According to a report on Kotaku, the next generation Xbox will follow in Sony’s lead and include Blu-Ray technology. Right now a regular DVD for the Xbox 360 can only hold 9 GB, while the PS3 Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 25 GB. This news shouldn’t be too surprising, as next generation games will most likely be even bigger than the ones we have now requiring that much more space.
However, the other news reported in the Kotaku article is very surprising and a little suspicious. According to their sources, Microsoft intends to incorporate a form of anti-used games technology in the next generation Xbox.
“It’s not clear if that means that the system wouldn’t play used games or how such a set-up would work. Obvious approaches—I’m theorizing here—like linking a copy of a game to a specific Xbox Live account could seemingly be foiled by used-game owners who would keep their system offline. My source wasn’t sure how Microsoft intended to implement any anti-used game system in the new machine.”
In addition, the next generation Xbox will supposedly include the next generation Kinect that would: “contain an on-board processor, a feature originally intended for the first Kinect. That processor would enable a new Kinect to more effectively detect users’ motions.”
It has been evident for some time now that companies are trying to find any way possible to move away from used game sales. However, Microsoft providing anti-used game technology built right in to the system is something I have not heard of before. The question becomes would this hurt sales of the Xbox 720 (or whatever it is called), and would Sony and Nintendo have to follow suit?
If Microsoft follows through with this technology, my guess is that publishers would blackball Sony and Nintendo into the same thing; for example EA would refuse to create games for Sony’s next gaming system unless it has the same technology or something similar to prevent used games. If you want Battlefield 5 on the PS4 you need to have a used games prevention technology or else kind of thing. Would this technology discourage you from buying the next generation Xbox or PlayStation?
Update:
Here is Microsoft’s response to the article:
“As an innovator we’re always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology like we did with Kinect. We believe the key to extending the lifespan of a console is not just about the console hardware, but about the games and entertainment experiences being delivered to consumers. Beyond that we don’t comment on rumors or speculation.”
This is the first time that I have heard Microsoft respond to any rumor about their next generation console, meaning even though this is just a rumor for now; the fact Microsoft even responded to the article and the wording of this response indicates to me that they are definitely looking into anti-used games technology.
Want to write about the stuff you're passionate about and have your work read by an audience of over 10 million a month? Click here to become a contributor.
7 Comments
That would enrage me. I would only buy the console that didn’t carry the used game security. $70 for a game that you play through once is just ridiculous. There are too many garbage games polluting the industry. The only way I would be cool with it, is if game makers reduced priced to say $40.
There will be no physical media it will all be DLC as there are incredible cost savings to go with that along with no second hand game selling.
I agree it will lower the price however I don’t see the move to full digital until the next generation. There are still too many issues to deal with, mine being the bandwidth limits that are placed on us by internet providers. I mean some games right now are 25GB and will probably be even bigger the next generation, download limits would be a killer if it was all digital next generation.
My wife and I rarely play unused games. We often shop at places like GameStop to purchase games at a lower cost, so I’m not a fan of being forced into buying incredibly expensive technology. Hopefully this rumor is just that, or at the very least misunderstood. If it’s true…well that would just suck.
Have u ever heard of such a thing. If they release such a console that doesn’t support used games u can bet ur bottom $ that people will jump ship to other forms of gaming. Microsoft, if this is a rumour then u had better put it to bed quick, as people were just warming to the 360 over the ps3
If this is true, it SHOULD go the way of SOPA. I don’t think people who can barely afford games as it is will let corporations, that already make more money than sin, make it so they HAVE to spend £45 for EVERY game they buy. I personally would refuse to buy an Xbox 720, and I think companies like Game and GameStation that would lose out to this will put up one hell of a fight.
This is also stupid on another level, I only bought my Xbox at the end of last year, and have since bought Mass Effect 1 and 2 pre-owned, because of which I want to buy Mass Effect 3 new. Surely giving games longevity helps the sale of new games by that manufacturer is smarter than just denying that privilege altogether?
Well Microsoft the big juggernaut dictator of the gaming world. At it yet again. This is extremely insulting to gamers everywhere. An anti-used game technology? This isn’t even worth discussing, truly a horrible idea purely for the sake of their bureaucratic ways.
And to those who believe that the digital distribution of games is a positive thing: it makes sense that the price of games would be reduced right? Well I doubt we will ever see this money made up. Games will stay the same price whether or not we’re picking them up in a store.
The days of lending games to friends is over. Xbox 1440 – Now you must buy one game a month to keep your LIVE membership. Won’t that be the day…
I hope Sony and/or Nintendo pushes the consumer around less.