The Xbox One - Part 3

[hippie_hunter]

EA will have to use Microsoft & Sony servers? I hope so. That would take away a lot of their excuses for their stupid policies.

Microsoft already forces everyone to use their servers for Xbox Live multiplayer. I think that they let the publishers to have some server control for certain features, but for multiplayer it's Microsoft's servers being used. It's a reason why Xbox Live multiplayer is better because along with the subscriptions that allow Microsoft to have the money to keep those servers properly function, but it's consistent across because you don't have things like EA's notoriously ****** servers getting in the way.

Right now Sony has the individual publishers control their own servers for multiplayer on PlayStation Network. So when people play Call of Duty they use Activision's servers and when they play Madden NFL, they use EA's servers, and so on. But it looks like with PlayStation Plus for the PlayStation 4, it looks like Sony is headed towards Microsoft's direction, but in a more consumer friendly fashion (subscription for multiplayer and free games, but no subscription to access other features like Netflix).

It's strange why a lot of EA sports games don't have much DLC though. Thought they'd be all over that.

It's hard to do DLC for annual releases of what is essentially the same game. While games like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed have annual releases, they're still different games. But with sports games like Madden NFL and NBA 2K and MLB: the Show, there really isn't much changing with each annual release asides from a few minor refinements and roster updates. There really can't be copious amounts of DLC for annual sports games.

The only way I can see DLC taking over sports games is if EA, 2K, and Sony decide to stop doing annual releases and release annual roster updates as DLC instead for their games.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

So that family sharing thing (lol timed full game trials) is maybe what Phil Harrison was getting at earlier. Makes more sense now despite what was later said to the contrary.

Other users on the console will be able to play that game as well, Harrison said. So you don't need to buy multiple games per family. "With the built-in parental controls of the system it is shared among the users of the device," he said.

But what if you want to bring a game disc to a friend's house and play there? You'll have to pay a fee—and not just some sort of activation fee, but the actual price of that game—in order to use a game's code on a friend's account. Think of it like a new game, Harrison said.

"The bits that are on that disc, you can give it to your friend and they can install it on an Xbox One," he said. "They would then have to purchase the right to play that game through Xbox Live."

"They would be paying the same price we paid, or less?" we asked.

"Let’s assume it’s a new game, so the answer is yes, it will be the same price," Harrison said.

http://kotaku.com/you-will-be-able-to-trade-xbox-one-games-online-micros-509140825

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Angry Joe's response to the DRM reversal is up. look for 'Xbox One Reverses DRM! Angry Rant Pt.3'

 

[The Hill]

Oh they are SO going to put it back in mid-cycle. Once their sales are up, and perhaps another Halo drops, they are going to "flip that switch" and give out some B.S statment to justify the move. Now after that, a person could sell off the XB1, but what good will that do? That person already gave M$ their money, damage done. They are only doing this to get people who were thinking about getting a PS4 only, or before the XB1.

 

[SolarTiger]

Oh they are SO going to put it back in mid-cycle. Once their sales are up, and perhaps another Halo drops, they are going to "flip that switch" and give out some B.S statment to justify the move. Now after that, a person could sell off the XB1, but what good will that do? That person already gave M$ their money, damage done. They are only doing this to get people who were thinking about getting a PS4 only, or before the XB1.

That would be a terrible decision on Microsoft's part. Consumers would never trust them again and try and sue them for fraud.

 

[Havok83]

That would be a terrible decision on Microsoft's part. Consumers would never trust them again and try and sue them for fraud.

This. There was no valid grounds for a lawsuit with MS enacting these policies before release but to do it mid-life cycle is suicide as there is more than enough validity for a lawsuit to go through and actually be successful.

Oh they are SO going to put it back in mid-cycle. Once their sales are up, and perhaps another Halo drops, they are going to "flip that switch" and give out some B.S statment to justify the move. Now after that, a person could sell off the XB1, but what good will that do? That person already gave M$ their money, damage done. They are only doing this to get people who were thinking about getting a PS4 only, or before the XB1.

MS wont make money any XB1 sales and wont for a few years. They are selling the system at a loss. The way they make up for that loss is through the software so keeping a consumer in the Xbox ecosystem and continuing to buy their games is where profit is found. Its shortsighted to think that they should or would be satisfied with a person purchasing the system and then selling it, bc they "got their money" from that one sale

 

[X Knight]

the battle isn't over.

we still need to get rid of mandatory Kinect!!!

 

[Benstamania]

Angry Joe's response to the DRM reversal is up. look for 'Xbox One Reverses DRM! Angry Rant Pt.3'

Damn. That dude is angry.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Damn. That dude is angry.

Amusingly, he brings up the very point I did a few days ago- why did MS take away "family sharing, etc" when they could have left those options in for digital downloads?

Microsoft is like an angry child going home and taking his toys with him. "Nobody can have access to this because of the people who complained. It's their fault we can't offer this service to you."

 

[Thundercrack85]

To be fair, without 24 hour check ups, it would be very easy for people to manipulate that system.

 

[Wolvieboy17]

Because without the online check ins, it's possible to exploit that family sharing.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

"Oh no, too many people might take advantage of our timed demos! We are lost!"

 

[Wolvieboy17]

Assuming that leaked thing is accurate. On all the MS press release I recieved, they clearly mentioned "whole games". There's already been so much misinformation regarding XB1, I'm not gonna believe something unconfirmed blindly just because it adds fuel to the fire of one argument.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Yeah well they also said a lot of other things that they were less than truthful about so believe what you will but don't expect me to start shaking a set of neon green pompoms anytime soon, sorry.

 

[Wolvieboy17]

Bein vague is not the same as flat out lying.

 

[Havok83]

Assuming that leaked thing is accurate. On all the MS press release I recieved, they clearly mentioned "whole games". There's already been so much misinformation regarding XB1, I'm not gonna believe something unconfirmed blindly just because it adds fuel to the fire of one argument.

Whole games with timed limits. That's no different from the PS3 full game trials.

 

[Nathan]

 

[Iceman]

Microsoft already forces everyone to use their servers for Xbox Live multiplayer. I think that they let the publishers to have some server control for certain features, but for multiplayer it's Microsoft's servers being used. It's a reason why Xbox Live multiplayer is better because along with the subscriptions that allow Microsoft to have the money to keep those servers properly function, but it's consistent across because you don't have things like EA's notoriously ****** servers getting in the way.

Right now Sony has the individual publishers control their own servers for multiplayer on PlayStation Network. So when people play Call of Duty they use Activision's servers and when they play Madden NFL, they use EA's servers, and so on. But it looks like with PlayStation Plus for the PlayStation 4, it looks like Sony is headed towards Microsoft's direction, but in a more consumer friendly fashion (subscription for multiplayer and free games, but no subscription to access other features like Netflix).

If that's true they would have a lot of (a lot more) explaining to do! The way they word it, the reason that servers are shut much earlier for their games (EA & 2K) than almost all other 360 games is because of the cost of maintaining the server. Strange when launch shooters by other companies that are inactive (& could justifiably be shut down) are supported (by MS) nearly 8 years later.

It's hard to do DLC for annual releases of what is essentially the same game. While games like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed have annual releases, they're still different games. But with sports games like Madden NFL and NBA 2K and MLB: the Show, there really isn't much changing with each annual release asides from a few minor refinements and roster updates. There really can't be copious amounts of DLC for annual sports games.

The only way I can see DLC taking over sports games is if EA, 2K, and Sony decide to stop doing annual releases and release annual roster updates as DLC instead for their games.

It is a lot harder than for campaign games I guess.

 

[Donut]

Blahhttp://www.examiner.com/article/rum...inect-requirement-without-xbox-one-price-drop

 

[The Hill]

That would be a terrible decision on Microsoft's part. Consumers would never trust them again and try and sue them for fraud.

Wouldn't they have something in place to cover themselves like "Microsoft reserves the right to change it's policies at anytime....." and so forth? Perhaps they won't bring back as we currently know it, but given how hard they was defending it, I doubt they just scrap the whole thing for the whole cycle.

As for the trust issue, there are people who either wanted or didn't seem to care ("It does not effect me....") so no trust is broken there. As for the other group, Halo seems to placate the masses for some reason. ("Oh I hate all this DRM crap, but I'll keep/buy one anyway cuz I need my Halo.")

 

[Whiskey Tango]

Xbox One headset revealed

Xbox One's wired chat headset has been revealed. The device looks similar to Xbox 360's microphone, with one speaker and a controller input. On Xbox One, you'll have volume and mute control on the controller input -- similar to the old version of the Xbox 360 headset -- and padding on both sides of the headset. The new device will also use a wideband voice codec for sharper voice chat.

Turtle Beach headsets, as well as Polk's soundbar and headphones and a new MadCatz fight stick will be supported, too.

 

[Balthus Dire]

Revolutionary!!!

 

[Whiskey Tango]

It looks even cheaper than the 360 headset.

 

[Doc Ock]

It looks even cheaper than the 360 headset.

It looks like the headset I had...for the Original Xbox....and still have lol.

 

[Nathan]

Heads May Roll (and Some May Change Place) at Microsoft and Xbox on July the 1st

At the end of last month Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer sent a letter to the shareholders explaining his vision for the future of the company and his plan to perform a major restructuring to turn Redmond’s software and hardware giant into a devices and services company.

Last year in this letter I said that over time, the full value of our software will be seen and felt in how people use devices and services at work and in their personal lives. This is a significant shift, both in what we do and how we see ourselves — as a devices and services company. It impacts how we run the company, how we develop new experiences, and how we take products to market for both consumers and businesses. The work we have accomplished in the past year and the roadmap in front of us brings this to life.

According to a report by Microsoft News due to this major restructuring the Windows division could finally lose some of its predominance, while the Xbox division might gain in weight, climbing up to par with Windows. This conflicts with the (honestly rather farfetched) idea previously expressed by Nomura Equity Research analyst Rick Sherlund, that involved Microsoft selling the Xbox Division.

As with any major restructuring, some corporate rears will change seat, some will gain power and some will lose it. Heads will also probably roll.

When thinking about rolling heads, many gamers will probably direct their brain waves towards Interactive Entertainment Business honcho Don Mattrick, that often comes out as not exactly likable, and seems to be prone to delivering very unfortunate statements. This train of thought seems to be compounded by Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb telling an interviewer from Reddit that the company is looking to silence Mattrick, as his attitude and unbridled statements make things look worse.

This may not be the case, though. Microsoft News reports that Mattrick could be between those that will actually gain in influence from the restructuring, and a first report by All Things Digital (that cites “sources close to the situation” and that is normally very credible on this kind of issues due to the connections provided by its Wall Street Journal affiliation) confirms it.

A second report by All Things Digital published yesterday (still citing “ sources close to the situation”) specifies that “Focus internally is especially strong” on Mattrick, and also that there will be some major shifts, including some significant departures. A date for this change is also mentioned: July the 1st.

Apparently the suits at Microsoft feel that the change is going to be “titanic” and are concerned, as Ballmer seems to be acting with “limited consultation with the wider leadership group” at the company.

What is going to happen? We can’t know for sure, but many seem to be convinced that things are going to change, and some of those changes will involve Xbox. How do you feel about Don Mattrick gaining more power in the company? Who do you think is going to lose his job? Notably, Mattrick’s change in position might even involve him being moved somewhere else entirely, leaving someone else to lead the Xbox division.

One thing is for sure: Xbox fans should keep

Source