Reviews - Microsoft Studios employee defends always-online Xbox 720

[Aftermath]

*Parody* CEO of Sony gives his thoughts.



Looks like I am getting a PS4, if anything next-gen at all...

EDIT: Thanks Figure for pointing that out. Serves me right for not going checkin credentials. Still funny though.

Class haha.

[crossy]

I just said I don't consider always-on a particularly onerous thing and that rather than the rumours in the article I suspect it will actually be a Steam like system needing semi-regular online rather than constant. The kicking you out of games thing is likely complete bull or applies only to some persistent multiplayer game we haven't been told about. Remember there is a BIG difference between "designed to be always in for full experience but usable otherwise" (i.e. phone, Steam) and "does not function if not online" (i.e. online game).

I'm with you on this - always-on isn't a big deal to me - mainly because I control the master power switch - so unless MS do a "self destruct if you turn it off" setup (not at all likely) then I'll be treating the Xbox NG/720 the same as my 360 - switched on when I need it and off at other times.

I'm also going to agree, to an extent, with the comments about always-online - if it just needs to "call home" once a week, or needs to be online for MP/social stuff then fine (especially as you'd NEED to be online for that MP/social stuff to work). I'm also content with the way that Steam does things e.g. "oh, you're not online, switching to offline mode".

On the other hand, if the "unnamed source" is correct and even single player is knack'd if you go offline, then Xbox is just a big fail and I'll be switching to PC or PS4 (probably the former) and keeping the 360 as my "legacy" console. Hopefully though, the unnamed source is just scaremongering and totally wrong.

[loberts91]

Its one thing to defend your opinion, but that adam fella was a proper douche about it. Hope to see him fired or at least release a public appology.

[kingpotnoodle]

On the other hand, if the "unnamed source" is correct and even single player is knack'd if you go offline, then Xbox is just a big fail and I'll be switching to PC or PS4 (probably the former) and keeping the 360 as my "legacy" console. Hopefully though, the unnamed source is just scaremongering and totally wrong.

Microsoft are occasionally odd and sometimes try things before the market is really ready but I don't think they are completely stupid, having to be ALWAYS online just to interact with the 720 would be problematic for some (not for me though I have to say), however the next-gen consoles will feature a lot of online features so it's probably fair to say (and this is where I think the rumour stems) that it will be a very restricted experience without at least always-on internet of a typical home ADSL quality. For a start games featuring online persistent worlds, multiplayer, chat, social, cloud backup of your saves etc would be impossible. IMHO at worst we'll see a system where you have to sign-in regularly to re-verify license (kind of like Windows 8 does when it contacts Windows Update) or check-in at game launch and if it has a low power standby mode which it enters and then just checks for game updates, messages etc every so often then I don't see the harm in leaving it plugged in.

[Saracen]

.... however the next-gen consoles will feature a lot of online features so it's probably fair to say (and this is where I think the rumour stems) that it will be a very restricted experience without at least always-on internet of a typical home ADSL quality. For a start games featuring online persistent worlds, multiplayer, chat, social, cloud backup of your saves etc would be impossible. IMHO at worst we'll see a system where you have to sign-in regularly to re-verify license (kind of like Windows 8 does when it contacts Windows Update) or check-in at game launch and if it has a low power standby mode which it enters and then just checks for game updates, messages etc every so often then I don't see the harm in leaving it plugged in.

Well, on the first point, my interest in persistent worlds, online multiplayer, chat and social is zero. My interest in cloud backup is far less than zero - I won't do cloud backup, period ... not even for games, but especially not for anything else. As for multiplayer, LAN multiplayer, yes. Been doing that since the days where I had to write boot scripts to get basic coax network cards to properly configure, for DOS 4 .... or what it 3?

Internet multiplayer? Not interested. Haven't done that since a quick dabble with, IIRC, Crimson Skies.

All I want out of an XBox is to play solo games, ir maybe with a mate or two, physically in thd same place. And I don't have an internet connection anywhere near my current console, and absolutely no intention of laying wiring in for one, or buying wifi connectors, just so MS can have always on, even for initial verification.

In the 6 years, or so, I've had an Xbox 360, it has not been connected to the internet. Not even once. Not ever. And I'm happy with that. All I want us to turn it on, play games games I bought, and turn it off. I know I'm not typical, but if the new Xbox requires online authentication, even to install games, I won't buy one.

[mtyson]

Microsoft creative Adam Orth resigns after 'always-on' Xbox Twitter spat - link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/11/microsoft-adam-orth-twitter

[Phaz0r18]

All of this is a real shame, I was looking forward to upgrading from my gen 1 360 to a new Xbox but there's times where you just want to have to play offline.

I don't see why "always-on" should be a minimum requirement...

[crossy]

Microsoft creative Adam Orth resigns after 'always-on' Xbox Twitter spat - link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...m-orth-twitter

Thanks for that - wasn't aware AO had hit the trail. Then again, he did come across as a bit condescending and patronising in his comments.

All of this is a real shame, I was looking forward to upgrading from my gen 1 360 to a new Xbox but there's times where you just want to have to play offline. I don't see why "always-on" should be a minimum requirement...

I'm with you on this, and it's interesting that the Guardian article mtyson linked to says "The next Xbox will be unveiled on 21 May, rumours say, and will behave more like a cable TV box than a classic games console, building on Microsoft's relationships with cable TV providers.". Presumably that's US cable companies, because I don't hear of any link with Virgin, although I know they do have some partnership with Sky. Oh, and I'm free to turn my cable box off if I want - our 2nd box only gets switched on when we want to use it - exactly as I'd expect a new XBox to behave.

Perhaps Microsoft's "customer-centric approach" will force them to look at the "always on(line)" requirement and re-evaluate it in light of the furore that AO's comments caused.

[mikerr]

Microsoft creative Adam Orth resigns after 'always-on' Xbox Twitter spat - link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...m-orth-twitter

[Smudger]

Erm, funny video, but a bit sweary...