90°

With Xbox 'Durango' Requiring Full Game Installs, Is Microsoft Locking Out Used Game Sales?

Forbes - There comes a defining moment in every rumor’s life cycle where it simply fizzles out, or surges forward like a runaway train. Unfortunately the latest rumors about the next Xbox console — code named Durango — and its always online connectivity are only being amplified, with new wrinkles pointing to Microsoft dodging or outright preventing used game sales.

ShugaCane4485d ago

Maybe, maybe not, but what we know is that The chains of love are never so blinding as when their links are made of gold, so who cares ?

TheSaint4485d ago

Well if they do and Sony don't then that's suicidal for MS.

yewles14485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

According to the old leaks, the PS4 has an extra ZLib decompression unit so that the disc can stream data by spooling with the HDD, thus games can load faster, eliminating the need for installs. But, we'll have to wait until E3 to see if that made it to the final specs...

Rob Hornecker4485d ago

Oh how the rumor mill just keeps churning LOL!!! Like you,I will wait and see what E3 will bring as far as what the next gen can and won't be able to do.

I think the being able to play used games will be the make it or break it of the next gen!!!

I agree that the game publishers need to make something off used games,but they have to come up with a reasonable medium. or gaming will go the way of over the air free TV.

Godmars2904485d ago

In that case the WiiU is indeed headed for a slow burn win. Just need Sony's and MS's public and official "F-U" to the used games market.

Jyndal4485d ago

This doesn't bother me at all. I trust Microsoft to deliver an excellent gaming experience, just as they've always done.

SDF Repellent4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Amen! LOL at the Sony fanboys' stealth disagrees with what you said, Jyndal.

HarryMasonHerpderp4484d ago (Edited 4484d ago )

If Microsoft block used games then they are sticking their middle finger up to a good portion of gamers.
It's exactly the same if Sony do it.
Why would you support this? people buy used games and fall in love with franchises which then leads them to buy the sequels or extra content, what about lending a game to a friend? getting them to try you're favourite game? everyone has done that at some point and gotten their friends into games they would never of tried.
I can't believe you're turning it into a Sony fanboy thing it's ridiculous.

SDF Repellent4484d ago (Edited 4484d ago )

Installing game on the Harddrive =/= Blocking used games. The Xbox 360 and PS3 has been doing that for years. Jyndal wasn't talking about blocking used games. These blocking used game rumors are beaten like a dead horse and me and other xbox owners are just tired of it because we love what the Xbox brought to the table this generation and we have no doubt that will continue in the future and Microsoft will do the right thing. Just mentioning xbox and microsoft in a positive note will get disagreements. That is a fact of life on N4G.

HarryMasonHerpderp4484d ago

Well this article is about Microsoft blocking used games so I imagine Jyndal was replying to the headline.

"With Xbox 'Durango' Requiring Full Game Installs, Is Microsoft Locking Out Used Game Sales?"
Jnydal "This doesn't bother me at all"

(I could be wrong it's just how it looks)

Anyway I get that you want to defend the company that you love. which I'm guessing is due to the 360 being you're favourite console? but you shouldn't defend things like this. Yes this is all rumour and speculation and in result every comment made towards Microsoft is based on this rumour. I'm positive if there were rumours of Sony blocking used games you would see the exact same reaction.

Temporary4484d ago

Microsoft loves ass raping fools. Best scammers the past 2 decades.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4484d ago
grassyknoll4485d ago

If true, not being able to play games at a friend's house or resell old games does not mean an "excellent gaming experience".

iconic564485d ago

I'm a Steam user and I can't help but see the similarities between the Durango and Steam when it comes to transactions.

Which also leads me to believe that possibly like Steam, if Durango is truly digital only then all these transactions should be linked to your Xbox account and (like Steam) you should be able to play/reinstall your games wherever you sign in with your account (on whoever's Durango). The catch being that you can only be signed-in in one location at a time. The other catch being you have to be online for verification as well.

I'm also thinking for all those gamers without internet, they will be able to play the games they have installed locally via retail bluray discs, but they obviously won't be able to transfer those files to someone else's Durango, since those transactions were never synced to a Xbox Live account.

I'm definitely cool with this and think it's a realistic and smart progression for an increasing digital and connected generation. Plus I'm already used to this idea of Cloud syncing... iTunes/Steam/Vudu/Kindle/Andro id/Origin/Google Drive/Office 365/etc.

vitullo314485d ago

yeah...excellent being used as a synonym for shitty

jessupj4485d ago

I'm astounded at the level of fanboyism.

It really takes the meaning of "smile while MS bends you over" to a whole new level.

I love Sony, but if they ever pulled this crap I'd be forced to just game on the PC.

It's just comprehensible how anyone could be ok with this.

Godmars2904485d ago

Obviously unconfirmed, but it might have something to do with the BR drive they plan on using for the system. An issue with direct reading or speed, so this is a work around.

fOrlOnhOpe574485d ago

I think the sooner Microsoft reveal now, the better.

Rob Hornecker4485d ago

That would be in there best interest,since pax east starts today!

kreate4485d ago (Edited 4485d ago )

Thats the problem though, they decline to comment.

All this rumors going spiral is partly MS' s fault for not specifying anything.

Supposedly april will bring us answers.

But agreed, the sooner the better.

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220°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
16h ago
lukasmain12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

11h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer11h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif9h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

8h ago
Obscure_Observer6h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

1dmj4h ago

He doesn’t have any sources lol

He also forgot that Sony does layoffs too

Hereandthere10h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

9h ago
Lightning779h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot8h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer886h ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer6h ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

Jingsing1h ago

Amen to that, All of Phil's industry peers have left or moved on in the time he has been at Xbox. He is like a football manager that doesn't know when to go. I'm almost convinced he just wants to keep holding on so he can leave on a high (egotistical). But he is just causing more damage than good.

Show all comments (24)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
2d ago Replies(3)
Goodguy012d ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

2d ago
GamerRN1d 13h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga1d 12h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6381d 11h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein1d 9h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN1d 5h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 5h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 11h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

2d ago
Futureshark1d 22h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (66)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)