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[Miles Quaritch]

So what positive features can gamers expect from this move? I mean, if it's true, they are going to spin this like a merry go-round.
I can't honestly think of a single positive thing this restriction brings, not for any consumer out there.

No longer requiring a disc to be in the hard drive? Disc swapping a thing of the past with each installed to the hard drive and with no disc required, you could jump from game to game from the relative safety and comfort of your sofa.

 

[Voice of Reason]

I love the " unless they changed it" part. So if it's not true, Kotaku can just claim MS changed their mind. Real ballsy reporting, Kotaku.

That part is kinda weird.

 

[bj00rn_]

I have an Xbox preference from pure uncomplicated personal taste because I feel MS has delivered the best package this generation, Xbox Live included.

But if this is true, then ok; I'll just stick with PC and PS4. No problem, it's MS's loss, not mine.


But I guess anything can happen. Until we hear from MS themselves, I'm not so sure I'll trust any information headed my way. There's too much FUD in the air surrounding the system.

 

[JJD]

So I don't get many inside scoop honestly and I'll never put my GAF account at risk so take it with more than a grain of salt but my good friend at Treyarch, the one who told me about COD:blops2 back in the wust days when it wasn't announced yet, told me that:

online connection is indeed required to start games for the first time
kinect integration like manu navigation is mandatory for every game but it's actually done at system level
used games are not blocked per se

Hardly breaking-news info but I thought maybe someone would have been interested in such speculation nontheless

Thanks for sharing that.

The bolded could be cool I guess. If internet connection is only needed for the first time I would not have a big problem with it (and my internet connection and ISP sucks big time!). Used games unblocked is cool too.

 

[Z3M0G]

You think Diablo 3, or Sim City had problems at launch, imagine millions of people trying to play their new xbox games but keep getting kicked out.

Ahahahaha, and repeat that with each new big game release.

Call of Duty has bad multiplayer server issues on day 1 typically, right? Imagine not even being able to play the single player.

 

[pharmboy044]

So I don't get many inside scoop honestly and I'll never put my GAF account at risk so take it with more than a grain of salt but my good friend at Treyarch, the one who told me about COD:blops2 back in the wust days when it wasn't announced yet, told me that:

online connection is indeed required to start games for the first time
kinect integration like manu navigation is mandatory for every game but it's actually done at system level
used games are not blocked per se

Hardly breaking-news info but I thought maybe someone would have been interested in such speculation nontheless

Do you know if this pertains to the PS4? Are they also planning to implement this?

 

[B.O.O.M]

Think of it like youtube for instance, you can only use it online and in turn youtube is able to feed you ads. Youtube for obvious reasons values an online user than an offline one that cannot consume content. It's clear that Microsoft will have numerous services to entertain your time and keep you online in order to continue to feed ad content to you. I have also mentioned previously that they are likely to subsidize the cost of the new console as well to get even more people onboard, so there's that aspect.

But this is NOT youtube..nor is this Netflix. This is a gaming console. Youtube actually needs an internet connection to function by its nature. Non online-MP gaming doesn't. If these rumors are true they are forcing this just out of greed and is a very anti consumer approach. This is absolutely nothing like youtube/netflix

Let's talk about the price once it's revealed..or at least when some credible sources put out some rumors on it.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

I've never played my 360 or PS3 offline either, but its not my connection I'm worried about. It's theirs.

Pretty much. MS are more reliable in this regard, but I'd much rather there not be such a requirement in the first place.

 

[WalkMan]

I've never played my 360 or PS3 offline either, but its not my connection I'm worried about. It's theirs.

When was the last time you saw Bing or Youtube down? These services lose money if people can't connect

But this is NOT youtube..nor is this Netflix. This is a gaming console. Youtube actually needs an internet connection to function by its nature. Non online-MP gaming doesn't. If these rumors are true they are forcing this just out of greed and is a very anti consumer approach. This is absolutely nothing like youtube/netflix

How is this anti consumer? This is pro-ideal consumer. The ideal consumer that can contribute the most to Microsoft will in turn benefit the most from the service. Microsoft isn't really interested in offline consumers anymore, they have ad content that needs to be fed out in order to generate revenue. To do so, they will couple the content with worthwhile services. The best consumer in Microsoft eyes are the consumers that can consume their ad content, and to do so you have to be able to receive it.

 

[megashock5]

I'll wait for confirmation, but IF this is true, I won't be buying it.

I was only planning on one between Sony and MS anyway, this would make it an easy decision (provided Sony doesn't do something similar).

 

[The Faceless Master]

 

[kingocfs]

It does seem to be most obvious reason for having a feature at the initial launch of a game. What is important is that will a connection be required every time you want to play after installation? My gut tells me there will be such a requirement, but being the optimistic that I am, I hope for the best in that there won't be such a requirement.

It's not necessary if they're asking for one to activate your game's license, this is seemingly a perfect middle ground. And it's what every PC game already asks for.

The real question is, how would this effect used games? Since Gamestop is already glowing about the machine, you have to assume they would allow us to play them, but will they limit functionality somehow? Interesting stuff.

 

[NullPointer]

Edit** As a side note, I can't INSTALL any of my Steam games without an Internet connection....but I can play (most of) them offline.

If MS wants to take the bad parts of Steam it'll need to take the good parts too, and then some.

 

[Elixist]

I'm still calling bullshit; bookmark my post for future mockery etc.

me too i just dont see them being that stupid.

 

[Augmented Batman]

Well if Microsoft's gonna just be Diablo 3 for every game ever now then I guess I should invest in Sony or Nintendo.
Honestly I'm not gonna believe this until it's formally announced since it would be a horrible business decision.

 

[AstroNut325]

Remember when Xbox Live was down for a couple weeks (2007-2008)? Remember when PSN was down for 24 days (2011)? How would you feel about not even being able to play single player games during those times? Or do you think those things are never going to happen again?

That doesn't bother me at ALL! Sh!t happens. It gets fixed and you can resume your activities. Are we really anticipating week long or multi week long outages? I have yet to experience that in my 15 years of using the internet.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

May 20th

You work at MS?

 

[BolognaSoup]

I must be the only person who has no problem with the always online requirement for games - I can't remember the last time I played my PS3/360/Steam when I wasn't signed in to the service online.

I can remember several times when I couldn't connect to PSN or XBL. In fact PSN was just down for a few hours like last week. Sony even tweeted about it when they were working on it.

 

[SkoomaSuckinSwit]

Will jump ship if true.
Just had my internet go out for half a week. Played offline.
With the new Xbox, I won't be able to?
And probably not be able to buy & play used games too?
AND pay to play online?

Hahahaha...MS has lost their mind.

 

[Eusis]

I love the " unless they changed it" part. So if it's not true, Kotaku can just claim MS changed their mind. Real ballsy reporting, Kotaku.

Someone can dig around and find whether it was actually intended though, THAT'S what makes the difference between making crap up or "plans change."

And given the backlash I half expect that if Microsoft is planning this they either change it or already have. We're not at the point always online is THAT reliable, and there's even less reason to justify it if you're not designing a persistently online game, certainly not requiring it in a universal sense.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Another source for this rumor? Ruh Roh. I dont know what to believe, it makes no common sense.

 

[Takuya]

Either way, it's good that they aren't the only ones in the industry; it's not like you need to buy the next Xbox anyway.

 

[awa64]

I'm starting to feel that, much like the objective measure of a video game is Start to Crate (StC), the objective measure of a NeoGAF thread is shaping up to be Start to Shitting On Arthur Gies (StG).

---

There's got to be an explanation for these rumors. They're too dumb to be true at face value--there's no way Microsoft is that foolish, especially given their approach to DRM on their other products--but too widespread to not be related to something that is true. True for devkits? True for OnLive-style streaming of next-gen Xbox games to current-gen Xbox consoles? Part of the netcode that Microsoft is providing for server-driven games like free-to-play MMOs that's being blown out of proportion? An option enable-able on a per-game basis?

Or maybe it's something that some higher-up at Microsoft was pushing for, and was even being implemented, but was stripped out after the SimCity "thing" reminded them just how bad an idea it is.

I have no idea. I'm just pulling ideas out of my ass at this point. I'll be surprised if this is what Microsoft intends to do, though.

 

[Demon Ice]

Sweet, only need to get the PS4 next gen. I don't even care about Halo 5 and 6 anymore given how weak Halo 4 was...guess I'll put the money I save from not getting Durango and put it into getting an even nicer PC. PS4 for the exclusives. Next gen is gonna be nice.

 

[shandy706]

So I don't get many inside scoop honestly and I'll never put my GAF account at risk so take it with more than a grain of salt but my good friend at Treyarch, the one who told me about COD:blops2 back in the wust days when it wasn't announced yet, told me that:

online connection is indeed required to start games for the first time
kinect integration like manu navigation is mandatory for every game but it's actually done at system level
used games are not blocked per se

Hardly breaking-news info but I thought maybe someone would have been interested in such speculation nontheless

So it's like Steam

"per se" might mean like Steam again...I can't just give someone else my game once I register it on Steam.

 

[shinobi602]

That doesn't bother me at ALL! Sh!t happens. It gets fixed and you can resume your activities. Are we really anticipating week long or multi week long outages? I have yet to experience that in my 15 years of using the internet.

Yes, but it bothers other people.

And not everyone has an immaculate Internet connection like you, especially in other countries, or do they not count?

 

[dragonbane]

Weren't they just reposting already known leaks?

Not all the time. Also Jason writes pretty good and well researched articles and can be trusted most of the time.

 

[GhaleonEB]

You think Diablo 3, or Sim City had problems at launch, imagine millions of people trying to play their new xbox games but keep getting kicked out.

Yeah, I'm curious about what happens when Live goes down. Right now you can't play online when it does. If Durango requires Live to play games, you might not be able to play at all.

I still don't think that will be the case. But I'm ready for an announcement now.

 

[wildfire]

Sounds more like Kotaku are covering all the bases so to speak, in fact i just can't see this happeining and i won't believe it until Microsoft says it themselves, it just doesn't make business sense to me.

They aren't covering their bases. They actually manipulated the discussion to say this is extremely likely.

If they were covering their bases they would've said we have additional sources that haven't heard of this requirement.

They needed to omit the part that says these sources couldn't disprove the veracity of the claim either. What further cements their emphasis on this being true is that they point out that their most reliable sources are saying this is real and are indirectly disparaging everyone else as being purposefully left in the dark.

 

[Kusagari]

So I don't get many inside scoop honestly and I'll never put my GAF account at risk so take it with more than a grain of salt but my good friend at Treyarch, the one who told me about COD:blops2 back in the wust days when it wasn't announced yet, told me that:

online connection is indeed required to start games for the first time
kinect integration like manu navigation is mandatory for every game but it's actually done at system level
used games are not blocked per se

Hardly breaking-news info but I thought maybe someone would have been interested in such speculation nontheless

Do you have clarification for what that first thing means? Would online only be required the first time you put in a game?

I'd be fine with that.

 

[funkystudent]

Would be pretty funny if you needed XBL Gold to start games.

 

[TheGreyHulk]

If true, no thanks to the 720.

I just moved and that would mean I wouldn't be able to play it right now if i had one.

Millions of people still don't have an internet connection. Yes, us gamers do, but those in rural areas or those who cannot afford a monthly internet bill would be screwed. "but if they poor, they should have no 720"... please don't use this argument. even poor people are willing to shell out $ to provide some form of entertainment for themselves or their children and they wouldn't be able to use a 720 if this rumor holds true.

I just don't believe it yet. It would be MS shooting themselves in the foot and i could see shit storm coming from angry customers buying the console not knowing a connection is required to use it.

 

[Dark-Cloudz]

Where is the butthurt? Dumbest net kid word ever.

The talk of a lack of trust, followed by an unfurling of articles that accede to his conjecture; 'Kotaku are to be trusted'. I have a degree in Lit and could fire off verbose prose if I so choose, or just resort to internet memetics.


Your choice.

 

[legacyzero]

I must be the only person who has no problem with the always online requirement for games - I can't remember the last time I played my PS3/360/Steam when I wasn't signed in to the service online.

Because not everybody that wants an xbox wants/has HSI. Rural America for instance.

 

[i-Lo]

Yes, but it bothers other people.

And not everyone has an immaculate Internet connection like you, especially in other countries, or do they not count?

This is one reason why Sony will be more successful in proliferating the PS4 (like the PS3) in emerging markets.

 

[btkadams]

Do you know if this pertains to the PS4? Are they also planning to implement this?

I'm pretty sure Sony already confirmed that the PS4 will be playable offline.

 

[DesertFox]

edit: misclicked the edit button

 

[Harlock]

I hope this is true, because Microsoft now is all about family, kinect, movies and others hula-hula. Microsoft deserves make a big mistake and epic fail.

 

[Mung]

But this is NOT youtube..nor is this Netflix. This is a gaming console. Youtube actually needs an internet connection to function by its nature. Non online-MP gaming doesn't. If these rumors are true they are forcing this just out of greed and is a very anti consumer approach. This is absolutely nothing like youtube/netflix

Let's talk about the price once it's revealed..or at least when some credible sources put out some rumors on it.

Exactly, it's nothing like youtube.

It's like being forced to have an online connection to watch a DVD or Blu Ray.

 

[krypt0nian]

Ok folks... seriously... I've had internet go down like 3 times in the last 2 years. Each outage lasted maybe a few hours at most. I really do not see the big deal. Not being able to play a few hours in a given year is something that I don't even blink an eye to! So help me understand... why is this a big deal?

I'm certain that PS3 owners could have posted the same before the hacking/outage. Nevermind those people that cannot/do not have such a reliable connection. Why is this so hard to make a leap to? Not everyone is as fortunate s you?

 

[RetroStu]

That doesn't bother me at ALL! Sh!t happens. It gets fixed and you can resume your activities. Are we really anticipating week long or multi week long outages? I have yet to experience that in my 15 years of using the internet.

You should look at the bigger picture and not just from your own viewpoint and experience, maybe then you will see why people are pissed off.

 

[SolsticeZero]

I can honestly see them doing the "connection required to start apps and games", but I don't see them being dumb enough to have a cutoff timer.

 

[Cidd]

Quite the overreaction, it's just like with netflix, you require internet service to consume. It's obvious that Microsoft will sell their service in a way where you simply won't want to play offline. I already feel bad for people buying PS4 over Durango knowing that Microsoft is playing this wildcard, it just justifies the service that much more if they are implementing such a policy. Can't wait

What in the f**k is this?

I hope for the love of god you're joking, I have a 50Mb connection and even I think this is ridiculous. Not being able to play a single player game offline is the worse thing to ever happen in gaming, for god sakes even Steam allows offline play.

 

[AstroNut325]

Yes, but it bothers other people.

And not everyone has an immaculate Internet connection like you, especially in other countries, or do they not count?

Really? Come on now. My wife's family lives in a remote town in India and they have stable/reliable DSL internet.

And again... you can't play for a few hours or a few days. Do some other activities. It's not the end of the world if you can't play your Halo or Forza at the exact moment and location you want to ALL the time!

 

[Pyramid head]

Ok folks... seriously... I've had internet go down like 3 times in the last 2 years. Each outage lasted maybe a few hours at most. I really do not see the big deal. Not being able to play a few hours in a given year is something that I don't even blink an eye to! So help me understand... why is this a big deal?

It's a big deal because it's 100% greed driven, anti-consumer motivated and would not benefit me as a customer in any respect.

My connection doesn't go down all that often either, but there is no way I'm ever going to place myself in a position where a company completely unnecessarily denies me access to goods I've paid for next time it does happen.

 

[Alebrije]

That doesn't bother me at ALL! Sh!t happens. It gets fixed and you can resume your activities. Are we really anticipating week long or multi week long outages? I have yet to experience that in my 15 years of using the internet.

Sure you do not live on an hurricane / storm zone when every year internet goes dow several times.

 

[Rad-]

You should look at the bigger picture and not just from your own viewpoint and experience, maybe then you will see why people are pissed off.

Tbh, why should he care what other people's views on this subject are? He's buying the console for him, not them.

 

[Mung]

Really? Come on now. My wife's family lives in a remote town in India and they have stable/reliable DSL internet.

And again... you can't play for a few hours or a few days. Do some other activities. It's not the end of the world if you can't play your Halo or Forza at the exact moment and location you want to ALL the time!

What am I reading?

 

[Kusagari]

That doesn't bother me at ALL! Sh!t happens. It gets fixed and you can resume your activities. Are we really anticipating week long or multi week long outages? I have yet to experience that in my 15 years of using the internet.

It's nice that you think the entire world has had the same experiences with Internet you have.

 

[Syriel]

http://kotaku.com/the-next-xbox-will-require-an-internet-connection-to-st-470062456

"If there isn't a connection, no games or apps can be started," the source continued. "If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time--currently three minutes, if I remember correctly--the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started."

More at the link

Sounds like source is confusing locked down dev hardware with retail hardware.

Or, MS is tired of leaks and putting out a bit of misinformation.

Easy enough to announce and then make fun of press for publishing "unfounded, unconfirmed" rumors.

Remember, of the existing consoles, the 360 probably has the most user friendly DRM requirement with its dual licenses and no need to "deactivate" a given 360 before transferring the console license.

The behavior that Kotaku is describing is currently present in Xbox 360 GoD titles that are NOT licensed to the current console. The only difference is that it is a 10 minute lockout, rather than a 3 minute one. The way to prevent the lockout is to do a license transfer, so that the current console has an active console license for the game.

Microsoft is being too quiet. The 360 had at least some features unveiled at GDC.

Microsoft was talking about Durango at GDC. It just wasn't talking about it publically.