The future of console gaming

[Jobydrone]

There's been some pretty major announcements in the past 24 hours from Microsoft concerning their new console, the Xbox One.  After the initial reveal of the new system a couple of weeks ago, there was alot of outcry from fans and gamers, mostly about what wasn't said, more than what was announced.  While there was some consternation about the fact that Microsoft chose to focus most of the conference on their entertainment and TV features, like Kinect integration, Skype, their foray into original TV programming via a Halo TV series, and enhanced TV and movie features via HDMI pass through from your cable box, many people were concerned by the company's refusal to address questions that have been asked for many month prior to the reveal: namely about used game functionality, always-on connectivity, and Kinect privacy features.

Microsoft detailed their policies yesterday, and it signals a pretty new way of doing business for them, for developers and publishers, and especially for gamers. 

The rumors of "always-online" connectivity being required to play games turned out to be exaggerated, but the truth is similarly concerning.  The Xbox One will need to be connected to the internet for authentication once every 24 hours when logged in to your account from your home console.  It will need to be connected to the internet once every hour when logged in to your account on someone else's console.  This means, if you're used to packing up your Xbox and taking it on the road, for a vacation, to a friends house, or wherever, you'd have to be sure you have a way to connect it to the internet or else you won't be able to play your games after 24 hours.  While probably not too concerning for most people (I've never taken my console on the road), this still seems like a pretty harsh restriction that will anger some and offers the consumer no benefit.

More troubling is the DRM and licensing requirements for next-generation console games.  Disc based gaming seems to be on its way out.  The disc now is just a means of transferring the data on them to the hardware.  Installation is mandatory, and once installed, you'll not need the disc again and can play right from the console.  Furthermore, all games will now be offered for digital download on the day of release, as well as in stores on disc.  This is all okay, but the problem comes from the crazy restrictions they are putting on the resale, loaning, renting, and gifting of previously owned games.  Game licenses for disc based games can only be transferred if the publisher allows it, and it remains to be seen if any publisher believes it would be in their interest to enable this functionality in the games they are selling.  Microsoft is saying that they are working with partners, presumably the bigger retailers like Gamestop, Walmart and the like, to allow for the resale of Xbox One games through an authentication process yet to be discussed or disclosed.  Utimately, when you are done with a game and you want to sell or trade it in for credit, you'll be limited to where and when Microsoft and the game's publisher says you can do this.  No more selling/buying games on Craiglist, Ebay, Cheap-Ass Gamer.  They're saying you'll "eventually" be able to gift a game to a friend when you're done with it, which is ultimately transferring the license from yourself to your friend, but that person has to have been on your Xbox Live friends list for more than 30 days, and can only be done a total of one time per game...this is presumably to eliminate the ability for people to sell games over the internet to strangers. 

The best case scenario we can hope for, is that the majority of publishers will restrict the resale of their games for the first month or two after release, the period when sales are most important and are most brisk.  Then after this period, they can enable this functionality and allow for trade or resale.

They're also eliminating the ability to rent games from places like Redbox, Gamefly, and Blockbuster, at least upon the initial launch of the system.  This is huge, because when new consoles came out in the past I used to rent games like crazy to see which ones I wanted to buy.  I've always been a big renter, I love Redbox, and this is the change that is hitting me hardest.

I'll be watching the E3 press conferences very closely to see what kinds of games are announced for these new platforms, especially the Xbox One (Sony has yet to detail their plans on the above topics as of yet). Unless I am extremely WOWed by what I see, I highly doubt I'll be purchasing one of these Microsoft consoles, at least on day one like I had originally planned.  I've read alot of gamers that feel the same way, that these changes are hugely anti-consumer and do not benefit the customer in any way.  I have to wonder if these practices announced is Microsoft shooting themselves in the foot, and conceding the next-generation console war before the first battle has even begun.

[ChrisMC]

Yeah, if I get anything it will be a PS4, even though I have been an Xbox Guy since 2001. Not liking what I am seeing, and kinda getting tired of gamers being taken for granted. Not feeling it so far.

[billybob476]

As with smartphones, they're getting to the point with consoles where the hardware matters less then the software and business rules they are placing on top of that hardware. Both the PS4 and XBox One are effecitvely x86-based PCs.

If we look to PC gaming, we've been living with these restrictions for a long time. I can't buy a game from Steam or Origin and then lend or resell it to anyone else. Demos will probably be a bigger thing and fat the end of the day, I also don't see why a digital rental system couldn't be implemented. You would basically purchase a game key that expires in X number of days.

[Jobydrone]

As with smartphones, they're getting to the point with consoles where the hardware matters less then the software and business rules they are placing on top of that hardware. Both the PS4 and XBox One are effecitvely x86-based PCs.

If we look to PC gaming, we've been living with these restrictions for a long time. I can't buy a game from Steam or Origin and then lend or resell it to anyone else. Demos will probably be a bigger thing and fat the end of the day, I also don't see why a digital rental system couldn't be implemented. You would basically purchase a game key that expires in X number of days.

The difference is in the way PC games are sold.  PC games rarely release at a $60 price tag, and but for a few exceptions (Blizzard) PC games almost always drop in price very quickly.  Sales allow you to pick up entire catalogues of publishers games for a fraction of retail price, and often games less than a few months old will be on sale for $5-$10 online through Amazon or Steam.  Also PC games allow you to buy games any way you want: direct from the publisher, from sellers like Good Old Games or the Humble Bundle guys, Steam, etc.  All the competition breeds competitive pricing, which is valuable to the consumer.  None of that exists on the consoles.  But you're right, the line is getting extremely blurred between these new consoles and current gen PCs.

Yeah, if I get anything it will be a PS4, even though I have been an Xbox Guy since 2001. Not liking what I am seeing, and kinda getting tired of gamers being taken for granted. Not feeling it so far.

I just don't understand it, really.  What's the benefit to Microsoft for all this?  Are publishers really exerting so much pressure that Microsoft feels they must bow in order to get exclusive deals with companies like EA or Activision?  Does the benefit of these types of deals and exclusivity that is won from these concessions to publishers outweigh the anger and resentment that is bound to be felt by many of their most hardcore fans and customers?  What would these publishers do if Microsoft didn't cave to their demands regarding used games, make widgets and board games instead?  Publish only on PC?  I doubt it.  They must feel like the people that really care about these kinds of issues are in the minority, and they can afford to lose the hardcore in their effort to cater to the vast majority.

[billybob476]

You're right about the choice in the PC market, I've always viewed it as the wild west of gaming, it's a lot more freewheeling and dangerous. The console segment is more tightly controlled. I also wonder if they see Apple's model as something to strive for. Super locked down, authorized content only, no trades, no choice.

Again price point comes into play though, an iOS game runs from free to 10 dollars at the outside. People are a lot more willing to accept restirctions at that price.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I think Microsoft and publishers are hugely overestimating the amount of people that have a stable and good enough internet for a check-up every 24 hours. Why they feel this is necessary, I do not know. But I do know, that I don't recommend the Xbox one to anyone right now. The creepy Kinect, the "always-online" DRM and Microsoft's negative attitude towards games and gamers in general makes this a no-recommendation. Your going to be a lot better off with PS4 and Sony as they seem to be actually attracting the developers and gamers towards their consoles without all of the BS.

Why Microsoft is pulling this power play with PC gaming rising back up and mobile gaming becoming a powerhouse, I have no idea. It's a stupid move in my opinion, that will come to bite them in the butt. The advantages of consoles are no longer there: Cheap gaming, no BS attached and ease of use are all gone with this Xbox One. They're marketing this console to the rich gamers (giant mistake) and people who want an all-in-one box....which is bemusing considering the growing popularity of Smart TVs and Rokus.

Congratulations Microsoft on messing this generation up. Between this and Windows 8, it's amazing that you're still profitable.

[billybob476]

I think Microsoft and publishers are hugely overestimating the amount of people that have a stable and good enough internet for a check-up every 24 hours. Why they feel this is necessary, I do not know. But I do know, that I don't recommend the Xbox one to anyone right now. The creepy Kinect, the "always-online" DRM and Microsoft's negative attitude towards games and gamers in general makes this a no-recommendation. Your going to be a lot better off with PS4 and Sony as they seem to be actually attracting the developers and gamers towards their consoles without all of the BS.

Why Microsoft is pulling this power play with PC gaming rising back up and mobile gaming becoming a powerhouse, I have no idea. It's a stupid move in my opinion, that will come to bite them in the butt. The advantages of consoles are no longer there: Cheap gaming, no BS attached and ease of use are all gone with this Xbox One. They're marketing this console to the rich gamers (giant mistake) and people who want an all-in-one box....which is bemusing considering the growing popularity of Smart TVs and Rokus.

Congratulations Microsoft on messing this generation up. Between this and Windows 8, it's amazing that you're still profitable.

Office/OEM baby, keep milking that volume license cash cow from the Enterprise.

[Jobydrone]

You're right about the choice in the PC market, I've always viewed it as the wild west of gaming, it's a lot more freewheeling and dangerous. The console segment is more tightly controlled. I also wonder if they see Apple's model as something to strive for. Super locked down, authorized content only, no trades, no choice.

Again price point comes into play though, an iOS game runs from free to 10 dollars at the outside. People are a lot more willing to accept restirctions at that price.

Exactly. We're talking about $400-500 hardware (probably), $50-60 a year for Xbox live, more for subscription based services like Netflix/Hulu/Prime, cable TV subscription costs that you need to pay to use their TV functionality, then $60+ per game, along with all these new anti-consumer restrictions and concessions made to pacify big corporations.  It's looking to me more and more like I might not be gaming as much in the near future, which makes me pretty sad because it's my favorite hobby, I love it.

[Jobydrone]

I also wonder if they see Apple's model as something to strive for. Super locked down, authorized content only, no trades, no choice.

They have to see the way that iTunes and their marketplace has changed the way people buy and listen to music and be DROOLING with desire to want even a percentage of that in their game marketplace.  I don't believe this current direction is the way to successfully do this though.  It remains to be seen.

[Dangelus]

I think this will switch a few console gamers to the PC in the long run. Another area where Microsoft are losing ground.

I think in 10 years Microsoft will be mostly a services company with a strong emphasis on the cloud.  Azure is huge for them and very profitable.  Heck even Apple use it.

[Jobydrone]

I think this will switch a few console gamers to the PC in the long run. Another area where Microsoft are losing ground.

I think you're right, I know I'm highly considering forgetting about both PS4 and XBone and just picking up a halfway decent gaming PC.  Like I said though, I'll be watching E3 to see if I can resist the sweet, sweet tempatation of next generation games.

[billybob476]

I think they should adopt the steam model. I buy so many games on there it's like a sickness, I haven't even played 3/4 of them yet. There's no way I'd do that with a 60 dollar game. I know there are certain licensing costs for 3rd party developers to work on consoles, but who sets game prices? Is it the publishers?

[billybob476]

I think this will switch a few console gamers to the PC in the long run. Another area where Microsoft are losing ground.

I think you're right, I know I'm highly considering forgetting about both PS4 and XBone and just picking up a halfway decent gaming PC.  Like I said though, I'll be watching E3 to see if I can resist the sweet, sweet tempatation of next generation games.

Unless something VERY compelling comes out, I'll be sticking to my PC. You can build a very decent gaming rig for as much as one of these consoles is going to cost.

[Dangelus]

I think they should adopt the steam model. I buy so many games on there it's like a sickness, I haven't even played 3/4 of them yet. There's no way I'd do that with a 60 dollar game. I know there are certain licensing costs for 3rd party developers to work on consoles, but who sets game prices? Is it the publishers?

Yep I'm loving the value for money,  choice and convenience of Steam.  And I'm running it on a Linux box!  Lol

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I think they should adopt the steam model. I buy so many games on there it's like a sickness, I haven't even played 3/4 of them yet. There's no way I'd do that with a 60 dollar game. I know there are certain licensing costs for 3rd party developers to work on consoles, but who sets game prices? Is it the publishers?

Yes, it is the publishers that set the price. AFAIK