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[Tomcat]

http://winsupersite.com/xbox/how-mi...one?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

good article by thurrott

 

[Camp Lo]

Yeah subsidizing would definitely do the trick. You gotta get that shit in people's house somehow.

 

[Osiris]

(My guess why: Because the Xbox One pretty much requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription anyway, and that was like throwing away $200.)

Oh, please be true, if only for the further meltdowns it would cause.

 

[Sapphire Dreams]

The question is not how they'll do it, it's WILL they do it ?

I read a lot of articles and saw a lot of vLogs of how can Microsoft improve this issue but I highly doubt they'll listen to anything except our wallets and if that availability is to be believed, only specific wallets >_>

 

[BlazingDarkness]

Solution: This issue could easily be fixed by allowing an offline usage model in which the physical presence of a game disc could serve (as it does today) to “prove” to the console that you own the title. During this offline period, you could then play single player games normally.

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

 

[MCD]

His solution is common sense which MS has long abandoned.

 

[Courage]

IT AINT HAPPENIN PAUL

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/414164/xbox-one-policy-wont-change-in-the-short-term-spencer/

 

[eznark]

I'd buy Paul's fixed xbone in a heartbeat.

 

[Marleyman]

Good article.

 

[Zephyrus]

How can they do it?

Either scrap the entire project or discontinue the models the impose such heavy DRM features. Revert back to the xbox 360 policies and you might win some of the people you aggravated these past months.

 

[LycanXIII]

About not being able to play offline:

Solution: This issue could easily be fixed by allowing an offline usage model in which the physical presence of a game disc could serve (as it does today) to “prove” to the console that you own the title. During this offline period, you could then play single player games normally.

Makes too much sense to work for MS.

 

[NullPointer]

My take: Microsoft should not be charging its best customers another $60 per year for Xbox Live Gold. This subscription fee should not even exist, not today, and not with the Xbox One.

Solution: If Microsoft can’t lower the price of its console, it should eliminate the Xbox Live Gold subscription fee. It’s an embarrassment.

A-fucking-men. All of it, but I especially appreciated this.

 

[MCD]

I'm fairly certain MS will revoke the physical DRM, and so the 24 hour check.
They have to now, the backlash has been phenomenal.

That's not how MS does things. They will not revoke till another year AKA Xbox 1.1: The removal of DRM.

 

[Guevara]

This is a good article and I like how clearly it is presented.

Solution: Microsoft should sell a version of Xbox One that does not include Kinect and costs $399. It will outsell the other version 10-to-1, I bet. (I get why Microsoft doesn’t want to do this. I don’t care.)​

Totally this. It's so obvious. Kinect is appealing to a minority of users.

 

[xbhaskarx]

 

[Felix Lighter]

I wouldn't be surprised if disks and drives didn't have any of the built in functionality they've used in the past to verify it isn't a copy. Maybe they can add it but their engineers already have to be scrambling to implement these crazy policies.

 

[Proelite]

I would rather pay $60 a year for Halo 5 with dedicated servers, than free p2p. So I don't agree with his 5th point.

 

[t0rment]

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

I don't think there's way to do that, because someone can pass the license of the disc to another person and still be using the disc to play offline, therefore using 1 copy to play on 2 consoles.

 

[LCfiner]

the things that make XBOne so awful for myself and most of Gaf (online checks, restricted disc rights, always on kinect, Live Tv integration) are so central to its design that I can't imagine MS backpeddling from those decisions at this point. It'd be like making a whole new console.

 

[PanicFreak]

I'm fairly certain MS will revoke the physical DRM, and so the 24 hour check.
They have to now, the backlash has been phenomenal.

I think the DRM is here to stay but Microsoft will leave it up to Publishers whether to enforce it or not. The 24 hour check can and probably should be lengthened.

However, most games of the future will require internet anyway. Though I guess it's better to leave it in the developers ball park to avoid the backlash of potential customers.

My solution: Steam-like digital sales. Leave Kinect as is because it's awesome. Lengthen the online checks. Subsidized pricing model to undercut Sony by $100 (15/month for 2 years). Subsidize pricing model (undercutting Sony again) through ISPs.

 

[Jinfash]

The thing I'm wondering about a subsidized model is how low can they go? Price-matching the PS4 won't be enough to overcome my other concerns. As for a non-Kinect SKU, I can hardly see that happening when it's a mandatory accessory that is present in all their marketing and branding.

 

[Dranakin]

Under the "Used games/games loaned to friends/game rentals," I didn't see anything mentioned about how games can only be played by one of the authorized users at a time. Unless that's no longer a restriction. Also, the fee for buying and "activating" a used game.

 

[Kromis1]

The offline solution is perfect!! I just hope Microsoft actually thinks about this and implements it. Gamescom, don't let me down!

 

[eznark]

I think the DRM is here to stay but Microsoft will leave it up to Publishers whether to enforce it or not. The 24 hour check can and probably should be lengthened.

However, most games of the future will require internet anyway. Though I guess it's better to leave it in the developers ball park to avoid the backlash of potential customers.

My solution: Steam-like digital sales. Leave Kinect as is because it's awesome. Lengthen the online checks. Subsidized pricing model to undercut Sony by $100 (15/month for 2 years). Subsidize pricing model (undercutting Sony again) through ISPs.

Lolol

 

[Confidence Man]

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

As soon as you allow indefinite offline play via disc you've undone the entire DRM system.

 

[dragonelite]

I would rather pay $60 a year for Halo 5 with dedicated servers, than free p2p. So I don't agree with his 5th point.

I think his point is for apps like Netflix and such it doesn't make sense and with the premium price point for only voice control its not worth getting a xbone if you can ps4 for $100 cheaper dont have to use psn+ for stuff like netflix..


Just give me a kinect less bundle and i will be there day one.
Dont give much about drm personally, steam works, internet works excellent here in the netherland. So im as good as always connected.

I think microsoft mistake is they want 2018 in 2013 already.
These things take time to get used too.
And im pretty sure ps5 and next gen if both companies are still alive will be digital platform maybe have amazon and gamestop sell license key only.
And all those solutions are just gestures of goodwill EA and Ubisoft backpedalled from the NoDrm backlash microsoft is still in lalaland and needs to be shaken up.
Especially considering the privacy concerns and recent prism scandals.

Edit: I would ps4 if it had games i want to play only want xbone because it has halo and forza and the franchises im used to.

 

[liquidtmd]

What would make me buy an Xbox One over a PS4 at this point:

Launch for £299
Give me a non Kinect SKU
Give me a non 24 online connect check in mode

The price is the least important of the three, but I'm impressed with Sonys attitude and it would take a sweetener now to sway me. I don't expect in the least MS to do this but if Sony stick to their E3 manifesto, I don't care.

 

[Jaleel]

This is a good article and I like how clearly it is presented.

Solution: Microsoft should sell a version of Xbox One that does not include Kinect and costs $399. It will outsell the other version 10-to-1, I bet. (I get why Microsoft doesn’t want to do this. I don’t care.)​

Totally this. It's so obvious. Kinect is appealing to a minority of users.

I believe that ship has sailed. With the way Microsoft is positioning the Xbox One as the, "all in one media center", I cant see how they would not include the Kinect which is integral for that messaging. Kinect allows for all their TV shenanigans as well as voice commands for Skype, Bing, snapping, etc.

 

[Guevara]

I believe that ship has sailed. With the way Microsoft is positioning the Xbox One as the, "all in one media center", I cant see how they would not include the Kinect which is integral for that messaging. Kinect allows for all their TV shenanigans as well as voice commands for Skype, Bing, snapping, etc.

That's a fair point, but I don't want it and I won't pay an extra $100 (Paul's estimate) for it.

 

[etrain911]

I'm fairly certain MS will revoke the physical DRM, and so the 24 hour check.
They have to now, the backlash has been phenomenal.

I don't know how built into the system's infrastructure those "features" are. They may not be able to without delaying the console's release.

 

[Bsigg12]

What if they purposefully left out a subsidized plan at E3 and just gave the base price so they could reveal it closer to launch? Maybe 2 months before launch.they come out and say that every Xbox One sold will have the option to be subsidized. Pay $299 now for the system with a 2 year Xbox Live agreement and its yours.

Just wishful thinking probably.

 

[dejay]

It's obvious that the Xbone is meant to be an online only device. MS is willing to drop a large chunk of their audience to go in this direction. It's the front end of something we probably don't know about yet. Games is only a fraction of that.

Whilst dropping the requirements of a 24h check in if the disk is in the drive makes sense for a console, it's obvious that MS don't want it to be a console. If you don't have internet or don't want to keep the device connected, they don't want you as a customer.

What MS really need to do is to explain what they have in mind and why people should give a damn about this new direction. Those details may be revealed more in the coming months, but who knows.

They also need to drop $100 off the price.

 

[DangerMouse]

If so, Sony could probably subsidize too with PS+, especially now that it's required for online play outside of a few game types.

I think the DRM is here to stay but Microsoft will leave it up to Publishers whether to enforce it or not. The 24 hour check can and probably should be lengthened.

I don't really care if the online check is lengthened, any check still potentially makes your games worthless and it's out of your control. I suppose if I didn't go back and play old games I probably wouldn't care as much so maybe it doesn't effect some people as much as others.

Kinect would have to be un-pluggable IMO for them to even start fixing this issue for a lot of people. I think it's a two stage problem, people paying for it that don't want it and that it's required to be plugged in for the system even work.

 

[JABEE]

I'd buy Paul's fixed xbone in a heartbeat.

That is what I thought the new Xbox would be until the last 4 months or so.

 

[SpinningBirdKick]

Microsoft won't consider changing any policies until sales figures prove that Sony has eaten Microsoft's lunch.

By then it will be too late.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

It is honestly that simple. They've made it so needlessly complicated

 

[Satchel]

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

Agreed.

I'd be shocked if this wasn't possible to implement.

 

[kitsuneyo]

They should do this.
Disc in the tray = you can play the console offline for as long as you like.
But if there is no disc in the tray for the software you're playing then the console needs to be online.
I'd say that's the best way to balance the digital content and retail content sides of the coin.

But that would spoil their used game policy.

 

[dragonelite]

But that would spoil their used game policy.

Microsoft and the publisher have the money to compete against gamestop.
Release day 1 games digital as $39.99 and physical copies &59.99
This would probably give the publisher even more money.

 

[PanicFreak]

I think his point is for apps like Netflix and such it doesn't make sense and with the premium price point for only voice control its not worth getting a xbone if you can ps4 for $100 cheaper dont have to use psn+ for stuff like netflix..


Just give me a kinect less bundle and i will be there day one.
Dont give much about drm personally, steam works, internet works excellent here in the netherland. So im as good as always connected.

I think microsoft mistake is they want 2018 in 2013 already.
These things take time to get used too.
And im pretty sure ps5 and next gen if both companies are still alive will be digital platform maybe have amazon and gamestop sell license key only.
And all those solutions are just gestures of goodwill EA and Ubisoft backpedalled from the NoDrm backlash microsoft is still in lalaland and needs to be shaken up.
Especially considering the privacy concerns and recent prism scandals.

Edit: I would ps4 if it had games i want to play only want xbone because it has halo and forza and the franchises im used to.

Microsoft made a bet with Xbox Live that was similar and it worked out for them.

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Wasn't this the main guy rumoring the subsidized X1 throughout this year? its starting to sound like a sub console is what HE wants, not Microsoft.

Besides, If the yield problems are true, no way they can do that yet. They barely can keep up with demand through an absolute sea of negative press.

 

[BobTheFork]

Only one way to fix it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDfqwHck2Qg

 

[ElectricBlue187]

Microsoft made a bet with Xbox Live that was similar and it worked out for them.

They took an online community that existed on PC since at least 2000 and copied it with a solid closed platform online implementation. Not so much revolutionary as evolutionary. What they are trying to so now has never been done successfully, ever.

 

[Sydle]

So make it PS4? No, thanks.

Don't get me wrong, I like what Sony is doing and I'll be a customer of theirs again, but it's so safe that it's frankly quite boring to hear about or discuss. MS is attempting something new that may bring some innovation to market and even influence digital market leaders like Steam to evolve their policies.

I want to see what happens over the next decade when MS plays its cards.

 

[Jomjom]

Wow really level-headed article by Thurrott. Good article.

 

[2MF]

Back in March, I was told that Microsoft would offer two versions of the Xbox One console: The delivered $499 version and a second version that would cost $299 and require a two-year Xbox Live Gold subscription costing $15 per month. Before the May reveal, I was told that the second, subsidized version was not happening. (My guess why: Because the Xbox One pretty much requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription anyway, and that was like throwing away $200.)

^ The bolded part, I don't understand it. 299+15*24 = $659, where's the throwing away $200?

 

[rudieboy77]

I am honestly very surprised that MS didn't offer a subsidized console. I mean besides the kinect that console has to be less to produce than the PS4. The sell $500 cell phones for $199 with a contract. Even with all the hassles a $199 console would sell massive numbers and I thought that was going to be their gimmick to sell more than Sony.

 

[Sydle]

I am honestly very surprised that MS didn't offer a subsidized console. I mean besides the kinect that console has to be less to produce than the PS4. The sell $500 cell phones for $199 with a contract. Even with all the hassles a $199 console would sell massive numbers and I thought that was going to be their gimmick to sell more than Sony.

The initial allotment will be snapped up by the enthusiasts who will pay the premium. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a subsidized plan with the launch of Titanfall in the spring.

 

[MCD]

So make it PS4? No, thanks.

I like what Sony is doing, but it's so safe that it's frankly quite boring to hear about or discuss (I'm totally buying one). MS is attempting something new that may bring some innovation to market and even influence digital market leaders like Steam to evolve their policies.

I want to see what happens over the next decade when MS plays its cards.

It is too early for a digital market. Restricting your physical copies is simply not the answer. Either go all digital or don't.

I find it funny and sad that the Xbox team never read this statement from MS Office team:

Like Adobe, we think subscription software-as-a-service is the future. The benefits to consumers are huge. Subscribers are always up-to-date. They get the latest and most complete applications. They can use subscriptions across the multitude of devices people use today. Web services like SkyDrive and applications like Skype are also more easily integrated with subscription services, like the new Office 365 Home Premium.

However, unlike Adobe, we think people's shift from packaged software to subscription services will take time. Within a decade, we think everyone will choose to subscribe because the benefits are undeniable. In the meantime, we are committed to offering choice—premier software sold as a package and powerful services sold as a subscription.

http://arstechnica.com/information-...ffice-wont-go-subscription-only-anytime-soon/

Xbox team got a point but this is not the right way to do it. Make digital more attractive this gen then kill physical in the next.

 

[DieH@rd]

Nothing will be changed sadly. MS will hope that everyone will embrace digital download, which is insane. Not everyone has unlimited caps, not everyone wants to pay constant full prices for games [retail prices go down quickly, with many "bomba" sales], and many people WANT TO TRADE/SELL their games to procure funds for future game purchases.

24hr online check, restricted game sharing/selling, region game blocking, region service blocking, and mandatory kinect are all very stupid moves. On top of all that, they have REALLY BIG console that can be used vertically, possibly limited launch qualities, slower HW than PS4 and 100$/€ more pricier box.