News - Next Xbox will work offline for single player gaming

[HEXUS]

According to an internal Microsoft email acquired by Ars Technica.

Read more.

[Ragga]

Does this not mean that players cannot have an offline console to play with 2-4 other friends locally ?

[crossy]

Tech site Ars Technica has got hold of an internal Microsoft communication which says that the new Xbox should “just work” whatever the internet connection status may be.

Got hold of, or deliberately leaked by Microsoft to quash the rumours?

There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single player game.

Erm yes. Although the "watching live TV" 'requirement' is interesting given that no-ones said anything about a TV Tuner in the Nextbox, which means that "live TV" in question is being streamed, which surely needs an internet connection!

A highlighted comment on the story over at Ars suggests that this email communication has only been sent out as it represents a change in the policy.

This bit has got me a little confused/worried - does this mean that the Nextbox was always-on, but now MS has reconsidered - given the furore that Adam Orth managed to stir up?

Although, with tin-foil hat firmly seated, I can't help but wonder if there is going to be more interest in that 21st May announcement than there would have been two months ago. But that would be unbelievably cynical of me...

[Mr-Tucker]

Erm yes. Although the "watching live TV" 'requirement' is interesting given that no-ones said anything about a TV Tuner in the Nextbox, which means that "live TV" in question is being streamed, which surely needs an internet connection!

It's rumoured to have HDMI input which would be utilized by a set-top box.

[JimmyBoy]

If it has a hdmi in for live tv purposes (I assume for connecting to a skybox, as sky go is already available on the 360)that would that mean that the skybox would have to be switched on anyway? Why not just watch the skybox? a dvb-s2 tuner built in would have been far cooler of course its all just straw clutching at the moment, we'll see what happens may 21st

[crossy]

It's rumoured to have HDMI input which would be utilized by a set-top box.

Yep, got that bit and it confused me - unless the Nextbox has some kind of clever recording/time-shifting feature. After all if you've got a Sky/Virgin box then why not just connect that to your TV directly.

Maybe, as has been rumoured elsewhere, the HDMI-in is for an external BluRay accessory that would allow your Nextbox to (finally!) be used as a BD player

[Agent]

Erm yes. Although the "watching live TV" 'requirement' is interesting given that no-ones said anything about a TV Tuner in the Nextbox, which means that "live TV" in question is being streamed, which surely needs an internet connection!

Live TV can be done on the current Xbox360 through using it as an extender. Could just be the same functionality as already there - no internet connection needed.

[Mr-Tucker]

Yep, got that bit and it confused me - unless the Nextbox has some kind of clever recording/time-shifting feature. After all if you've got a Sky/Virgin box then why not just connect that to your TV directly.

Maybe, as has been rumoured elsewhere, the HDMI-in is for an external BluRay accessory that would allow your Nextbox to (finally!) be used as a BD player

Microsoft did patent integrated gaming and media content recording on a games console.

A new one for the rumour mill today; The next Xbox will supposedly be delayed until 2014 in Europe due to a licensing agreement with Sony over exclusive blu-ray rights in consoles. If that was to be true then it's most definitely internal. I can't see them using a proprietary media for games so it does make more sense to ship with blu-ray player.

[Akdude110]

So if the next Xbox is delayed in Europe until 2014, I wonder if you could get it imported across here? It would be a shame if it is delayed, but I guess we can only wait until they go "Oh yeah we almost forgot. No Xbox in Europe until next year. Ok bye bye", Although I sincerely hope it is just a rumor. But just imagine how much money Microsoft would lose out on to Sony if it was true.

[Biscuit]

i struggle to believe anything about a HDMI input, Mr Murdock would have something to say about that.
Possibly have a TV tuner built in though?