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.