Microsoft could be working hard to suck all the bargains out of gaming, if fresh rumours concerning the next Xbox are to be believed.
Citing "sources with first-hand experience of Microsoft's next-generation console", Edge reports that the Xbox 720 (said to be code named 'Durango') will require an Internet connection in order to function, and will see games shipping with single-use activation codes.
That would put the kibosh on buying or selling second-hand games, forcing you to always pay first-hand prices. It would likely also rule out lending games to a friend or sibling.
This is only a rumour for now, so take this report with a pinch of salt. These anti-second-hand measures are already being taken by a number of games publishers however, who bundle one-use codes with games in order to make the discs less valuable to sell. Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 is rumoured to feature the same locked-down technology.
The report also reckons that the next Xbox will use Blu-ray discs, taking advantage of the format's high-capacity discs, and will come packing a quad-core processor.
The next Xbox and PlayStation 4 are both expected to go on sale this year, to combat the Wii U, which was released before Christmas. Sony has already teased a PlayStation event on 20 February, so we could be less than a fortnight away from glimpsing the fourth PlayStation console.
What do you think of mandatory activation codes? Are they sucking the fun out of games, or are they a necessary evil? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 16
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anonymous 7 February, 2013 18:00
I say f@#k Microsoft and there xbox in every single way possible for me its ps4 all the way and the new xbox will be for pure fanboys or mugs. The fact that you can't use youtube, 4od, 5 on demand, internet Explorer and even the cnet app I downloaded and probably many more apps, its absolutely disgusting. And also the rip off stitch up service that wouldn't allow me to cancel the auto renewal for xbox gold. I could go on but il leave it at this I will not be buying the next gen console from a company like that especially after this rumour bye bye Microsoft
anonymous 7 February, 2013 18:25
If Sony and MS decide to go down the single code route, I wont be buying another console.
mshaw9 7 February, 2013 19:01
If the single code rumour code is true the new android consoles might clean up nicely
anonymous 7 February, 2013 23:27
The user who calls people mugs who buy the xbox, well I'm sure they could say the same about ps4 owners(when they release both).
I used YouTube, 4OD, 5 on Demand and IE on my Xbox just fine, so are you sure you know what you are doing.
But yes we can all get in the arguments about which console is better, we it is personal preference, and no on eis forcing anyone to buy either console.
I'm a fan of the Xbox console, but I do have a PS3 too.
Anyway rant over I hate ignorant people.
anonymous 7 February, 2013 23:51
the xbox likely to require an internet connection is likely to be microsofts competitor product to the apple tv and not the full blown next-gen console
anonymous 8 February, 2013 09:02
Console makers and game makers are, as Luke says in the article, already working hard to kill off the second hand games market... Bad for the community and bad for the planet too.
Oh well, I guess pirating will make a remarkable return soon then...
anonymous 8 February, 2013 09:19
Console makers could be in for a big shock if consumers vote with their pockets. If we don't buy the hardware they don't get their cut from software sales.
It could be a huge opportunity for Android and mobile gaming.
anonymous 8 February, 2013 09:39
As much as I hate the idea, having to be constantly online is instantly preferable to the rubbish on mobile platforms (android, iOS)
All that will happen is the consoles get hacked (probably by way of faking a proxy server that the console authenticates to)
Always-online would be financial suicide to a gaming company - there's no way the larger publishers will allow it as it would decimate their customer base, they will simply develop for another non-restricted platform. Microsoft/Sony NEED EA, Ubi, Activision (regardless of whether you like these companies or not) Personally I don't give a toss about used games as its mostly tight arses that buy them for current gen consoles. Sonys idea for blocking them is far more palatable
d
anonymous 8 February, 2013 10:56
So what if I have 2 next gen xboxes at my house? are you telling me I have to buy the same game twice to be able to play it on both consoles?
A BIG FUUK U TO MICROSOFT.
If this is true then I'll be getting the PS4 this gen. & if Sony do the same then FUUK U TO SONY, it just means I wont buy games till there dirt cheap.
anonymous 8 February, 2013 13:22
If Microsoft want to go down this route, why bother with putting a disc drive in it and selling games games on discs when you could take a leaf out of the Google Play store. If you purchase a physical disc you should have the freedom to use that disc on whosever console you play it on. Completely pointless if they do decide to lock a disc to a single console
anonymous 8 February, 2013 15:18
More than likely the single activation code will be associated to your Live account, rather than a physical console machine. If this is the case you'll still be able to play it on other devices, so long as you sign in to your live account. To me that doesn't sound so bad since you can recover a live account to any xbox machine anywhere instantly.
Peter Thompson 8 February, 2013 22:44
Would this mean always online 24/7 or just to activate stuff. The internet isn't always reliable and I'd hate to think I couldn't play games and watch dvds and so on without a connection
anonymous 9 February, 2013 08:20
I almost never pay full price for a game, I could easily afford, but I just think £40 is far too much so usually wait 6 months and get cheaper or second hand. No second hand market will keep the price artificially high, and drive people like me to alternatives. I would probably play PC games more instead, they are already much cheaper.
With the Ouya and similar devices on the horizon,the AAA market should be striving to remain competitive, rather than putting in more barriers for customers.
faddis23 10 February, 2013 00:51
These are simply rumours! Those people commenting here need to take it easy and calm down. Why decide on whether you will buy a console or not even before its released? Plus, CNET (along with those sites they get their rumours from) are notoriously poor with their rumours, most of which never come true.
anonymous 10 February, 2013 11:09
If this is true, (I understand that they could just be rumours), then PC gaming just gained another player. I honestly cba with all this crap.
anonymous 11 February, 2013 02:55
I'm with most people on this , if sony or microsoft do use the one code policy
i think i will pass on getting both of these consoles.
ouya may be a choice