190°

Xbox always-online: Maybe it's not so terrible

Chris Morris explains that having a big company like Microsoft step up could make always-online more palatable for next-gen

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
PirateThom4035d ago

1. Denial.
2. Anger.
3. Bargaining.
4. Depression.
5. Acceptance. <

We reached stage 5 quickly.

MariaHelFutura4035d ago

Lol yeah. Being ABLE to go offline is a nice option.

JeffGUNZ4035d ago

I think offline will be an option. I believe that the true beauty and beast features will require a connection to the internet, but I don't believe they are not going to allow people to play video games if they don't have an internet connection. I still have not seen any rumors saying the console is inoperable if not connected.

loulou4035d ago

ofcourse it is terrible.... just look at the comments that get on n4g everyday about it.

anyway, some confirmation would actually be better than watching the same fanboys foaming at the mouth about it everyday

xHeavYx4035d ago

"Xbox always-online: Maybe it's not so terrible" Said no one ever!

MariaHelFutura4035d ago

I hope so. But there was one rumor regarding it. That it will allow 3 mins before the system will shutdown. I don't remember where the rumor came from though. Who knows.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4035d ago
greenpowerz4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

I know we see it on n4g everyday, thousands of comments from PS3 fans crying over rumors of something not even announced and will never buy

It's hard to say if PS3 are so obsessed with this because they want to smear and attack the 720 to help with a supposed PS4 victory *or* if they are really worried that "if it's true" knowing developers would naturally support a console that protects their software better resulting in xbox preference.

Both consoles are using similar PC-ish tech so piracy will be an issue. A company that would do this would lose millions of sales at the same time would be a winner with the developers by default.

Of course all the rumors about always being connected could be nothing more than MSFT using this function in dev kits only, to control when and where devs are using the hardware and games as a pre launch security protocol.

It's entertaining to see PS3 fanboys tracking and trolling xbox news with nervous anger and frustration and the game media is eating this up getting hits while they can due to their failing industry

MariaHelFutura4035d ago

I own a 360, depending on whats the story w/ the 720, I'll eventually own that too. Everyone doesn't have a twisted mind, just because you do. I love the Playstation most (for my own reasons), but I generally just enjoy gaming....unlike you.

caseh4035d ago

What makes you think its PS3 fans flapping these rumours about.?

I'm a PS3 fanboy but seriously, all these articles about the Nextbox and ALWAYS-ON are getting ridiculous.

Ron_Danger4035d ago

I believe it was the great philosopher J. Timberlake that once said "what goes around, comes around."

AtomicGerbil4035d ago

I can't help thinking that you would be the first to champion the rumours if they were positive.

VonBraunschweigg4035d ago

Blablabla. Look at it this way, DRM sucks because it's restricting, kinda like why you are down to one bubble - we would DRM you to zero if we could - and the always online thing is a restriction to, especially for you:) I mean where would you be man, nothing to play OR post on N4G. What you're gonna do, write letters?

Dear N4G,

I would like to submit this article I enclosed, sorry for the stain and blablabla...

kenshiro1004035d ago

Do you have an off switch? Just curious.

MikeMyers4035d ago

I own a Xbox 360 as well and if you look through my comments I an not a hater of Microsoft like we see way too often here on N4G. The thing is I don't trust an always online system. I've gone through the Playstation Network hack and issues on Xbox Live as well. I also don't like all of my content locked. The console suppliers have shown they cannot compete with a service like Steam.

You also have to ignore the forum dwellers that the article talks about. You get a lot of very negative people who love to troll online. You also have those that are biased and don't like anything Microsoft does so this just gives them even more fuel.

I just don't see as many upsides as there are downsides to a system that requires an online connection. Sony fans rejected the PSP Go and I imagine Xbox fans are likely to do the same with this. I don't have an issue having my systems connected, they already are. I just don't like the idea of being locked into a service that is already more costly than most others. Microsoft refuses to even offer free online gaming on games we already bought. This seems to me like another step to gouge and control software.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
Ashlen4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Enjoy not having the option to play used games on your DRM box.

JeffGUNZ4035d ago

Can you provide a link where MS confirms that? oh. They haven't announced anything yet.

Mikeyy4035d ago

Jeff is still on stage 1.

Despite the overwhelming coincidences and leak after leak and even the FBI arresting somebody.

After all that you are in denial about everything still.

Wow.

Hicken4035d ago

They haven't confirmed ANYTHING, but nor have they DENIED ANYTHING, either.

And THAT'S the problem. Rumors run rampant about all sorts of negatives with the next console, and there's NOTHING to counter them. Add to that how Microsoft, even in the gaming arena, has been pushing "multimedia" more than gaming, how they've been pushing casual over core, and it's no surprise that people are making the assumptions they are about the next console.

Is it seriously so hard to get this? Cuz I see you and others speaking like it's just unfathomable. But it's so simple, provided you're being objective.

SpartanQ84035d ago

for me

1.denial
2.anger
3.F@k m$ im getting a PS4

bumnut4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

Why base your decision on rumours?

Ill boycott the 720 if it is 'always on' but until its confirmed its just another rumour.

nukeitall4035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

For me:

1. why is every moron on the internet flipping out over literally nothing! Nothing is really known about the next Xbox.
2. repeat from 1. again

Blaze9294035d ago (Edited 4035d ago )

if people REALLY think Microsoft - a COMPUTER company first and foremost - does not know the connectivity infrastructure of the technology WORLD and the people in it, then people are truly more stupid than I thought to think they will release the next xbox and not allow people to play games on it if they're offline or simply, don't have an internet connection.

What sense does that make for ANY business man? That's like setting up a lemonade stand and a 5yr old going, no lemonade for you unless you bring your own cup everytime to drink it. I'm gonna exclude every customer who MAY want some lemonade, by only focusing on those who already have cups...just cause it makes sense to me.

geassdanny4035d ago

Oh you mean the same company that released the Vista OS. The greatest OS ever! Or the Xbox 360 with never failing hardware issue or RROD!

Yeah, MS is a computer company first, doesn't mean that they don't make shit decisions!

VonBraunschweigg4035d ago

Well, if the lemonade is some really great kick-ass lemonade I will walk around with that cup, day one. But there's no news on the lemonade, and this gen the lemo's gone dry.

I can see them push through with this always online thing, but only if they have some really great must-have games to announce this E3. If not, well than they really are that stupid.

Perhaps we all just should accept it, after all we still have our PS4's to game on:)

AridSpider4035d ago

releasing something an OS that wasn't efficient on resources is different from releasing an OS that wouldn't work if you didn't have an internet connection.

I don't even see why you brought Vista into this conversation to be honest...but it's clear you just want to troll or something

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4035d ago
sagapo4035d ago

If I have to be online to play games, I don't want it, plain and simple! I just hope it's a rumour.

urwifeminder4035d ago

Article number wtf on the same subject people will buy what they want as i will with new xbox jumping in and dealing with it.

GrumpyOla4035d ago

I still don't get it. What happens if you are suddenly disconnected from the net while you're on single player? Can you complete your session offline like in Demon Soul's?

MariaHelFutura4035d ago

Rumors are you have 3 mins before the system will shutdown/log off.

VonBraunschweigg4035d ago

With a big blinking counter top right corner, last minute in red, last 10 seconds with a voice going

Ten!
Nine!

all the way to Zeroooo...the endboss fades away and it's back to the dash where you will find out the ads still work.

Wizziokid4035d ago

If you are required to have an internet connection to play games then yes, it is terrible.

But we have no idea if these rumors are true so these articles are pointless until this is either confirmed or denied.

Show all comments (52)
270°

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
darthv721d 2h 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.

solideagle13h ago

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

Sonic188110h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio10h 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:

Lightning775h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga12h 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.

shinoff218311h 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.

Cacabunga10h 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

itsmebryan6h 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

romulus235h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv725h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
purple10115h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos14h ago

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

DOMination-4h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac14h ago

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

SimpleDad13h ago(Edited 13h 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.

purple10113h ago

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

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos13h ago(Edited 13h 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

Kornholic11h ago

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

MrDead4h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4h ago
Show all comments (36)
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 22h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 20h ago

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

Barlos1d 17h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 10h ago

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

peppeaccardo1d 12h ago

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

ChasterMies1d 8h 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 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h 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 20h ago

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

Mr Logic1d 6h ago

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

Crows901d 5h ago

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

blacktiger2h ago

You own nothing snd be happy. I'm sure you heard that

Profchaos1d 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h 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 21h ago

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

Profchaos1d 21h ago

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

Yi-Long1d 18h ago

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

XiNatsuDragnel1d 20h ago

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

Profchaos1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

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

TheColbertinator1d 20h 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 (23)
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?"

purple10113d 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.

shinoff218312d 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
isarai13d 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.

Xeofate12d ago (Edited 12d 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)