Major Publishers Silent On Xbox One Used Game Policies [UPDATED]

@asmo917: They don't affect me, that much, either. The problem is these added restrictions make them more of a niche then they should be given that, you would think anyway (given how they've operated up to this point), they would want to maximize availability so anyone can use it. All these restrictions indicate they only want the people who "don't care", "wouldn't be affected by it", or whatever else, to even consider it. I didn't think Microsoft was so small minded as to only want to cater to a niche audience.

Is that as large of a market as a system that is less restrictive and not always online? I don't know if that time is now; I don't know that it will be big enough to support this kind of infrastructure.

I also don't trust Microsoft all that much. I'm not totally ok with the licensing future of video games they are trying to help create.

I don't know- it's all kind of confusing to me. Most new generations tend to be at some level, but this one seems to be the biggest disappointment so far. More restrictions, less reasons to upgrade.

I may just stick with PC, anymore. Consoles are becoming way too convoluted.

Unless consumers react to their silent comments with silent dollars then everything will be just as planned.

So are we going to have Executive Dumptrucks?

In theory, nothing, but in practice the onus of keeping up the servers would then fall on the developer/publisher, and they risk a Diablo III/Sim City situation. I doubt too many publishers are willing to risk that. Ubisoft sort of tried it with their PC games too, and it bothered a lot of people. They still make you sign into their nonsense service, but I don't think it's always online anymore.

It is most likely was an email.

I find it funny everyone keeps saying well of course Sony has to have the same stuff because why would publishers put games out for PS4. I expect them to have something but that doesn't mean they have to.

Because the same reason Microsoft is doing all this BS is why games will still be published on PS4, money. Even if PS4 lacks all this DRM nonsense Sony makes up to much of the video game market share. Microsoft having these limitations and Sony not, or at least more lenient restrictions could drive sales of PS4 versions. Because the why would publishers make anything for PS4 could easily translate into why would I buy the Xbox One version.

The only thing DRM hurts is the legitimate consumer. Sony by standing up to publishers could put them and the software on their platform ahead. Microsoft and Sony coming out of this gen are neck and neck. Sony has regained some of their clout to go there own way. Not saying they will do that but it would make for one hell of a showdown.

Most of this drm stuff sounds like Steam, and I'm fine with that. It's the other restrictions like the time limits and wondering about game sales I'm worried about.

All the Xbox One backlash is so typical. People always freak out whenever there is change. A year from now, no one will give a damn. Btw, Sony is going to have very similar policies. Just like they mentioned on the Bombcast, everyone hated Steam at first too. Stop whining and learn to accept change. Nothing stays stagnant forever. Sheesh.

The "you can only loan once" thing sounds a bit much, but it's not a deal breaker.

The more I hear/read about the XBONE the more I want to buy a PS4.... Microsoft fucked it up! #gameover

I think this pretty much sums things up:

@cusseta said:

Looking back at this year in games, many of my favorite moments could never have happened if these policies were in place on current hardware. I would never have played Bioshock: Infinite, or Injustice, because both of those were loans from friends. My friend wouldn't have played my copy of Fire Emblem, wouldn't have fallen in love with the series, and never would have gone back to the older games. And in a week I'll have no way to buy The Last of Us, and I couldn't play it if my friend weren't already buying a copy. This isn't some minor annoyance, it could potentially change the entire way many of us play games, so no, I think people will still give a damn. Why should everyone just bend over and accept change if it's inherently negative?

@cornbredx: I'm not worried yet about if Microsoft is focusing on niche market, but only because I see "gamers" as a niche market. For all the outrage and legitimate concern about moving towards policies that are more anti-consumer than before, I don't think we've been the target market for their message. I think that's really, really dumb, but that's beside the point. Microsoft is trying to take over the living room like Sony did with the PS3, and their focusing on a market that will be impressed by Skype in the living room and TV with voice commands; in other words, the things that a lot of the gaming community has kind of already rejected or been unimpressed with their implementation. It seems like we were the guinea pigs for the proof of concept that a console could do these things. For all the hand-wringing in communities like this, I'm willing to bet "The next console from Microsoft" sells really well. It's the post-sale satisfaction I'd be worried about, because we're an easy group to please. Give us great games, and all will be forgiven. Make it a pain in the ass for Jack and Diane to get a game for their bratty kids or charge them more per Netflix viewing every time someone else sits down on the couch, and you're looking a a disaster.

ANGRY. EPIC. FAIL.

Do I really want to watch this?

Just because it doesn't affect you directly doesn't make it any less bad for those who are directly affected.

Yeah. It's worth it. Wouldn't have posted it here if it wasn't.

I'd say SEGA were the only ones to actually provide an answer. Namco Bandai's was just a long-winded way of saying "no comment".

One of the many advantages of favoring the PC this gen.

Frankly, anything or anyone that uses the phrase "epic fail" is worth a skip just on general principle.

Unrelated questions (pretty much): If I build a PC with a 660 ti card, will that be good enough for me to avoid these new systems for a while? Or forever?

Bravo, Microsoft. Bravo. *golfclap*

@mormonwarrior: It'll be a nice start, that's for sure. Yes, I think you will be able to get most of the multiplatform games with a PC, along with awesome PC-exclusive games.

YOLO. You Only Loan Once.

If Sony decides to not use any of this for the PS4 I have to say, Microsoft will be fucked. I so hope Sony does not do these things. I love the Xbox 360 so much more than my PS3, but fuck Microsoft for doing this.

@mormonwarrior and others with the same conundrum.

Saw your post about the nVidia 660ti being efficient enough to get by in the upcoming generation. This card is very good for its price, but it has only a 2GB VRAM or GDDR5 RAM buffer, which you've probably heard about lately 'cause of Sony PS4. It also does not have a "real" 2GB VRAM part either because of its small 192bit VRAM buffer, but that is more tech speak and not really important to the buyer just thought I explain.

But what you should consider is that in this upcoming generation games will take more of an advantage of cards with larger VRAM-buffers, so if you can find an AMD 7950, there are other version of this card like the 660-to 660ti like nVidia has, but the difference is that the 7950 has 3GB and is a VERY nice overclocker almost catching up with its big brother the 7970 and in doing so going far beyond the 660ti. VRAM will probably make a bigger difference next-gen with higher res textures and whatnot, but others have a better explanation than me. So in summary look out for the 7950 and you'll get a fantastic card that is more powerful than the next-gen twins.

@ironcladmerc: @voysa_reezun: I don't think so... not just because of Microsoft's official statement about disc-based games, but because they are also opening the market up to the possibility of giving and trading "used" digital games. That's one-upping Steam at the moment. If there is enough demand and publishers see a way to profit (just like Project $10), it will happen.

You can absolutely sell game codes on eBay, and if Amazon and eBay can make money without putting buyers at horrible risk (perhaps by being an escrow service), they'll absolutely allow a digital goods trading category. Dota hats for everyone! :D

Trade-in and resell your disc-based games: Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.

Thanks for doing justice and putting in the work, Patrick.

What? Much goodbye about nothing? Why is this popping up so much lately? Are illiterates branching out into bold new territory or is this a reference to something?

I shall take my leave, without further... ado.

Man. That Neo Geo X Gold is looking mighty tempting right now...

@huey2k2: Maybe, but I honestly don't feel like Sony will do it to the same extent. They've already dismissed claims about their system requiring always online. A part of me thinks it may not happen, since Japan has a huge market for used game market.But it's all still up in the air with Sony, so who knows.

Hey, EU + UK, yeah you!

We really tried to give it a go over the past generation with the Xbox 360, making it a great system from top to bottom with gaming at the core of the experience, but the top brass at Microsoft are tired of trying to cater to non-North American media habits.

We don't get your crazy ideas of distributing television on a la carte satellite packages. Get with the program and pay too much money for your television programming like the US. We really hope you don't mind. I mean, after all, you have Game For Windows Live Marketplace if you decide not to purchase an XBOX One. PC gaming is still a "thing" across the "pond," right? Weird.

Is it cool if we continue to ignore Leipzig (GamesCon)?

Sincerely yours,

Microsoft

P.S. Enjoy our E3 Press Conference next Monday where will unveil more features and applications for the XBOX One that are rendered useless by your non-American conforming ways.

I made a mistake. Sorry. Illiterate is going a bit far.

Probably, yes. Might not be able to run the some of the games down the line at max settings though.

This DRM push is not coming from Microsoft it is coming from the publishers. In a week's time, we will be talking about how the new DRM works for BOTH Xbox One and PS4. A preview? Sony patent United States Application US20130007892. Sony's games can be restricted using an RFID tracking chip in the discs, locking disc to the first console that uses it. So the question we could all be asking is, will Sony have a system for used games at all?

The times are changing people and it's not coming from Microsoft or Sony, it's the publishers.

Ahh..looks like I'm sticking with the present Gen unless prices seriously drop like on steam (Borderlands 2 for £5 is okay.. £60 for a console game with the same limitations no thank you... ).

I have a really big back log of games I haven't finished so I'll focus on them I think.

I don't need gaming, I like to game but as a mature gamer I can move onto other things..

I think if the publishers and Sony/Microsoft aren't careful the growth in the market will evaporate and many will go to the wall. I never trade in a game but like to think in the future my retro collection could be played. I still have my PS1, GBA, etc.

I'll move on if this is how they want to nickel and dime me. Cheap tricks just loose customers.

I'd seen three different people on two different sites make the same mistake over the last few days, so I was starting to wonder if it was a reference that I wasn't aware of. Turns out that it's a common error, at least on the internet, that I'd somehow never seen before.

Absurd over-reaching, condescending insults are the tools of grammar-naziism. I cannot adopt the pose without that hook. It's like having to hear someone's voice in order to imitate it. If I have seared your soul by suggesting that you cannot read or write then I apologize - though obviously you'll never know that.

Wow. Just... Wow.

If the XboxOne still MUST "phone home" once per day, then Microsoft has bent over the American military and rammed it home. How can they expect anyone that's active-duty to buy the XboxOne when they can deploy with a console that MUST connect to the internet once per day. There are NO personal internet connections for individuals when they are deployed. The XboxOne becomes a three-figure paperweight for six-months up to one YEAR.

I'll pass.

Cool, thanks for making the calls and trying to get something useful out of the publishers.

What a bunch of cowards. Not one of them can take a mic, stand up, and tell you how hard you are going to get fucked.

Nope, just silence and double speak. No one is going to know the score until they have already dropped cash. You guys, this industry is shit. No one else gets away with this type of behavior.

It's not the publisher responsibility to communicate what the platform makers vague rules are. I'm sure many a public relations worker cringed when Microsoft dropped the DRM decision into their laps, essentially wiping their hands clean.

Sony is just going to do the same thing if they ever clarify anything at all.

The people saying things like "I'm 100% fine with all of this" are pretty baffling. Even if stuff like online checks don't I impact you and you "never buy used" for some weird reason, doesn't the whittling away of consumer rights bother you? Even a little? If that's the attitude some people have now, it's pretty terrifying to think of what the consoles AFTER this will be like.

If we HAVE another console generation after this, anyway. I may be starting to hope that we don't if this is how things are going to operate from now on.

It's pretty fucked that both interviews Patrick had lined up with Microsoft execs were cancelled.

So the news is that there is no news.

I hope no one was expecting something else.

Hot Scoops hard on the pressing issues.

This is one of the main problems I'm seeing too. People are so quick to go on the "well you are all overreacting on this b/c ______ will not effect you." That is some of the most ignorant thinking one can have. Some people will not give a shit about what is going on in the world or even more so with their rights until someone is practically slapping them in the face. It's just baffling stuff.

@kanerobot: There will always be addicts who will nod their head and accept whatever nonsense they're told to. I'm just hoping enough people turn away from this nonsense that it doesn't become the norm, or failing that, that I can find another hobby.

Patrick Klepek seems to be on fairly good terms with Japan.

Trolls will be trolls.

OUYA's not looking so bad now.

I am so glad I have a good PC right now. Yes, there's no game trading but there's none of the obfuscation either. Besides, Saint's Row 3 with all DLC for $12.50 right now. I'd like to see if Microsoft or Sony intend to compete with the attractive price points found on PC's these days. I bought Alan Wake with DLC for $4.00. At that price, who needs used games?