This doesn't surprise me at all. It's like I've been saying for a while, it was simply a matter of time before they changed their policies due to backlash. In my time as a gamer, I don't think I've ever seen this much negative press towards a gaming console. I'd say the only thing that surprised me was just how quickly they changed their policy. I was definitely expecting a down the road change, not immediately.
As for the Kinect, I'd say that's hardly an issue at this point. The once every 24 hour check was everyone's major concern. The tin foil hats can just cover the camera.
I was unsure from the Xbox post but did they also state that the region lock was disable as well? They mentioned that you could take your Xbox anywhere but didn't outright say "region free"
Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience.
For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.
Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.
You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.
So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360. Here is what that means:
An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.
Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.
You are in control of what Kinect can see and hear: By design, you will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.
You are in control of when Kinect sensing is On, Off or Paused: If you don’t want the Kinect sensor on while playing games or enjoying your entertainment, you can pause Kinect. To turn off your Xbox One, just say “Xbox Off.” When the system is off, it’s only listening for the single voice command -- “Xbox On,” and you can even turn that feature off too. Some apps and games may require Kinect functionality to operate, so you’ll need to turn it back on for these experiences.
You are in control of your personal data: You can play games or enjoy applications that use data, such as videos, photos, facial expressions, heart rate and more, but this data will not leave your Xbox One without your explicit permission. Here are a few examples of potential future scenarios:
A fitness game could measure heart rate data to provide you with improved feedback on your workout, allow you to track your progress, or even measure calories burned.
A card game could allow you to bluff your virtual opponent using your facial expressions.
Yeah according to yahoo even the always on internet is up to be axed. Microsoft reverses ?always-on? internet, used game policies for Xbox One | Games Blog - Yahoo! Games Still not happy about the camera/mic/kinnect thing.
Actually, I think they could have done it 'their way' had they orchestrated a roll out that had semblance of, you know, competence. Replying flippantly to people concerns and essentially saying 'sucks to be you' to a number of people is what put them in the corner they're in now.
It's marketing 101, sell the virtues/positives of what your selling. They chose to somehow highlight everything people won't like. The whole PR department should be dumped. Just a horrific job.
The system is already prepped for this to happen. I'll bet you a million bucks they will enact it in less than 2 years. Then what?? Who ever has one already will have no choice because they have everything already set up. You will see bricked Xbox ones in a couple years because they WILL change their policies. IT'S A TRAP!! Mark my words..
The system is already prepped for this to happen. I'll bet you a million bucks they will enact it in less than 2 years. Then what?? Who ever has one already will have no choice because they have everything already set up. You will see bricked Xbox ones in a couple years because they WILL change their policies. IT'S A TRAP!! Mark my words..
Funny how Microsoft’s Major Nelson said the following just a couple of days ago: "I don’t think,… I mean we’re really not going to change anything we’ve done with Xbox One. We’re very happy. [...] It’s safe to say that we’re confident where we’re going. We’re also confident that gamers are going to love our vision of the future and what we’re going to offer for gaming.”
I'd say change makes sense for most consumers if they feel it's a change for the better and obviously a lot thought that MS's way was a change for the worse.Secondly, everything I've seen from PS4 looks like it's a souped up version of what I've already seen. Nothing really stood out to me as particularly new or interesting about it, beyond that it went back to the well with a big middle finger to microsoft by adhering to what we perceive as traditional methods with discs. That certainly got everyone excited, but it was excitement about NO CHANGE.