Gaming One Step Closer (and I'm about to RROD): The Xbox One Discussion

1 - I hadn't picked that up about the used games, I guess it's in that video I haven't watched yet?
2 - That didn't stop either the PS3 or 360 selling by the truck load. I know what you're saying and I agree... with those combi devices if, say, the VHS function failed it could bork the entire device, but this isn't really the case with these devices as it's duality is primarily down to software functionality rather than hardware. I doubt the Xbox 1 would fail because you couldn't plug your Sky / Cable box into the HDMI-in port, for instance, or if your Kinect sensor fell in a flowerpot.
3 - I hadn't thought of that particular sub-market, but then if the PS4 has the same sort of function going on (will it?) then you're stuffed either way... mobile device tethering is an option though.

 

But we're also not sure about the details about that with the Xbox One - nothing concrete has been confirmed, and stuff on Rev3Games suggests that perhaps Microsoft is wholly aware of the storm that's a-brewing and are in spin mode to fix things.

 

"Always on," non-removable HD, no backward compatibility, punishing people for buying used-- man, if I wanted to buy an underpowered device made by a needlessly controlling company, I'd just get a Mac.

 

I am seriously starting to wonder if there isn't something in the water in Redmond, Washington, first Windows 8 abandons the desktop for a touch optimized interface, and now the Xbox One is apparently going to be the most draconian console ever developed.

 

Speaking of Windows 8, I was half expecting Microsoft to push Xbox-Windows integration or something like that. Or even "Buy Xbox, get Windows 8 half-off" or something like that. They mentioned that a Windows kernel was part of the next Xbox's OS, for web-browsing or something, but... well, most game consoles have had a web browser for years now anyway. Usually not a great one, but still.

What's kind of odd is all the mixed messages going on. Its a new console, so everyone wants news, E3 is in a few weeks so they're saving up a lot for their show (honestly, its times like these I'm glad Nintendo isn't bothering with a conference anymore), but a lot of the news doesn't sound good, or at the very least its all confusing and some of it is conflicting too. Partially its because of how little of substance they actually said at the show, especially gamer wise. Yes, we saw the actual console, controller and Kinect and they listed the hardware (not that most people, including myself, have any idea how powerful or weak it is) but its worrying that there are so many new restrictions. And without that many game announcements (more Forza, EA sports, same as ever), everybody is just focusing on the details (as they should). They had better pull their PR department together by E3. And then there's the all-important price point, probably another big announcement saved for E3.

 

Sorry, what exactly do you mean?

 

Anyone see this? How I wish I could listen in to the suits at both Sony and MS right now.

http://uk.gamespot.com/twitter-battle/xbox-vs-ps4/

 

How I wish I could figure out how each and every country is represented

 

It's funny, I don't remember anyone official saying preowned games having a fee that is the same as full retail price. All references to fees were that it's small and that there wouldn't be one on preowned games.

 

This close to E3 I figured Microsoft would be better prepared but considering how the presentation went off it... wasn't perfect. Then again, what presentation is, but this seems to be one of the weaker ones. Sony had their presentation months ago, although theirs didn't have the actual console but more game info, but Microsoft's showed off the console and required Kinect but somehow seemed less interesting in terms of games. It is close to E3, a bigger venue for this kind of announcement, but first impressions are important and so far... its not going that great, but we'll see.

Hard to tell what fees there are or won't be, I have a hard time keeping track of all the articles. Online passes seem so simple in comparison, as a means for the developers to get some money out of used games, but that's probably not enough anymore (since EA gave up on those already).

 

Crackdown 3? (bottom left)


If they weren't going to talk about games at this conference (waiting for E3, etc), they should have at least shown a slideshow/montage of titles or at least development studios followed by "stay tuned for E3" or something. That way, they reassure gamers that "we have stuff for you" and give them something to speculate on and build excitement.... as opposed to the very little we got.

 

Ah, yeah, I never visit kotaku. I wonder why that wasn't reported on where I have looked. It's not hard to get around that though. You simply visit your friend and sign in with your account. As Major Nelson said: "Another piece of clarification around playing games at a friend’s house – 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."

 

That's great if your friend has an internet connection. But if he doesn't or you are borrowing from a friend then you are kind of screwed. I can't let my little brother borrow any of my games or gift him games I have no use for anymore. Despite owning a product Microsoft is dictating to me what I can and can't do with it. It's pathetically draconian.

 

Not really ^^^

Your non-connected Xbox won't be aware of the original installation, or won't even be able to check anyway.

Installing might be a problem though... Lol

 

Are you seriously telling me you don't see the issue in a system that has mandatory installations having issues installing? And it wouldn't be that hard to hide a game behind a pay wall even offline. Dragon Age's on disc DLC was hidden behind a pay wall even when not connected to the internet.

 

You can sign in to your profile without being online on the 360, right?

Perhaps you'll be able to do the same?

 

If it's a gift then it'd probably be covered by the 'no fee for used games' thing. I don't think it's worth speculating the worst though as we don't know all the details.

 

I agree ^^

I don't understand the negativity based on not much information...

 

Where has it been said there is no fee for used games? All that Microsoft have come out and said is that trading in and playing second hand games is possible. Not that it doesn't incur a fee.

Riddle me this. If there wasn't a fee for used games why would you need to sign into your own profile when playing a game on a friend's console?

 

Because there's a fee for borrowed games. And yes, it is a different scenario. You haven't sold it so it's a game you still own. Your friend hasn't bought it so it isn't a game he's bought used. You're just playing a game you own on a different system. You have to sign in because the new system won't know you own it until you do.

 

That makes no sense. How does a disc tell the difference between being borrowed and being purchased second hand?

 

Good call. Paragons of awful journalism is what they are.