Adam Orth:'I don't get the drama' over 'always-on' Xbox

[techbeck 6,567]

Microsoft creative director: 'I don't get the drama' over 'always-on' Xbox rumors

The rumors that Microsoft's next Xbox will require an "always-on" internet connection are gathering steam. The Verge has heard that Microsoft is indeed planning the connection requirement for its upcoming console, but this was based on information from last year; however, Kotaku's sources now say that the plan was still in place as recently as two weeks ago.

The next Xbox, codenamed Durango, reportedly won't be able to start software in offline mode, and will suspend a game or app after three minutes without connectivity. With last month's disastrous SimCity launch highlighting the potential issues faced when a game is unable to be played offline, the reaction to these latest rumors has been understandably negative.

One man who seems unconcerned, however, is Microsoft Studios creative director Adam Orth, who shared his thoughts with Twitter. "Sorry, I don't get the drama over having an "always on" console," he said, before adding a #dealwithit hashtag. "Every device now is 'always-on.' That's the world we live in." When pressed on the point, Orth compared the situation to buying a vacuum cleaner knowing the electricity in your house might go out, or using a mobile phone in an area with poor reception. He later made his Twitter account private, but the tweets were collated by NeoGAF users.

"Every device now is 'always-on.' That's the world we live in."

Of course, these messages can't be taken as anything close to official word from Microsoft, but it's interesting to read the thoughts of a studio director nonetheless. According to LinkedIn, Orth joined Microsoft early last year after working on Kinect Star Wars at the now-closed LucasArts, and has been assigned to an unannounced project ever since. While he would probably be in a position to have information on Durango, Twitter doesn't seem a likely medium to announce any concrete details. With Microsoft expected to reveal its next Xbox later this month, however, we shouldn't have long to find out the truth.

http://www.theverge....-durango-rumors

[Crimson Rain 112]

Idiot.

[articuno1au 1,264]

What an asshat..

Lovely for those of us without a stable internet connection -_-

[Arceles 402]

Lol... MS think they are the greatest at the moment, when they have barely scratched the total sales of PS2... Pure arrogance.

[articuno1au 1,264]

Lol... MS think they are the greatest at the moment, when they have barely scratched the total sales of PS2... Pure arrogance.

http://au.gamespot.c...n-april-6171095

If you're talking games sales, then the PS2 has sold more games than 360 and PS3 combined >.>

By way of console sales, my understanding is you are incorrect.

EDIT::

That having been said, depends on the numbers you look at >.> I've found global numbers that reflect your view, also found numbers that don't.

EDIT 2::

Reworded for clarity.

Edited April 5, 2013 by articuno1au

[singularity87 20]

There are sound and unavoidable technical reasons for a vacuum cleaner to always need power or a phone to need a signal.

That isn't true with the Xbox if it's been specifically designed to rely on a connection for reasons such as DRM and it's clear from previous generations and competitors that it is not essential.

[Gasoau 19]

Well look's like Sony Already has the upper hand.

[articuno1au 1,264]

Well look's like Sony Already has the upper hand.

I think I'll stay PC master race :p

I hate bull**** like always on. The idea that customers are secondary to DRM measures :/

[Torolol 926]

perhaps its Microsoft ploy to disolve the XBOX division without losing face too much,

after all its already reported that that division are losing about $3 billions dollars in 10 years.

http://www.neowin.net/news/report-microsofts-xbox-division-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-in-10-years

[spacer 988]

Obviously it's not official word that the Nextbox will need a constant connection, but if someone who is supposedly a creative director for Microsoft Studios (a 1st party developer) says to "deal with it" and is giving justifications for it (however lame and ill conceived they are) then it's pretty much a given that the Nextbox is going to have it. Which means I definitely won't be getting it.

[Praetor 988]

So MS is gonna pay my INTERNET bills for the traffic the console generates, right? And it's like always on software could fail, i mean come on, look at Azure or AWS or even SimCity 5, they never failed right? Right?

[slamfire92 1,658]

Who the hell would want to use a vacuum cleaner while the power is out?? I expect not use a game system if the power is off, but I think its reasonable to want to pop a game in to pass the time till my ISP got off their ass and fixed my Internet connection. Of course this reasoning only applies till they make online multiplayer mandatory :rolleyes:

[techbeck 6,567]

Vacuum cleaner comment was stupid. Power is much more stable than internet connectivity.

[torrentthief 313]

Micro$haft!

PS4 is becoming a more obvious choice for gamers now. Better hardware specs and no always-on drm.

[Woelfel 135]

First off, this isn't an official word by Microsoft. He just works for them, and yes that is a difference. I work for a large software company but if I say something, it doesn't mean it's official. Secondly, I think he was being sarcastic because if you look at the whole conversation with his friend, it seems he was just trying to get under his skin about it.

[+Majesticmerc 872]

I don't know if I'll be getting a console at all, but if I do the PS4 is looking mighty tempting at this point. If Microsoft keep up this PR shambles, the next Xbox is going to be DOA.

[c.grz 377]

So MS is gonna pay my INTERNET bills for the traffic the console generates, right? And it's like always on software could fail, i mean come on, look at Azure or AWS or even SimCity 5, they never failed right? Right?

I highly doubt an "always on" console will generate that much extra traffic. If it bothers people that much; can't it just be unplugged or will it still magically be "always on" even without power?

[DirtyLarry 2,092]

http://au.gamespot.c...n-april-6171095

As of 2007..

If you're talking games, then the PS2 has sold more games than 360 and PS3 combined >.>

By way of console sales, my understanding is you are incorrect.

EDIT::

That having been said, depends on the numbers you look at >.> I've found global numbers that reflect your view, also found numbers that don't.

I am not even following what you are saying here? Are you trying to say the XBox 360 has sold similar numbers to the PS2? If so, the PS3 and 360 sales combined do not match the sales of the PS2. PS2 has sold around 155 milion worldwide.

I highly doubt an "always on" console will generate that much extra traffic. If it bothers people that much; can't it just be unplugged or will it still magically be "always on" even without power?

An earlier article from the day said a game would stop playing if it detected no internet connection for 3 minutes.

Again, all rumors and speculation, but that is what it said.

[+Audioboxer 2,876]

[neufuse 3,462]

sometimes when the internet goes out playing video games is the only thing to do to pass time? just maybe?....... what's next an always on portable system?... oh wait they can justify that by putting a GSM chipset in it and making you pay a cell charge monthly to "play" games, right?....... :rolleyes:

[ajua 61]

I get the always on requirement, but those with unstable connections will get tossed out of games or apps.

My ISP's modem reboots 3-5 times a day randomly for self-configuration. It's a PITA. It has cought me completing a purchase, sending en email or in a rush to look something up. The reboot process takes about 5 minutes at most.

If the always-on requirement is true, I will be pi**ed everytime I get booted from a game if the modem reboots.

[articuno1au 1,264]

I am not even following what you are saying here? Are you trying to say the XBox 360 has sold similar numbers to the PS2? If so, the PS3 and 360 sales combined do not match the sales of the PS2. PS2 has sold around 155 milion worldwide.

PS2 GAME sales are greater than PS3 and XBox 360 combined game sales.

I'm unsure of total global console sales. I've seen lots of different numbers in my search for a conclusive source.

[Arceles 402]

PS2 GAME sales are greater than PS3 and XBox 360 combined game sales.

I'm unsure of total global console sales. I've seen lots of different numbers in my search for a conclusive source.

It's a wide known fact already, look for it well on google, PS2 has just become a legendary console by its impressive total number of consoles (and the reason because it's still sold nowadays even on very low numbers)

[torrentthief 313]

Having always-on is pure evil, but even crazier is that is the requirement for always-on for apps! Why then hell do i need an internet connection to play pong or to record videos etc. There is no logical reason other than spyware. MS wants to be able to spy on you, that is the only reason for the always-on drm.

The 360 has hacked quickly because their security was non-existant, just changing the dvd-rom firmware was enough. The ps3 had much tougher protection and took countless years to crack. MS could easily see how nintendo, sony and themselves did their protection and make sure it is perfect this time. If they have many of their encryptions parts be held in the cpu itself you won't be able to sniff buses by soldering a cable to the pcb. This would make it far harder to hack. I doubt ms or sony console will be cracked within 3.5yrs, they will be far tougher this time and therefore there is no need for always-on drm.

[c.grz 377]

An earlier article from the day said a game would stop playing if it detected no internet connection for 3 minutes.

Again, all rumors and speculation, but that is what it said.

A game would stop playing if it didn't detect an internet connection? I honestly don't think Microsoft would be that stupid but I guess we'll see!!