The Digital Age: We Are Not Ready

A writer at eGamer explains to us why the world is not ready for the Xbox One's vision of an all digital gaming experience.

[DxTrixterz]

M$ thinks otherwise.

[Crazyglues]

-And it won't be the first time they were wrong..

(Windows 8's lack of start menu button comes to mind- They said, "oh consumers won't miss the start button") -uh' Couldn't be more Wrong...

Thinking consumers won't care about having restrictions on their Software (DRM) Uh wrong? even consumers who don't sell their games don't want DRM on their games, and a 24hour check-in system..

I've never seen a company so focus on dragging there consumers kicking and screaming into the future, with no regard for if that's actually something the consumer even wants..

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[Godmars290]

Don't forget all the things they were wrong about with the 360 which they either added or compensated for later. Like HDMI and wi-fi.

And if the online check in turns into a harsh reality, they're not going to be able to back out of it w/o an reintroduction and redesign of the console.

The new theory I'm hearing - the Axe Factor - is that this is Microsoft proper inserting themselves into the Xbox division. Forcing things like Windows 8 and TV onto the system. as well as DRM.

And everyone has to step in line because that's how MS does things.

[pixelsword]

I don't need digital; the PC is all the digital I need:

http://www.google.com/pacma...

[BitbyDeath]

If i wanted digital i'd buy a watch

[Mikelarry]

digital does not mean more restrictions it should mean more options and business models that will help both the gamers and publishers to meet on a level playing field

[Yo Mama]

Microsoft is all about what is best for them. Not the consumer.

[NateCole]

More than half of the world i would bet is not ready.

[jmc8888]

Stupid article.

Acting like it's people not ready for an 'online world'.

Actually the forward thinking first adopters are just fine with an online world.

What they aren't fine with is Xbox One's interpretation of what that means, by spying and drm'ing the console to death.

I have hundreds of all digital games on my Steam account. I'm just fine with technology.

What Microsoft is doing is so incredibly stupid and it has nothing to do with 'me and others like me not being ready'.

Especially since most of us indeed already have plenty of digital games. Xbox One isn't the first, and it doesn't matter if it's a 'console'.

[The_KELRaTH]

Unfortunately it's also proving extremely uncompetitive way to purchase with regards consoles - not just for new full titles but also old titles and particularly old(3yr +) DLC which if supplied via the retail market would be very cheap. The problem is there's no incentive for the publishers to act competitively (much like Gas/Electric etc in UK).
In the end I feel that the real solution lies in segregating software sales so it can only be purchased through the retail chain whether physical or digital to prevent monopolistic markets.

[ShaunCameron]

It's just an extension of what the console market has always been. An oligopoly.

<Unfortunately it's also proving extremely uncompetitive way to purchase with regards consoles - not just for new full titles but also old titles and particularly old(3yr +) DLC which if supplied via the retail market would be very cheap. The problem is there's no incentive for the publishers to act competitively (much like Gas/Electric etc in UK).>

For as long as the publishers own the publishing rights to the IP's, they can sell them however they want.

<In the end I feel that the real solution lies in segregating software sales so it can only be purchased through the retail chain whether physical or digital to prevent monopolistic markets.>

[jmc8888]

It's funny though, you see numerous articles from Xbox apologists trying to claim some sort of secret knowledge or ease of adopting technology advantage over us.

Like they are trying to make xbots feel superior to us thinkers that they somehow have special super secret knowledge we don't and once we get it we'll forget our stance and buy up all the xbox one's.

It's so incorrect it's insane. I can't stress how fake this viewpoint being sold is incorrect.

You're talking about people who like the digital age who are rejecting MS policies, because they think and thus know what MS policies and kinect actually does.

Bending over for accepting DRM and allowing people to spy on you (as only a few of the problems) is not some sort of enlightenment.

It's moronic.

[Tyre]

well said, bubble for you! and the guy beneath me is a clear example of fanboyism...he who accuses others 'with serious concerns about the future of gaming' of fanboyism but in fact he himself is an obvious fanboy and oldschool Sony hater. Wake Up dude

[lgn15]

Sorry, but complaints from sony fans about the DRM policies are obvious attempts at revenge rooted from the deep frustration of being an underdog for a generation. It's clear by how they don't think with logic but only continue to follow the band wagon while calling any Xbox fans "sheeple" (note the obvious irony). I'm tired of this outcry from people who only see the surface of things and can't see the strategic outcome of Microsoft's descision. Sure, Gamestop won't be able to sell used Xbox One games, but I'll be damned if it causes them to go out of busniess like many say. They have survived without selling them so far, havn't they (because they haven't even existed, so it's no loss of sales, it's not really screwing anyone, but the average sony fan doesn't want you to know this, it's glossed over in their facade of "objectivity"). By doing this Microsoft has pleased the game developers, thus creating a better gaming experience for it's gamers. This is evident in who has more exclusives :).

Not only that but many of the sony fans that started this wave of Xbox hate hate to admit that the loss of trading games with your friends is so unimportant that it's not even worth mentioning.... I'm just waiting this out until November (alot can change in 5 months) when people start to see the truth and stop swallowing all the further-propelled bullshit that is published because it runs a popular article. For know I applaud the laughable attempt at Sony fans to get an edge against a multi billion dollar corporation, yah, keep trying guys. Interesting how they latch on to anything that they can twist to be remotely negative while completely ignoring the that they now have to pay to play online, something they used to have us believe was such a big edge over the 360.

[The_KELRaTH]

Maybe you should consider stepping back and not looking at it from a fan based culture.
The simple fact is that the gaming industry isn't about thinking of you getting the best value and quality that can be offered rather how to maximize profits at any cost and finding your breaking point when you say NO - enough is enough.

Right now MS is in the firing line as they probably thought they controlled the gaming industry and 360 owner / fans would take all the crap but it's backfired (much like their phones and OS really).

If you want the freedom to enjoy gaming in 10 - 15yrs time then you need to protect your entertainment and block any form of DRM you can otherwise before you know it you'll find that a purchase price becomes a monthly rental price, only for you to play (no one else can be near the camera) with an allocated slot between the hours of 6-8pm, 2 days a week.

[No_Limit]

"before you know it you'll find that a purchase price becomes a monthly rental price, only for you to play (no one else can be near the camera) with an allocated slot between the hours of 6-8pm, 2 days a week. "

Man, stop making things up. I am not going to argue any further but lines like this show how immature and illogical some of you are. Grow up, no one is forcing you anything, just don't get it if you don't like it but stop spreading nonsense.