There's a difference between limiting distribution to an online model a la Steam or the Apple App Store for OSX and relying on a network connection for app verification/DRM. I can use any of the games or apps I've purchased on the appropriate device without it needing to phone home to verify that it's a legit install. I haven't heard anything about the new XBox being cloud-only like OnLive; from my understanding the internal construction of the unit wouldn't drastically change other than improvements to the components. This will kill the secondary market for XBox games (I guess that's one of the reasons Gamestop and the like have gotten into the second hand portable device market), and I really don't think MS will pass along the savings to consumers like Steam does. I'd expect them to price more like Apple- a game in the App Store will often cost $10-20 more than the Steam version. Their prerogative, but it keeps my loyalty with the guys at Valve. I've been considering switching to a console in the near future. My iMac is perfect for everything but future gaming. I miss out on some titles, and as game requirements go up I can't readily update it (and it's WAY too expensive to get a new one often). I loathe Windows 8, so PC gaming is out. I have high hopes that the Steambox or Ouya will be a viable alternative.
On Apr 9, 2013, at 8:52 AM, Luke Jaconetti <[email protected]> wrote: > I don't see how requiring you to connect to the Internet and access your > cloud space to play your game is not DRM related, Cary. Maybe I am > misunderstanding you? > > Ah, maybe I was unclear, the comment about online multiplay was just a > general comment from me and not specific to this particular issue. My bad. > > I can see MS trying to eliminate the physical media because it eliminates the > middle man -- namely GameStop and the like. So maybe MS can charge you $5 > less to not buy a DVD or Bluray disc, and that money goes directly to them, > not through GameStop? > > Anyway, considering some of the security breaches we have already seen -- the > Rent-A-Center case where they used the webcams on the rented computers to spy > on their customers comes to mind -- the camera-and-Kinect theory is really > not THAT far fetched. I'm no conspiracy theorist but the dots do kind of > connect themselves on that one. > > > On Tuesday, April 9, 2013 8:25:12 AM UTC-4, cwpreston wrote: > I still don't buy it. Steam relies on digital distribution but all the games > they offer have offline modes- even the collaborative ones like Left 4 Dead. > The always-on model is more about DRM than gameplay. > > Another comments thread I read pointed out that this could be a camera and > three dimensional sensor (Kinect) equipped device that is always on and > designed to be queried by a third party. The conspiracy-philes are going to > have a field day with it. > > On Apr 9, 2013, at 8:14 AM, Luke Jaconetti <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Orth's response was that he and Manveer Heir are friends and they were going >> back and forth at each other for fun, joking with each other as it were. >> >> MS has also said that Orth is not a spokesperson for the company and his >> statements do not reflect blah blah blah. >> >> Personally I have no interest in online console gaming. I grew up in the 8 >> bit and 16 bit eras, where you had to have actual friends to play your games >> multiplayer. >> >> I think the real twist is going to be thus: the system will be "Always On" >> because it will not have physical media. No more discs -- you simply pay >> the $60 or however much people pay to rent their video games nowadays and it >> will be downloaded to your cloud space. So if you want to play the game you >> HAVE to be online. >> >> Also, PA weighs in on the "Always On" debate. Moderately NSFW for the last >> panel's dialogue: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2013/04/08 >> >> >> On Monday, April 8, 2013 5:30:33 PM UTC-4, cwpreston wrote: >> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/failblog/~3/AE3u9PwjYpo/7264745216 >> >> It's a terrible idea that's failed before. Rather than try to explain the >> decision to customers, the new creative director blows them off and then >> results to insults. Good move, Microsoft. Any chance I had of picking up the >> next gen XBox just went down like the Hindenburg. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "The Unique Geek" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/theuniquegeek?hl=en. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "The Unique Geek" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/theuniquegeek?hl=en. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Unique Geek" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/theuniquegeek?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
