We have been talking about rumors on the Next Xbox (sometimes called Xbox 720) and when it would arrive, what new features it would have, etc. But something we have not even thought about that is now being said of the new console is that people will no longer be able to play used games on the console.
I will save my thoughts for our next podcast as we will be talking about this. But I want to know what you think. If this turns out to be true, would you not buy the Next Xbox? Would you still buy the console but cancel GameFly? Do you think this is even legal? Do you even care?
Read the following story from Kotaku and share your comments. We will share your comments in the next podcast when we talk about this topic.
The Next Xbox Will Play Blu-Ray, May Not Play Used Games (And Will Introduce Kinect 2)
BY STEPHEN TOTILO
Microsoft will upgrade its disc technology for its next Xbox from DVDs to Blu-Ray discs, catching up to rival Sony, games industry sources tell Kotaku.
Sony’s PlayStation 3 currently supports Blu-Ray, which can contain 25 or 50GB of data compared to DVD’s 9GB.
But that disc detail could be far less impactful to the next generation of game consoles than the assertion I’ve heard from one reliable industry source that Microsoft intends to incorporate some sort of anti-used game system as part of their so-called Xbox 720.
It’s not clear if that means that the system wouldn’t play used games or how such a set-up would work. Obvious approaches—I’m theorizing here—like linking a copy of a game to a specific Xbox Live account could seemingly be foiled by used-game owners who would keep their system offline. My source wasn’t sure how Microsoft intended to implement any anti-used game system in the new machine.
A push in any way by Microsoft against used games would likely be cheered from publishers sick of seeing retailers like GameStop crow about their revenues from the sale of used games. But it could potentially anger consumers who rely on buying cheaply-sold used games or even pass games to relatives or friends.
One source familiar with Microsoft’s plans for the new Xbox said Microsoft plans to ship their new Xbox with a new version of its red-hot Kinect hands-free sensor system. The new Kinect would contain an on-board processor, a feature originally intended for the first Kinect. That processor would enable a new Kinect to more effectively detect users’ motions.
I’m also hearing that Microsoft is interested in making a smaller controller for its new console.
And what of gaming site IGN’s report that the machine could be six times more powerful than the Xbox 360? From some industry sources I’m hearing that that’s the right ballpark and that Microsoft is estimating they might even get to 8x the Xbox 360. But another insider clarified that no one in the industry has development kits yet and that any talk about specs right now is still hypothetical.
[UPDATE: A Microsoft rep e-mailed me the following statement: "As an innovator we're always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology like we did with Kinect. We believe the key to extending the lifespan of a console is not just about the console hardware, but about the games and entertainment experiences being delivered to consumers. Beyond that we don't comment on rumors or speculation."]
“Xbox 720″ is being used as shorthand by reporters like me to refer to the next Xbox. It’s not necessarily the name of the next device. Tech sites Semi Accurate and Fudzilla have reported that the first chips for 720 development kits are going into production, leading to a possible late 2013 release despite my earlier reporting which had pointed to 2014 as the year of the next Xbox and PlayStation.
Nintendo’s next console, the Wii U, will go on sale later this year.
To throw some cold water on the 6x more powerful than the 360; some sites are reporting the 720 will only be 20% more powerful than the Wii U. This is surprising since the initial talk was that the Wii U would be powerful as the 360/PS3, or slightly more powerful.
Stay tuned..
I like that it will be more powerful but if there is something preventing me from playing used games then I will be done with the system.
First off, the head of MS’s Xbox division has said numerous times that they do not have ny plans to replace the 360 until 2015. However despite this I could see them releasing new console holiday season 2013 and continuing major support for the 360 until 2015. He said the same for the Kinect. (which also numerous tech developers and MS tech people have said the the Kinect is about perfect. They also sayonly problem with it is software, not hardware)
Second, why would MS care about used games? A big bulk of their income comes from A. XBL memberships B. XBL & XBLA purchases C. Advertising rights. I am sure they make a bit off of disc based games sells, but they must only make maybe 20% at best of a new game.
I could see the publisher doing activation codes like pc games have, but I highly doubt MS will implement an kind of anti-used games policies.
Lets not forget that Kotaku is kind of out of the loop on tech news, and really is more of a speculation/culture site than really gaming.
That being said. I agree with the blu-ray thing. The consortium which originally owned the rights to blu-ray technology (of which Sony was the controlling party) loses it’s exclusive right this year. Which means that more companies can pursue blu-ray tech. The dvd format has been the only really hold on the use of the 360s power and I will be excited to see this tech come to the Xbox
Another thing, even though I am just beating a dead horse, but alot of publishers do not care about used game sales. EA started this whole mess (but we all know that EA is the GREAT SATAN of the video game world.)So now since they got away with it other publishers are jumping on the bandwagon. That is it it is that simple. And even though I hate EA I am just as guilty as everyone else for buying their games. But hey who can blame us. They make great games.
There is this myth that the video game industry is hurting money wise. The video game industry is the only industry that has increased it’s sales since the 2008 US recession. They only say its is hurting so they can squeeze that last quarter out of you wallet. Sales, both software and hardware have never been higher and the are only going up.
The used game thing is bull crap. My game purchase’s will go down, as $60 a pop is already alot, especially for games like Homefront, and others that turn out to be horrible.
First of all i dont really see this happening untill we are in the awful position of downloadable games.
This is just what is happening in all parts of society. Wing said that EA lost millions in sales with piracy, i agree that this is the way that EA see it. However there is no guarntee that any of the people who pirated the game would have bought it so there is nothing lost there. I recently bought rainbow six vegas 2 for £4 pre owned i wouldnt have bought that without pre owned games and i may buy patriots full price. Therefore with pre owned games I may invest in there next game, (this actually happened with mass effect and mass effect 2)
Its just about nickel and diming the consumer. All they want is every little penny out and putting less in. EA make millions but this is normal for them so they have to look at how to grow. Maybe if the people at the top were paid less (i.e 100,000 pounds not millions this is still more than the average of britions make in 5 years) they would make more money! This also in on disc dlc and really poor boring dlc being worth 10, 15 or even 20 pounds. A good example of this is the excellant game space marines which i bought (new) for £12 due to sales. However the dlc will always be 800 each so I would end up paying more for dlc than the game however if i was buying dlc on disc it would come down in cost and be 1 or 2 pounds.
Without reading all of the details and what everyone else said, most likely I’d go back to PC gaming as it wouldn’t be so much more expensive than console gaming anymore.
All they will do by making everything so cumbersone is encourage even more people to steal from them, if not due to pricing then out of spite.
i can careless 4 blu ray but not playing used games is stupid. i will keep my old 360′s than.
I will always keep my ol 360, she has been good to me. I dont know what or how they intend to curb used gaming sales but if they do Ill just buy less games. Ill focus on the ones I know I want to buy and that I know Ill get a lot of enjoyment out of it. This seems to be more a push from publishers than from microsoft. I cant imagine for them used game sales have hit them that hard when they only have a few exclusive titles. But we shall see, I suppose it is true that to all big business what money your not making is just as important as what money you are making. Maybe Ill take up a new hobby like Extreme Crochet.
will not play used games “““industry console””” i the customer dictates not the industry !!!!! il get a wiiU