Microsoft exec Orth resigns following 'always-on' controversy started on Twitter

Adam Orth, Microsoft Studios' creative director, has resigned from the company.

The exec started a major controversy last week by obnoxiously and sarcastically mocking those on Twitter that believed 'always-on' DRM was a bad potential choice for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox successor.

Orth started the controversy by tweeting that he "didn't get the drama" over rumors of the always-on DRM. Such DRM would require an Internet connection to play your games, even in single player mode.

The exec then went on to mock, comparing the DRM to owning a phone in an area you know has bad reception.

Microsoft had to come out with an official statement hours later, apologizing for the exec's tweets.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Apr 2013 22:45

Interestx

'Always on' makes far more sense if it relates to the TV set-top box abilities of the next Xbox.

In my view it is highly unlikely to relate to the gaming side of things, certainly not in the way it has been suggested by some critics so far.

(unless you're one of those blinkered fanboys determined to spread rumours that imagine the next Xbox will be unusable for anyone with no net connection or a very poor one)

11.4.2013 23:00 #1

Burnasty

i still think devices like ouya and gamestick are what will be next generation standard, next to pc gaming. PC gaming will always be where real gamers go and ouya/gamestick will fill a void at a really affordable price.

Buy the ticket, take the ride. -H.S.T.

11.4.2013 23:25 #2

Interestx

@ Burnasty

I can see a future where many gamers own 4 or 5 devices - plus their PC - in each gen rather than the current 2 or 3 plus PC.

11.4.2013 23:36 #3

xtago

This story is badly written, from reading this story I don't get why the guy quit or was forced to quit or even what has happened overall.

From this story it goes from him not seeing a problem with always-on DRM, then he's saying it sucks because it could be like owning a mobile in a bad service area???

From what I've read else where he said the new xbox will have always on DRM and he didn't like it and was trying to get Microsoft to not go that route and Microsoft have said the guy doesn't speak for Microsoft and we haven't said anything more or further about always-on DRM questions.

This story has him for and against always on DRM and has now quit his job because of???? what?... I don't know.

12.4.2013 02:59 #4

xtago

Originally posted by Interestx: @ Burnasty

I can see a future where many gamers own 4 or 5 devices - plus their PC - in each gen rather than the current 2 or 3 plus PC. The current future of gaming by some devs is mobile phones #1 then PC and consoles will be fazed out in favour of the mobiles.

PC sticks around because it's the largest gaming market in the world that still makes billions in it's own right every year.

12.4.2013 03:01 #5

molsen

It is going to be be more saturated in the next couple of years. With arm technology and the abilty to download content, the days of having 3 consoles dominate are going to go away. It might go back to '80s where you had super expensive neo-geo, coleco vision, sega, nintendo, atari, vetrex, etc. There were many more chices back then, although compared to dtoday there really is no comparrision.

Always DRM on is a silly idea for a game console. If you are that worried about pirating your titles, then develop real counter measures, and make games more attainable for people to buy. I'm sorry but at $50 a pop it is a bit silly.

12.4.2013 06:45 #6

dEwMe

Heh I thought this was gonna be him tired of being always on twitter.

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

12.4.2013 08:32 #7

Gnawnivek

Originally posted by Interestx: 'Always on' makes far more sense if it relates to the TV set-top box abilities of the next Xbox.

In my view it is highly unlikely to relate to the gaming side of things, certainly not in the way it has been suggested by some critics so far.

(unless you're one of those blinkered fanboys determined to spread rumours that imagine the next Xbox will be unusable for anyone with no net connection or a very poor one) I like to agree with you, but the thing is, "always on" is already implemented in certain games (like Capcom's Final Fight). As of now, the "always on" option is up to the developers/publishers. However, once a console the system opts for such thing, it's bad news for gamers (regardless the internet connection is flawless or not).

In the guy's tweet, he mentioned that "no internet" is like "no electricity." Which of course, upsets a lot more people.

Peace!

12.4.2013 09:54 #8

joebloe12

Originally posted by Interestx: 'Always on' makes far more sense if it relates to the TV set-top box abilities of the next Xbox.

In my view it is highly unlikely to relate to the gaming side of things, certainly not in the way it has been suggested by some critics so far.

(unless you're one of those blinkered fanboys determined to spread rumours that imagine the next Xbox will be unusable for anyone with no net connection or a very poor one) You sound like a clueless person! Do you really think that if they are alowed to have DRM always on that they will only use it for the Tv side of the new xbox?

Stop using your head for a hat rack and use it to THINK! If this is allowed to come, then sheeple like you will be the one's to blame, because you act like they would NEVER use it for games when in fact you cannot prove that would not be the case.

I am not a xbox fanboy and do not even own a console...I am a computer gamer! But I see the dark side of this being exploited by companies like Microsoft and if you cannot see the potential harm, then you must be blind!

12.4.2013 11:12 #9

cart0181

Sim City anyone? (speaking of always on)

12.4.2013 11:24 #10

xboxdvl2

he was probably forced out of the job but they made him resign to look like it was his choice.

always on DRM is a bad idea.some areas in australia dont have broadband internet, or if they do need a thousand dollar satellite dish to get it.some countries have very slow internet speeds.some poor parts of the world dont even have internet or even electricity.

i have the big screen tv,a ps3 and 5.1 channel surround sound.car still runs smooth and computer still works but its a bit outdated.

12.4.2013 11:28 #11

Hrdrk20

"he was probably forced out of the job but they made him resign to look like it was his choice".

I agree with xboxdvl, If you've ever been around people with $$$, they enjoy doing things like that if you ever piss them off.

12.4.2013 11:51 #12

Nosredneh

Now, explain what it means? I know what DRM means but I am lost as to what "always on" means. I need a more detailed explanation than the one I read about hedre.

12.4.2013 12:21 #13

Jemborg

Originally posted by Nosredneh: Now, explain what it means? I know what DRM means but I am lost as to what "always on" means. I need a more detailed explanation than the one I read about hedre. It just means that to play the game you must have an internet connection to constantly verify that it is a genuine copy. One consequence is that you can only install the game a few times. Why is that a big deal? Well, you don't get to install it on a new machine if you have bad luck. What about when they stop the servers for it? It goes on and on.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

12.4.2013 13:26 #14

A5J4DX

told to resign more like lol

12.4.2013 13:49 #15

rejokerr

Originally posted by xtago: This story is badly written, from reading this story I don't get why the guy quit or was forced to quit or even what has happened overall.

From this story it goes from him not seeing a problem with always-on DRM, then he's saying it sucks because it could be like owning a mobile in a bad service area???

From what I've read else where he said the new xbox will have always on DRM and he didn't like it and was trying to get Microsoft to not go that route and Microsoft have said the guy doesn't speak for Microsoft and we haven't said anything more or further about always-on DRM questions.

This story has him for and against always on DRM and has now quit his job because of???? what?... I don't know.
roger that!

12.4.2013 15:26 #16

Mysttic

Quote:This story has him for and against always on DRM and has now quit his job because of???? what?... I don't know. Over bad PR. The board of directors probably asked him to fix or retract his statements; which likely followed with him unable to accommodate a new stance, and since it caused thousands to outrage against Microsoft and not the guy personally, then it was a strategic move to resign rather than be forced out later on.

12.4.2013 23:08 #17

Interestx

Originally posted by joebloe12: Stop using your head for a hat rack and use it to THINK! How about you drop the feeble insults?

Originally posted by joebloe12: If this is allowed to come, then sheeple like you will be the one's to blame Er, no.
When I see 'always on' in the manner the attack PR'ing currently suggests then I'll take a view (against it).

Right now all I see is speculation that seems utterly ridiculous to me.
I do not see any console manufacturer cutting itself off from the majority with no or poor internet connections.

Originally posted by joebloe12: I see the dark side of this being exploited by companies like Microsoft and if you cannot see the potential harm, then you must be blind! No.
It's just that some of us are a little more reasoned & prepared to wait and see the facts when they appear rather than rant & take strong opinions in ignorance.

I've seen Microsoft slammed for a ton of stuff that was either made up & never happened or is something others did long before them or is such an exaggerated & slanted nit-pick as to be absurd.

Personally I'll just wait & see instead of letting prejudice formulate all sorts of silly conspiracies.

13.4.2013 23:01 #18

Mrguss

Originally posted by Mysttic: Quote:This story has him for and against always on DRM and has now quit his job because of???? what?... I don't know. Over bad PR. The board of directors probably asked him to fix or retract his statements; which likely followed with him unable to accommodate a new stance, and since it caused thousands to outrage against Microsoft and not the guy personally, then it was a strategic move to resign rather than be forced out later on. Agree a 100%:
For all those people who do not like "always-on" DRM for any reason; just do not buy Microsoft's upcoming Xbox. VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY & show to this Corporations that they are not the one "running the show" same goes for all the Governments.

+5000

15.4.2013 15:23 #19

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