Always Online Would Be the Least of Our Problems With the Next Xbox

SuperPhillip Central writes, "Things have been a bit messy with the Microsoft camp. If you're reading this site, you know doubt heard or read about it. A creative director for Microsoft's gaming division spoke out on Twitter, defending the idea of a console that is always online. That means that an Internet connection is always required to use the system's services and features. Well, unfortunately, Mr. Adam Orth said his comments in an incredibly rude and disrespectful manner. This not only insulted gamers, but even Xbox fans are up in arms. You can see an example of Mr. Orth's tweeting below. Now, we are in the stage of damage control for Microsoft.

While an always online next Xbox would be a bad thing to us, it's not the worst thing that we can think of that Microsoft could do with their third console. Here are four troublesome and worrying things Microsoft may have for the so-called "Nextbox.""

[StrongMan]

Great read. The author is right, MS have a lot more problems with the next Xbox leaks of always requiring an Internet connection to play games even offline. Your silence is only hurting you, MS. Your employees are defending the always online thing so that pretty much confirms it's true.

[lastofgen]

"Your employees are defending the always online thing .."

correction: one employee.

edit: for those who disagreed with me, is my statement incorrect or are you just disagreeing with me for the heck of it?

[iGAM3R-VIII]

@lasyofgen #DealWithIt #ItsTrue #AdamOrth #MS #Why lol

@StongMan I have to agree with you, this article really states some problems that are true. MS really do have to change their direction by E3 but I doubt they can do that in that amount of time.

[amiga-man]

I have no doubt the always online is true, after the huge outcry M$ may be having second thoughts and are back peddling as we speak, if not especially if the other rumours are true as well, M$ really are taking the pee out of it's users.

All that and you are still charged for online, it's a joke but it's not even funny anymore.

[chukamachine]

You can put lipstick on a pig, yes it's still a pig. But a hot pig.

[lastofgen]

ok...so 18 people who disagreed with me believe that one employee = employees.

I see what this community is turning into...

[thechosenone]

For those who may have missed it, another confirmation of MS going the always on route.

"Developer on Xbox 720 always-online: "All I can say is be sure to pay your ISP bills"

http://n4g.com/news/1225967...

[user7693958]

what about the troolls employers who are in n4g and any other gaming webpages?
who are defending it? I bet m$ pays them to do so.

[silenius]

all this articles about the next xbox to be gone...
I'm tired of them, and clearly in the end, they don't say anything new.
People... either wait and see what MS has to offer to show in E3, OR stop flaming on that f**king "unanounced" corpse of the Next Xbox.

Suddenly everybody has "an inside source" that knows EVERYTHING! and suddenly everybody has an opinion on something THAT IS NOT EVEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!

Seriously though, N4G starts to look more like a site in which 2 fanatic religious groups are trying So hard to prove that their religion is the only and rightful one...

[DylnCox]

@lastofgen You can't just assume that he is the ONLY employee in all of MS that supports the idea. The reason you believe that is because he's the only one that has come out and said something about it.

[IK IR Y IP T]

they are disagreeing with you because it has to do with microsoft atleast when u support microsoft that money goes back into the us economy unlike the sony who's money goes straight overseas no wonderthey love there dumb lil fanboys...

[nosferatuzodd]

what about the troolls employers who are in n4g and any other gaming webpages?
who are defending it? I bet m$ pays them to do so.
AraK
Zodd the immortal said its not impossible it does happen look! they paid this guy 134million that's million folks to discredit Google with the scroogle add Microsoft is a very cut throat company i know if they cant win they'll do anything Sony better watch it if Microsoft cant have their way..

like i said the only thing xboxlive do that PSN don't is cross media chat that's it i have both and that's the only thing my Xbox friends can talk to me about when we have a discussion

[Gaming101]

What are you delusional? Devs have come out and said that "You better pay your ISP bills". If you can't understand from all the evidence that you always need to be online, from the mountain of evidence in front of you, you're a typical delusional fanboy living in a bubble with your hands over your ears screaming "LALALALALALALALA"

And for those of you delusional enough to think that Msoft pays internet trolls, they have bigger things on their minds. Internet trolls are just that - saps with nothing better to do, who will fanboy it up for free.

[BattleAxe]

I totally agree with the author of this article.

1. The idea of a console that is always online is a bad idea.

2. Blocked used games are a bad idea.

3. Let's talk about their extensive lineup of compelling first-party exclusives, or lack thereof. Between Halo and Forza, that's pretty much all that excites some people, myself included.

4. Then there's Kinect which is turning the XBOX brand into a casual games machine.

5. Microsoft's attitude with Xbox Live, I'm sorry, but having to have a subscription to play online with your friends is total garbage. Microsoft essentially became so arrogant that they raised the cost of their service from $50 per year to $60 per year. That's for the privilege of playing with your friends, various chat services, Netflix and YouTube (both free on other platforms).

[S2Killinit]

I disagreed with you even though I agree that it is the first time that at least I, hear an MS employee defending the decision for 'always online'. Honestly though, I think the main reason why I disagreed with you is because you are (rightfully in this case) defending a company that seems to be taking the industry in a direction that just somehow doesn't sit right with me. I feel that MS's decisions are part of a bigger picture that I'm not quite certain I look forward to. I donno you are entitled to your opinion but thats just me.

[Ritsujun]

It could be the last 'next' box for Microtendo. =)

[whoyouwit04]

Nothing is confirmed until Microsoft them selve come out and say's it, You are just hoping with all your Sony heart that it is true.

[iGAM3R-VIII]

The fact a MS employee said it, you still think that it isn't true. That's like an police employee saying on twitter someone killed a guy and you don't believe it because you want the chief policeman to say it in piblic.

[Saigon]

@whoyouwit04

It has nothing to do with being a Sony fanboy...but it has everything to do with being a gamer...

I totally agreed with your statement until the last bit. You are right it is not confirmed, but creditable sources such as Edge Online and sad to say Kotaku are coming out with information that usually is spot on. That is the reason for the hoopla. It has nothing to do with fanboyism...

My biggest issue is that this strategy is more aimed at the casual gaming market versus the hardcore gamers. The sad part about it is that no one has recognized that yet. Everyone is complaining about the concept without looking at the true meaning or intentions behind the move.

[lastofgen]

@igam3r
the employee was merely expressing his opinion.
and always online could mean anything. most likely, it's something akin to sony's sleep mode or never again having to sit through "connecting to xbox live" again because it always remains connected to xbox live even when you turn it off.

you can hold me to my word. I am 100% confident that the always online requirement is false and ms has nothing like it planned.

and when all the rumors are conflicting and never really correctly align, you should realize that something is up with the sources, which are most likely fake.

[amiga-man]

No but I am pretty sure most xbox owners are hoping with all of their heart that it isn't true,

If it is are you seriously going to defend it?

[xxLuckyStrike]

If true Microsoft almost certainly are back-pedaling due to consumer outrage over said rumors. GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE WOULD NEVER ALIENATE ANY POSSIBLE CONSUMER LET ALONE MILLIONS . IT WOULD ONLY FIND MORE WAYS TO KEEP CURRENT CONSUMERS SATISFIED. AND BUILD ON TO ADD MORE CONSUMERS!!

And personally I would never buy a console that doesn't work as a stand alone gaming device. See it's my option if I so choose to get online for multiplayer or movies!!! It's my decision if I want to loan my game to a buddy. I paid for it!!! I should be able to do what I choose.

*I'm not going to pay $400 for a console with restrictions, requirements, fees, and or devices I deem unnecessary.

The way it sounds is pretty ugly!!

*Kinect Required
*Always online Required
* DRM required
*Block used games

What's wrong with the current business model in place? Why not continue to Build on it!! Don't restrict it.

Gamers/world aren't ready for the all digital console. Always online so you can always update monitor. And MS is/was considering forcing the issue down our throats upcoming gen. NO WAY!!! Maybe when Xbox 4 and PS5 come out that may be. Better make sure you get there first!!!

This rant was based solely on rumors and means absolutely nothing
*

[fermcr]

"Always Online Would Be the Least of Our Problems With the Next Xbox"

OUR problems !!! ???

If rumors are true, then it's not going to be OUR problems. The problems belong to the people that purchase the next Xbox.

[iGAM3R-VIII]

I would say Microsofts instead of Ours, it makes more sense too

[Saigon]

Bubbles, you are so right...if we as gamers or should I say casuals buy into this, it is OUR problem...

[Jakens]

I still think that this is OUR problem. This doesn't affect you? Yes, sadly it does.

[rainslacker]

I wish that were true. However MS has become a force within the gaming industry. Whatever they do has the potential of becoming a norm for gaming, and if this type of thing gains momentum and sees positive results for the company, it could soon become every gamers problem as the other console providers take notice.

I know it seems everyone that wants to turn a blind eye wants to call those in the Sony camp against the idea a fan boy, but I can look at the situation realistically and see beyond just one or two years how this may affect me, and other gamers, as well as developers. I don't speak out on this issue(or others like it from any console maker) because of console preference, I do so because I'm a consumer, and I like having at the very least the illusion of choice in my game purchases.

There are some issues that are simply bigger than console preference. And the console wars should stay out of it. It only makes the debate less effective because it becomes to easy to discredit those who have perfectly valid reasons for not liking the idea.

[Peppino7]

I do believe the rumored blocking used games would be the worst of the 2.

[Freedomland]

Problems?
Hmmmmmmm! that's why they are choked and lost for words.

[Dee_Cazo]

I am sure this very credible news site and your opinion has sealed that this is fact, and has nothing to do with the fanboys on n4g.

[SCW1982]

Good points

[MikeMyers]

Yes they are. Three main issues stand out that will kill the next Xbox.

1. It will require a constant connection at all times to run games.

2. It will block used games.

3. Too much emphasis on Kinect.

[majiebeast]

#Dealwithit