News & Rumors: Xbox One (codename Durango)

[dagamer]

yea I hope we can now put all of this "no used games" business to rest

If all new games come with codes to play the game at all (much like online passes), that wouldn't mean that used games go away (since the price of the game digitally distributed will still be MSRP), but you can't just pop a disc into your system and play either if disconnected. And remember, Sony's stance on that scenario isn't clear.

So here's how it might be:

New game: $60 - comes with 1-time code
same game played on a different account not in the same household: $10 code.
"Used" game price sold by Gamestop: $40 (or really $50 if they include a new $10 code inside the box)

Such that eventually: game disc becomes $10 or so, and every time someone new wants to play: $10. MSRP for game digitally may be $20. As such, game disc will always have some inherent value, just not as much as you might like.

End result: developers make $10 for each new person making the game, used games still exist, but Gamestop pretty much gets shafted.

 

[Tap In]

They weren't drumming up nearly as much fanfare for PS4, so that might indicate some kind of special relationship with MS.

"There's a lot of demand for PS4, and I think there will be for the next Xbox as well, once it's announced."

equal parts love. If anything rather than some conspiracy I really think with the rumors of no used games GS and MS may have JUST finished talks of their contract though for sale of the new system and that may have prompted this release. Again I think it's more geared toward investors, not console fans.

but to suggest it was an MS "favor" is premature and sounds like downplaying tbh

With used game blocking, the API is definitely there, it's up to the publishers to decide though (and i'm guessing most if not all will relish the opportunity to do so)

both Ps4 and 720 can do it if publishers want but this announcement makes it much less likely to be done by the console makers.

 

[orangpelupa]

isnt gamestop still get profit for 2nd hand games? why they get shafted?
used game sold by gamestop for 40, but they buy from the gamer lower than that right?

 

[Tap In]

End result: developers make $10 for each new person making the game, used games still exist, but Gamestop pretty much gets shafted.

yes which does not jive with this GS announcement of happiness, IMO.


but I like your concept though

 

[(((interference)))]

equal parts love. If anything rather than some conspiracy I really think with the rumors of no used games GS and MS may have JUST finished talks of their contract though for sale of the new system and that may have prompted this release. Again I think it's more geared toward investors, not console fans.

but to suggest it was an MS "favor" is premature and sounds like downplaying tbh

They don't give this kind of love to the PS4 and didn't say anything similar around the time of the PS4 launch:

"We've been spending a lot of time with Microsoft, but we have to let them take the lead on this, but it will be a very hot, compelling device. They are doing some really cool stuff, and I'm eager to hear them start their announcements because I think the world is going to stand up and take notice," Raines commented.

A special deal with MS, if it exists, might not be anything to do with used games. It might just be as simple as Gamestop selling the 720 on a subscription basis (perhaps exclusively or with extra perks if you buy a Xbox on a plan from them).

 

[Rangers]

They weren't drumming up nearly as much fanfare for PS4, so that might indicate some kind of special relationship with MS.

i dont see how one off the wall interview really constitutes "drumming up hype". Was he even asked about the PS4?

It reminds me of when people say things like "crytek really needs to STFU" or such, when they are simply answering questions posed to them in a interview, and then somebody posts that interview in a forum. It isn't like they are buying ads, posting stuff on their websites, or shouting stuff from rooftops with a megaphone.

Not that I necessarily disagree with your conclusion though. Or agree.

Anyways, good to hear some positivity on Xbox for a change. And yeah, it doesn't strictly correlate, but comments like "hot, compelling device" tend to imply it's not garbage performance wise.

 

[Tap In]

iAnyways, good to hear some positivity on Xbox for a change. And yeah, it doesn't strictly correlate, but comments like "hot, compelling device" tend to imply it's not garbage performance wise.

Exactly. Maybe it's not going to be the piece of rubbish many try to paint it as.

and agree some comments on this interview sounds like MS paid for the pr. That's silly, they have a business relationship just like Sony does. It's just possible MS made a more interesting deal. Hence" compelling".

A special deal with MS, if it exists, might not be anything to do with used games. It might just be as simple as Gamestop selling the 720 on a subscription basis (perhaps exclusively or with extra perks if you buy a Xbox on a plan from them).

Quite possible yes

 

[(((interference)))]

Look, it's just a theory that Grall suggested, which I then entertained.

Could well have absolutely no relation to reality, I'm really not fussed.

And who said Durango is garbage performance wise?

That just belies fanboy insecurities more than anything - it's not that Durango is a poor performer but that it's not as powerful as PS4 - something the fanboys can't handle and equate with 'Durango is garbage performance wise'.

And which drives them to entertain rumours like dual APUs, overclocks, reserve high power system designs etc.

 

[bkilian]

yes which does not jive with this GS announcement of happiness, IMO.


but I like your concept though

I'd make it even easier: Each disc has a unique code, when you sell you disc, the first time someone else puts that disc into another console, your HDD installed version switches to demo only. If you want to play the game again, get another disc, or pay to re-enable full-game mode.

This maintains the developers copyrights, while allowing you to leave the disc in the box and play just from the console and keeps the used-game market healthy.

 

[Tap In]

That just belies fanboy insecurities more than anything - it's not that Durango is a poor performer but that it's not as powerful as PS4 - something the fanboys can't handle and equate with 'Durango is garbage performance wise'.

And which drives them to entertain rumours like dual APUs, overclocks, reserve high power system designs etc.

and downplaying someone saying something positive as PR that's been "bought" is what?

also I am quite certain the specs as they stand for 720 will do just fine rendering games comparatively and am also not fussed as I doubt that MS engineers are so stupid as to allow that to happen.

 

[Tap In]

I'd make it even easier: Each disc has a unique code, when you sell you disc, the first time someone else puts that disc into another console, your HDD installed version switches to demo only. If you want to play the game again, get another disc, or pay to re-enable full-game mode.

This maintains the developers copyrights, while allowing you to leave the disc in the box and play just from the console and keeps the used-game market healthy.

I love this

 

[dagamer]

I'd make it even easier: Each disc has a unique code, when you sell you disc, the first time someone else puts that disc into another console, your HDD installed version switches to demo only. If you want to play the game again, get another disc, or pay to re-enable full-game mode.

This maintains the developers copyrights, while allowing you to leave the disc in the box and play just from the console and keeps the used-game market healthy.

How do you embed unique codes into a disc? Aren't they stamped instead of burned?

 

[bkilian]

How do you embed unique codes into a disc? Aren't they stamped instead of burned?

They are. This would have been impossible with DVD. blu-ray, however, has the ability to have a unique serial per disc.

 

[Cjail]

News from Kotaku here.

Most relevant ones:

-Controllers for the next Xbox as well as prototype versions of both Microsoft's new, powerful console and the machine's new, mandatory Kinect sensor have been in the hands of game creators since last month.

-The new controller, as we reported more than a year ago, is apparently a little smaller than the existing 360 one.
The new Xbox controller doesn't have any major new input interfaces either, from what we understand

 

[Cjail]

I'd make it even easier: Each disc has a unique code, when you sell you disc, the first time someone else puts that disc into another console, your HDD installed version switches to demo only. If you want to play the game again, get another disc, or pay to re-enable full-game mode.

This maintains the developers copyrights, while allowing you to leave the disc in the box and play just from the console and keeps the used-game market healthy.

Isn't locking the copy to the user/account, not to the console, a better and more flexible solution?

 

[AzBat]

Kinda disappointed if the rumor is true that there is no major changes to the 360 controller other than being slightly smaller. However, I guess it's still possible that there could be updated add-on keyboard with either a touchpad or touchscreen interface. Don't understand all the subterfuge with the minimal changes. What's the point?

Tommy McClain

 

[Rangers]

Kinda disappointed if the rumor is true that there is no major changes to the 360 controller other than being slightly smaller. However, I guess it's still possible that there could be updated add-on keyboard with either a touchpad or touchscreen interface. Don't understand all the subterfuge with the minimal changes. What's the point?

Tommy McClain

imo 360 is pretty much the best overall video game controller ever, the pinnacle, so no problems here.

dont see why a touchpad is desirable. i saw a thread on neogaf today complaining that the vita's back touchpad is useless, and i really dont see the ps4's touchpad thingie ending up as anything useful at all (at least not in my mind, not having hands on), it will just be an added expense imo.

this to me falls under the aint broke dont fix it category. no need to change for change's sake.

 

[Cjail]

@AzBat

MS doesn't need to change the controller if Kinect 2.0 works as intended.
Controller + motion sensor should be a killer combo.

@Rangers
Touchpads are everywhere and very popular among non gamers AND if used well can really add something; Sony made a wise choice IMO.

 

[liquidboy]

Yup, Gamestop might have some kind of special relationship with MS for Durango and are drumming up hype.

Maybe they have some kind of licensing deal signed which would allow them (exclusively perhaps) to trade used games while giving a cut of the sale to MS/publishers.



They have lots of plans for incorporating Smartglass and streaming into Durango (I don't know specifics) so I definitely think that using the Xbox TV as a media/game extender is a real possibility.

Or maybe you are all wrong and Durango is actually as powerful as the crazy rumours made it out to be..

Can't wait till its revealed as a dual SoC. :.....

The most likely final config will be a single SoC but with the power of what the two rumoured SoCs have combined...

 

[AzBat]

imo 360 is pretty much the best overall video game controller ever, the pinnacle, so no problems here.

dont see why a touchpad is desirable. i saw a thread on neogaf today complaining that the vita's back touchpad is useless, and i really dont see the ps4's touchpad thingie ending up as anything useful at all (at least not in my mind, not having hands on), it will just be an added expense imo.

this to me falls under the aint broke dont fix it category. no need to change for change's sake.

Personally I'm not sure if a touchpad is what I want. I just want something different after 8 years of the same o same o. I think it would have been nice to have some kind of interactive display for personal settings etc. But I think MS is going to push smartphones & tablets using Smartglass instead.

MS doesn't need to change the controller if Kinect 2.0 works as intended.
Controller + motion sensor should be a killer combo.

I already have controller + Kinect this gen. That's nothing new. Granted Kinect didn't live up to its original aspirations, but even if Kinect 2.0 does, it's still not a replacement for new novel physical controls and/or a personal display. Let's bring back the VMU! Maybe they could make a simple removable touch screen like the iPod Touch Nano? It could be used for gamesaves, music, simple apps or even be worn like a watch. Cool thing is you could interact with the console guide without disrupting what's on the TV. Use it to check gamerscore, achievements, messages, friends, music, etc. Call it Micro Smartglass.

At the moment just getting the same controller + Kinect 2 isn't really getting me real excited. Let's hope there is more to it than that.

Tommy McClain