You only have to look at the outrage for other games that have done that to see it's a horrible idea. I have a good connection, but a few days after I bought that Final Fight combo off of PSN (which requires always online), PSN went down, and I couldn't play the game I purchased. Personally, I think if the Nextbox, or PS4 does that it's console suicide. They'd basically be cutting off anyone without internet, for whatever reason. Also anyone with a shoddy connection would think twice before buying, or risk lots of lost time and data. That said, I'm with Iceman, Sony and MS can't be that dense, and oblivious to rage against always connected single player.
What I could see with this, IF Microsoft does do this, is make an XBL subscription mandatory. Then just tie in an extra fee for a 3G or whatever connection for those without internet. Think a mandatory version of Sony's monthly Vita connection fee (I think it's $14.99, right?).
Either way, these nextgen rumors are sounding like a greatest hits of all the bad ideas on ways to combat used games. Can you imagine if they're true, and your Nextbox breaks down? You pay for the connection as you have to to even play games, and forXBL subscription. You for whatever lose internet a year later, and suddenly have a $400-500 paper weight, not counting $$ spent on games, and peripherals.
