The Video Game Thread

[Felix The Cat]

Quite frankly, my internet connection is stable enough where the prospect of "always online" isn't going to be a big deal when I'm playing a game or w/e. I also personally don't care about the used game aspect, though I realize both are big issues for some and the anti-consumer principles of both rub me the wrong way.

But I don't want to be bombarded with ads and not having the ability to play my games 6-7 years from now would suck. It'd be doubtful that the servers would remain functional once the generation is over and the next shiny thing comes along.

[ghostrunner]

http://www.quickmeme.com/Always-Online- ... /?upcoming

[JackofDiamonds]

Chump chump chump chump chump

[obucard]

I'll wait until it comes out and see how games are affected.

The Xbox is already always on if you're signed up for Live, though that's not required for games. You can't run any apps now without an internet connection, since that's what apps require anyway. At this point gaming has become a secondary function for me. It's rare that I'm going to be in the mood to actually play something AND be without Internet.

I would like it to have Blu-ray, which apparently isn't likely.

If you're router suddenly spazzes- Your game is over!
If you wife has screwed up the network for the time being- Your game is over!
If you're modem has a hiccup or Comcast is having a bad day- Your game is over!

If their servers can't handle the workload - Your game is over!

[JackofDiamonds]

NSFW

[SHOW]

[Michael]

Looks like MS is performing a controlled leak with various websites regarding always online:

Getting to the point there are going to be two console as part of the redesigned “Xbox Line” of products. A repackaged and reoriented Xbox 360 unit and the new “Durango” gaming console, both designed to compete with more than Sony in gaming, but against Apple as well.

When the Durango (game machine) launches, it will not support backwards compatibility for 360 games out of the box. Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this (not unlike the DVD add-on for the original Xbox).

The purpose of the smaller Xbox unit is to compete with Apple TV, but also provides XBLA and 360 game support which will give it an edge over Apple TV. The rumors of “always online required” comes from the smaller Xbox unit which may not have a disc drive and like Apple TV it would require a network connection and internet to provide any real functionality. It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

Durango itself will also always be online like any other device (correct with rumors), but it will not be a requirement to play local content and it will not prevent playing used games.

Link

[robbotis]

Looks like MS is performing a controlled leak with various websites regarding always online:

Getting to the point there are going to be two console as part of the redesigned “Xbox Line” of products. A repackaged and reoriented Xbox 360 unit and the new “Durango” gaming console, both designed to compete with more than Sony in gaming, but against Apple as well.

When the Durango (game machine) launches, it will not support backwards compatibility for 360 games out of the box. Instead, this functionality will come from the other unit that will be networked with the Durango to provide this (not unlike the DVD add-on for the original Xbox).

The purpose of the smaller Xbox unit is to compete with Apple TV, but also provides XBLA and 360 game support which will give it an edge over Apple TV. The rumors of “always online required” comes from the smaller Xbox unit which may not have a disc drive and like Apple TV it would require a network connection and internet to provide any real functionality. It may be possible they will design both consoles to be stackable.

Durango itself will also always be online like any other device (correct with rumors), but it will not be a requirement to play local content and it will not prevent playing used games.

Link

Thanks for the info, and I hope it's true. THe bold part is all that matters, and I'd be fine w/ it.

[Jocephus]

i dont like it. do we not remember how cluttered the sega genesis got with the sega 32x and sega cd addons? keep it simple you douchebags

[ghostrunner]

Enjoyed this last night:

Official Grand Theft Auto Radio Playlists on Spotify and iTunes
http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/a ... tunes.html

[Michael]

i dont like it. do we not remember how cluttered the sega genesis got with the sega 32x and sega cd addons? keep it simple you douchebags

The key is the Xbox mini is a stand alone 360, albeit with out a disc drive and it would require an internet connection. I assume games will have to be downloaded or run from a 720 disc drive. Not something I'm interested in, but it might be attractive for a lot of people if they price it at $99.

BC for the 720 is completely optional and something their main competition (Sony) isn't going to offer. It's not a perfect solution, but it's better than nothing.

I'm more excited about the 720 not requiring an internet connection. No way would I buy a console that has DRM like that. What a [expletive] show that would have been.