Xbox 720 Could Require Always-On Connection, Lock Out Used Games

MojoKid writes "Sony's next-generation PS4 unveil is just two weeks away, which means leaks concerning both it and Microsoft's next-generation Xbox Durango (sometimes referred to as the Xbox 720), are at an all-time high as well. Rumors continue to swirl that the next iteration of Xbox will lock out used games entirely and require a constant Internet connection. New games would come with a one-time activation code to play. Use the code, and the game is locked to the particular console or Xbox Live account it's loaded on. Physical games will still be sold (the Durango reportedly supports 50GB Blu-ray Discs), but the used game market? Kiboshed. If this is true, it's an ugly move on Microsoft's part. Not only does it annihilate the right of first sale, it'll eviscerate any game store or business that depends on video game rentals for revenue."

Comments

Always on = !on

[ernest.cunningham]

Always on always turns me off.

The main problem I see with this is the ability to lend games to friends, or have friends lend games to me! This is what hooked me in with COD 4 and the reason I purchased an Xbox. My mate lent me his copy for a day and boom I was hooked.

That wont be happening again I guess....

Re:Always on = !on

[Anonymous Coward]

It's worse than that, because of online activation for multiplayer me and my girlfriend can't both play online with games that use this technique. They expect two people in the same household to buy two copies of the game to both be able to play online even if one of the discs isn't even in use at the time because activation gets tied to your account and we have separate accounts so we can play different things at the same time on each console.

Re:Always on = !on

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't get the anger here. Valve have been doing this with Steam sales for ages. You can't even give away an old game on Steam; it's locked to your ID. You can't even remove it from your game list.

Re:Always on = !on

[RaceProUK]

I think this is a dick move by MS.

It's just a rumour at the moment. I'm gonna wait until details are confirmed before deciding to buy it or not.

Re:Always on = !on

[tnk1]

You are probably right in surmising that there is a way around many objections being made.

The real question is why we should have to pay them so we can jump through their hoops?

The answer to that is because people buy console games and accept a locked down platform. Having game companies make use of their advantages on this platform to control your access to what you have bought has always been a "feature" of consoles. It is one reason I don't waste my money on consoles for gaming.

Re:Always on = !on

[tragedy]

Apparently when a company offers you a free sample, that's not good enough. You want a free game.

No, they want to use a friend's paid-for game while the friend isn't using it. Like they might do with a vacuum cleaner, or a car, or a book.

Re:Always on = !on

[CodeHxr]

Fully agree. It seems to me that console manufacturers are continually pushing the boundary on their policies and practices. The only thing that these large corporations see is the bottom line - money. If they aren't selling product, they're going to (hopefully) attempt to find out why. If we continue to buy products laden with (consumer hostile?) restrictions, the manufacturers of said products will (rightfully) know that they can get away with that practice and in the next iteration will push that boundary further.

The only thing that one can really do is decide that they don't "need" that new gizmo if they feel it restricts them beyond what they feel is fair. Personally, I won't be buying any console that is locked in this manner, Xbox, PS, or otherwise.

Re:Always on = !on

[julesh]

For many people, a book or a game loses it's utility after one run through. If you read a book that you were lent and fall into this group, you are unlikely to buy yourself another copy just because you thought it was so good the author / publisher deserved an extra chunk of money. In short, the act of lending may have prevented a sale.

You're probably right. We should ban libraries, just in case.

Well...

[Kokuyo]

No new console for me then *shrugs*

Burn them all at the stake!

[Dahamma]

We don't need proof, unsubstantiated blog entries will suffice!

Sounds like a good way

[mailuefterl]

to get themselves out of the console business again

Thanks, Microsoft

[Leo Sasquatch]

Just made the next few months so much easier, because all the hype, specs, leaks, teasers and general media d1ck-sucking can be safely ignored.

You've chosen to release a console that's less powerful than the PC I built 2 years ago, so heavily encrusted with DRM that it will get in the way of playing games I have purchased. Router bounces - say goodbye to your game session. ISP has problems - no games for you, you filthy thief.

Here's a little hint, MS - you are not the only game in town. There has never been such excellent choice in the games and console market. I can run MAME on my Raspberry Pi, or Skyrim at full shiniez on the PC. What do you have to offer that's so unique? Halo? No, that's not looking a bit tired at all. Halo 5? Wow, I wonder what you have to do in *that* game!? (hint: shoot aliens...)

My PC plays anything that needs heavy lifting - my 360, Dreamcast, N64, PS3, PS2 and Saturn all still work, and I have plenty games to tide me over your entire current console lifecycle. Really, what are you offering this time around to make up for all this shit?

Re:Misunderstood Intentions

[MetricT]

But that's just it. Publishers *do* get money from resale.

If I know I can pay $60 for a game when it first comes out, play it for a week or two and then sell it, I'll buy it opening day.

But since I can't resell it, I wait for that sucker to hit the bargain bin before I even consider it.

Re:And for those with a normal...

[Mashiki]

But then, that's how things are in these United States of America.

And here I thought you were talking about Canada. Same deal up here.