Xbox One: Tomorrow's Announcement

[Theblacksheep]

And like I previously said, how many people own the current gen consoles but don't actually play them, thus making the quoting of total sales figures pointless when trying to figure out offline users.

 

Why say "it wont affect many people" when talking about paying for online services/games when you admit you have no idea.

 

I know quite a few people that have PS3/XBL that have them and dont play online. I could count the amount of people that I know that have consoles and pay for online services on two fingers and one of them is me (only started last month too) after nearly 7 years of last-gen gaming.

 

It may not affect you, but it is going to affect many, many people.

[sonofsanta]

I think that, as the gaming audience matures (and has children), online gaming will become less and less central - at least in the existing incarnation of Live Gold etc.

 

I don't have the time to devote months to one game without missing out on dozens of other games (I probably manage 3 hours of gaming a week these days), and I absolutely cannot play a game that won't let me pause. Single player games that I can enjoy in half hour chunks are all I can play now.

 

We'll probably see new online models - like Journey, or more async multiplayer - but the services that pander to the hardcore won't suit everyone.

[CAM]

Like I say, won't affect you... persumably you weren't going to folk out £400 on one of these consoles just to watch netflix?

 

 

 

And like I previously said, how many people own the current gen consoles but don't actually play them, thus making the quoting of total sales figures pointless when trying to figure out offline users.

 

I would have considered buying one if MS rethought their current business model. I have had an XBox Gold subscription in the past and back in the days of the old Blade UI it was quite a good console. It was focused around games and I generally wasn't disturbed by adverts unless I went into the market.

 

Move forwards to today and a gold subscription means you continue to get bombarded by adverts on every UI screen. A pathetic avatar system appeared to extract more money from you with advertisiments for brands or games (digital branded clothing, seriously?). Market prices hiked up and payment was required to do anything with the console beyond playing a single-player game or watching iPlayer (and only because the BBC refused to allow payment under legal requirements for free access). A number of services are included with Gold for streaming music or video, but they are followed by "Additional subscription required."

 

I cancelled my XBox Live account because I didn't use the console a lot. The reason I didn't use it a lot was the service turned from a usable games system into an advertisement board demanding ever increasing sums of money from it's users. XBox One won't be any different except it now locks marketed console features behind the paywall, even though you've paid them hundreds of pounds they still don't care about you if you don't pay. PS4 I considered, but because it is no longer a free service I doubt it will be much different.

 

So the way it currently stands, my next-gen alliegance is currently remaining on PC with a Wii-U for first party titles where multiplayer is free making it perfect for me since I use consoles occasionally rendering their subscriptions pointless.

[JJonas]

People appear to be forgetting that the PS4 will come with a £40 a year subscription for some of it features, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

[sted]

People appear to be forgetting that the PS4 will come with a £40 a year subscription for some of it features, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

or just dont buy either ive seen no "killer app" for either just old game +1

[gshaw]

People appear to be forgetting that the PS4 will come with a £40 a year subscription for some of it features, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

Or not as the case might have it

[Arthur]

Microsoft 'committed' to original Xbox One plans, reveals new 'Home Gold' sharing features « The Verge

 

Microsoft had originally planned to let Xbox One users share any games digitally, but a backlash over the used games policies and online check forced the company to reverse most of its promising plans. Although disc-based games can no longer be converted into digitally shareable copies, Microsoft is outlining what can be shared this week, and it's very similar to how the Xbox 360 works today. The reversal of policies may have changed Microsoft's plans, but Xbox chief product officer Marc Whitten tells us that "most people will use this platform connected," and the company still plans to bring back some of the original Xbox One features.

 

Xbox One games purchased digitally can be used by all players in a household on an Xbox One. Just as discs can be played by any family member today, Microsoft will allow Xbox One owners to create a virtual game library that includes different games that family members have purchased digitally. Any family member will be able to pick a digital game and sign in with their account even if the original owner is not signed in. Xbox One owners will also be able to play digitally downloaded games without being online. Essentially, Xbox Live digital games are tied to your gamertag, but they're also tied to your primary console. Despite this, Microsoft is not commenting on when features like being able to resell digital games will become available, but Whitten says Xbox One's digital vision is "going to drive a lot of different business models over time."

 

Xbox One owners will be able to use a Microsoft Account as a type of digital passport to sign in and use games on another console. A key part of this sharing and cloud-powered Xbox Live is a new feature that Microsoft is calling Home Gold. Existing Xbox Live Gold members will be able to set up an Xbox One at home and anyone who uses the console will be able to access multiplayer gaming and the entertainment apps even if the main account holder is not signed in or at home. An Xbox One owner with an Xbox Live Gold subscription could also log in at a friend's house and everyone on that particular console would then be able to use multiplayer gaming and the entertainment apps while the Gold member is signed in. It sounds a little complicated, that's because it is, but in reality Microsoft is extending its Xbox Live Gold subscription so that you don't have to buy individual subscriptions for each family member.

[flyinghaggis]

I've pre-ordered a PS4. The lower price and launch titles swung it for me though I'll likely buy an XBone in future at some point once there are a few more exclusive titles. Hopefully MS will have cut the price of it by then too.

 

It also worried me that myself and every single person I know who bought a launch day Xbox360 had it die and RROD on them within 18 months! To be fair MS replaced mine and it's been OK since but once bitten twice shy .....

[CAM]

And yet another 180. Microsoft are just spinning round in circles now, XBOX1080 anyone?

 

Xbox 180: Microsoft scraps mandatory Kinect policy

[Theblacksheep]

Now Kinect isn't even needed they are basically asking people to pay an extra £80/$100 for their mistakes.

[Ghostgame]

Now Kinect isn't even needed they are basically asking people to pay an extra £80/$100 for their mistakes.

 

This is for when they do a price drop.

Probably be a cheaper Xbox but without the Kinect.

[Hefferzzzz]

And yet another 180. Microsoft are just spinning round in circles now, XBOX1080 anyone?

 

Xbox 180: Microsoft scraps mandatory Kinect policy

 

 

Surely thats a good thing though? They released some info, most people said not a chance, Microsoft changed it to what people want. Dont see where the problem is or how many 180 uturns they make as long as they keep making the right decision based on what we as gamers want.

[Theblacksheep]

Surely thats a good thing though? They released some info, most people said not a chance, Microsoft changed it to what people want. Dont see where the problem is or how many 180 uturns they make as long as they keep making the right decision based on what we as gamers want.

 

Its a good thing the base unit is now £80 more expensive than it needs to be and something the devs cannot rely being installed on every system?

 

There's nothing unique about it now, its just an expensive lower power PS4.

[Hefferzzzz]

Its a good thing the base unit is now £80 more expensive than it needs to be and something the devs cannot rely being installed on every system?

 

There's nothing unique about it now, its just an expensive lower power PS4.

 

Agreed, but the fact that they at least in some part listening to 'the people' would indicate that they are going in the right direction?

 

I suspect i will probably end up buying both and then 6 months later getting rid of the one that doesn't make me feel as warm and fuzzy as the other.

[CAM]

That and it sounds like Microsoft had this idea, realised people didn't like it and now seem to be spinning in circles not sure what they are doing (one feature was already removed citing impossibility due to DRM removal then reinstated). Kind of applies to the whole company really in their current state, every product from Windows and Office down to the XBox division is coming across as confused, muddled and backtracked on.

 

The rate they are going, XBox360 and Windows 7 will be the company pinnacle. Gaming and corporate is Microsoft's last bastions where they shine (Office is still the de facto productivity suite and there is no comparison to Windows when it comes to gaming) but they appear to be getting muddled whilst reaching for mobile devices and the cloud.

[ZeroHour]

Its a good thing the base unit is now £80 more expensive than it needs to be and something the devs cannot rely being installed on every system?

 

There's nothing unique about it now, its just an expensive lower power PS4.

 

No.... Dev's can presume you have one, if they want they can gracefully work around the issue and disable kinect functions/mode in game or if they want it as part of the experience they can request you turn it on again.

The whole point is one is in the box so you can dev it knowing one is in the box and you can integrate it if it makes sense for the dev's story telling. At least Sony knows not to bother with they stupid eye and ball since all the games appear to hate the idea of cameras.... Btw Sony USA would have to comply with all USA laws/NSA too for those who actually believed the NSA were going to monitor you're houses....

Still getting a Xbox One, its better for my family with Kinect, nothing really makes me want a ps3+ and Sony really lost a lot of exclusives. Kinect is amazing fun for kids where as the ps4 doesnt really have anything making me think it will be much more then the ps3 for kids.

Edited August 13, 2013 by ZeroHour

[Theblacksheep]

No.... Dev's can presume you have one, if they want they can gracefully work around the issue and disable kinect functions/mode in game or if they want it as part of the experience they can request you turn it on again.

The whole point is one is in the box so you can dev it knowing one is in the box and you can integrate it if it makes sense for the dev's story telling.

 

Beforehand they said the Kinect was needed, even if its not used. This has changed. The only reason for the change is a cheaper kinect free xboxone next year, which means Devs now can't presume you'll have Kinect.

 

Just seen the new controllers still require AA batteries, so another £20 if you want the rechargeable pack!

[LosOjos]

Just seen the new controllers still require AA batteries, so another £20 if you want the rechargeable pack!

 

I wonder if the new packs will last longer than a month - I gave up buying them and stick to wired since the charge died in all 4 I bought within weeks. Absolute pieces of crap.

[Ghostgame]

I wonder if the new packs will last longer than a month - I gave up buying them and stick to wired since the charge died in all 4 I bought within weeks. Absolute pieces of crap.

 

At least its better than buying a new controller

[ZeroHour]

Beforehand they said the Kinect was needed, even if its not used. This has changed. The only reason for the change is a cheaper kinect free xboxone next year, which means Devs now can't presume you'll have Kinect.

 

Pure guessing and illogical. As years go on it gets cheaper ANYWAY to produce. This I suspect us more to prevent launch issues and for those who were worried Microsoft/NSA actually wanted to monitor them. Sony fanboys would love it if they did as it's one of the biggest features over ps3+

[sonofsanta]

Not packing the Kinect in sounds like the same kind of misstep as the cheapo Xbox 360 SKU - because of that SKU, developers couldn't rely on a HDD being present, and it gimped games for the duration of the generation. I don't think Kinect is as essential as a HDD, but with developers being able to rely on them being present, who knows what amazing ideas miught have come out - now Kinect 2 will continue to be as irrelevant and as gimmicky as the first version was, and it will never meet its full potential. It may well be more common, with being packed in the box of these early units, but still.

 

At this point I'm actually starting to wish MS would stick to their guns a bit and say "trust us, this will work out for the best." I know, damned if they do and damned if they don't, but all these changes are just making me more nervous about the Xbone.

[Theblacksheep]

Pure guessing and illogical. As years go on it gets cheaper ANYWAY to produce. This I suspect us more to prevent launch issues and for those who were worried Microsoft/NSA actually wanted to monitor them.

 

After all the 180s Microsoft has done you think it's illogical to drop a peripheral (previously mandatory) to make it cheaper, but you mention people being worried about NSA and Microsoft as the reason. Yep totally makes sense!

 

Still, you are repeatably calling the PS4 the PS3+ (despite having superior memory/cpu than the xboxone), so I at least know we're not having a sensible conversation.

 

At least its better than buying a new controller

 

6 years 9 months, 2 original sixaxis controllers still working, falling apart, but battery still works in both, even the one I spilt beer into.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Theblacksheep

[Ghostgame]

At this point I'm actually starting to wish MS would stick to their guns a bit and say "trust us, this will work out for the best." I know, damned if they do and damned if they don't, but all these changes are just making me more nervous about the Xbone.

 

Agreed

[JJonas]

News: Pre-order Xbox One and you'll get a free copy of FIFA 14 - Xbox 360 - The Official Magazine

 

no news on what happens if you pre-ordered Fifa 14 with your Xbox One

[Fleetwood]

They're really clutching at straws now aren't they..