710°

New Xbox Reportedly Won’t Let You Play (Unless It Can Spy On You)

“Once it has identified how many people are there–and even who is there–the device will charge for content accordingly. If you pay for one content license but then more viewers join the room, it could halt playback and request that you pay for a different license. That means if you plan to have a movie marathon sleepover, Microsoft would like to charge you extra copyright money for the pleasure of snuggling and watching horror movies.”

Read Full Story >>
infowars.com
snake_eater4052d ago

Just point that thing to the wall or to your crotch, easy.

GamersRulz4052d ago

I hate when the media uses such deceiving headlines!

BullyMangler4052d ago

this ain't no NORMAL media, this some exposers of hidden truths . Just unplug it when not in use.

DragonKnight4052d ago

This is Alex Jones, not media. Nothing to see here folks.

BattleAxe4052d ago

Welp, I won't be touching the XBOX 720 with a 10 ft pole.

PSVita4052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

There's no way these rumors are all true. How can they block games when their competitor isn't. GameStop would not be ok with that and neither would gamers. Besides Walmart I can't think of another place in my county that even sells systems and games I'd be crazy to knock money out of the hand that feeds even though it is justified in many ways. The kinect thing is probably fake too because if kit broke your forced to buy another. Great for them but no one would go for this and they know that. Sony blocks some of there games and it turns me off but it the people's choice to buy it, so I don't have a problem with that but to say MS is block all used games is ridiculous. We won't know for sure until they tell us so worry about "ifs" and "but" yet.

guitarded774052d ago

LoL... Alex Jones. People who listen to him are "off the grid" anyway, so they don't have to worry about this.

He used to always be on the Dudley and Bob radio show in Austin before he got huge among conspiracy theorists, and he admitted that he sensationalizes just about everything to get more listeners.

Blacktric4052d ago

"There's no way these rumors are all true. How can they block games when their competitor isn't."

Online play over PSN was free from the get go while it's still paid on Live, along with access to some certain apps. Why are you so surprised that Microsoft might've decided to pull such move after seeing how many were willing to pay 60 dollars a year just to play online? Now, they'll gain extra cash by blocking the used market...

TheRealSpy4052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

I hate when commenters aren't actually replying to the previous comment, but rather just want their idiotic comment to get to the top.

Dee_914052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

infowars ...............

infowars....

really

dont get me wrong im a conspiracy theory dude.But most of the time infowars be reaching

Blaze9294052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

articles like this, are just made out to mininform the masses. The damn thing hasnt even been announced, yet scare tactic words like "spy" are being used to describe the device.

and we all know damn well that's not what it's doing.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4052d ago
Knight_Crawler4052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

The Xbox 720 is doomed -_-

wishingW3L4052d ago

all the rumors are so negative!

InMyOpinion4052d ago Show
TheRealSpy4052d ago

based on what? rumors? or your desperate desire to see Sony thrive?

neither of which are based in reality.

Insomnia_844052d ago

lol good one let's spread that one around!! I like that one! lol

JsonHenry4052d ago

I love Alex Jones. For those of you that want to simply dismiss it as misleading then read the article he links to - http://www.vgleaks.com/dura...

Aomizuchi4052d ago

They dismiss is because they are still in a coma. By the time people actually wake up it will be too late for most.

4052d ago Replies(2)
Psn8004052d ago

To be honest who knows guys .

DarkHeroZX4052d ago

illuminati 720......makes perfect sense!!

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4052d ago
Godmars2904052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

I wonder if this is even going to need spin.

@snake_eater:
What part of motion sensor do you not comprehend?

And for the defenders: MS is doing this for themselves. Whether it sends actual images or not, is just data, they're still talking about using it for advertising. Might use it the count people watching movies and charge extra.

Cupid_Viper_34052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

Listen up guys,

I don't find it too wrong for Microsoft to focus it's next console around Kinect. As you can see, the vast majority of their fans here don't seem to be bothered by it.

But if it's true that Kinect 2.0 will be required for the console to even function, then that's BS at the highest level. And no one in their right minds should be ok with this.

I'm typing on my laptop while taking a dump. I can't imagine how limiting it would be if my laptop required it's camera and microphone to always be on in order for me to use it.

Just imagine how invasive that would be. If the PS Vita's camera was required to always be on, I wouldn't have bought it. So it doens't matter if this was coming from Sony of Nintendo or whoever else.

If my cell phone's camera and mic were always on, I would never own one. It's simply too invasive and violates your privacy.

Imagine people with young boys and kids who will purchase the console. They have no idea who will be creeping and watching their kids on the other end of that thing. That's just grounds for all sort of problems for MS, and I don't think they've really thought this through.

God forbids if someone was to hack the next xbox and publish all the video data that Kinect 2.0 collects? The lawsuits and bad bublicity would kill the console.

gamefiles4052d ago

"God forbids if someone was to hack the next xbox and publish all the video data that Kinect 2.0 collects? The lawsuits and bad bublicity would kill the console."

nniice!!

MONOLITHICIDE4052d ago

Cupid viper

You do see all the cameras watching you in the real world right? Do you think this is new? Finally people are seeing these sick ass holes!

OlgerO4052d ago

Alright people Im a big sony fanboy, but feel I need to clarify something. In the PS4 press conference mark cerny said that if ou stop playing the Ps4 it will enter a low power state. In other words it will also be always on. ( I dont think it will record you though ;p )

Godmars2904052d ago

"Always on" in the specific case refers to always on-line. The system wont play game - AT ALL - if it isn't connected to the internet. That is the point of concern.

And while its true that current consoles are technically always online, that neither the Xbox 360 nor PS3 are fully functional without internet, you can still play the majority of their games.

Of course the bigger issue with the PS4 - since Xbox3 already has the online online to worry about - is the camera its going to have. That may very well be required. If so I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only console "Fanboy" who would consider that an ultimate deal breaker - I FLAT OUT WONT BUY A PS4!

Companies have no right to dictate how we use their products on that level.

ALLWRONG4052d ago

Doesn't the PS4 come with a Kinect clone like device? So the same could be said about Sony spying on people.

Anyway, just another forum rumor started here on N4G.

a_bro4052d ago

It will.... Except its not "always connected"...

miDnIghtEr20C_SfF4052d ago

LMAO, the SDF sure got ALLWRONGs bubbles down to 1 fast. That was quick work!

Of course they're not playing their low rated exclusives that have been coming out lately, they're here putting bubbles down!

Hey yoOoooooooooooooo!

akaFullMetal4052d ago

Do you mean the pseye, or eyetoy from ps2, not a clone. Microsoft enhanced the concept of the eyetoy, and now the ps4 is as well. Everybody is taking away something good and making it better.

In this case for microsoft, maybe not so much.

ichimaru4052d ago

please explain to me like I'm five, why Microsoft would care how many people watch a movie. your realize they don't own the rights to movies being played and legally cannot charge, like the users games. Microsoft isn't really affected by the used games market, developers are. they would stand so little to gain its not worth mentioning in a board meeting

Godmars2904052d ago

If they can do something like count people watching TV and charge extra, it would probably be for special events. The Superbowl or the like. A base fee plus a 'discount' per person to encourage it.

But the real thing would be MS having the ability to track customer's likes. Actually, just like Sony will with the feature the PS4 will have to "predict" your likes and download content accordingly. A camera you can't turn off just makes it that more intrusive.

And for the hard of hearing fanboys who only focus on negatives about "their" console, I'm not saying that what Sony is doing is any better. That's why as bad as I consider this gen to be, as rushed and creatively bankrupt it was, the next is really starting to look worse. Intrusive with publishers concerned with retaining control of games they're suppose to be selling.

Lvl_up_gamer4052d ago

So are we still taking rumors as facts on this site? Who needs to spin rumors? It's a rumor so really no spinning would be needed since it hasn't been confirmed.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4052d ago
animegamingnerd4052d ago

every rumor i hear about the new xbox makes me less and less want to get it

Jek_Porkins4052d ago

Key word "rumor". Last year were you convinced the PS4 wouldn't play used games? That was the rumor at that time.

Funny how people pick and choose what they want to believe.
Whatever happened to waiting and seeing what the actual company itself has to say? People salivating with anger over rumors...and all I can do is laugh at them...I mean if it's on the internet it must be true! lol

Realplaya4052d ago

But didn't theysay it w used games?on't play

deadfrag4052d ago

No KEY WORD BAD RUMOR that m$ should have come a stop it already if is indeed not truth because its spreading!

animegamingnerd4052d ago

i still don't completely believe that the PS4 will play use games until i see it for myself

trenso14052d ago

even with all the ps4 rumors i never believed for a second that they would block used games. I don't think MS is naive enough to do so either, but the difference between the ps4 rumors was that they had nothing to base it off besides one patent and eventually stopped. The 720 rumors have not stopped and for some reason more "information" keeps arising to further ruin their case that they are not blocking used games. Until they officially say something to me they aren't blocking used games.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4052d ago
lastofgen4052d ago

Shouldn't this be tagged as a rumor??
It's an unofficial screen, a screenshot that easily could have been produced on a computer.

PopRocks3594052d ago

It's Alex Jones. Frankly it should have been tagged as "cockamamie bullshit."

konnerbllb4052d ago

Who would approve an info wars article? For shame.

gamefiles4052d ago (Edited 4052d ago )

You either didn't read the article or haven't seen the shocking vid contained within, or you work for "THEM" lol.

JsonHenry4052d ago

For shame, Infowars only links to commonly trusted media sites such as Reuters, AP, and others. Read the link and stop burying your head in the sand - http://www.vgleaks.com/dura...

DragonKnight4052d ago

Infowars is the height of sensationalism and Alex Jones is a nutbag who is 2 seconds away from having an aneurysm.

kneon4052d ago

Yes they start with actual facts, then they totally misinterpret them and/or misunderstand them, add some wild speculation and convince the simple minded that the world is out to get them

Show all comments (127)
240°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7220h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle7h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18814h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio4h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Cacabunga6h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21836h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga4h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan43m ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

purple1019h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos9h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

XBManiac8h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1017h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic6h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

Show all comments (25)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 16h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 14h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 11h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 4h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 6h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 2h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 14h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9023h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 16h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 15h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 12h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 15h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 14h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde12d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197212d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville12d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde12d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197212d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref12d ago (Edited 12d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier12d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto12d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts12d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts11d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)