Rumored Next-Gen Details Likely Hogwash

The internet rumor mill is at it again, perpetuating absurd and unfounded speculation concerning the next generation of video game consoles. It’s always the same story; some vague and dubious “source,” close to the project, said “blah-be-da-blah-blah-blah.”

Two of the most popular rumors right now, which have gamers up in arms, are how the new consoles by Sony and Microsoft won’t support used games, and will require an “always-on” internet connection.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

You've got to remember, many of these "rumors" are coming from sources who have their own agendas. Some are good, but most are bad / black PR.

[Soldierone]

My Grandmas friends uncle that works at Gamestop in the middle of no where isn't a good source?! Who knew....

lol

[Wigriff]

It's not even that. The most egregious offenders are a couple of pretty big game sites. I won't mention names specifically - but I don't really think that I have to. heh.

[CPUSmith]

Rumors are rumors but whatever happened to source checking and good journalism?

[izumo_lee]

That died long ago! All it is now is sensationalism just for the sake of hits for the site. There are a few good sites but they are outnumbered by useless blogs & sites that only care about traffic.

[Wigriff]

While the shoddy, pseudo-journalism in question is a problem, it is allowed to propagate through the same means as sub-par films.

People constantly complain about how Hollywood makes nothing but crap, but people like Michael Bay wouldn't keep rolling out garbage if people didn't continue to go see it. It's preposterous to complain about how bad something is if you continue to support it.

Well, look at the typical "top 10" on N4G, and it often reveals the same pattern. The whole reason that these sites in question produce the sensationalist crap that they do is because they know it WILL get hits. Even if people troll the article, and recognize it for what it is, that still supports it. Hits are hits.

There are some real quality sites out there still, that concentrate much more on content rather than generating an empty population - and that is what sensationalism brings in. Most of these sites aren't building a community, or any real fanbase - just empty numbers to fuel their CPM campaigns.