Shorty Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 Yeah, it seems like their own support staff aren't being given all the facts, too many cooks and they would probably be better just to keep quiet
madeinbeats Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) Even the bloody army and navy are out! http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members- New Xbox 'a sin against all service members' Microsoft says troops should use old gear instead Navy Lt. Scott Metcalf was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Xbox One. Now he’s not even sure if he’ll buy one. Indeed, for many in the military, the next-gen Xbox console may offer more endemic frustration than grand epic gaming, particularly for those deployed downrange, aboard ships and stationed overseas. Xbox One, Microsoft’s much-anticipated new console, got its big reveal at the Electronic Entertainment Expo gamers’ convention in Los Angeles. Company honchos are confident it will come to dominate living rooms over the next decade not only as the gaming delivery vehicle of choice, but also with a barrage of other content, including a suite of apps, streaming video and music. There’s one big but, however: To get all this entertainment awesomeness, the console will have to check in online with the Microsoft mothership at least once a day. “With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection,” an Xbox spokesperson tell Military Times. Showstoppers Metcalf called that a “showstopper” for any service members who rely on their Xbox for off-duty diversions downrage, in the field, or at sea. Which is to say, just about everyone. And it gets worse for on-the-go troops. The Xbox One: ■ Can play only in Xbox One-friendly countries. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a regular, reliable Internet connection while overseas, you’ll have to be in one of 21 countries included in Microsoft’s server network. So, if you’re stationed in, say, Germany, Italy or Great Briatin, you’re good to go. But if you’re based in Japan, Kuwait or Afghanistan, you’re out of luck. ■ Will have region-locked games. Games bought in the U.S. can be activated only in the U.S. That means no more ripping open the latest title that just arrived in a care package from home while you’re deployed. And forget about buying games locally when overseas — if your Xbox Live account isn’t tied to the region when you activate a game, it won’t play. ■ Serious security concerns. Even when the Xbox One is in sleep mode, its built-in microphone can always listen in. It’s a feature developers say will provide quick voice-command access to games and apps — but that could spook commanders who might worry the always-connected device could also capture more than just idle chit-chat among troops. “Microsoft has single handedly alienated the entire military. And not just the U.S. military — the militaries of the entire world,” says naval aviator Jay Johnson. The Internet connection requirement is “the single greatest sin Microsoft has committed against all service members,” he writes in a post on the game developers’ site Gamasutra. With tours aboard three Nimitz aircraft carriers, Johnson says he’s spent more than half of the past three years deployed or training at sea. He describes gaming in general and his Xbox in particular as “my sanctuary. It is where I went to calm down after a long day of flying.” But that won’t true with the Xbox One, he says. “No longer will the sounds of Master Chief saving the human race echo through the hallowed halls of the USS Abraham Lincoln, or any other USS ship, when we have a few hours respite. No longer will you see Marcus and Dom sawing through the Locust Horde at the bases in Afghanistan after the Marines have returned from patrol and want to escape their reality for a bit. Those days are now firmly behind us.” Microsoft: Sucks to be you Not to fear, says Xbox exec Don Mattrick, president of the Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment division. The company has a solution for those in the military: Just use the old Xbox 360 instead. “Fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity, it’s called Xbox 360. If you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device,” Mattrick told Game Trailer at E3 in an interview posted online. He says he feels your pain, though. “When I read the blogs and thought about who’s really the most impacted, there was a person who said, “Hey, I’m on a nuclear sub.’ I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub, but I’ve got to imagine that it’s not easy to get an Internet connection. Hey, I can empathize. If I was on a sub, I’d be disappointed.” OFFduty asked Microsoft officials if that empathy might translate into practical workarounds for the military. “I don’t have additional details to share and can’t speculate on workarounds at this time,” wrote Xbox rep Danica Stickel in an emailed response to questions, repeating the suggestion that troops could just use the 360 instead. “Although we’re very excited about Xbox One, we remain dedicated to Xbox 360 now and for years to come. In fact, we are expecting some of the greatest blockbusters of 2013 and 2014 to come out on Xbox 360.” She did offer some encouragement for Xbox One hopefuls, however, saying the regional lock restrictions aren’t much different from other content protections. “Similar to the movie and music industry, games and other content must meet country-specific regulatory guidelines before they are cleared for sale — which means that games will work in the broad geographic regions for which they have been cleared, much as today with Xbox 360,” Stickel wrote. “While the console itself is not geographically restricted, a user’s Xbox Live account, content, apps and experiences are all tied to the country of billing and residence,” she wrote. “Military personnel will be able to take their Xbox One and play their games with them without an issue as long as the game has been ‘activated’ once in the U.S. Your games go with you and play, no issues,” she says. Stickel also downplayed security concerns over the console’s always-on microphone or built-in Kinect video camera. “When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded,” she says. “You will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options.” But even those outside the military have been surprised by Micosoft’s shrug to the military community, with some speculating it will fuel a wider surge toward Sony’s Playstation console. “This is shameful, says Joel Hruska, a writer for Extreme Tech website. “Telling troops that you ‘empathize’ with them is both embarrassing and hands Sony perfect ammunition.” “Do I think Microsoft is going to change?” writes Hruska in a recent post. “Honestly, no. The remarks that’ve come out to date paint a picture of a company that’s so drunk on its own Kool-Aid, they aren’t listening to outside criticism or commentary any longer.” Doing or saying anything against the military in America is a mortal sin, and pretty awful publicity (as if they didn't need anymore.) Making a special DRM free US military Xbone would be a small PR victory in their homeland. Edited June 15, 2013 by madeinbeats
MATtheHAT Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I served in the Royal Navy for 12 years on Nuclear Submarines, I had some great times coming off watch and playing Tiger Woods with mates on the original Xbox with a few beers. People need the recreational time, but they will find it elsewhere, be it PS4 or PC. A lot of Sailors brought laptops - mainly for porn and the odd LAN game of Command & Conquer.
Shorty Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I've been giving this some thought and if it wasn't for the price difference, I would probably be undecided on which console to go for. I love the look of the TV stuff, and the DRM wouldn't actually affect the way I currently play at all. I love the way gaming works on Steam, and if this is a step in that direction then I actually don't mind the idea (although fully understand why it's a big negative to some people). Also I would like to hang on to my XBLA library, my gamertag and that controller design. But to be the console which is technically inferior and yet £80 more expensive... for me that's where they dropped the ball the most :/
Daft Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 It's not just the military. What about charities? Like children's charities that take consoles and games. Can't do that with Xbox One, charity shops too. Fuck charity, AMIRIGHTMICROSOFT?!.
Happenstance Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I've been giving this some thought and if it wasn't for the price difference, I would probably be undecided on which console to go for. I love the look of the TV stuff, and the DRM wouldn't actually affect the way I currently play at all. I love the way gaming works on Steam, and if this is a step in that direction then I actually don't mind the idea (although fully understand why it's a big negative to some people). Also I would like to hang on to my XBLA library, my gamertag and that controller design. But to be the console which is technically inferior and yet £80 more expensive... for me that's where they dropped the ball the most :/ For me the thing that would stop me getting one if I was actually interested is the 24 hour check in, its just too short of a time. Otherwise I could live with the used game stuff. The actual fact though is that I wouldnt have been buying one regardless. The 360 hasnt interested me in a couple of years and none of the exclusives shown have particularly convinced me otherwise This whole thing has just been a PR mess. They chose to lose a certain percentage of their market that would have trouble with the check ins etc but it looks like they have lost a lot more simply through bad marketing. Obviously there are people that would not have gone for it because they actually understand all the DRM stuff but I think they've gone and lost a lot of the people that wouldnt have really understood either.
Nolan Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 I've been giving this some thought and if it wasn't for the price difference, I would probably be undecided on which console to go for. I love the look of the TV stuff, and the DRM wouldn't actually affect the way I currently play at all. I love the way gaming works on Steam, and if this is a step in that direction then I actually don't mind the idea (although fully understand why it's a big negative to some people). Also I would like to hang on to my XBLA library, my gamertag and that controller design. But to be the console which is technically inferior and yet £80 more expensive... for me that's where they dropped the ball the most :/ I was decided when they said Kinect is required. Can we nip that one in the bud ^ it has been clarified as a mistake and not relating to the Xbox One. Sure, nip it in the bud. Assuming it is Human error and the replier wasn't fully reading the text he answered which implicitly stated Xbox One. It could be backtracking to cover a mistake, or perhaps a policy that isn't fully decided. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it was 100% accurate though, and they wouldn't be the first company (cough EA cough) to implement such a feature and receive the appropriate backlash.
Rowan Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 @Shorty You got to remember if the TV stuff is going to even work in Europe. Still no news yet about Sky / Virgin media support, or whether the European version of X1 will be modified to accept a digital terrestrial signal directly. Also apparently the interface that we saw in the May reveal was faked...http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576505 That being said, I've been sceptical whether the screenshots of the interface released by Sony in February were faked too. (Always felt they were just more proof of concept)
canand Posted June 16, 2013 Posted June 16, 2013 (edited) Here is a Xbox One Xbox One game Call Of Duty Ghost Edited June 16, 2013 by canand
Ashley Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Will wait and see if it's true, but apparently MS are going to reverse all their policies: http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/microsoft-to-pull-complete-reversal-on-xbox-one-dr/1100-4673/ No more always online requirement The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360 An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs Region locks have been dropped
Dcubed Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 For the same of game preservation, I really hope it's true. That being said, there's still no way I'd ever buy the console now that MS have revealed their true colours as cartoon villains. They've lost my trust for good.
Rowan Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Glad if true (keeps Sony on their feet so that they don't get complacent). But it sort of shows a lack of leadership and belief from Microsoft in their own policies.
Jimbob Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Showing that even Microsoft believe their own policies are complete bull crap. I made my mind up, i'm still not getting an Xbox One. They've revealed to me that they are complete morons.
Dante Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) Information will told soon but this doesn't change my mind about not getting it. Edited June 19, 2013 by Dante
Jimbob Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 How can anyone trust Microsoft now, they revealed a policy no-one liked. They reverse the policy to bring in the orders, what is to stop them sneaking them back in at a later date.
Dante Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Details now up. Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience. For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future. Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One. You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world. So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360. Here is what that means: •An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360. •Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360. In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions. These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray. We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds. Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.
Ashley Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 We designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future. tl;dr "We had great ideas, but you don't want them you idiots" Microsoft is bound to top every 'PR mistakes of 2013' list.
Dcubed Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Great news. The most embarrassing defeat in all of video gaming history Still wont buy an Xbone though, out of principle alone. Having the region lock removed is a surprise though and a welcome gesture (hope you're watching Nintendo!), but it is still too little too late. They're not getting a penny out of me.
Daft Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 The past few weeks have made me really hate Microsoft, with a fiery passion. This changes nothing for me. They're corporate to an absolutely vile degree.
Jimbob Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 I made my decision at E3, the final straw which made me not want a One was the Kinect and the price. That is still the case today, sorry chaps. The One is not for me and it won't be for me. It's good to see Microsoft have put their heads in their laps and walked out embarrassed.
Serebii Posted June 19, 2013 Posted June 19, 2013 Details now up. That post is so passive aggressive...I can't believe that they worded it the way they did. Actually surprised that they have removed it, considering how stubbornly they defended it at E3
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