony are going for it, which I could see happen. Most game developers are pushing for this, so it's not like Gamestop has any real power. So either they adapt and sell only new games, or they might as well close doors. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[Batou667]

This sounds like the most cynical move in recent history. 80% of my games are preowned or hand-me-downs from friends or family (I can afford to buy new games, I just can't justify it, and when I have a stack of back-catalogue games waiting to be played, why would I?).

If true, Microsoft are sorely misjudging a large proportion of their userbase. Preowned and trade-in games do contribute to the gaming industry, as gamers often trade in old games for the purpose of buying NEW games. Remove preowned games from the equation and all of a sudden you have more people buying fewer games. Result? Nothing but AAA titles are profitable any more, since nobody is willing to risk £40/$60 on an experimental game by an unheard-of dev team.

The only way I can see this working is if MS allow "gifting" of unwanted game licenses between users, and if retail prices decayed much faster than they currently do. Even so, I think it fairly stinks both economically and ethically.

 

[Robetid]

Well, I have to ask, how is this any different than Steam? Activation codes that tie a physical game to your account and always online will probably work like Steam (ie, there will be an offline mode and it might work better than Steams).

Steam is not a panacea but it has its merits. On Steam Sale days you can buy games even with a 75% discount,that is 1/4 of the normal price. And no matter if you buy a new computer you will still be able to download the games at your new computer,you can practically download them unlimited times,on unlimited different computers.

My place burned down and i lost everything in the fire, when i got a new PC I started downloading my games (which is one plus). Then when i fired my games up it had all my progress backed up, flame steam all you want but they have a system that works (for the most part) and the deals, my god the deals.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Old rumor but if true I'm not going to bother with it all. Why would I? It has the negatives of Steam with none of the real advantages as far as I can see.