EDGE: What Microsoft’s always-on Xbox means for PlayStation 4

[Prince Akeem]

You’ve got to admire Microsoft’s bravery. News that its next Xbox could shut out the second-hand games market has caused strong reactions across social media today, and it has impacted upon the real world too. GameStop’s share price took a dent following the publication of our story earlier this afternoon.

If our sources are correct (and we’re confident they are), Microsoft has made the move that publishers and developers have been asking for. Microsoft’s next Xbox will do what Steam and the App Store have been doing for years, and very successfully, too – a download-first, one profile, one purchase, one storefront system. Overnight, it’ll stop GameStop and GAME from selling on games without a penny heading back to its publisher, let alone its creator.

Microsoft has also, rather more sensibly, surmised that the kind of consumer happy to pay for a next-generation console is going to have a decent internet connection. It is not a portable device; there’s little harm in keeping the next Xbox connected, as long as the next iteration of Xbox Live is implemented in the right way. Past experiences with always-on services have been disappointing – just ask Ubisoft and Blizzard – but that’s current generation technology. Microsoft must take note of its contemporaries’ mistakes and make its always-on Xbox service as unobtrusive as it can.

What’s trickier for Microsoft is in explaining its decision when faced with Sony’s plans for the PlayStation 4. Walk into a game retailer (should you be able to find one by the time these consoles arrive) and the choice could be simple: PlayStation 4 is more powerful, and plays second-hand games. One can imagine how fruitful a call between Kaz Hirai and Don Mattrick might have been had they both agreed to take the same measures against second-hand sales.

Based on our sources’ information, we are building an ever clearer picture of what PlayStation 4 and the next Xbox will be. Right now, there seems to be a subtle role reversal happening; Microsoft’s stricter, more complex box aspires to be the complete entertainment superhub PS3 was once designed to be. Sony’s PlayStation 4 is more PC-like and developer-friendly, as Xbox once was.

What hasn’t changed is the logistical challenge of launching a home console. We understand that PS4 will reach the US and Japan by the end of this year, with European territories to follow after Christmas, just as PS3 did. What Microsoft might stand to lose in halting the second-hand market, it could gain if it manages to launch its new console globally before PS4.

Risky business: the next Xbox versus PlayStation 4 | Features | Edge Online

 

[Liquid]

Come home to the PC

 

[B86]

I'm glad that I built a gaming pc last year because this new generation looks like it's about to be a mess

Sent from The Bushes using Tapatalk 2

 

[Loose]

This was posted in the other thread

 

[Fatboi1]

If you have a gaming PC, you are already experiencing this reality. I don't really care. Almost all the games I've bought on PC were dirt cheap.

 

[Rekkapryde]

If you have a gaming PC, you are already experiencing this reality. I don't really care. Almost all the games I've bought on PC were dirt cheap.

The problem is I don't see MS and publishers dropping the price on games.

 

[Fatboi1]

The problem is I don't see MS and publishers dropping the price on games.

How does it work on PC? How come the prices can be so cheap for a PC title? I'm not well versed in that sort of stuff.

 

[Demonic Jenkins]

People make it seem like PC gaming is soooo fun...doesn't seem like PC has the same variety in games. Sure there's games that release for the PC too...but it seems like select games.

I'll never not fukk with console gaming based off variety and Xbox live.

I will admit I have no experience with steam but all I ever hear about is game deals and what not...does it offer the same things Xbox live offer or what?

I told myself last year I was getting a PC rig and a console....not sure I want to spend my money and I'm not sure I want a PC rig to be my main joint for gaming...Xbox live has spoiled me and if I can get next gen gaming with Xbox live......or an improved Psn.....I'm not sure how enticing spending all that grip on a gaming PC really is

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Camammal]

How does it work on PC? How come the prices can be so cheap for a PC title? I'm not well versed in that sort of stuff.

Steam

They can afford it because digital distribution allows for lower production costs. They don't have to press discs, make packaging, send it to physical stores, etc.
In addition, most really cheap games have either had low budgets or have been out so long that asking for retail price would be ridiculous. Being a digital delivery service means they can lower the price easily without having to worry as much about all the costs involved in making physical copies.

 

[Ineedmoney504]

This can't be true bout always online shyt, and if they pushing download first then the system will need to come wit over a Terabit hard drive and if it true they using blueray and the game will be larger and close to 50gigs, well who has a internet connection that can download shyt like that in reasonable time, shyt would take over a day of no gameplayingand just straighting downloading

 

[daze23]

I doubt we'll be seeing 50 gig games anytime soon (unless they just waste all that space with uncompressed video and shyt)

 

[Tom]

I just want Uncharted 4

God of War 4

Infamous 3


and whatever those cacs/asians over at quantum dreams or whatever that company name is that created Heavy Rain and Beyond Two souls come up with

 

[NoMayo15]

This can't be true bout always online shyt, and if they pushing download first then the system will need to come wit over a Terabit hard drive and if it true they using blueray and the game will be larger and close to 50gigs, well who has a internet connection that can download shyt like that in reasonable time, shyt would take over a day of no gameplayingand just straighting downloading

 

[Wiirdo]

How does it work on PC? How come the prices can be so cheap for a PC title? I'm not well versed in that sort of stuff.

If they're publishing games for PS3 or 360, they have to pay licensing costs to MS and Sony for each copy. PC they don't have to pay shyt.

 

[Camammal]

People make it seem like PC gaming is soooo fun...doesn't seem like PC has the same variety in games. Sure there's games that release for the PC too...but it seems like select games.

I'll never not fukk with console gaming based off variety and Xbox live.

I will admit I have no experience with steam but all I ever hear about is game deals and what not...does it offer the same things Xbox live offer or what?

I told myself last year I was getting a PC rig and a console....not sure I want to spend my money and I'm not sure I want a PC rig to be my main joint for gaming...Xbox live has spoiled me and if I can get next gen gaming with Xbox live......or an improved Psn.....I'm not sure how enticing spending all that grip on a gaming PC really is

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

NO, and NO. Xbox live does not have deals anywhere close to what steam does on the daily. In the long run pc gaming is costly due to hardware upgrades but you can build a entry level pc on the low. And keep in mind you're not paying for the service for games outside the isp you already have. Digital distribution will always be more affordable. PC games lasts much longer and usually are much more enjoyable because of better graphics, mods, higher fps, better online integration and online communication...not to mention superior controls. Play bf3 or cod on pc then try to play them on a console..you'll never would want to go back. I bought entire game franchises during steam sales for less than $10. Bought crysis 1 and 2 a few months back for $5 breh Not to mention its so many games that can be had for free. Consoles will always have more appeal but don't shyt on something you have not tried.