The future of console gaming

[billybob476]

Apparently MS has posted the news here: http://news.xbox.com/2013/05/qa

but the site is down (I assume due to traffic)

[Jobydrone]

This is huge news if true. I'm suddenly much more confused about which one I want at launch now, since I'd pretty much decided on PS4 up to now. Ill definitely be getting both eventually but with game rentals available for both systems the decision is much harder about which to buy first.

While, I'm happy for you guys, I hope it doesn't screw over the Family sharing that I was looking forward to.

just play split screen like normal people ;)  JUST KIDDING

[Jobydrone]

Yeah Chris, it looks like family sharing is being scrapped, based on the Microsoft report, linked above.

Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience.

For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.

Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.

You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.

So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360. Here is what that means:

An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.

In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions.

These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.

We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.

Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.

[billybob476]

Something to note, there will still be a one time system activation which will require an internet connection. That doesn't bother me but still may be an issue for some.

[Jobydrone]

At least now the decision of which to buy will be mostly based on what games are available/exclusive at launch, as it should be in my opinion.

[Dangelus]

Let's face it they were sh*t scared this would be the death knell and came to their senses. I guess people did care about these restrictions after all huh?

[X]

Let's face it they were sh*t scared this would be the death knell and came to their senses. I guess people did care about these restrictions after all huh?

We really don't know what percentage of people actually cared about the restrictions. I'm glad you see it as a win.

[Dangelus]

Let's face it they were sh*t scared this would be the death knell and came to their senses. I guess people did care about these restrictions after all huh?

We really don't know what percentage of people actually cared about the restrictions. I'm glad you see it as a win.

I don't have a horse in this race, not a console gamer.

The press release says it's community feedback that caused this change. I don't know the percentage either apart from it's too high for Microsoft.

[Bryancd]

I have been trying to suss how this impacted MSFT as an investment but you lot have been of no help! :)

[ChrisMC]

Let's face it they were sh*t scared this would be the death knell and came to their senses. I guess people did care about these restrictions after all huh?

Just smart business to react to what their TYPICAL CORE users care about. Thumbs up to them not being stubborn.

[X]

I have been trying to suss how this impacted MSFT as an investment but you lot have been of no help! :)

It should be good for them. Hardcore gamers might whine about stuff, but they still end up getting it in the end. Now, Xbox One, the most talked about console on the interwebs has "listened to consumers" and removed all of the perceived flaws from the system. Those not following closely won't even know what family sharing was.

In the end MS gets to get painted as the company that listens to it's people and sony now has to address their own flaws like the paid online feature they added.

So, I guess this is a big win for MS, the company that listens to it's consumers.

[X]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/06/19/how-shedding-drm-in-the-xbox-one-benefits-microsoft/

[Dangelus]

I have been trying to suss how this impacted MSFT as an investment but you lot have been of no help! :)

It should be good for them. Hardcore gamers might whine about stuff, but they still end up getting it in the end. Now, Xbox One, the most talked about console on the interwebs has "listened to consumers" and removed all of the perceived flaws from the system. Those not following closely won't even know what family sharing was.

In the end MS gets to get painted as the company that listens to it's people and sony now has to address their own flaws like the paid online feature they added.

So, I guess this is a big win for MS, the company that listens to it's consumers.

Well they still need to deal with the over inflated price and the creepy Kinect requirement but it's a good start!

[Jobydrone]

That Forbes article is wrong about playing saved games remotely, you can do that now with cloud saves and there's no reason to think it wouldn't be a feature in the XBone

[Jobydrone]

The price isn't really that different if you consider you're getting Kinect in every box, while the eye isn't included with the PS4. Although many don't like being forced to use Kinect, it's necessary to pack it in if MS wants universal third party support for the device. $100 isn't a deal breaker for me.