Ah, the end of a console cycle. That game machine you spent hundred of dollars on years ago is now at the end of its life. Soon, the manufacturer will stop producing it and you’ll have to pony up yet another few Franklins to stay in the… (puts on sunglasses) game. Sorry.
In November 2005, Microsoft released the Xbox 360, the successor to their original 2001 machine. Just over seven years later, the debut of the third entry in the Xbox line is on the horizon. Durango. 720. Loop. These are the three names that have been thrown around, each one supposedly a contender for the name of Microsoft’s next console (obviously with the word “Xbox” before the name).
Whatever it’s eventually called, here are 3 rumours we definitely don’t want to come true…
3. No Used Games
Reports are saying that the next Xbox won’t play used games. Here’s the thing: when you buy a used game, only the store where you purchase it gets money from you. Not the developers and not the publishers. That copy of Gears of War 3 you got at Gamestop for just three dollars less than a new one? Yeah, Cliffy B. won’t be getting any of that.
That’s not to say that the used game market is evil. At least, not to consumers. Developers, however, see it differently and they’ve introduced the online pass. This is a code that must be entered should you want to play the game’s multiplayer mode. New games have a code inside. For used games, whose codes have already been used (unless you get lucky and it’s still there and works), you have to purchase a code. This way, the developers may not be getting the full $63.59, but at least they’re getting something (I don’t know how much as I haven’t purchased any used games in a while).
How would Microsoft block used games? Probably the same way. Except now, instead of just for multiplayer, they would be for the whole game. Want to save a few bucks on a game? That’s fine. Oh, you want to play it, too? Well, too bad. Blocking used games will severely damage the market and question fans’ loyalty to Microsoft, possibly causing them to jump ship, resulting in Microsoft losing tons of customers.
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10 Comments
Ok if we outlaw used games or require a “Passcode”
What happens when you’ve invested Hundreds of dollars in your new console and the games to go with it, only to have it “Crash” remember the red ring of death? So now what I have to buy pass codes for my new system??? So I can play games I’ve already paid for ??? Really ?? That’s a horrible idea and will backfire.
Good point. Microsoft can’t be stupid enough to actually do this. Can they?
I wouldn’t put it past them, a company will make damn sure they get every penny they can get from consumers. If the idea gets more money then they are probably willing to try it at least until sales drop faster than terminal velocity…
I imagine it will be like steam. The games will always be yours, and its up to you to install them when you want.
Your games that you purchase would be still good. They would be linked to your microsoft/xbox account that you would use again with you replacement Xbox.
I hope no to all of them
I dont like the idea of paying £40 for a game I might only play once
The internet isnt strong enough all the time to have a decent connections
Kinect, Weve just got rid of it
No used game was a rumor for the PS4 a YEAR ago with Sony putting in some patent.
As MS do not use online pass for any of their published game I find it highly unlikely that they would ever do this, Sony on the other hand have been charging for an online pass for all their published games for a long while and that includes all the people who have paid for PSN+.
Always connected no chance.
Kinect I will happily use it especially if it is the very powerful rumored new version, I find the original model very good indeed especially in games where I just cannot remember all the controls just saying a word makes it all so easy.
I don’t usually buy pre-owned games so this wouldn’t affect me too much. Still not a fan of the idea though. I know a lot of casual gamers who will buy a pre-owned game long after it’s release for half of the price. If this rumour is true, I think it’s quite safe to say that Microsoft will lose thousands of customers.
If Kinect is indeed required, you can absolutely scratch this current Xbox 360 owner the list of potential customers.
You’d think that Microsoft, being headquartered in a large city and not in the middle of rural Kansas farmland, would realize that not everybody lives in a HOUSE. First of all, my apartment is not big enough to move my couch far enohgh away from the TV for the current Kinect to even work. Second, I’m sure my downstairs neighbors would absolutely looooove having me jumping up and down shouting “Grenade!” at all hours of the day and night.
Obviously you wont have to use Kinect, it will be an OPTION and I will be quite happy to have that OPTION.
The only thing that any one now knows as FACT on the next gen consoles is that the Sony PS4 will NOT be backward compatible.