Report: Xbox 360 successor can tolerate only brief Internet interruptions

[exdeath]

BTW my first post in this thread was simply that I didn't like what XBox had to offer this generation and likely would start off in camp Sony this time around for next gen and I quietly left it at that. But the usual suspects who must sleep in Master Chief and Markus Fenix undies had to poke and prod the angry hornet nest again. Sigh.

Ok maybe I called it ShooterHaloGoWCoDBox or something, but still.

 

[smackababy]

You repeatedly come into threads with the same tired arguments about how gaming is going in a bad direction, despite being far more popular than in the times of the games you claim to love. You cry about a console for having tons of shooters, when the other competing console has just as many. You cry about these fans who reject some game and how it is streamlined, but always fail to give any valid example to back up anything you say.

And then you accuse people who are against your childish, troll viewpoint, who give facts to back up their arguments, as being fanboys.

The first post you made in this thread would have been fine. However, you continue to whine about who knows what and troll anyone who disagrees. If you don't like something, that is fine. Let the people who do discuss it without you bashing them and every one else that likes something you don't.

 

[American Gunner]

Possible good news about the "always online" rumor:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans

Edit: Whoops, I linked the wrong article, but my work is blocking the other one. This is an snip from it that I saw on another forum:

"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."

 

[mindcycle]

Possible good news about the "always online" rumor:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans

I'd never use this personally as I got rid of cable TV a long time ago and I use a Roku box for Hulu, Netfilx, etc.. I don't have plans on changing that either.

If they use this as justification for always online needed to play games i'll just buy a PS4 instead, or just game on my PC. It's great MS wants to do this all in one deal, but if that comes at the expense of not being able to play games without an internet connection then forget it.. Not worth it to me.

 

[RedRooster]

Possible good news about the "always online" rumor:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans

Edit: Whoops, I linked the wrong article, but my work is blocking the other one. This is an snip from it that I saw on another forum:

"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."

Hmm, that sounds interesting. I always thought they're a bunch of codecs and a few more media apps away on the 360 from it becoming my only media device in the house. But it can't so I have a WDTV and Roku too.

 

[mindcycle]

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.

Which honestly seems kinda retarded since the Apple TV has barely sold anything compared to other units that provide similar capabilities (Roku, Boxee, plus many other streaming set top boxes). I think the failure of the Apple TV is mainly due to the restrictive DRM on it, so for MS to come out with another restrictive unit when it's been proven people don't want to buy stuff like that, just seems extra stupid IMO. Plus, if I can download regular 360 and XBLA games on my old xbox360 unit and not have to be always connected to play, why would I spend more money on another unit which has that requirement? Makes little sense to me.

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."

Yeah, lets hope so.

 

[American Gunner]

Here's the link for the story I talked about earlier:
http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013/

 

[mindcycle]

Here's the link for the story I talked about earlier:
http://www.vgleaks.com/microsoft-xbox-roadmap-2013/

Yeah, typical Microsoft move. Cloud everything up with too many devices/options instead of focusing on a single good product.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You repeatedly come into threads with the same tired arguments about how gaming is going in a bad direction, despite being far more popular than in the times of the games you claim to love. You cry about a console for having tons of shooters, when the other competing console has just as many. You cry about these fans who reject some game and how it is streamlined, but always fail to give any valid example to back up anything you say.

And then you accuse people who are against your childish, troll viewpoint, who give facts to back up their arguments, as being fanboys.

The first post you made in this thread would have been fine. However, you continue to whine about who knows what and troll anyone who disagrees. If you don't like something, that is fine. Let the people who do discuss it without you bashing them and every one else that likes something you don't.

Just because something is popular doesn't mean it is of superior quality though.

 

[American Gunner]

Yeah, typical Microsoft move. Cloud everything up with too many devices/options instead of focusing on a single good product.

Hey, if that's the way you took it than enjoy.

 

[Aikouka]

As long as the XBOX Mini is really small and coordinates well with the Durango, I'm not really against the idea. Separating out backwards compatibility is probably the smarter way to go when it comes to pricing and thermals, but the interworkings is important. If I can simply hook the two together via a cable and only use the video output on the Durango, I would be pleased. Based on that report, I would also be able to continue to use my relatively large 360 game library as long as I have a Durango as well.

Although, if I choose to skip the Durango, I could just stick with my current 360s and be fine too.

 

[mindcycle]

Hey, if that's the way you took it than enjoy.

Enjoy what? I'm just saying it's a typical Microsoft move to offer too many versions/iterations/etc.. of the same thing, instead of just coming out with a single good product. Look at all the different versions of their Desktop apps, like Office for example. You've got Home, Business, Premium, Standard, Student, etc.. Same with all their OS's. It's just a giant mess. This is one thing that Apple beats them on hand down. If they want to compete with the Apple TV why would they make yet another XBOX360 to do that? A ton of people already own a XBOX360, why would they want to buy yet another one with gimped gaming capabilities?

 

[American Gunner]

Because it is a direct competitor with the supposed streaming service Sony will give down the road of games from this generation.

 

[purbeast0]

Enjoy what? I'm just saying it's a typical Microsoft move to offer too many versions/iterations/etc.. of the same thing, instead of just coming out with a single good product. Look at all the different versions of their Desktop apps, like Office for example. You've got Home, Business, Premium, Standard, Student, etc.. Same with all their OS's. It's just a giant mess. This is one thing that Apple beats them on hand down. If they want to compete with the Apple TV why would they make yet another XBOX360 to do that? A ton of people already own a XBOX360, why would they want to buy yet another one with gimped gaming capabilities?

did you even read the article about what the xbox-mini is rumored to be? its basically an apple tv type of device with gaming capabilities as well.

and the durango is a direct competitor of ps4 according to the article.

not sure how you can say neither of them are good products on their own, especially since they aren't even out yet and we haven't seen what they are actually capable of.

 

[purbeast0]

oh and this.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...00_-microsoft-designer-adam-orth-resigns.aspx

 

[American Gunner]

Don't feel bad for that idiot getting canned.

 

[Nintendesert]

oh and this.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...00_-microsoft-designer-adam-orth-resigns.aspx

Very nice. That guy was a complete and total douchebag.

 

[Arkaign]

I'm relieved that apparently the always online is NOT a requirement for the main console.

As for the other streaming box. What the hell? I think that muddles the message somewhat. People that already have 360s, what's the attraction of buying those titles again? I guess I'm just not sure what the point is. The PS4/Xwhatever should be able to stream/play/etc.

IOW, it just seems like that functionality should be in the main console, not split into seperate units. Reminds me of Sega 32X or something.

Now if the main console can do it all without limitation, then I don't have any complaints at all. The streaming/360-lite box is a little strange imho, but whatever. It'll be a niche oddball like the Roku/WD Live/AppleTV/etc. Kind of cool but honestly crap compared to better devices.

 

[mindcycle]

did you even read the article about what the xbox-mini is rumored to be? its basically an apple tv type of device with gaming capabilities as well.

and the durango is a direct competitor of ps4 according to the article.

not sure how you can say neither of them are good products on their own, especially since they aren't even out yet and we haven't seen what they are actually capable of.

I'm not saying they won't be good products. I was mainly referring to the streaming box that plays XBOX360 and XBLA games. Don't we all already own that box? That's what I was getting at there.

 

[American Gunner]

You don't have to buy your titles again. You would put the 360 disc in the new Xbox and it would load it to the new device. I'm not sure how the xbla games would be done, but I imagine it would be through the Internet connection.
I think the reason they are doing this is to appease everyone. The people that don't want backwards compatability don't have to spend the extra money it would cost to put it in the box. The people that do want it and don't want to just use their 360 have an option now. Instead of complaining or being critical, people should see that ms is trying to give us options.

 

[purbeast0]

You don't have to buy your titles again. You would put the 360 disc in the new Xbox and it would load it to the new device. I'm not sure how the xbla games would be done, but I imagine it would be through the Internet connection.

that is what i got out of the article as well. i'm assuming that your xbla games would be tied to your live account, which allows you to dl them anywhere you are signed in.

we can speculate all we want but it's kind dumb that people are already jumping to conclusions about consoles and features that haven't been announced yet.

 

[smackababy]

I'm relieved that apparently the always online is NOT a requirement for the main console.

As for the other streaming box. What the hell? I think that muddles the message somewhat. People that already have 360s, what's the attraction of buying those titles again? I guess I'm just not sure what the point is. The PS4/Xwhatever should be able to stream/play/etc.

IOW, it just seems like that functionality should be in the main console, not split into seperate units. Reminds me of Sega 32X or something.

Now if the main console can do it all without limitation, then I don't have any complaints at all. The streaming/360-lite box is a little strange imho, but whatever. It'll be a niche oddball like the Roku/WD Live/AppleTV/etc. Kind of cool but honestly crap compared to better devices.

Roku has sold 5 million units. Hardly a niche device. That, plus the Xbox as a brand is way more popular than Roku. I think people are more likely to buy a $99 Xbox set top box than a Roku set top simply because the brand name is more well known.

Sadly, I can't view the link to the new article at work, but can see the first article Gunner linked. =(

From what I have read though, it seems MS is just expanding the Xbox brand to different devices. Xbox mini, with all the apps Xbox Live offers, will probably do pretty well. Especially with the cable pass through and MS added cable provider specific content.

I do hope MS announces a Skype app for Xbox though. Since they own Skype now, I see no reason they can't include Skype in Xbox Live gold memberships.

 

[Arkaign]

You don't have to buy your titles again. You would put the 360 disc in the new Xbox and it would load it to the new device. I'm not sure how the xbla games would be done, but I imagine it would be through the Internet connection.
I think the reason they are doing this is to appease everyone. The people that don't want backwards compatability don't have to spend the extra money it would cost to put it in the box. The people that do want it and don't want to just use their 360 have an option now. Instead of complaining or being critical, people should see that ms is trying to give us options.

You know, I can sympathize with your assessment. I do believe it's still a somewhat clunky idea, but it's better I think than not having any 360 support at all. I don't think it will be a success, but it will definitely be interesting.

 

[Arkaign]

Roku has sold 5 million units. Hardly a niche device. That, plus the Xbox as a brand is way more popular than Roku. I think people are more likely to buy a $99 Xbox set top box than a Roku set top simply because the brand name is more well known.

Sadly, I can't view the link to the new article at work, but can see the first article Gunner linked. =(

From what I have read though, it seems MS is just expanding the Xbox brand to different devices. Xbox mini, with all the apps Xbox Live offers, will probably do pretty well. Especially with the cable pass through and MS added cable provider specific content.

I do hope MS announces a Skype app for Xbox though. Since they own Skype now, I see no reason they can't include Skype in Xbox Live gold memberships.

I could be wrong for sure. I'm just not convinced that people want to play last-gen games in any large number. The marketing for the new consoles will be massive, and I think the mini 360 or whatever will get trampled. The difference could be if it's capable of playing new stuff entirely, and it gains success there. For example, buy new Xbox SF game, get free Xbox mini version as well. Or some decent exclusives. And throw in new Arcade games. If Xbox live has the little downloadable indie games, if they work on both consoles, it could work out somewhat.

Still, the masses are definitely wanting the new CoD, Halo, Madden, Forza, etc.

I think 5 million is a niche device really, particularly when you think about how many actually get used. I have both a WD Live and a Roku, and they're long since stuffed in a drawer, and I've never met anyone else who owned either of them. When any new decent TV can already do Netflix/Hulu/Pandora/etc out of the box, and HTPCs do it even better, it doesn't leave a lot of room for the mini, outside of last-gen era gaming. IOW, it will appeal only to gamers, specifically a subset who would rather play last-gen than next-gen (or want to move their 360 library to it instead of keeping their 360?).

Microsoft has failed before, I think the new Xbox will be a success, but am not sold at all on who exactly the mini will be successful with. Sometimes it's not even that their product is bad, there's just not room in the market for it. I have a couple Zunes, they're actually awesome music players, but that was a late entry into a dominated market, kind of pointless.

 

[smackababy]

I could be wrong for sure. I'm just not convinced that people want to play last-gen games in any large number. The marketing for the new consoles will be massive, and I think the mini 360 or whatever will get trampled. The difference could be if it's capable of playing new stuff entirely, and it gains success there. For example, buy new Xbox SF game, get free Xbox mini version as well. Or some decent exclusives. And throw in new Arcade games. If Xbox live has the little downloadable indie games, if they work on both consoles, it could work out somewhat.

Still, the masses are definitely wanting the new CoD, Halo, Madden, Forza, etc.

I think 5 million is a niche device really, particularly when you think about how many actually get used. I have both a WD Live and a Roku, and they're long since stuffed in a drawer, and I've never met anyone else who owned either of them. When any new decent TV can already do Netflix/Hulu/Pandora/etc out of the box, and HTPCs do it even better, it doesn't leave a lot of room for the mini, outside of last-gen era gaming. IOW, it will appeal only to gamers, specifically a subset who would rather play last-gen than next-gen (or want to move their 360 library to it instead of keeping their 360?).

Microsoft has failed before, I think the new Xbox will be a success, but am not sold at all on who exactly the mini will be successful with. Sometimes it's not even that their product is bad, there's just not room in the market for it. I have a couple Zunes, they're actually awesome music players, but that was a late entry into a dominated market, kind of pointless.

With the Zune, which I've had a few (original and the Zune HD), they were great products. However there was no marketing behind them. How many iPod commercials and ads have you seen compared to Zune ads? Pretty much everyone under the age of 60 could identify the silhouette with the white earbuds as an iPod ad. I can't even remember what the Zune ads looked like AND I BOUGHT THEM.