Home Gaming Microsoft confirms insane Xbox One DRM

Microsoft confirms insane Xbox One DRM

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This wasn’t the news I wanted to wake up to on a Friday but it looks like Microsoft has refused to listen to gamers and in a futile attempt for this disaster to not ruin their E3 they have decided to clarify how the Xbox One will work and it’s not pretty.

But wait we have good news for you

GoodNews

But let’s start with the actual good because there is some. The new Xbox One will allow you to setup a family group that can contain up to 10 people. All of these people then share games so that if I buy a copy of Bioshock Infinite and my dad wants to play it on his Xbox One, at his house, all he has to do is connect to my library in the cloud and install it for free.

That’s awesome and a really nice move from Microsoft. How the family groups are created and shared is still unknown and whether I can continue playing while he’s playing is also not clarified. But this could be a nice way to get a library going between your family of friends.

Next good news, well cool news maybe not good news. Is that when you install a game you picked up from the shop a copy of that game will be stored in your cloud library as well. I’m going to guess here you don’t have to upload the thing since you can buy all of these digitally so they must have a copy as well.

The great thing here is that when you get robbed or the dog trashes your disc you don’t lose your ability to play the game.. even if your Xbox is trashed.

Oh and if you go to a friends house and sign in you can play any of your games that are in your library… now that’s awesome.

And if Microsoft had just stopped then it would have been a winning proposition for them.. but they didn’t

Stahp

So now you have a library of titles that you can access anywhere, anytime and that you can share with your family easily. So what has Microsoft done that is so bad?

DRM

There’s no sugar coating it. Microsoft has embedded the most draconian DRM system into the system that we’ve ever seen.

You do need an internet connection to use the Xbox One. You need it to install and licence games, you then need to make sure you connect at least once every 24 hours or the Xbox One will stop playing games.

“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, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies.  “

But don’t fear you can watch live TV through your Xbox One if your Internet goes down… so depressing.

But don’t panic they are at least letting us sell used games.. and in their words

Trade-in and resell your disc-based games: Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers.  Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games. “

Sounds good.. but check out the wording around participating retailers. Not all retailers will be able to do this so that awesome independent down the road who survives on used game sales can kiss their business good bye. Also Microsoft doesn’t charge a platform fee for this but they do allow publishers to charge a fee, or refuse to allow the games to be resold in any way.

“Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this.”

But wait it doesn’t stop there, Microsoft will also allow you to simply give your game away. But the person who then receives it can’t give it to anyone else. And you have to be friends with the person for at least 30 days.

Give your games to friends: Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”

Here’s a handy little graphic to show exactly what Microsoft is doing wrong

XboxOneFailures

Okay so there is one thing that hasn’t yet been clarified, can I lend a game to my friend? Or like with Lazygamer where I receive a game to review and then send it to Geoff afterwards to mess around with and then Darryn picks it up when he visits civilisation. Well that’s no longer an option

“In addition (to selling games), third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners.”

And to close in yet another depressing tone.. Microsoft recommends that you have at least a 1.5Mb connection to utilise the Xbox One. I guess it’s about time that Telkom offered a 2Mb as base broadband?

But don’t forget you can still watch TV if your Internet is down, you recently moved, work on site or have your Internet taken out for a while due to silly things like tornadoes or tsunami’s..

Geoff and Darryn are landing in LA sometime today and will be at the Xbox One conference on Monday so stick around to get all the news as it breaks from E3.

[Update: The above is all official and can be found on the official Xbox site here]

Last Updated: June 7, 2013

336 Comments

  1. Marc O Polo

    June 7, 2013 at 06:27

    “family of friends” well put… take turns buying games could work not that i would be able to download huge games since my internet normally runs at like 1 bit per second!

    Reply

    • Anthony Hall

      June 7, 2013 at 07:12

      ok a loop hole the ps3 had was game sharing when you buy anything from the ps store online you can download it to 5 systems then they decreased it to 3

      Reply

  2. Purple_Dragon

    June 7, 2013 at 06:45

    They’ve lost the plot. The only logic behind this I can see is that they are just focusing on the US market. But one of the big things for them is their military and they won’t be able to connect the net.

    I have an XBOX and PS3 now but I definitely won’t be buying the XBone due to the DRM and the used games. But I worry that Sony will be doing similar things but haven’t mentioned it yet.

    I really don’t understand all the hate towards used games from the publishers. It has it’s benefits.

    Reply

  3. Haunted99

    June 7, 2013 at 06:51

    Let’s hope Sony doesn’t do something stupid like this. It seems like Microsoft wants the Xbone to fail.

    Reply

  4. silverscorpio

    June 7, 2013 at 06:54

    “Exploring the possibilities with our partners” Yeah Right as if they will really do that.

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 7, 2013 at 07:30

      and their partner is EA, I’m sure it’ll turn out well… for them.

      Reply

  5. Arrancar-4

    June 7, 2013 at 07:04

    I pitty the fools that will buy a xbone in SA.

    Reply

    • Jimmy

      June 7, 2013 at 14:40

      I pity the fools that buy an Xbone anywhere in the world…

      Xbox 1 = cool machine. Xbox360 = great machine. Xbone = brand suicide.

      SEGA needs to step back into the fray and re-invent console gaming.

      Reply

  6. Grant Nicol

    June 7, 2013 at 07:04

    Gun, Bullet ……….. Foot……

    Right now Sony is ahead, lets see what they have in store

    Reply

  7. gfg

    June 7, 2013 at 07:06

    I think this is suicide for them. It is already a tough market for console makers. And doing all this does not make it a more alluring prospect to own one.

    Reply

  8. CaptainNemo42

    June 7, 2013 at 07:10

    Cable thieves will be trolling us big time…

    Reply

    • Andreavich

      June 7, 2013 at 16:24

      I agree!! Where i live they stole the cables a few times, now Telkom comes and says it is not economically viable to replace the cables anymore, so we have nothing. Then after much fighting they last year say they can lay some fiber optic lines or “something like that” so they wont have to contend with copper thieves. They laid the ducting, dug up half the street, and then last year decided that was a lot of hard work, and ufcked off, leaving half the street ripped to shreds, and the other half undone….? Now how am i supposed to live with an Xbone if all it does is play my damn TV? I for some reason despise the PS for absolutely no rational reason, and i guess id buy an Xbone, because, well… because i can. Now I i am afraid the PS4 could not look more desirable if it was deep fried and smothered in chocolate.

      Reply

      • CaptainNemo42

        June 7, 2013 at 16:37

        Why hate on the poor PS?

        Reply

        • X1 will Dominate

          June 13, 2013 at 07:27

          why hate on the poor X1 getting rammed and bashed by all these haters, when their policy is exactly the same as PS4.
          PS4 will fuck all their consumers over about 1 year after launch.
          Just sayin’

          Reply

          • Purple_Dragon

            June 14, 2013 at 08:47

            You are being a stupid poes, the policy is completely different. You cannot play games offline on the xbox if you don’t have an internet connection, meanwhile you can on the PS4.

            Please go fly a kite.

      • X1 will Dominate

        June 13, 2013 at 07:26

        Lol I dont know what all you guys are getting excited about. DRM is
        still there for the PS4 and will be an reality, because its up to the
        developers whether or not they choose their product to be able to trade
        in for a friend, retailers etc. only bad thing about PS4 is that you
        would then have to be online ALL the time while playing a game so they
        can make sure your not abusing their DRM policy, rather than X1 where
        you just have to log in óncé everyday. On the X1 you will even be able
        to trade your game to a friend on the other side of the planet
        DIGITALLY, and he will be able to return it or buy it with your
        approval, without actually having to meet up with a physical disc.
        So
        you might not have to log in everyday on the PS4, but in longer terms
        the X1 will dominate the PS4 as the developers will turn their back on
        PS4 or make it so that you have to be online ALL time while gaming, even
        single-player which would suck balls really hard..
        Not only that,
        thx to the extreme cloud processing power and the all new XLive, X1 will
        dominate PS4 and be a much better gaming console especially for those
        who love big online persistent and living worlds…
        + It got TV, TV, TV just in a click away 🙂 So its much FASTER, and BETTER for gaming and entertainment.
        I’ll
        go with the X1 and advice you too aswell, but I guess in a minute or
        less you will all hate on me like fanboys and tell me to stick it up
        Microsoft LOL. ragers.

        Reply

  9. CaptainNemo42

    June 7, 2013 at 07:11

    I would actually like to see an idiot try and defend this thing. That would make the comment section very interesting.

    Reply

    • silverscorpio

      June 7, 2013 at 07:16

      Future Xbox One advertisement:

      “Buy one PS4 and get an Xbox One free”

      Reply

    • HvR

      June 7, 2013 at 09:00

      Nick!!!!! Caption Nemo is talking about you!!!!

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 7, 2013 at 09:13

        Hahahah! YOU KNOW IT!

        Reply

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:13

      Haha, did you read my argument with Nick yesterday? 🙂

      Reply

      • CaptainNemo42

        June 7, 2013 at 09:15

        No, yesterday was pretty hectic for me. So I missed it. Where can I find it?

        Reply

        • Rinceyouropinion

          June 7, 2013 at 09:20

          http://www.lazygamer.co/general-news/forza-5-to-run-at-1080p-60-fps/ here ya go! He does have a good point that one shouldn’t compare consoles until we know what is going on, but my point is that if you do NOT make a noise about what you do not want, they will not change. SONY have listened to us (as you can see with their tweets last week) MS haven’t. MS have lost me as a customer now.

          Reply

          • CaptainNemo42

            June 7, 2013 at 09:23

            Just to correct you there. Sony have heard us. We’re not sure yet if they’ve listened.

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 7, 2013 at 09:24

            Ah, good point.

          • Nick de Bruyne

            June 7, 2013 at 10:37

            Looks like we had to wait a lot less than we thought. Anyway so that’s MS done, now we need to hear what Sony are gonna do. I see some people are still treating this as a Sony victory, when it should be way scarier that they have still said nothing. If I was Sony and had all the same policies, I wouldn’t say SHIT right now. Keep that shit on the down low till the latest possible moment.

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 7, 2013 at 10:43

            Dude, I am bleak as hell. Agreed. SONY are clever. I think they were probing what MS were going to do, and are going to set their policies accordingly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have near similar policies, scrap one, just so they are a bit better…

          • Argentil

            June 7, 2013 at 10:57

            There have been dozens of allusions to an offline PS4. Cerny said it, Yoshi P said it. Even their attitude embracing the twitter protests are indicative of positive PR leading up to an anti-DRM reveal. I was worried before, but I would bet money on Sony announcing no online requirements at E3 at this stage.

          • HvR

            June 7, 2013 at 10:58

            …PS4 and Sony Entertainment Logo…

            First power up screen:

            Thank you for purchasing your PS4 and welcome to the world of gaming and entertainment, please create your new PS+ profile

            BTW, the PS4 has always online and DRM. Good bye.

  10. Scratchy

    June 7, 2013 at 07:11

    Up yours Microsoft, seriously, go eat a dick.

    Hopefully Sony comes through, I’ll just have to learn to live with the controller

    Reply

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:21

      Said like a prophet.

      Reply

    • Kobus Nel

      June 7, 2013 at 12:42

      Guy on the left might as well represent EA and MS http://i.imgur.com/KnRqnE8.gif

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 7, 2013 at 14:07

        HAHAHAHAH! Win!

        Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        June 10, 2013 at 08:32

        Hahahahaha!

        Reply

  11. Zoe

    June 7, 2013 at 07:15

    Insanity! how are people meant to fall in love with new titles if they can’t lend each other games? Like the whole “family account” idea (maybe, depending on implementation), but the rest of it is just money-grubbing bullish*t!

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 7, 2013 at 07:53

      Because they want you to buy their games before trying them so they can sell more bad games. That was the result of their research done into demos – they make more money if they don’t release one.

      This is what I hate about the whole industry right now, particularly the big publishers. They give this impression that you are not a customer, you are just a mindless drone who is obligated to spend money on whatever drivel they deign to dole out and you must thank them for their largess or else their feelings are hurt. Then if you refuse or kick up any kind of fuss you’re met with arrogance, contempt and/or denial of the plainly obvious because we’re obviously stupid & don’t understand how super-awesome they are.

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        June 7, 2013 at 08:16

        You’re a number… we all are. They don’t care about individuals they care about the percentage of Xbox 360 owners who will migrate and why.. the rest can get stuffed

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 08:41

          But with such strict requirements doesn’t it cut their effective userbase by a huge amount? Surely not every xbox owner is going to migrate?

          So instead of getting a percentage of ALL Xbox owners they are aiming for a percentage of online only Xbox owners?

          I am no business man,but surely this doesn’t make sense at all?

          Reply

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 08:44

            I’m honestly as confused as the rest right now… none of this makes any sense to me.

          • Jonah Cash

            June 7, 2013 at 11:31

            How glad are you that you upgraded your server? This article would’ve crashed the old one for a year!! Hahaha…. Good job Gavin!!!

          • Trevor Davies

            June 7, 2013 at 08:59

            They’re trying to force the market to change in a way that suits them. MS don’t see Sony as their competition, they compete with Apple, that’s the reason behind the switch from games to entertainment. They’re trying to beat Apple for control of the living room. They’re also far more interested in the big American market, where they’re already leading, than in spending big bucks to compete worldwide.

            I very rarely wish someone to fail, but this is one of the few times I do. I’m also cynical enough to realise that there are a lot of people of think like this…

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 09:22

            But then my original still stands. You are still decreasing your potential userbase to only those with good internet connections.

            If they wanted to control the living room why not just create a wireless network in your house that doesn’t need an internet connection? Then you can still control your TV from wherever you are and you still get the up and up on Apple without cutting out more than 50% of your potential userbase?

            *my head hurts*

          • Trevor Davies

            June 7, 2013 at 09:42

            No you’re right about the user base being smaller initially because of always online, but as broadband penetration increases, that would probably change. I think they’re thinking more long term with this console and how much they can make by monetizing entertainment services, maybe start getting some of those sweet, sweet ad dollars that Google rakes in. Plus I’m also betting that they believe a lot of people will get a broadband connection for the console.

            At least, I hope that’s what they’re thinking after doing some research, and not because some twit thought it would be cool.

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 10:04

            Still doesn’t make sense.

            If it was me I would have the console able to play games and everything offline but allow the option to be online.

            So if you have no connection you can use it for its main purpose. But if you have an internet connection, well then, let’s sweeten the deal and offer all these fancy pants cloud services. This means I get a much better initial start up purchases because even those without internet can purchase it without feeling excluded because they know the online features will always be there if and when they eventually get a broadband connection.

            This means a much more loyal userbase which can still grow long term because then late adopters can still purchase it with or without an internet connection.

            A forced connection doesn’t even make sense when thinking of the future. Even if in the future everyone can afford a solid 1.5meg connection at super cheap prices it still has the major drawback of what happens when your connection goes down. Or you are moving locations and need to wait a week or 2 for a new line. Or some natural disaster takes out the infrastructure for an area, or your international links go down over a weekend or or or.

            I understand what you are saying and I guess I can see what their thought process was. But I still don’t see how they didn’t see the huge shortcomings of forcing it.

            I really would have had all these features as an added benefit IF you had a connection. Not having the benefits forced upon you

            It’s like buying a car with all of the additional features forced on you for no reason and just increasing the price. Where has my choice gone then?

            I want a 4×4. It doesn’t mean I have to have the raised suspension kits and all terrain tires fitted because I may not be using it for extreme 4x4ing.

            Same with the XBox

          • Trevor Davies

            June 7, 2013 at 10:24

            I agree, it’s not what I would have done either & it can really hurt them. I think we saw with the whole Adam Orth debacle that people in senior positions in MS have never thought of things like that, because in their world it’s just not an issue. It’s institutional arrogance.

            I’m sitting with impression that all the MS execs have read the Steve Jobs biography & are now trying to emulate his approach to marketing a new product. Which was basically telling people what they want before they know it & getting them to buy it, and because it worked for him it’ll work for them too. I don’t think they’ve realised it’s not quite that simple, because they don’t have the personality & the ideas just aren’t that great.

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 10:29

            I fear you may be right and it’s a problem that will never go away.

            As humans, we really battle to empathize with people who are not in the same position as us and so generally ignore that section of market/society

  12. Gavin Mannion

    June 7, 2013 at 07:17

    Makes it blatantly obvious why EA so kindly dropped their season pass… they’re simply going to charge through the Xbox One now…

    Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      June 7, 2013 at 07:29

      And that is why we shouldn’t all rush to the Sony shores just yet. And this comes from a Sony fanboi…

      Reply

      • silverscorpio

        June 7, 2013 at 07:36

        I agree. Sony has stated, although I am not sure if it is confirmed, that it is up to the publishers. Sony still looks like the better bet considering the other aspects of the xbox one. We will hopefully know after E3. I hope Sony is open about the outstanding issues. Microsoft is clearly hiding from the gaming press or they are to scared to answer questions about a possible fake reveal presentation. I would love to hear that response.

        Reply

        • CaptainNemo42

          June 7, 2013 at 07:49

          Sony have confirmed it’s up to the publishers, which is basically what we have now, kinda, and a bucket load better than what Microsoft is planning. Apparently they said there will be no Pay-walls, always online connection and limited restrictions on the amount of used games to be used.

          The thing about it with EA. Either they knew that consoles will implement DRM, or they took a calculated risk and banked on the consoles doing it, and forgot that Sony is Japanese (who we know does some weird shit) or they will just not support Sony consoles anymore because of less DRM restrictions. But that doesn’t make sense due to the Battlefield 4 announcement at the PS4 reveal.

          Or maybe EA just decided to change that “evil” image. (Pfft, yeah right)

          Reply

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 08:15

            The rumour is that Sony hadn’t yet confirmed if they would or not but Microsoft promised EA they would. Which is why EA showed up at the Microsoft press conference

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 7, 2013 at 08:55

            If so, I think the only way SOny can win is if the DRM “feature” does not have to go online as often.

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        June 7, 2013 at 08:50

        100%. So sad but its a strong possibility right now.

        Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 7, 2013 at 11:20

      Yup exactly I saw this coming from a mile away.

      Reply

  13. Trevor Davies

    June 7, 2013 at 07:36

    I really don’t know what to say…

    Reply

  14. Daniel Keevy

    June 7, 2013 at 07:42

    Wow. That’s both kinda cool and inventive as well as something out of 1985.

    Reply

  15. Herrflic

    June 7, 2013 at 07:53

    http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/7417-Next-Gen-Buyers-Guide
    Guess Yahtzee called it: “The short answer…”. Sony is sure to follow suit with the PS4.
    Guess I’ll buy a nice new PS3 for peanuts on PS4 launch day and go collect everyone’s (non-backwards compatible on PS4) old games and give that a whirl. Feel like playing Dust514 anyway.

    Tbh, the Diablo 3 debacle showed us the future of all gaming, console and PC. Release week madness, always on lag inducing DRM, terrible support Error 37 style.
    I think Microsoft and EA are competing for the Gaming Apocalypse Award (or GAA! What a crok!)

    Reply

  16. Nico Swanepoel

    June 7, 2013 at 07:55

    And just when everyone thought PC gaming was done and out. OH but wait a minute, who has the greatest share on PC operating systems? MMM…Conspiracy Theory XBONE! MS wants to kill the console market to sell more PCs!

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 08:13

      Remember they are also trying to squeeze out Steam in the PC market… they just want it all

      Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 7, 2013 at 11:22

      Thats why steam was ported to linux Gabe isnt a idiot.

      Reply

  17. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    June 7, 2013 at 07:56

    Am I the only one that thinks leaving out independent stores is a good thing? Why you ask? I know a few gamers that have had all their games stolen this year. This will stop the sale of stolen games at those pesky pawn shops.

    The always on 24hr connection thing is stupid. I expected MS to at least let those without internet to get their games activated at a participating store. Let alone having internet, I doubt store clerks will know how to use the system properly.

    In 2015, a 2mb connection will be standard and that will be the only time I’ll pick up The One.

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 7, 2013 at 08:07

      So to possibly prevent a few people being inconvenienced by crime we should take a shotgun to an entire industry & stop second hand sales unless it’s to an “approved vendor”. Also, householders insurance.

      It’s also not the 2mb connection that the problem, it’s the data cost.

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

        June 7, 2013 at 08:19

        House holders insurance only covers a portion and some games are hard to replace. It’s the 24hr think I hate.

        Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          June 7, 2013 at 08:26

          Yes I see no good reason for that. The mention that if you’re not playing your game on your own console then it’ll need to check every hour is just as silly – how will the game suddenly go from legal to pirated between hour 1 & 2?

          This whole thing makes me mad & I’m not even a console gamer. I’m used to things like Steam & it’s DRM scheme. The irony. lol.

          Reply

          • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

            June 7, 2013 at 09:13

            I game on PC myself. The Xbox 360 only gets attention because I’m a Forza and Halo fan. For half that amount of the new consoles I could get get a GPU that will do 1080p and DX11 at ease. My 550ti still handles the recent games at 1080p at medium to high settings. PC requires a once off activation but then I can’t resell the games.

          • HvR

            June 7, 2013 at 11:04

            2nd hand PC game market never been that big and also at half the price I can live with it.

            The main reason I stuck with PC gaming the last 2 decades it that strategy games have always been my favorite genre which has almost no footprint on console and comes with so much replay-ability that I play a game for at least a year after purchasing it.

          • Argentil

            June 7, 2013 at 11:31

            Well aren’t you in luck with Halo: Spartan Assault then.

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      June 7, 2013 at 08:15

      As if doing away with cash crusaders and the likes for example will stop thieves from selling these games. 2mb might a standard … but it will not be a standard in everyone’s home not even by 2015 … not even 2018

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

        June 7, 2013 at 08:17

        Don’t you know that 1mbs ADSL will be done away with as the entry level connection by 2015? As of this week the DoC will be looking at ways to reduce communication costs.

        Reply

        • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

          June 7, 2013 at 08:20

          As I said, 2mb will be a standard, but not in everyone’s home, or let me be more concise. I’m not saying people will have 1mb ADSL, I’m saying not everyone will be able to afford an ADSL connection even if data costs come down

          Reply

        • CaptainNemo42

          June 7, 2013 at 08:39

          Costs should have been dropped a year ago due to Local Loop Unbundling. But that never happened. Telkom still have our nuts in a vice grip and they sure as hell not going to let go willingly.

          Reply

          • HvR

            June 7, 2013 at 08:52

            Originally Telkom’s monopoly “contract” was set to end 31 December 2000, That was on all fronts.

            Sad panda 🙁

          • CaptainNemo42

            June 7, 2013 at 09:00

            I’m not even thinking so far back. I’m just referring to ADSL services beign opened to all ISPs. And ADSL rental falling away. We would still have to pay for physical line rental, because somebody needs to maintain those, but not ADSL rental.

            Yes. Makes me sad panda too.

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 08:55

          Sorry man, but not everyone will be able to afford it. It may be the minimum standard but many gamers barely scrape enough cash together to purchase their games. Let alone be able to afford a constant internet connection.

          Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      June 7, 2013 at 08:19

      Most criminals who walking into your house probably don’t even know or care what they’re taking. Not going to stop them from stealing it. Yes, you get your stuff back. But that argument is moot.

      I saw cable thieves cut a fiber line only to see it’s useless to them, but our company without proper internet for two days, only to return when Telkom techies were gone and do it again.

      Reply

  18. Trevor Davies

    June 7, 2013 at 08:00

    Come now Sony, this is your opportunity, all you have to do is NOT BE STUPID. Have the ball to say no to restrictive DRM that hurts the people who buy your machine. And yes, I meant ball. You don’t need two for this.

    Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      June 7, 2013 at 08:26

      I’m pretty sure that Sony will keep quiet for as long as possible. Microsoft is getting all the bad rep, and that is helping Sony a lot. Thing is. Will they then have console based DRM? If they come out later and say they have the same kind of thing as MS, then they will look the bigger tools because of them not saying anything now. What works in their advantage now, might bite them in the ass later on. Man, E3 gotta come now so we can get some answers.

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        June 7, 2013 at 08:33

        Yes, Sony’s smart by keeping quiet. MS is being stupid by just not shutting up & people are crucifying them. But if Sony comes out with the same stuff it’ll make the MS hate look like gentle summer rain.

        Reply

  19. Ryan

    June 7, 2013 at 08:02

    The death of console gaming, DRM.

    Reply

  20. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 7, 2013 at 08:04

    Is this real? …. was this official from MS?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 08:11

      That image isn’t from MS but yes the facts are confirmed.. in my irritation I forgot to add the link http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/main

      I’ll add it now

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 7, 2013 at 08:17

        ………..I’m kind of speechless……seems too unreal

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          June 7, 2013 at 08:21

          tell me about it… I’m still trying to understand what they are trying to do

          Reply

          • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

            June 7, 2013 at 08:24

            The biggest enemy has always been the used game market, they have been trying to do away with it for a very long time. Not just 2nd hand games but sharing your games, they want profit from each and every game you play…even if you borrow the game, they want money from it. This is a push to make gaming a service, not a product.

          • Double-O-Six and a half

            June 7, 2013 at 21:19

            I know exactly what MS are trying to do… Lose me as a customer, well they’ve succeeded. I will NOT be buying an XBone, but I WILL be trying to prolong the life of my 360 for as long as possible, even if it means i have to buy a few spares and keep them for when my current one breaks… I also see a great opportunity here for a cottage industry to develop focussed on refurbishing and keeping old 360’s running long into the future…

  21. GarethV

    June 7, 2013 at 08:20

    Sony’s advertising campaign is brilliant – they spend almost nothing but get 90%market share. All they’ve done is wait for MS to hang themselves. Well played Sony.
    Disclaimer: stats are thumb sucked for effect and I do realise that Sony has spend very large sums of money on advertsing. 🙂

    Reply

  22. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    June 7, 2013 at 08:25

    What…the actuall… duck…..

    What are they thinking?

    Look, the DRM we all knew was coming. PC set the trend. As a PC player I am used to having a game locked to a single account, single user and with a once off internet authentication. I am used to this. But Microsoft have just gone too far. At least I can still play my games while offline! (Except the disasters that were DiabloIII and and SimCity but I digress)

    This 24hour online option makes absolutely zero sense.

    If it only required a once off activation per game on the net and never again this would have been fine. You could then still take your XBox to your friends house, hook it up, do the authentication, unplug, go home and enjoy. Never to worry ever again because you can still play it offline.

    But no. Now you have to have your very own connection so you can authenticate it every 24 hours? I don’t see anyone wasting their time to go to a friends place JUST to authenticate his/her console every 24hours. It’s ridiculous!

    So they have just cut out approximately half their potential userbase and this is probably being optimistic as the amount of people who actually have personal high speed connections is most likely a lot less than half.

    They have lost the plot. They have effectively created an overpriced blu-ray set top box that can’t function on its own anyway and needs some form of other set top box input to get your tv to display. So you wouldn’t want to buy it for that purpose anyway as your DSTV/Whatever ALREADY DOES THE JOB FOR YOU OF DISPLAYING TV ON YOUR TV!

    So you actually have an overpriced Blu-Ray player that is 6 – 7 times more expensive than some of your full Blu-ray systems!

    What a bloody rip off!

    Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 7, 2013 at 11:28

      Its quite simple really and im not sure why everyone is confused that MS is doing this. They collect data via Kinect like your heart rate while playing halo compared to COD etc. Then they will profile you with who you game mostly and how many family member your have and what games they play.

      They have a way of gaging how much fun you have while playing X game, so now lets say EA can go and compare all this data and see what works for the market so they can formulate games that caters for everyone even more.

      They pump this data to the marketing departments and sells it to 3rd parties. The entire Xbox community will become lab rats overnight.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        June 7, 2013 at 11:31

        I’d laugh and lol if this wasn’t such a scary reality

        Reply

  23. Jonah Cash

    June 7, 2013 at 08:28

    Hahahaha!! Thanks that settles it…. No Xbone will EVER enter my house!!! I will get a PS4, or at least until they decide they also want to do these stupid things!! My Xbox 360 and PS3 will be around till they stop making games for them, and I guess that is the end of me gaming then… Or just pirating the bloody things, and buy all the games the pirate dude has and have a library of over 300 games… At R15 a pop it is the way I will go!!

    Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      June 7, 2013 at 08:29

      Oh and I hate pirating, I really feel for the publishers, but I am sorry… If PS4 same as Xbone, I am out of the legit side!!!

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        June 7, 2013 at 08:32

        You know what’s worse? It’s not even actually the publishers that suffer. The publisher’s bad choices influence the developers. The developers are the ones that feel the biggest brunt of the effects when people start turning away due to publisher’s greed.

        Reply

        • Johan du Preez

          June 7, 2013 at 11:33

          Well the developers wants to sell their soul to the publishers so no sympathy here.

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 11:35

            Fair point…

          • Argentil

            June 7, 2013 at 11:39

            It’s kind of unfair to blame the developers completely. They are bound to their publisher’s decisions. Do you think Rare wanted to make kinect rubbish for so long?

  24. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 7, 2013 at 08:29

    I saw this coming years ago….they want to turn gaming into a service …. This console needs to be boycotted….you have to be really blind if you think that nothing is wrong with this

    Reply

  25. Rainman

    June 7, 2013 at 08:33

    Been reading everyones comments and then see on another news site a heading ”
    Man chooses jail-time over Xbox”

    Nearly fell out of my chair laughing.

    Reply

  26. Pi Poggenpoel

    June 7, 2013 at 08:39

    Will it stop millions of people buying the XboxOne – no. Should it stop them – No. Those are the terms of service.

    We face much more draconian terms of service from our everyday service providers like banks, insurance, ISPs etc, but we still go back to them.

    Won’t PS4 also use an always on internet connection? It is the way to go, as most of my games are multiplayer in any event.

    Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 7, 2013 at 11:36

      Whahahahaha

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 7, 2013 at 11:42

        I agree. That comparison is inaccurate. Banks operate the way they do MOSTLY out of necessity. The Xbox doesn’t NEED to be online. A lot of what they are doing is unnecessary and a detraction from the appeal of owning a console over a PC.

        Reply

      • Pi Poggenpoel

        June 7, 2013 at 11:44

        I bet you’ve never read what rights you are giving your bank over your money, which is not necessary for you, but maybe for them to make an extra buck.

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 7, 2013 at 11:47

          Are you referring to transaction fees? Or perhaps the bureaucratic hoops we have to jump through as consumers? There are very practical reasons for these things.

          Reply

          • Pi Poggenpoel

            June 7, 2013 at 11:52

            A simple thing like a debit order for example. It is the most severe form of being subjected to the equivalent of DRM over monetary transactions. Yet how many of us just have to sign a debit order because our service providers won’t accept any other alternative – I can think of three just in my case.

  27. Raistlin

    June 7, 2013 at 08:39

    If there is going to be a “copy” of the game in the cloud that I can play and I’m being forced to be online – why do we need the discs at all? Scrap the retailers and their markups and all associated costs and drop the price of the games.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 08:43

      I absolutely 100% guarantee the price will be the same online… meaning MS and the publishers will get even more profit if you buy digitally.

      Retailers should maybe think of not stocking the Xbox One.. watch how long it lasts then. You’d think they would have learned from the PSPGo

      Reply

  28. Xexonix

    June 7, 2013 at 08:39

    Well this now ex microjunk fanboy is hanging up his MS underpants and looking for a nice pair of Sony briefs… Any Idea where I can get a pair???

    **** you Microsoft….

    Reply

  29. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 7, 2013 at 08:40

    Not even Verimark can sell this sh*t

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 7, 2013 at 08:44

      Bwhahahahahaahaha

      But wait… There’s more! Order now and you will get absolutely nothing extra!

      Reply

      • HvR

        June 7, 2013 at 08:59

        If you order now we will allow you to upgrade to bacon lube from vaseline, becasue nobody like the taste of vaseline!

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 09:05

          lol

          Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      June 7, 2013 at 08:46

      Your First Born… I lol’d…

      Reply

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 7, 2013 at 14:09

      Just saw this, internet not loading images it would seem. But that shouldn’t stop me from using an Xbox One? Right? I’d rather go to jail @hammersteyn:disqus http://mashable.com/2013/06/07/kid-tired-of-xbox-prefers-jail/

      Reply

  30. OVG

    June 7, 2013 at 08:43

    No comment.

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 7, 2013 at 08:45

      Doesn’t leaving a comment count as a comment?

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        June 7, 2013 at 08:45

        I was actually looking forward to his comment :(, depressed twice in one day and it’s not even 9am

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 08:50

          Indeed. I was kind of disappointed myself 🙁

          This Friday is turning out real sad. Maybe @af23fe20f1a86820194ae79199032fcd:disqus will have a good one on the flamebate?

          Reply

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 08:51

            There can only be one thing that we can use for FFD today.. that and we are understaffed so I had to choose quickly 🙂

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 08:58

            Well, we can only hope OVG comes to his senses soon and puts an absolute blaster of comment up sometime during the course of the day 😛

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 7, 2013 at 08:52

            Allow me to channel my inner OVG. (Please excuse me, I do not swear often)
            F*%KKEN P#$S!!!!!! I F#$%ING HATE THEM SO MUCH.
            Ok, I think that would be an OVG comment. Let me know if you approve

          • Trevor Davies

            June 7, 2013 at 09:14

            What about:

            GO HOME XBONE!!! YOU’RE DRUNK!!!

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 09:27

            love it

          • Ultimo_Cleric N7

            June 7, 2013 at 09:28

            hahaha!

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 7, 2013 at 14:12

            Close enough. You need to spend 10 hours playing a game like Dark Souls with him to get close…

      • OVG

        June 7, 2013 at 08:47

        Que?

        Reply

        • HvR

          June 7, 2013 at 09:05

          something ot get you going

          Reply

  31. Macethy

    June 7, 2013 at 08:51

    To be honest, I will probably still get an Xbox One about 3 years from now when the “slim” version comes out. However, then I will be SUPER selective about the games I buy, and very unwilling to try new and unproven franchises.

    Reply

    • OVG

      June 7, 2013 at 09:25

      It will be dead by then as the developers would rather keep coding for the current gen. More returns. Like the Wii U this is a still born.

      Reply

  32. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    June 7, 2013 at 08:53

    Microsoft have forgotten how to Xbox…. sad day indeed

    Reply

  33. Jimmwyrm

    June 7, 2013 at 08:56

    If anyone ever wanted proof that we are no longer seen as human beings by these companies, but rather walking wallets, here it is…

    I like the idea that if I buy the game, it is mine, regardless if I still have the disc, much like steam, it is always great to download a game I bought a couple of years back because I have an itch to play it again. That being said, this kind of thing simply serves to perpetuate piracy. DRM on some PC games got me so annoyed I would go buy the game, install it, then crack it immediately. I hate this idea these companies have that when I PAY for something, they can still dictate when I do with MY purchase.

    On that note, there was a very interesting article I read about DRM and whether or not it is constitutionally legal in the US. Basically, the US constitution says that when you, as a consumer, purchase something, it is yours to resell / trade / give-away / destroy, and no company may in any way hinder your right to do so. I am not 100% on the details, so if someone wants to correct me, please feel free.

    Dear Microsoft, I am disappoint 🙁

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 7, 2013 at 09:04

      That is kind of right actually and is true for most countries. SA included.

      BUT, (don’t you always love those buts?)

      Games fall under digital media. (Still being debated I think) and digital media has a different set of laws as thay state that the media belongs to the creator of the product (as with movies and music) and you therefore have no right to make a profit off of it because of the creative ownership liscences they are sold under.

      Reply

      • Jimmwyrm

        June 7, 2013 at 09:17

        Foiled by a but… Seems like this whole DRM thing is arranged by a bunch of asses 😛

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 09:19

          Lol indeed

          Reply

          • Jimmwyrm

            June 7, 2013 at 09:21

            Aha ha ha… and we are the butt-end of that joke! ha ha haaaa…. yeah I’m sorry, that was awful XD

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            June 7, 2013 at 09:23

            Looool. Still made me chuckle 🙂

      • Gavin Mannion

        June 7, 2013 at 09:24

        I think that’s what the media guys want but my understanding is that you buy a licence to enjoy the media.. and it’s that licence (not the media) that you sell.

        Which is why copying is illegal

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 09:28

          Mmm. Ok yeah, that’s perhaps a better way to look at it.

          Reply

    • Pi Poggenpoel

      June 7, 2013 at 10:32

      I will not be popular for saying this, BUT, last time I checked it was illegal for most proprietary software to reverse-engineer, crack or copy (sometimes not even backups allowed).

      Just because we feel something is not right does not suddenly justify breaking the law.

      Reply

  34. Eeko Eight-Seven

    June 7, 2013 at 08:59

    I forsee massive hacking of this console. It’s like M$ have just laid down a challenge. It will most definitely be accepted.

    Reply

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      June 7, 2013 at 09:00

      We are Anonymous…..

      Reply

      • HvR

        June 7, 2013 at 09:09

        We are legion….

        Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      June 7, 2013 at 10:11

      Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 10:17

      I think it would be very difficult to hack this console, because of the always on requirement. It would at least make it more difficult. Maybe requiring a virtual server for it to phone home to once a day.

      Reply

      • Eeko Eight-Seven

        June 7, 2013 at 14:12

        Hackers like a challenge. That’s my point. I’m not one myself and don’t know the technical details, but they will defo hack this thing, if only just to piss M$ off for the BS they’re busy pulling with this machine.

        Reply

  35. e1ace

    June 7, 2013 at 09:00

    Am I the only one that thinks (beside the online required 24 hour thing) that this isn’t that bad? Publishers were already screwing us with online passes – this just builds those features into the console. It’s still up to the publishers whether or not to use them.

    edited: shame on me….

    I just want to know who the ‘family’ is defined as? Can I just list 10 close friends and family that I game with? Divide the game costs by 10?

    A sad thing is this looks like we won’t be able to actually sell our games to people on random marketplaces. So no more trades on SAGamer or Gumtree (*shudder*), where sales/trades were actually reasonably prices. As opposed to taking the R600 month old game to BTGames and getting R150 for it.

    I’ll start putting money on the fact that the PS4 will do this almost identically.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:01

      I listed that good feature?

      Reply

      • e1ace

        June 7, 2013 at 09:02

        Haha. Not only did you list it. it was the first thing you mentioned… That’ll teach me for skim reading and looking for nice quotes! :'(

        Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 09:02

      I never had a problem with online passes. You can still access the single player component if you’re borrowing a game, or purchasing used. If you want to play the online, you can contribute to the server upkeep by purchasing a relatively cheap online pass. This is no longer the case.

      Reply

  36. Bierboer

    June 7, 2013 at 09:02

    So let me get this straight, lets say10 people add each other on their family profiles then they can all play each others games and therefore share a library(obviously not at the same time but still). Doesn’t this take 9 people out of the market for those specific games on the library? Wouldn’t that be an even greater loss of income to the publisher?? Please correct me on this, maybe I’m all confused?

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 09:03

      I know, this is pants-on-head retarded.

      Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 7, 2013 at 09:10

      You will have to show your Kinect photos of your family members, then it will use facial recognition to determine if you are indeed related to the people you claim are family members. Could be awkward for adopted kids. Phone me MS, $1mil for my idea.

      Reply

      • CaptainNemo42

        June 7, 2013 at 10:13

        The Kinect probably have a mouth swab feature to do a quick DNA analysis.

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          June 7, 2013 at 10:31

          Both of you, just awesome ideas, really. I would buy. If I could afford. And cared about the console.

          Reply

  37. JaNaDrake

    June 7, 2013 at 09:05

    INSANE!

    Reply

  38. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 7, 2013 at 09:06

    MS messes up and …..and ….. AAAAAAAAND … kiefer sutherland is voicing Solid Snake and doing motion capture …. LAWL

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 09:11

      I think the Kiefer Sutherland thing is another of Kojima-san’s hijinks.

      Reply

      • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

        June 7, 2013 at 09:18

        I actually think it’s legit

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 7, 2013 at 11:08

          Monkey face? Really? And he was wearing the same outfit throughout the ‘documentary’

          Reply

  39. Daryl Eksteen

    June 7, 2013 at 09:07

    Microsoft are f#cking up the gaming world. I was so excited for the next gen Xbox but I’m finally over it. If Sony can offer a better overall package I won’t hesitate to buy the PS4 and say “f#ck off” to Microsoft. SO ANGRY!!!

    Reply

  40. Xelus

    June 7, 2013 at 09:08

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but 1 out 10 people will now buy games. So much for sales with game companies, so we’ll be seeing more game companies closing? Microsoft, you make me proud, you win the “Who can make the worst game decision” award this year!

    Reply

  41. Rinceyouropinion

    June 7, 2013 at 09:11

    Where is Nick? Christ. what a crap way to start the day. NO, Xbox One you can stuff right off. Minimum 1.5mb connection? WHY DO WE NEED A CONNECTION YOU BASTARDS!

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 7, 2013 at 09:11

      So you can order a pizza by waving your hands trollol

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 7, 2013 at 09:12

        Why you little!

        Reply

        • Ultimo_Cleric N7

          June 7, 2013 at 09:13

          Why I oughta..!!

          Reply

      • Dean_12

        June 7, 2013 at 11:49

        Opening the XBone pizza franchise. Anyone in?

        Reply

      • Argentil

        June 7, 2013 at 11:51

        How do I emulate the action of adding mushrooms to my pizza?

        Reply

    • Nick de Bruyne

      June 7, 2013 at 16:05

      I must say, when it came to online, my PS3 was waaaay more heavy on broadband requirements than my Xbox. Huuuuge updates an such. MS saying they need a 1.5mbps line might just be them being realistic, Sony might require the exact same. I think its more a suggestion though. You can surely do a lot on less, but they recommend more. Basic 3G these days is even in the 3-5mbps range though, so I think it seems about right.

      Let’s see what happens. I think this next gen is gonna turn everything upside down one way or another.

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 7, 2013 at 16:08

        Yeah, but I mean why should I have to now upgrade a connection which is already costing me a fortune. That, added with a MS gold account, plus cost of Xbox One… Time to join Master Race!

        Reply

        • Nick de Bruyne

          June 7, 2013 at 16:25

          What do most PC games actually say in terms of speed requirements? Does Steam or Origin have something somewhere that says they recommened an X or Y speed connection. Different of course if it stated that it *required* that speed, and would cut you off or hurt your experience badly if you didnt have it.

          They gave the details out for the global average as it is now, which is higher (was it 2 point something? or More?) but I mean, I dont even know many people now that have less than a 2mb. Maaybe a few with a 1mb.

          Reply

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 7, 2013 at 16:35

            I have only 1mb. Have never needed more. If I am playing ME3 online, I never have issues.

  42. brad coetzee

    June 7, 2013 at 09:12

    well that settles it. fuck the xbox one.

    Reply

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:14

      Agreed. Not interested. I must pay more for my internet now? I already pay R488 a month for a 1mb connection from Mweb, plus the obligatory R157 Telkom line, but that IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH? Fuck you MS, hard and propper.

      Reply

    • OVG

      June 7, 2013 at 09:23

      and the Kinect 2… Kinect TWO

      Reply

      • Rainman

        June 7, 2013 at 09:28

        Just make sure you have the right hand movements to that to the kinect.

        Reply

  43. OVG

    June 7, 2013 at 09:14

    Does anybody remember that sinking feeling you had when your mother would walk in and snatch the cookie jar from you and place it on top of the fridge?

    Reply

    • OVG

      June 7, 2013 at 09:15

      They should just get FUCKING MARRY POPPINS to come off of her cloud to come and baby sit our fucking asses.

      Reply

      • OVG

        June 7, 2013 at 09:15

        I need more coffee.

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 7, 2013 at 09:17

          I need cookies

          Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 09:17

          Some very strong coffee

          Reply

      • HvR

        June 7, 2013 at 09:24

        YESSSSS!!! MORE RAAAAAAAGE!!!!!!

        Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 09:16

      If she had smashed the jar on the floor and crush the shards and cookie bits together with the heel of her foot. This would be like that.

      Reply

      • OVG

        June 7, 2013 at 09:21

        lol But I bet the American COD Whoppers will still eat it.

        Reply

  44. uZofa

    June 7, 2013 at 09:14

    PS4 it is…

    Reply

  45. Khulani Ndlovu

    June 7, 2013 at 09:19

    I think this is my cue, start focusing more on the PS4, 😉

    Reply

  46. LJ Roos

    June 7, 2013 at 09:20

    DIE NG KERK BOYCOTT HIERDIE SATAN BOKS!

    Reply

  47. TiMsTeR1033

    June 7, 2013 at 09:22

    Well it looks like South Africa wont be selling much Xbones…… Guess we never saw that coming ….. oh no not from a million years did I see Ms screwing over people….. I mean if windows 8 wasnt shit enough already. they bring us xbone! the ulimate entertainment device! which doesnt play game without internet! What the………..

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:25

      I love my Windows 8… I know I’m in the minority but I really do enjoy it

      Reply

      • HvR

        June 7, 2013 at 09:31

        GASP!!!

        Reply

      • HvR

        June 7, 2013 at 09:48

        That PIECE OF CRAP EXCUSE OF AN OS SHOULD BE BURIED WITH THE ATARI CARTRIDGES WHEN THEY FIND THEM.

        M$ couldn’t even be bother to change the pop ups to desktop compatible text so poor was the port, splitting settings on multiple interface, NOT HAVING ANY KIND OF SUPPORT FOR CISCO VPN, all its good for is watching some porn, hi-jacking any kind of input to bring on POP I DIDN’T ASK I’M JUST TRYING CLICK ON THE F*^KING link!!!! THe other day I FARTED with the mic ON and the BLOODY MICROSOFT SUPPORT PAGE POPS UP!!!!!!.

        And if one more overpaid good for nothing FAT F**K IT BASTARD tells me to use the shortcuts I’m going to rip his head of take a METRO SIZE …..

        If I wanted to memorize a bunch of commands I’ll use LINUX BECAUSE IT WORKS AND IS FREEE!!!!!

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          June 7, 2013 at 09:58

          lol I don’t get any pop ups on my screen? Works fine on dual screen and Cisco sucks…

          Honestly everything works hundreds for me.. I do use the desktop view 99% of the time though

          Reply

          • Jase

            June 7, 2013 at 12:46

            Ok so I know this is a console article, but I’m gonna jump right in and agree that Windows 8 is great. I do not miss the Start Menu, and having Control Panel a click away at any given time rocks. Its as if, for once, M$ decided to do something for the power users.

        • Brady miaau

          June 7, 2013 at 10:02

          Hi. my view, a tool is a tool is a tool. Windows 8 works. Linux Works. Sun Solaris works (well, ask Oracle now). I have used all of those. The best tool for the job is what I am after.

          I use Windows 7 on my laptop (with many virtual machines of different OS’s) and Windows 8 on home computer. My home computer runs FASTER after I upgraded to Windows 8, from Windows 7. The upgrade cost me R320, so financially was well worth it.

          I take your points an I get them.

          I have no issues with split screen, and my input is never hijacked. But settings and so forth can differ.

          Reply

  48. e1ace

    June 7, 2013 at 09:22

    The sad thing is that in 5/10 years there will be so many games that will have had their servers shut down – making them useless. Which before was ok cause it would just effect the multiplayer – but now with cloud processing, the single player will be taken down as well.

    Reply

  49. Argentil

    June 7, 2013 at 09:25

    I’ve had my PS3 for 6 years. In those 6 years, If I were to estimate, I would say I’ve spent an accumulation of 10 months offline in that timeframe. I live in a mid-upper class region. I think that speaks for itself.

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      June 7, 2013 at 09:28

      well arnt you special… We know the rich folk have like 4mb uncapped at home and shit.

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 7, 2013 at 09:30

        Ouch. Sorry I wasn’t boasting. I was just trying to demonstrate that even MS’ ideal market that they seem to be focusing are still going to be weighing up the risk of a required internet connection.

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          June 7, 2013 at 09:33

          The catch is Rich people no matter where they live will buy the xbone because they can, limitations to them is overcome by money, so yes in sandton and other upper class areas many will indeed buy a xbox one. but atleast some will see the light and say “why do I have to be online?”

          Reply

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 09:35

            Well South Africa is really more a PlayStation market and this will ensure that Xbox will all but fail locally. Even if the PS4 does the same thing

          • TiMsTeR1033

            June 7, 2013 at 09:39

            Yeah it is more Ps market but honestly, how many people out there have a 2mb adls at home. see even if it was basic internet which some have you will need speed which in Sunny sa is not exactly cheap. Uk USA wont be effected by the online thing much honestly their tvs are connected to the net.

          • Brady miaau

            June 7, 2013 at 09:55

            Your point is well seen.

      • Brady miaau

        June 7, 2013 at 09:57

        Hi, I think the point made was that even areas with supposedly established infrastructure cannot seem to support this level of permanent internet connection.

        Reply

  50. TiMsTeR1033

    June 7, 2013 at 09:25

    be safe

    Reply

  51. TiMsTeR1033

    June 7, 2013 at 09:27

    ……

    Reply

  52. OVG

    June 7, 2013 at 09:28

    If Microsoft are brazen enough to pull this knowing that they will loose 90% of the market then WE KNOW SONY ARE GOING TO PULL THE SAME SHIT.

    They cannot be so stupid. I bet you all a muffin that SONY will pull the same shit but with different PR.

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

      June 7, 2013 at 09:29

      Just had coffee?

      Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      June 7, 2013 at 09:30

      They better not pull the same shit coz if they do I am buying a WII U ill rather suffer than be forced to be online all of the time.

      Reply

      • OVG

        June 7, 2013 at 09:32

        Even the Wii U has a 5.5 gig update out of the box (bricked unit if download is broken). Also they are recalling all 8gig units. It is a fucking joke.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 09:34

          QA? What’s that? Let’s just dump that department completely to save costs and then pump those costs in to marketing. Yeah! That will really make our products good!

          *for those of you who are unsure, yes, sarcasm*

          Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          June 7, 2013 at 09:49

          Are you freaking serious? a 5.5 gig update!

          Reply

          • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

            June 7, 2013 at 10:21

            LOL, it’s not 5.5 giggggggs…..

          • TiMsTeR1033

            June 7, 2013 at 11:25

            then how much?

          • OVG

            June 7, 2013 at 11:47

          • TiMsTeR1033

            June 7, 2013 at 11:49

            1 gig isnt that bad

        • FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

          June 7, 2013 at 10:21

          The 5.5gig update is a lie man. I bought one on Sunday and the update was 1gig max. Nintendoland required a 300mb update. The graphics on 3rd part games are better on the Wii U.

          Reply

  53. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    June 7, 2013 at 09:28

    You can keep your DRM and I’ll keep my Xbox 360.

    Reply

  54. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    June 7, 2013 at 09:29

    I knew there was something good in getting the Wii U.

    All these Wii U sales were a sign!!!!!!!

    Reply

  55. MieLLiePaP

    June 7, 2013 at 09:31

    Wait until the music and movie industry adopt these policies. sorry you can’t listen to your friends cd unless you pay us a fee. this cd player is not authorised to play this content. and btw there are more than 2 people listening at once. pay the licence fee. and don’t lie the infrared camera can still see you even though you put a bag over top of it!

    Reply

  56. DrKiller

    June 7, 2013 at 09:31

    And that ladies and gentlemen.. is the day Microsoft went bankrupt..

    Reply

  57. Martin du preez

    June 7, 2013 at 09:34

    Don’t be surprised if M$ forces Sony’s hand and dragging them down into this anti consumer hell hole. EA and Activision are in bed with M$ and they are the forerunners of these BS DRM.

    Then when Sony are bullied into accepting this kak M$ will go: LOOK SONY ARE DOING IT TOO!!!! YOU MAD GAMERZ?? #DEALWITHITFUCKERS

    Reply

  58. ALKi1234

    June 7, 2013 at 09:40

    does the wii u have drm on it’s hard copies?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 09:40

      Nope.. well apart from the normal stuff to stop copying..
      but no online registration or rubbish

      Reply

      • ALKi1234

        June 7, 2013 at 09:46

        Thank Goodness…..so sony don’t have to feel forced to go down this road!GOOOD news thanks.

        Reply

  59. Admiral Chief Commander

    June 7, 2013 at 09:43

    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Gavin steals most comments in a heartbeat

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 7, 2013 at 09:44

      222 comments as of this comment

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        June 7, 2013 at 10:16

        I’ve unleashed a beast

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 7, 2013 at 10:22

          You have indeed

          Reply

  60. nicksimp101

    June 7, 2013 at 09:45

    Sony are really playing this right, keeping dead quiet and assessing the reaction to Xbox One DRM related news. Whether it changes anything that they have already decided is the question?

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 7, 2013 at 09:46

      They are most likely biding their time to see what MS’s DRM is and then going in with something only marginally better.

      That or Sony is going to come out at E3 and say, enjoy our console offline everyone!

      One can dream right?

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        June 7, 2013 at 09:50

        I pray yout right man! if its offline I will flippin have a party man!

        Reply

  61. Yobokkie

    June 7, 2013 at 09:47

    Cheers xbox, it’s been nice knowing you. If I was you I would totally push the TV thing too, because your machine is certainly not for gamers.

    Reply

  62. TiMsTeR1033

    June 7, 2013 at 09:51

    Think about it this way people if xboone and ps4 does this soon modchips will be coming out in all colours and flavours to play offline… just a thought

    Reply

  63. WoeIsMe

    June 7, 2013 at 10:01

    This definitely means I’m not getting a XBone. A pity. I love my 360.

    Of course we don’t know what Sony is doing yet, butI’m starting to believe the theory that games are withheld from the Wii U because they don’t do DRM.

    Maybe I should just not buy a console next gen, and rather play Monopoly…

    Reply

  64. Brady miaau

    June 7, 2013 at 10:06

    Point 1: I love the family share idea, it does seem very useful.

    Point 2: You never, ever start a guide or sheet with the a negative. Focus on you what you can do, not what you cannot do. This is bad, because it looks like they developed for exclusion rather than inclusion, on the games front at least.

    Point 3: I still think Sony will do something similar and that the publishers are driving this, at least partly.

    Point 4: Sony develops games and owns studio’s. What do their shareholders think about more measures to prevent piracy and having some measure of control AND financial gains from game trading?

    Point 5: I have stopped caring. Really.

    Reply

  65. Rainman

    June 7, 2013 at 10:10

    Does it not bother anyone that both the main console’s main source of income does not come from console/game related sales?

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 10:13

      If I were to guess, I imagine it would be off their respective subscription offerings. I know that Playstation Plus put Sony PS into profit after operating at a loss for so many years. That said, PS Plus is a game-centric offering anyway. What point are you trying to raise?

      Reply

      • Rainman

        June 7, 2013 at 10:17

        Sony main income come from the financial sector(Insurance), Microsoft we already know comes from Windows/Office etc.
        The point I am trying to make is that they can affford to gamble a little with their new consoles.
        In the end it will be the gamers who suffer and the gaming industry, not so much the big corporations.

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 7, 2013 at 10:18

          You said the main consoles. I assumed you were referring to the Playstation and Xbox departments. As anyone would. Each department operates independently.

          Reply

          • Rainman

            June 7, 2013 at 10:19

            My bad, should have said corporation.

          • Gavin Mannion

            June 7, 2013 at 10:38

            yeah I thought you meant consoles as well 🙂

          • Argentil

            June 7, 2013 at 10:49

            It doesn’t really bother me. Microsoft and Sony are massive companies supplying many different services.

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 10:15

      Pretty sure it does unless you have other info?

      Reply

  66. FoxOneZA - X-Therminator

    June 7, 2013 at 10:16

    256th comment.

    Reply

  67. Tbone187

    June 7, 2013 at 10:19

    Can’t believe what I’m reading…Is piracy so bad in the console market that these measures need to be taken…? I think not…

    Reply

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      June 7, 2013 at 10:20

      it’s not piracy, they want us to think that. it’s the used game market they are after

      Reply

      • Tbone187

        June 7, 2013 at 10:44

        I’m inclined to believe that…

        Reply

    • Brady miaau

      June 7, 2013 at 10:25

      Most the people in my office think I am stupid because my Xbox is not chipped. They all download / torrent games, never pay for them.

      Reply

      • Tbone187

        June 7, 2013 at 10:36

        I’m a PC gamer so I wouldn’t know for sure…But damn that’s a bit much…I reckon the PC market is gonna have a sudden revival in light of this nonsense…

        Reply

        • Gavin Mannion

          June 7, 2013 at 10:38

          piracy on the Xbox 360 is a severe problem… but I can’t imagine it’s worse than the PC market by %

          Reply

          • Argentil

            June 7, 2013 at 10:52

            If always online is the consequence of piracy, securing your console should be the first measure of dealing with the problem. The PS3 was the only console to actually fend off viable piracy on it’s console this generation. If they endeavour to keep the PS4 secure, I don’t see why DRM is necessary.

  68. TriangularRoom

    June 7, 2013 at 10:40

    Not sure why I would use my Xbone to watch DVDs, Blu Rays and TV when I already have devices that can do that…

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 7, 2013 at 10:44

      But can you talk to them.. or do you have to lower yourself to pushing a button on a remote?

      Reply

      • TriangularRoom

        June 7, 2013 at 10:47

        You’ve got a good point there. I don’t know if I will have the energy to reach out and pick up the remote and then still have to press a button on it…

        Reply

  69. hayted

    June 7, 2013 at 10:42

    My mate just came around for a cup of coffee now and I told him how angry I was by this news! He took a sip of his coffee and said something I had not thought of – “Well, then if they are going to do that and pretty much most people will have to buy the games new – That is fine. Surely they don’t think it is fine to charge R600 – R700 a game then because if they trying to get rid of the second hand game market (essentially) and friends swopping so that they don’t lose out of so much money then they had better bring their game prices down to reflect that”.

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 7, 2013 at 10:53

      This has been said before, but it will not be the case. It’s up to the publishers to push down the prices of their games. If the market is buying their games for R700, without pressure, why would they feel the need to lower the price?

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 7, 2013 at 11:27

        I’d also like to add that MS are going half-arsed with the Used games side, you will still be able to trade in your games, only at BTGames most likely. And because BTGames will not be competing with other game outlets, the price of used games will increase, most likely.

        Reply

  70. Johan du Preez

    June 7, 2013 at 11:14

    This seems normal for MS

    Reply

  71. Aussious

    June 7, 2013 at 11:16

    A snapshot of Microsoft’s exco meeting…

    Reply

  72. OVG

    June 7, 2013 at 11:51

    I want Darryn to go up to the Microsoft E3 panel in his BATMAN costume and shout.

    Reply

  73. Allister Lesar

    June 7, 2013 at 11:54

    what a bunch of dumbasses thats alli can say Microsoft = STOOOOOPID!

    Reply

  74. LJ Roos

    June 7, 2013 at 11:59

  75. OVG

    June 7, 2013 at 12:16

    BWAHAHAHAHA

    Reply

  76. Is.it.jsut.me

    June 7, 2013 at 14:33

    And still I’d rather get an Xbox One than a PS4

    Reply

  77. Natty Dave

    June 7, 2013 at 15:08

    the xbone seems like the ultimate creation of the toy’s in sids room. “We toys can seeeeee evvveeerrrryythiiiing”

    http://youtu.be/ssBBMgzn8fw

    Reply

  78. jwwietsma

    June 7, 2013 at 16:20

  79. schitsophrenic-toothbrush

    June 8, 2013 at 15:34

    Well I guess my decision has been made for me…A PC it is!!!!! FU Xbox… atleast i can get ready for elder scrolls online 😛

    Reply

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