ESA's Anti Consumerism and the Future Death of Retro Gaming

Many moons ago I discussed how games going digital download only was not only inevitable, but that it is a bad idea, a form of digital rights management. Recently the Entertainment Software Association came out slamming emulation and game preservation, threatening to bring the hammer down onto it. Really it just seems like a fancy cartel to me- the ESA protects the gaming industry's "interests". Lately, as we have seen with Konami, among many other developers- digital copies of demos and games have been permanently removed from Playstation Network and Xbox Live with no reason given.

Worse, when customers complained, companies simply ignored them. This is the model that gaming is following. Yes it will be nice to have instant access to a game, but at the cost of you 'not owning' the disc, which is an entire other conversation about copyright. Once that game becomes vaporware, that is it. There is no more downloading it, and just to ram us one final time I would wager there is a delete timer on each file that you download, and I don't care how illegal it is or it is perceived to be- they will do it.

There will be no more retro gaming once we transition into digital only copies. You own a copy of the game yes, but not the rights to it, and some, like Ubisoft in the past, have argued that you don't "own the game" either, just a "license" to play it. It is anti-consumer. Including copyright laws, I should be able to do whatever I want with the product I purchase. Just because you want to protect your copyrights does not mean you can have control of my product after the transaction is complete. Blizzard does this. Multiple other companies do it. When the servers go down- you are out of luck; and that is just the nature of some games today that require always online authentication- like Simcity 5 or Diablo 3.

It is a sad, inevitable future we are arriving at unless customers speak with their wallets. You can yell, you can kick, you can scream all you want- companies just don't care about you. When you hit their sales numbers and then tell them why, either they will begin to comply or another company will come out with a CD copy. But remember the ESA? Console manufacturers can simply refuse to design a disc drive into the next generation of consoles. It will be then that I call bull honkey and enjoy what is left of physical gaming media.

Generation 8 Will Be the Final Console Generation for Gaming

With Sony's announcement that they want to do more with Gaikai and make it available on other devices (that are not Sony's), coupled with Valve's announcement of its brand new SteamOS- it's not hard to figure out where gaming is headed.

We could be on the cusp of a revolution in video games.

Valve's SteamOS will be free and is based on Linux. It can be installed fresh on any custom machine- and just for the console gamers who don't want to be involved with computers- which is a sort of oxymoron since consoles are specialized computers- Valve will be releasing the Steam Box- a sort of console/computer that will run the SteamOS and allow you to play games made available through Steam. If Steam keeps its current policies- that means you can play offline too in the event of an internet service outage.

Steam is known for a fantastic selection of games from many developers who have some control over their prices. Additionally, older games are made cheaper and most titles are featured in some kind of special sale. In short, Valve is now rolling around in dough. Coupled with the Steam Workshop, many games will have custom add-ons that can probably be downloaded on the Steam Box (HINT: I am making a guess!). What's more- if I wanted to stream within my network from my computer to a set box which is connected to my TV- I might be able to do that.

Steam has been doing fairly well with PC Gaming- and they have been making strides to make your purchased games tradeable. One could argue that Steam is getting into the console market- but it is not. "Boxes" will be built that will run Linux and the OS yes, but those parts will be upgradeable for the future, and Valve has plans on making systems modular. So 10 years down the road if I want my Steam Box to play a new game that it can't handle, I can go out and buy a boxed graphics card as an upgrade, go home, take the old one out, put the new one in, recycle the old one, and wallah.

If console gamers bitch right now that taking hardware out to be replaced is too hard or inconvenient, especially if you are sliding one thing in and another out, you are cordially invited to get off this blog. In effect, you get a "box" that is upgradeable at certain points in the future instead of buying a completely new system and a new OS. And HEY! that new card you put in the box? it will play all of those older steam games too.

My god. o____o


These "boxes" sound an awful lot like a PERSONAL COMPUTER. That's because that's exactly what they are- just streamlined, made modular and running the Linux OS. I am sure in time the SteamOS will be able to play DVDs and internet browse, etc etc.

One OS to end them all, so to speak. This is why Sony has been moving forward with Gaikai and making their games available to a broader range of hardware- from phones to tablets and maybe to PCs. Console manufacturing can be a risky business when it comes to costs- and I am sure they won't mind focusing more attention on making better games and new IPs. It would be silly for SteamOS to not work on a range of hardware as well- and I am sure the intelligent folks at Valve already know that.

If Gaikai (which is streaming; SteamOS would probably be download) is moving and I can play it on my PC? game over for consoles. Game over. This leaves the ball in Nintendo and Microsoft's court. Do or die. Because competitive pricing (for the love of Heyzoos Kristobel I hope there isn't price fixing among platforms- Valve is known for cock blocking that) will spur growth in the market- with the addition of buttloads of potential DLC, streaming of retro games, etc- we could see a new golden age in gaming.

So what about intrusive DRM? If the OS companies and publishers give me more control over my purchased product and offer fair prices after time has passed, and/or allow me to trade my digital copy to another account, and keep up with a good Steam model- then I can accept that. But what has been going on for years- the constant authentication, the kinect 2.0 always listening and watching; the logins and accounts, cut that shit out but leave buying the game through the new OS in. Give me control over my product, but enough control in your hands to prevent piracy. You happy, I is happy. No more big brother; no more remembering log-in IDs, no more downloading distribution platforms for each and every developer. Let the OS platform handle it. Let the OS platform worry about becoming a name brand for video games- and the people will come- and they will browse- for good deals.

As long as gamers tell Microsoft and their constant online authentication to fuck off.

Microsoft Defends the Xbone; No Good Excuses Provided

Microsoft defends their Xbone from attack. In their explanation, the $100 price increase will add more value to "the gaming experience" by offering better content (really, the price jump is because of the camera). Furthermore, Microsoft had the arrogance to release this statement:


"This is a big change, consumers don't always love change, and there's a lot of education we have to provide to make sure that people understand."


I do not need an education in DRM practices in order to understand the ulterior motives of the Xbone. The object is to become the center focus of the entertainment system while providing passive-aggressive safeguards for publisher DRM and being full-fledged on inconveniencing end users and stripping them of their right to game ownership. According to Microsoft, people are eating up the Xbone. They aren't lying- it's been in the top 10 on Amazon pre-orders.


The question is how will the sheepish mass public respond to the ad campaign that is about to ensue for the holiday season? Sony kind of made a move on that front; offering a gaming experience $100 cheaper than Microsoft, something that Microsoft failed to provide a good excuse for.


The answer is simple for me. The Xbone has a camera that is always on and is always listening. It has no other purpose than to watch you and listen to your conversations. I have to be online to play single player games once every 24 hours- and I have to jump through hoops to authenticate my games, as well as restrictions on how I can sell my software.


The competitor, the Playstation 4, allows me to buy/sell used games, does not provide the ability for publishers to lock out used games, lets me play games offline and treats me like a good customer. But for those who don't like Xbox One, Microsoft has a message for you.


"Fortunately we have a product for people who aren't able to get some form of connectivity, and it's called the Xbox 360. If you have zero access to the internet, that is an offline device." -Donald Mattrick, Microsoft Xbox Executive


Further reading
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/06/microsoft-defends-the-xbox-ones-licensing-used-game-policies/

Sony Trolls Microsoft

I have to give these people credit. Sony knows what they are doing and they are about to get a **** ton of business. I am "highly considering" a PS4 purchase.
Youtube peanut gallery:



Xbox 1 for the money, Wii U for the show, PC to get ready, and PS4 TO GO!!

This is the biggest butch slap I've ever seen one company give to another.

From the looks of it today, Sony's been dick slapping Microsoft all around the place...

Here comes the butthurt.

Apply cold water to the burned area

I am a die hard XBOX fan... never liked playstation as much.... but with the shit microsoft was about to pulll.... ill flip the switch and join the PS4 gang if they do.... (US Marine)

I believe the appropriate term is "Danza Slap". THAT is what Sony is doing to Microsoft right now.

Combo kick in the M$ nuts by Sony

yeah..but the difference is that they give games for free..while MS just give you some discounts on the price of few games and add-ons. and PS+ is even cheaper than XLG.

'The foregoing instructional video applies only to disc based games.' hahaha

Sony absolutely destroyed Microsoft. I don't use either console but I love this rivalry.

I have an xbox right now, but after its reveal and all the other hardware bull they pulled. Ps4 is the freshest breath of air ever, i can't wait to switch over now

My wise old launch day PS2 watched the conference. He was in tears and when I asked him why he proudly said, "Now I can retire, that's my son (PS4)" The PS3 farted.

It is not about the games anymore. When people are choosing consoles not because of the games but the restrictions and unwanted junk one has, there is a big problem

Yup but still cheaper than xbox live and you get the free games that sony offers every couple months.

I giggled a bit.

You guys better make this an actual TV ad. parents who dont know will see these ads and ask questions.. like "does that mean its different for the xbox?"

My PS3 runs just fine online, Killzone and Defiance run smoothly, PS4's just a better deal even with the $5 extra for PS+ and multi access. PS+ itself is worth $5, with all the free games, discounts, wallpapers, and avatars. I'm not biased i also own a Xbox 360, but PS4 just beat down Xbox One.

First Class Fatality!

Instructions weren't clear enough I got my penis trapped in my ceiling fan

Chuck Norris just taught Sony how to punch people through a video!

I own an Xbox but this year has made me want to buy a PS3 and this Christmas it'll be a PS4 under my tree (plz Santa), should somebody get Don a stretcher to the burn ward?

SOMEBODY START THE SLOW CLAP!

This might be the single greatest gaming related video ever created.

They spread them buttcheeks. Microsoft wasn't sure at first but shhh shhhh it's ok. It's ok. You'll actually like it. Oh Sony-sempai. Be gentle it's my first time

Post E3 Coverage: Final Thoughts on the Xbone

So let’s talk about the Xbox one. A few weeks ago Microsoft revealed their new “entertainment center experience” called the Xbox One and centered its focus around water coolers, television, sports and a real seal team dog. The response wasn’t too good for Microsoft, and they exclaimed high on the mountain top ‘we haven’t forgotten you, the core gamer’.

Recap: My Expectations

Let’s take a quick recap: as a gamer I expect content and value for the money I am putting out. I expect to put the game in and play it. I also expect companies to keep their hands off of the product I just purchased, after I purchase it. Those are the core tenants of my gameplay philosophy and my expectations for game publishers. 

Xbox Claims It’s the Wave of the Future

Microsoft (according to the Wall street Journal) claims that the Xbox One’s new technologies, which we will call “DRM”, are the wave of the future of gaming and that they “the DRM measures” are the reason you should be buying their console. That’s a pretty ballsy move, and after the Redmond Campus incident they didn’t have much of a choice here. CNET says that Microsoft has regained “gamer credit” with E3’s showing. While that may be true just for the author of that article, the rest of gamerdom as a whole seems to disagree with him. One thing is correct though: Microsoft said not one thing about the intrusive DRM at E3.

There’s just one problem. Microsoft wants to demand what the future will be (that’s nice), but gamerdom as a whole has already spoken negatively about the intrusive DRM and privacy breaking Kinect 2.0. Hey- some people who adore and love Microsoft won’t care and are willing to shell out the money for the shiny new box. I’m here to pick between the three consoles- because every generation I like to pick, at a minimum, one game console.

Indie Support

According to TGS, Microsoft really has not gained indie support- and that can spell disaster for sales. Other sources I have looked into state that Indie developers are raving about the Playstation 4, it’s friendliness to work with and the capabilities it presents to developers. TGS also commented that “this is what Microsoft needed in terms of gameplay”. I disagree- they needed console exclusives at E3, and most of the stuff showed there was CGI or multi-platformed games. 

You see- I have this awesome thing I am talking to right now through an integrated device known as a PC. For $500 I can get a machine that runs every single game in existence at a respectable framerate with room to upgrade in the future. One downside to consoles is that you are stuck with what you have until the next generation. There’s nothing mysterious or high tech about them- if you want that stuff you’ll have to look at high end gaming rigs, of which mine is not one. If It’s on the PC it’s going to run better and look better. Controller support is increasing for PC games. So…. If Metal Gear Solid V is on the PC or is a multi-plat game, for example, I’ll take a pass on Xbone.

Xbox Live Required

For the console to even work you’re going to need to pay a fee to Xbox Live to get the thing jump started. Just to update my games and for Microsoft to “authenticate” me, I’ve got to pay money. In addition, a new “reputation” system will come into play. Other players will be able to vote you up or down depending on if you play like a moron or not. I see this system being abused to the core and not a good idea in practice.

At ‘Authorized Retailers Only’

There will be no freedom to do what you want with your used games. You’ll be free to trade them into Gamestop, which is so far the only authorized retailer. No other information has been put out about that, but it is a fact that if you want to trade/sell games with your friends, or at all, you will only be able to do it once, and ONLY once, AND the person has to be on your friends list for more than 30 days. There will be no game rentals. Microsoft is exploring that option (which means they may or may not be looking into it).

Again, if they can come up with a competitive pricing model like Steam, then it isn’t such a big deal. However the industry’s track record has proven to be poor when publishers want $39.99 to $49.99 for used games that are five years old. Like I said previously, I won’t bite on that. Publishers will now dictate the sale of used games- and that’s going to open a whole lot of problems under First Sale Doctrine.

What’s the Kinect 2.0 Really For?

So what’s the dang camera for, anyways? Microsoft has not put out any exclusives that used motion controls let alone talked about them at great length. So what exactly is that camera for? It’s always watching and always listening. Contrary to what Microsoft has said, that “they” are the ‘stalwarts’ of privacy, I do not trust a corporation such as Microsoft to handle my private information.

With CISPA and government spying roaming around, and that’s a topic for another day, I am not about to trust Microsoft sharing private information with the government, the CIA, the NSA, or anyone relevant. Yes, they can do that with each other. Yes, it is unconstitutional. No, the majority of people don’t care. Microsoft also has a patent to charge pay-per-view from what the Kinect 2.0 sees. 

I don’t trust Microsoft to keep personally identifiable information secure. That information is open for Microsoft to misuse, or more practically- available to hackers, thieves, and corporations that want to sell me products. To top it all off- if Kinect doesn’t recognize someone in the room, they ask that person to identify themselves. The Kinect then stores that information, including if the person made a rude gesture.

Why You Should Really Buy a Console

The main reason you should buy any console is the availability of good titles, exclusives as well as, nowadays a network that allows you to play multiplayer games and download extra content/DLC through that Network. Microsoft wants to take it one step further to make you pay to get in the door, and pay to get your brick to work. That is an unacceptable practice.

Always online DRM has been implemented in Xbone. 

In order to “authenticate”, which is a fancy term for Microsoft checking that you aren’t pirating, you need to connect to the internet once every 24 hours, even for single player games. Failure to do so means your console is temporarily bricked until you authenticate. If you log onto a console not your own, you have to “authenticate” every hour.

So let’s conclude with my thoughts on the Xbone. It’s always on and always watching and listening. The Kinect 2.0 serves no other practical purpose. There is a requirement to be online once every 24 hours, you have to register your games through the console on the internet to authenticate, You can’t resell your game more than once, the camera stores personally identifiable information, you have to pay to get into the “online store” so to speak, let alone pay Xbox Live to even make the console work, and to top it all off- the games revealed at launch are multi-platformers available on other consoles. They then have the balls to ask me for $500 for this DRM ridden entertainment box.

This is an immediate no. I am still waiting to give the PS4 a chance though as I consider it and the Wii U for a console purchase. Overall I am disappointed with where companies such as Microsoft and Electronic Arts want to take the industry. Let them defy gamers at their own peril.

Thoughts On The Xbox One: Innovative Tech, Or a Privacy Breach?

Now- at the time I am writing this article I have been sick with a cold and severe congestion. Although my sore throat is mostly gone- it is still very difficult to speak. I wanted to record my thoughts on the new Xbox One- but the voice quality would not only be poor- it would be non-existent. 

A week or two ago, Microsoft had a reveal on one of their campuses regarding the new Xbox console. It has been titled the Xbox One. If you missed the live broadcast; you aren’t missing much of anything: the main highlights were “TV, TV, TV, TELEVISION, WATER COOLER, TV, TV, sports, sports, sports, EA sports, sports, sports, television, rocket science, not rocket science, Call of Duty, Call of Duty, Call of Duty, Call of Duty, a dog, real seal team dog, Call of Duty; “Xbox off””.

The reveal wasn’t anything spectacular. Words buzzed around the internet and even through the press. Many call the Xbox One just a big entertainment box; which may potentially alienate gamers who want a dedicated gaming console. With so much focus on dogs, Call of Duty, rocket science technicalities, TV, water coolers and SPORTS SPORTS, MADDEN SPORTS, Microsoft certainly has not impressed very many crowds. You can only put an Aussie sounding guy on stage for so long that it no longer remains cool.

There are many types of game players out there. Some like PC only; others like consoles and a mix of PC games. Some like tablet and phone stuff. But the expectations set forth by core gamers like myself, who have been at this now for 21 years; are the following:

The game must pack enough reasonable content for my bottom dollar. Look. The industry standard for a video game is $60 US for about 25 hours of content. When we do some math, we get a number: $2.40 per gameplay hour. I will admit that not every gamer is good with numbers or looks at the details as close as I am: but the central point is the same. When discussing games in the realm of, say for example: action RPG games, we can look at Skyrim v. Mass Effect 3, although I’ve already broken my own rule because 

Mass Effect 3 is a 3^rd person shooter with RPG elements. When we’re talking about a $60 game, you are getting about 50 hours maximum out of it. Not bad, not bad- so you’re paying about $1.20 per game hour. When we talk about Skyrim, a game so jam packed with content that the game turns platinum- you’re looking at about, so far, to my estimation, 300 hours of gameplay. For $60, that’s $0.20 per game hour. That is bloody excellent.

As a gamer I want value. I want content, no filler, and stuff to do. Achievements don’t cut it for me. I don’t care about them. More importantly, I like it when a brand new game console does not phase out the previous generation. I do not have a $100,000 a year salary to splurge on games and fun. While I will make enough money in the very near future, I am frugal by nature. I don’t like paying these “premium” prices for video games. So that means I like buying used games. After all, I’ve purchased two pre-owned, used vehicles, one from Ford and one from Pontiac (who is now Chevrolet), and after the initial purchase off of the dealer lot from the original owner, that vehicle was none of their business. They sold it, it’s mine, and they can fuck off.

It’s the same with used video games I’ve bought from people. When I buy something online through a site like EBay, and very, very rarely from GameStop- who I have an entire rant to go on- I am buying to play the game that I missed out on. I understand that intellectual property is a thing. I understand that businesses must make money to make a living. Of course I am against people ripping off another’s IP without permission.

However, when that game disc or game content is purchased, keep your fucking hands off of it. It’s mine, and when the cash is handed over, I don’t care what EULA you forced me to sign, it’s my property, it’s protected by first sale doctrine and I have the legal right to resell it and loan it without the initial company’s interference. What if Ford came to me wanting a royalty on the sale of that used car? I’d tell them to fuck off.

I want a fun game. I want a good time- and for some gamers that may mean online multiplayer. A CD key, if needed should stay with the disc or the data bits on the HDD. Someone already bought the rights to play online, and by selling their copy of the content, they sold that right to play that copy online. If game publishers want my money, they’d better provide bug fixes and free online servers for multiplayer. Better yet- allow users to make their own servers. Microsoft would call me an entitled little bitch. They would be correct- because it’s my bloody money.

To recap, here is what I want as a gamer. Let’s recap with the obvious: I want to be able to take the game, install it and then play it. I want to be able to take a game disc, pop it in, possibly install it, then play it. The whole CD Key thing is a pain in the ass, but it’s ok- I power through it. I want value, content, things to do and an awesome experience- preferably where the user is not constrained or “guided” by an invisible hand. I want my right to first sale doctrine respected, and if the company fucked up with bugs I want the fixed, if at all possible. If you want my money, that’s what it’s going to take to get it.

Let’s backup to motion controls briefly. It’s a neat concept. Nintendo has shown that it can work- but more often than not the industry is too stubborn to learn new tricks- except where it protects their flanks on the business end of things. I thought the Kinect was cool as a casual gamer device. However, I am not interested in the Kinect, the features it includes or the games that run on it. I’ve tried it, it’s different, some people may not like it, but I am an old war horse here. Come on.

It is my opinion that the Xbox One failed to deliver at the latest reveal for core gamers. There will be people who enjoy Call of Duty and Madden games like a religion, and already they have come out in small droves gnashing their teeth in defense of Microsoft. Let’s start with my #1 beef with the new Xbox One; and that is the Kinect 2.0.

In order for the Xbox One to function, the Kinect 2.0 must always be connected. It scans the room and asks to identify who people are. Once it knows, it stores information on the console, and possibly to an external server. I’ve got huge privacy concerns over a device- connected to another device connected to the internet- that is watching me through a camera and listening to me with a microphone. I don’t care if Microsoft says “we are the pioneers of privacy”. Things go wrong; people get hacked, and I do not trust Microsoft to do the right thing. Especially with CISPA floating around, what is to stop Microsoft from collecting this information and sharing it with the government? It doesn’t matter- it is neither of their business! GET OUT of our private lives!

Why must the Kinect be mandatorily connected all the time? So that my “experience” can be enhanced? Bullshit. I don’t want it- and right off the bat Microsoft has alienated me as a potential consumer. I am literally sick and tired of the social media movement on the internet requiring everyone’s name and personally identifiable information. I am about to tell Google to fuck off about it because they want me to use my real name on YouTube. Fat chance.

When Diablo III came out, they made it a requirement that you must be connected to the internet in order to play single player or otherwise. Disturbingly they are setting a trend in the gaming industry. In order for your Xbox One not to become a brick, it must connect one every 24 hours, according to executives, in order to authenticate your account. That means check if you are hacking or violating their “property” that they just sold you. We might as well just call it an always online DRM scheme- but that’s not entirely accurate- and not entirely fair. The console must be hooked to the internet once every 24 hours, so call it an ‘always on’ system. I’ve got a major problem with that.

I said earlier that I just want the damn game installed so that I can dive right in. Not so with the Xbox One. In order to play the games, you MUST register them through the console onto the internet in order to install them. From that point on, the game key becomes tied to your account. It doesn’t help the fact that Microsoft has patented technology to count the number of people in the room in order to charge them per person. I am also deeply concerned that the Kinect 2.0 will not recognize “you” as someone else plays your game in your home, and that it will not let that authorized user play the game. Horse shit. Remember what I said about getting out of my private life? This is a huge intrusion into it. Once I give you the money, you have no fucking business monitoring me and what I choose to do with the product- except if I try to sell it as an IP for profit- then I am guilty of copyright violations.

Okay Microsoft okay… you’ve pounded and crushed the corpse into the ground enough now. Sadly I am not done. Microsoft wants a royalty fee for used games. So I cannot go to the second hand market to buy a game. They’ll let me, but in order to activate it I have to pay $52 US dollars in order to do it! Why not just buy the fucking game while I am at it! That is a major deal breaker for me; but everything wrong with this… device… has been a deal breaker for me.

An unconfirmed source indicates that in order to stream Hulu and Netflix- you’ll have to pay Microsoft for the Xbox live service. I can hook up my PS3 and Wii, and probably the PS4- and definitely the Wii U- and they won’t charge me for multiplayer access or an internet connection. If you want more money from me as a consumer, you’d better offer more content- not charge me for something I already pay the internet company for!

Here’s another biggy- the One is not backwards compatible. Big mistake- because now you are alienating games to play with during launch, and as a matter of fact gamers actually do like backwards compatibility. This competitive advantage has been removed from the One. The PS4 offers it through emulation, and the WII U is one generation backwards compatible plus emulation back to NES including (I believe Turbografix 16 and Sega Genesis titles).

From the campus introduction, it seems that the One will connect to your cable set box in order to provide an overlay on the screen. I really don’t care and I don’t see the usefulness in this technology as a gamer. Blu-ray player sure, but this? Are you guys really out of ideas?

There are very few good things, if any to say about the One- but I thought I would throw them in here. The 8GB of GDDR3 is nice, but it highlights the fact that Xbox One is becoming a computer/entertainment device rather than a dedicated gaming console. I like Blu ray and I like storage on the console; but the One is attempting to cater to a larger market than gamers- and if folks with half a brain look at the Kinect 2.0 requirement they will think twice about using this for its ultimate, intended purpose: to be an entertainment center device. The PS4 in contrast will have 8GB GDDR5. That is dedicated graphical RAM.

While memory v. processing capabilities is a complimentary deal in my limited knowledge of electronics engineering, from what I have been told from friends, the processor speeds will be sub-par to what I currently own in my gaming PC. If they wanted to WOW me further they could increase the quality of the processor- but then why call it a gaming console? Why not call it a computer with a fancy controller? In five years the tech will be out of date, and those who wish not to jump to PC gaming will be stuck with the same hardware for about a console generation- which lasts on average about 6-7 years now.

There is a longer battery life in the controller and I can’t pin down the source of that information, but I did read it. That is a good thing when you can increase the battery power capabilities in a wireless controller- but it’s kind of a given. The quiet operation is nice, but it doesn’t earn the One many brownie points. One thing I do like about the console is Skype connectivity. That’s actually cool and potentially something useful. That’s really all I can say about the One.

I need to wrap up here as we should be around the 10 minute mark, but with the way the One has been portrayed with all its privacy invasions and DRM, I am going to take a major league pass on this “device”. I refuse to call it a console because it has strayed from its main purpose- and they have alienated me as a gamer from finding value in their games and for treating me like a potential pirate stealing their plunder. 

That type of behavior from any corporation is unacceptable- and I will not support the schemes that Microsoft is imploring. This means that I get to decide between a Wii U and a PS4- so the PS4 reveal at E3 will be interesting. Sony is lined up to take the gold here- and if they took any lessons from the One reveal, they will steal a lot of business from folks who not only are angry with these DRM and privacy violations, but from the core, rabid fanboys of games such as Call of Duty who “don’t want to bother with the DRM and paying for live, so I’ll just get a PS4”.

We'll see.

Microsoft Threatens to Stop 2nd Hand Gaming

According to some rumors spreading around the internet, Microsoft is working on a lockout system that will prohibit you from playing second hand games. Why are you entertaining those rumors Rob? I thought you didn't do that. Well, this rumor is worth entertaining, because the consequences are dire. Assume that Microsoft works on this technology.

For years, publishers and console manufacturers have been "pissed" that they cannot get their share of the second hand market, as if they deserved one anyways. To shut down second hand video game stores, rental stores, and services like Game Fly, they want to implement a system where a video game is tagged to a certain console. Already this is a bad idea- what if someone needs to purchase a new console?

If they were to put a unique code on the disc that will only work with a particular console, I guarantee that hackers will come along and crack that. It seems moot point though- this is MICROSOFT we are talking about, and they will know if you borked something, shutting off your multiplayer.

The only reason Micosoft has for doing this is to squeeze the full price of the game out of you, the consumer, and control the prices of all video games. It is quasi-antitrust, and more akin to a monopoly. I have absolutely zero problem going to another console manufacturer if Microsoft does this, and I would hope that Sony and Nintendo use this as an advertising point.

I honestly don't know what it would do to primary game sales. This would also mean that I am forced to purchase and pay the full retail price for a brand new game. Since I don't use Microsoft gaming console products, I am worried Sony will be retarded and copy the system. As for Nintendo... I don't think they will go that road, and they better use that knowledge as a purchasing point. I look forward to hearing what Gamestop has to say about this.