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[DieH@rd]

Edge sources: Next-gen Xbox games 'will require online connection'
Microsoft set to block second hand games sales, claims source


Next-gen Xbox games will require an internet connection in order to function and block second-hand use, according to a new Edge report.

Microsoft will move to make Xbox Live will an "integral" rather than "optional" feature of the next Xbox, with retail games made available for download, the next-gen expose in Edge's latest issue claims.

Physical boxed titles will remain on sale in shops, but "activation codes" will need to be verified online, the report adds.

Once verified, sources claim discs will have "no function beyond the initial users - effectively eliminating the second-hand games market as it's currently known.

Edge's information is said to come form a source "with experience of developing for both new platforms."

"Given its experience with 70 million-plus 360 console stats, Microsoft has accumulated enough user data to make the decision to go online-only with its successive hardware one that adds up," the Edge report states.

"Microsoft's hand has been guided by the PC gaming landscape, and viewed through a particular lens it makes sense, even if unbelievers will take some convincing."

It adds: "Ultimately, Microsoft has asked itself a simple question: who wants to play games on a next-generation Xbox and yet doesn't have access to the internet? The answer: not enough to make a considerable difference."

In the same report it's claimed that the next PlayStation will utilise an improved PlayStation Eye camera, redesigned controller and the ability to record and upload gameplay to the internet.

Both next-gen consoles are said to be set for release before this Christmas in North America, with the PS4 slipping to "early 2014" in Europe.
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...en-xbox-games-will-require-online-connection/

 

[Herb Alpert]

I don't like that.

 

[DCX]

hmmm

 

[pants]

Question is, will Sony follow?

 

[S1kkZ]

Question is, will Sony follow?

if they do, i will save a lot of money.

 

[Prime crotch]

figures

 

[lefantome]

If it's true and Sony won't follow them, Durango is DOOMED.

 

[CaptainTiptop]

Nope nope nope, no thank you, MS (or Sony).

 

[Clevinger]

Clevinger set to not buy a Durango

 

[pants]

if they do, i will save a lot of money.

Agreed. Despite the fact that I do have a persistent internet connection and rarely buy second hand, this would tip me over the edge.

 

[EdwardTivrusky]

Well, if this is true Microsoft have made my decision for my next-gen console much, much easier. It's "Hello Sony!" until they do the same.

 

[StuBurns]

I really think that would be unwise. Game retail has maybe five years left, they're going to kill the used market anyway, but doing so in such a blatantly anti-consumer move would be short sighted I think.

 

[szaromir]

Shame.

 

[fallagin]

Well hopefully their not going to lock the games to the console. That would seriously blow.

 

[Jindujun]

i kinda wanted the new xbox... atleast this saves me the trouble of buying one day one

 

[Shard]

I really think that would be unwise. Game retail has maybe five years left, they're going to kill the used market anyway, but doing so in such a blatantly anti-consumer move would be short sighted I think.

I think the bigger issue here is just how alienating this is to retailers, the console manufactures may not like it but the stores make a lot of bank on the used market. I really have a hard time seeing them take this lying down.

 

[DieH@rd]

If Sony allows second hand games:

...but 3rd parties will like MS for bringing them more money.

 

[mrklaw]

If it's true and Sony won't follow them, Durango is DOOMED.

Sony may not have a choice if third party publishers insist on this. This won't be of MS' choice.

As for activation codes, wonder if they'll have a 2D barcode and you scan it in via kinect?

 

[Callibretto]

Question is, will Sony follow?

previous Sony rumor patent lead me guessing that used game sales could still happen, but all second hand games will need 'online pass' rather than just online enabled game currently applied nowadays.

at least it is better than ms approach, unless ms also did the same.

I can't help thinking these rumor is leaked intentionally as a bait for the other side to bite. lol, if only one side implement this, than that console is going to face difficult time ahead

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

No sale.

 

[JDSN]

Cant wait to be called entitled for this draconian shit.

 

[cyberheater]

Didn't Sony recently patent a method to prevent second hand game sales using RFID tags.

And yeah. I don't believe this rumour. There are loads of folks out there that don't have their machine connected to the internet.

 

[Dance Inferno]

Oh hell no. If Sony doesn't block second hand sales then guess which way I'm swinging.

Plus, isn't this illegal?? Shouldn't I have the right to sell my games second hand?

 

[Dennis]

Guess I will buy even fewer next gen games than anticipated.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Didn't Sony recently patent a method to prevent second hand game sales using RFID tags.

Yes.

The idea sees individual game discs matched to user accounts. Games which have been associated with another user's account will be rejected.

Discs would come branded with a contactless tag which would be recognised and read by your console, using the same sort of NFC technology present in modern bank cards.

 

[Shard]

Cant wait to be called entitled for this draconian shit.

Can't wait for the likes of TotalBiscuit to defend this bullshit using those words.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

eesshh.

MS just keeps pushing me away

 

[Augustus]

Well at least Gamestop/EBGames will go bankrupt.

 

[patapuf]

I think the bigger issue here is just how alienating this is to retailers, the console manufactures may not like it but the stores make a lot of bank on the used market. I really have a hard time seeing them take this lying down.

IF both, Sony and MS are doing this next gen what will retailers do? not sell any games? People will simply get them on amazon or walmart

 

[szaromir]

If Sony allows second hand games:
http://i.imgur.com/uu17Z3l.gif[img]
...but 3rd parties will like MS for bringing them more money.[/quote]
Wasn't Sony the first publisher to jump on-board online passes after EA invented the idea? IF MS are considering this, Sony are even more likely.

 

[Haunted]

So you get all the drawbacks of digital with none of the benefits?

Great.

 

[captainraincoat]

ummm im assuming that second hand games are the only things that keep stores like gamestop/ebgames open
new game sales alone would not be enough to survive as now people have the internet to see if a game is crap or not before buying

If thats the case then they are pretty much taking a huge dump in their bed and sleeping in it

 

[Terbinator]

Welcome to PC gaming in more ways than one.

 

[grimshawish]

Only people who gain financially from no second hard market are the people who hold licenses. Look forward to gaming losing its identity and become a £60-£70 licenced mess.

You'll lose self produced brands and the industry's money will be increasingly tied to outside brands.


Durango is sounding like one of the porest console efforts in quite some time. If Sony follow then once again it is Nintendo's market to gain.

 

[EVH]

This indrustry is so retarded that I cannot believe how much money they are making.
Probably because us, consumers, are even more retarded.

 

[Dennis]

Gonna buy Durango which MS is going to sell at a loss.

And then probably just Halo 5 and the odd unexpected new IP.

Net loss on me for Microsoft.

 

[test_account]

I hardly buy any used games and my internet connection is rock solid, but i dont like this because i think it affects the collection value of the games. Same thing with many used physical PC games that requires online activation.

 

[derFeef]

Feature parity with Steam?

 

[Alx]

We can't say that we didn't see it coming, so it's not a big surprise. Sucks though, especially for younger gamers (even if I buy most of my games at full price now, second-hand games were really appreciated when I was only a student).
If anything, I hope the activation process is transparent and not too dependent on servers and network status.

 

[Haunted]

Feature parity with Steam?

I'm totally on board if they also do price parity with Steam.

 

[seattle6418]

I refuse to believe this until the very last minute, because i don't believe they will be this dumb. Unlike many other doom and gloom stories, this is a game changer.

I don't think they will do this in the end, because this is basically giving a huge amount of goodwill to your competitors.

If Sony does the same, more power to Nintendo, who will reap the benefits alone.

Online required consoles are just... not for at least 10 years. No thanks.

If Microsoft does this, then i guess i'm going one console only ths gen, but if PS4 does this too, then i'm heartbroken and clueless on what to do.

 

[derFeef]

I'm totally on board if they also do price parity with Steam.

I am not, Steam prices are too high.

 

[DopeyFish]

If this is what it takes to bring back B titles, I'm in

 

[sono]

Dramatic move from the norm for consoles. If true lets hope its good for the industry. I recall other recent gaf posts that Sony may have filed related patents in this area also.

 

[Shard]

IF both, Sony and MS are doing this next gen what will retailers do? not sell any games? People will simply get them on amazon or walmart

I am not sure, this really could be a deep enough blow to like Gamestop to dump the next consoles Microsoft and Sony.

 

[Dennis]

Steam is stupid expensive for people in Europe.

 

[maquiladora]

The fact that this is from sources "with experience of developing for both new platforms" means that (at the moment anyway) Sony has not followed MS with always online/no used games, or else that would be mentioned too.

 

[szaromir]

I am not, Steam prices are too high.

Yeah, they screw eurozone at every possible occasion.

 

[VICI0US]

yay anti-consumerism.

 

[allan-bh]

No way Microsoft will block used games alone.