Xbox One Clarification: Internet Connection, Used Games, Kinect

Kaijin2k3

So Xbox.com has released this webpage of info on the XBox One, clarifying a lot of things. Some cool things, some not so cool things. The main page is here: http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/main

It's all there, so check it out. As a short version, key points on the major issues that came up on the unveiling:

 

Internet Connection is required: 24 hour mandatory checkup: 

"With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies. "

On the plus side of this, there are some cool things. It'll function slightly more like, say, Steam in that you can access your games from any Xbox as long as you log in to your account. And you can have a "Shared Games List" that will let up to 10 family members access and play from. (EDIT: I originally said any person, but I reread and noticed it specifically mentions only family members for this).

 

Used Games: Well, make of this what you will:

"Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers.  Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games."

On the plus side, no fee when you do it their way. Whether your ability to resell your games freely and to whom is of importance to you, then I suppose that's still a giant con (though if you don't, then I guess that doesn't matter).

EDIT: Originally missed this, so figure I'd add it here since loaning and renting was brought up by a few:

"Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers.  Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners."

So fees are still a possibiltiy, and no loaning and renting at release.

 

On the matter of giving your games, they cover that too:

"Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once."

Notice the "publishes CAN enable you to..." again. Still, perhaps not as bad as first thought?

 

As for Kinect, apparently it can be turned off (though didn't make mention of being able to just unplug it). So I suppose that's some good news. A direct link to that is here.

 

Microsoft has canceled all one-on-one interviews and post press Q&A at E3, so I don't think we'll be hearing much more clarification for a while. So indulge on the info they released

 

===== Ignore this if you don't care about rumors =====

Lastly, on the rumors front (I left this for last in case some people don't care ). A number of insider leakers have confirmed the Xbox One is having problems with their esram. What they will do about it for now is unknown.

Additionally, a less confirmed rumor is suggestion they're having heat issues again, and may underclock their CPU by ~200 mhz.

A few developers have leaked that Microsoft is being more-aggressive-than-normal in E3 plans. Namely, they're offering a larger-than-average sum to publisher and developing houses to avoid showcasing PS4 versions of their multiplats. This is to attempt to show that there is more game support for the Xbox 1, and less so for the PS4. This is actually business as usual, IMHO, but I guess its something to keep in mind going into E3. 

The current build of Kinect 2.0's TV integration is rather choppy and not really as smooth as presented on stage as a confirmation that the presentation was more than likely completely faked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifa9Q7ATfVA

Also notice she said "Channel 13" and it changed to Channel 11, ahem. Still, it's a number of months from release so hopefully it'll be smooth for the people interested in day 1 for it

M1sf1t

Their comment on used game is just damage control after Sony has decided to instead leave it up to individual publishers to decide if they want to include DRM to prevent the resale of games. In the end MS has lost the war of hearts and minds and their console is on life support before it has even shipped because they thought they could dictate terms to gamers while underestimating the ability of consumers to jump ship and instead go with Sony, Nintendo and yes even Valve.

Kaijin2k3

Originally posted by M1sf1t

Their comment on used game is just damage control after Sony has decided to instead leave it up to individual publishers to decide if they want to include DRM to prevent the resale of games. In the end MS has lost the war of hearts and minds and their console is on life support before it has even shipped because they thought they could dictate terms to gamers while underestimating the ability of consumers to jump ship and instead go with Sony, Nintendo and yes even Valve.

Their word choice is interesting. Sony said it was up the publishers to utilize the systems DRM, and confirmed all first party games will not utilize.

Microsoft's word choice is the opposite. It's up the publishers to not utilize it, or to "enable" your ability to do trade and sell.

Companies, especially on something like this, tend to pick their words carefully. So its interesting to note.