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Microsoft responds to claims of 'always-on' Xbox Next

Microsoft has responded to the outcry following one of their employee's comments on Twitter.

Earlier in the day Adam Orth, creative director at Microsoft Game Studios, began tweeting about defending "always-on" practices such as DRM used by gaming companies. His tweets seemed to suggest that the upcoming Xbox Next/Xbox 8/Xbox 720 would use such practices.



Microsoft was quick to respond to the claims: "We apologize for the inappropriate comments made by an employee on Twitter yesterday. This person is not a spokesperson for Microsoft, and his personal views do not reflect the customer centric approach we take to our products or how we would communicate directly with our loyal consumers. We are very sorry if this offended anyone, however we have not made any announcements about our product roadmap, and have no further comment on this matter."

The response neither denies nor confirmed the rumor, leading to even more speculation that the rumors may be true.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Apr 2013 21:40

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• 24 comments

• bobiroc

  I wonder if the always on is being taken way out of context meaning that it will have to be online but not as a DRM tactic. I guess I would hope that Microsoft would see the mistakes made by companies like EA and not be a bonehead like that but who knows.
  

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  5.4.2013 21:47 #1

• Justoneguy

  If it's not going to make use of that kind of crippling DRM, why not just come out and say it?

  5.4.2013 21:48 #2

• bobiroc

  Originally posted by Justoneguy: If it's not going to make use of that kind of crippling DRM, why not just come out and say it? Because they probably have some legal obligation to stick to their announcement Window which the preliminary announcement of the NextBox and it's features is scheduled to happen this month.
  

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  5.4.2013 21:50 #3

• SomeBozo

  Originally posted by bobiroc: Originally posted by Justoneguy: If it's not going to make use of that kind of crippling DRM, why not just come out and say it? Because they probably have some legal obligation to stick to their announcement Window which the preliminary announcement of the NextBox and it's features is scheduled to happen this month. Let's not be so naive, if Adam works at m1cr0s0ft, we can only assume he is in a position to know. This is a good way to MS to start telling customers that always on DRM is coming. If we back track a couple months back there was the noise about not being able to transfer and/or sell games, each machine that will never run the software must have a uniquely branded copy of the game. If this is the case, which seems to be the matter of record so far, always-on DRM is more or less a no-op at that point? As the always-on DRM would only need to check for duplicate GUIDs showing up.
  
  
  
  

  5.4.2013 22:05 #4

• Justoneguy

  Originally posted by SomeBozo:
  always-on DRM is more or less a no-op at that point? As the always-on DRM would only need to check for duplicate GUIDs showing up.
  
  
  I think always on DRM is much more than that. It's an entirely new revenue steam. A way to study peoples habits. They know how long you play, what you play, what time you play, etc... Not only does it strip you of your ability to play a game you've "bought" if your not connected; they can sell the information to "third parties" for advertising, and direct marketing.
  

  6.4.2013 00:59 #5

• A5J4DX

  meh
  

  6.4.2013 09:42 #6

• Mysttic

  It still seems kind of crazy that MS would include this whether its for fighting piracy or market research. Thing is, this will still likely sell as EA proved with Sim City flop, because the majority of consumers don't care to read news or do research into the products they buy if they know it offers something they "must-have", because they can always, forgive the term, "bitch" about it afterwards with the X amount of others.

  6.4.2013 09:46 #7

• KillerBug

  I really hope the XboX Next and PS4 have always-on DRM, it will give PC a real edge (many PC games have it, but you can always get the cracked versions).
  

  
  

  6.4.2013 12:45 #8

• Oner

  Originally posted by KillerBug: I really hope the XboX Next and PS4 have always-on DRM, it will give PC a real edge (many PC games have it, but you can always get the cracked versions). Don't know about the NeXbox but Sony have been quite clear on that ~ http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/ps4-n...hers.452891637/
  

  
  
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  6.4.2013 13:40 #9

• ZippyDSM

  Well I'm not buying in next gen unless I get rich and can afford 5 of them to mod.
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
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  6.4.2013 18:40 #10

• pcrazy99

  I wont make my decision until Microsoft confirms or denies the always on DRM. It's no use for me to get bent out of shape over something that hasn't even been given a release date. I do know that if it does have always on, I won't be purchasing an Xbox this next generation.

  6.4.2013 19:11 #11

• doowop72

  Just like Blockbuster and other video rental places that went down, say goodbye to the gamestop stores as well. shame.

  6.4.2013 20:06 #12

• Mysttic

  Quote:Just like Blockbuster and other video rental places that went down, say goodbye to the gamestop stores as well. shame. I highly doubt that; only MS has yet to confirm if Always On DRM or whatever other colorful name they will give it, will be on NextBox. Sony has said they won't have it on, Wii-U doesn't have it on, there will be other gaming devices as well, so how does this close gamestop?
  
  (Not to say I wouldn't wish it, but ya know; they'll be fine)

  6.4.2013 21:23 #13

• ZippyDSM

  delete
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  6.4.2013 22:43 #14

• Xian

  They haven't even confirmed the next Xbox yet, though we all know it is coming, so I guess they can't confirm or deny the always-on DRM yet either.
  
  A couple things bother me about these always-on schemes.
  Outages - whether local or network. How long was the PSN network down when they had their security breach? I remember Xbox Live being down around one recent Christmas. With an always-on scheme you are just dead in the water if the server is not available.
  
  Server shutdowns - when I buy a game I expect to be able to play it when I want to. If the game is tied to a server, I can no longer play it when that server is retired. EA and 2K are especially bad about this on their sports titles, but Microsoft has also shut down servers - Halo 2 PC just recently. I can still play the original Sim City from two decades ago, but I have to wonder how long I would be able to play the newest one since they can shut down the server with 30 days notice.

  7.4.2013 09:27 #15

• ZippyDSM

  Heres a neat aside, if you have always on DRM then setup downloads like Ccards, swipe card the game info is transferred to your account if it has not been used before. Then set it up where you swipe it to sell it. The price of the used game would be 15% or less than the none used game. The trick is to always keep money flowing from many points.
  
  You'd also get steam like sales since in order to push profits, so its not a complete loss, games and the DRM itself can be patched to not care about protection so I can see some good in it its just they are to focused on online only.......
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  7.4.2013 10:34 #16

• DXR88

  Always On = Never Buy
  

  Powered By
  
  

  7.4.2013 14:08 #17

• DDR4life

  The response neither denies nor confirms the rumor, leading to even more speculation that the rumors may be true.
  
  The response neither denied nor confirmed the rumor, leading to even more speculation that the rumors may be true.
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Please select one or the other for proper syntax.
  
  The Syntax Socialist.
  ;-) lol
  
  (Apologies for the lack of a relevant post.)
  

  8.4.2013 03:29 #18

• Koji7280 (unverified)

  Didn't Sony patent putting an RFid in the Discs? So that could mean that it doesn't have to be played on line, but with the disc having the chip, they could lock it to the specific system. So you can no longer play it at a friends house or buy a used game. Until the systems come out and I learn what there intentions are with physical discs, I am staying away.

  8.4.2013 07:23 #19

• ChiefBrdy

  So...If I have a lakehouse with no internet, with the DRM scheme I cant play my shiny new xbox? Or if my internet provider goes down, I cant play the new xbox? Or..If I just choose not to have internet, I cant play the new xbox? Are you freaking kidding me!
  
  I cant think of any other product in existance that REQUIRES you to have an internet connection to use.
  
  On the upside, when the mods come and they will come. DRM will be rendered moot.

  8.4.2013 09:12 #20

• Picazzo

  Adam Orth....aka..."SweetBilly" ....I worked for that guy before...he demands everyone call him by his nickname "SweetBilly"...he's a giant tool the needs to STFU or hes gonna get canned...probably already in the process of....duesch!

  8.4.2013 10:23 #21

• Qliphah

  Originally posted by Picazzo: Adam Orth....aka..."SweetBilly" ....I worked for that guy before...he demands everyone call him by his nickname "SweetBilly"...he's a giant tool the needs to STFU or hes gonna get canned...probably already in the process of....duesch! Yeah, when they locked his twitter account down was probably about the time the M$ security goons were showing him the door.
  

  8.4.2013 11:05 #22

• voyager

  jaja If Xbox pretend to block people be ready to be hacked like Vista ;6 years in the making and was hacked at the other day of launch.
  If XBOX next is gonna be DRM and this horrible technic to play games downloading the game to HDD!" I ,an Xbox fan since the beginning, will say Bye forever M$ xbox.
  sorry

  8.4.2013 15:39 #23

• Jemborg

  Enthusiasm... waning.
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  8.4.2013 23:18 #24