Kotaku: Next Xbox will require online connection to start games

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Two Kotaku sources have added more credence to the rumor that the next Xbox, expected to battle the PlayStation 4 in late 2013 or early 2014, will be an always-online system, though it will be able to tolerate dropped connections.

"Unless something has changed recently," one of the sources told us over email, "Durango consumer units must have an active internet connection to be used."

Durango is the codename for the next-gen Xbox.

"If there isn't a connection, no games or apps can be started," the source continued. "If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time--currently three minutes, if I remember correctly--the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started."

Source: http://kotaku.com/the-next-xbox-will-require-an-internet-connection-to-st-470062456

[shakey]

Ouch, this will be a game breaking for many people if they don't change it.

[pepsihabbit]

I will not own the next 360. PS4 ftw.

[spudtrooper]

I will own the next xbox 360..

internet isn't a problem for me.. I haven't ever had my 360 NOT connected..

[Lighthalzen]

Even though I will still most likely get the next XBOX, I don't like the idea of always online... It's rare that I have internet issues (Knock on Wood). That doesn't mean Microsoft's Servers won't have problem, so what happens if they screw up huh? None of us can play then...

*Flash Back EA's SimCity Launch...

[MorganX]

I will not own the next 360. PS4 ftw.

I'm with you, though it may be a PS3. I really want all of the God of Wars and Last of Us. I won't buy a system that won't play if I'm not connected to big brother, that's just me, won't do it. PS3 (maybe 4) and PC for me.

[djdanster]

It's gunna be the whole Sim City PR trouble again... I can feel it now!

[HawkMan]

The Durango Dev kits don't translate to te final units though, especially not on security measures like this. but if you can't turn it on without internet, how do you turn it on the first time then ? :)

I highly doubt this, but even if it turns out to be like this, I don't care, I'll still buy it, MS makes the best console software, and I expect the nextbox to be a lot more than just a console or just a media box. The superior software is king.

[Alladaskill17]

I will own the next xbox 360..

internet isn't a problem for me.. I haven't ever had my 360 NOT connected..

Exactly, while I originally really disliked this news; logic kinda fits.. if you have a couple hundred $$ to buy a gaming console, you probably have the funds for some sort of connection where you live; just never try a first run of a game while the internet is down (oh, rarity, depending on ISP).

It's gunna be the whole Sim City PR trouble again... I can feel it now!

If it does 'fail' somehow, it will be MUCH larger than SimCity debacle; this is probably at the core of the OS and its features, not just one game on a system.

[spenser.d]

"Unless something has changed" and "if I remember correctly" don't exactly lend truth to the claims, but in either case, I always have a connection, so...still getting it.

[shakey]

"Unless something has changed" and "if I remember correctly" don't exactly lend truth to the claims, but in either case, I always have a connection, so...still getting it.

Unless something goes wrong on either your providers end, your financial end, or MS servers end. Or what if you travel and want to bring it along? Or how about the millions who don't have a stable connection?

I don't think MS would shoot themselves in the foot like this. I bet this will change and be totally removed. If not, I don't see their console doing so well this next round.

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

Assuming the rumour is true...

Lame. There's still a good percentage of people without consistent internet connections. That's a lot of customers to lose.

In my opinion, their reasoning for this isn't just for anti-piracy like most would like to think, but for marketing statistics.

I will never posses a console that requires online just to play.

[spenser.d]

Unless something goes wrong on either your providers end, your financial end, or MS servers end. Or what if you travel and want to bring it along? Or how about the millions who don't have a stable connection?

I don't think MS would shoot themselves in the foot like this. I bet this will change and be totally removed. If not, I don't see their console doing so well this next round.

My ISP is reliable, I have a stable job in a growing market, MS servers are stable and I have no desire to take it anywhere, but most of the places I go have a network. Like I said, I don't think it's true, and I doubt they would actually do it because there's no reason to - my point was more that if they do, it's not something that would make me go to PS4.

[HawkMan]

Assuming the rumour is true...

Lame. There's still a good percentage of people without consistent internet connections. That's a lot of customers to lose.

In my opinion, their reasoning for this isn't just for anti-piracy like most would like to think, but for marketing statistics.

I will never posses a console that requires online just to play.

Even if you assume the rumor is true, it only says you need Internet for first time activation, after that you can play as much as you want

This means one of two things. Either

1. It's a Durango dev kit security feature

Or

2. I was right in my earlier predictions that I have given ever since they first rumored about no used game sales. ALL the games on the next box is essentially digital downloads. When you buy a disc copy, you're merely buying stored copy of the download that you install to the console, and activate either with a printed key, disc embedded key, or a printed key with a qr code the kinect can read for easy access(embedded key seems most likey, no manual entry, just insert and go). This also makes sense that the game has to check online before it starts, basically it tags the game in ms' database that it's now active on this console. So your copy can't be used on multiple consoles at the same time. Once the check is done it doesn't care if the Internet drops.

[giantpotato]

The PS4 will not require an online connection to start or run games, Sony has confirmed. No gaming console ever has.

OnLive

[torrentthief]

microsoft is EVIL! I wonder if the rumour of having kinect plugged in as a requirement is true. If so then the govt can watch and listen to you, lets hope this isn't true.

[HawkMan]

Ok let's get a few facts straight.

Sony NEVER said these two things

- used games won't be blocked

- games won't require online to play

They where very circumspect in that they said. They said

- "You can pay used games on the PS4" essentially saying nothing just that some games can be played, but they did not say it won't have a used game blocking mechanism that publishers can use if they want.

- "games can be played without online" same thing basically. Circumspect way of saying noting.and doesn't mean a lot or even most games won't use some king of built in online required or online check feature.

They're very careful to word all these comments n this way, indicating that the console will probably have a online check/online required function and a used games blocking function. But they won't be mandatory, just everyone will use them anyway.

Personally I favor MS way, if my suspicion is true on their online check. All games are DLC and if my disc is broken, I can just download the game instead. Over at a friends place and want to show off the game? Sign in on my account, and download the game, theoretically they could even allow digital lending this way, though I doubt game publishers will signup for that, even if books have set a precedent,

microsoft is EVIL! I wonder if the rumour of having kinect plugged in as a requirement is true. If so then the govt can watch and listen to you, lets hope this isn't true.

Umm since when did the government have a backdoors into every kinect...

[MorganX]

Assuming the rumour is true...

Lame. There's still a good percentage of people without consistent internet connections.

I really don't think if true, it's needing the connection that's the problem. Anyone with a console most likely has an Internet connection. It's the control part, having to be connected or else no workie. I will resist that as long as possible. Of course if it is true, and PS4 does something similar, I would stay with Xbox for the controller alone. If I can use an Xbox controller with a PS4 (wireless) then I may go PS4 anyway, they have more games I want to play.

Just wish they had Xbox Live instead of PSN.

[George P Global Moderator]

Don't they say that they also have other sources that don't know about any online requirement in the article? I think this is just a devkit security feature and nothing more. MS doesn't want them going out on eBay or whatever so they keep track of them this way. If it requires that it be connected to live with a developer account then it's useless to try and sell one because it can't be used anyway.

[Xerxes]

Any money says MS deliberately let it slip the "Xbox Next" requires an internet connection to function to test the public reaction to it. Given the widespread negative reaction to it, I'm betting the new Xbox will not have this feature. MS can't risk alienating it's userbase, doesn't matter if the suits want better anti-piracy measures (which is essentially what this is) if they'll have next no users at all ;) of cause this is my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt...

[spacer]

As I've said before, if it is true I will most definitely not be getting the Nextbox. But, hopefully it isn't true because I prefer the Xbox controller and Live over the Playstation alternatives.

[dead.cell]

As I've said before, if it is true I will most definitely not be getting the Nextbox. But, hopefully it isn't true because I prefer the Xbox controller and Live over the Playstation alternatives.

I prefer the Xbox controller too, but Live is something I could live with or without. As it stands, I'm more put off by the offerings of Microsoft compared to Sony, which is why I feel I'll probably get more out of going with Sony this next generation.

[MindTrickz]

It seems Kotaku's source was correct. Here is Microsoft Creative Director Adam Orth defending the ALWAYS-ON. Generally being obnoxious.

[+virtorio MVC]

I won't be buying it if this is indeed the case. My internet doesn't go down too often, but often enough for this to be a problem.

[Mr. Gibs]

The very SAME article also states:

That said, a caution and a caveat: other sources familiar with the codenamed Durango console have told us that they are still unaware of any Microsoft plans regarding an online requirement.

So like I said on the front page, Kotaku doesn't know anything for certain.