'Rumour Report A' versus 'Rumour Report B', yesterday.
Hold on to your tin hats! The latest wild rumour surrounding the next-generation Xbox involves second-hand sales, persistent internet connections and Blu-ray discs. Wait, the next Xbox has a disc drive now?
That's the latest from EDGE, who collectively reckon that Microsoft will not only adopt the Sony-backed Blu-ray technology for 50GB capacity disc space, but it will also include online activation codes for games in an attempt to bugger up the pre-owned sales market.
"Although the next Xbox will be absolutely committed to online functionality, games will still be made available to purchase in physical form," reads the report. "Games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user."
It all sounds rather absolute indeed, for a fast-changing rumour landscape. As the mills churn ever faster and the skies start to suffocate us all with dusty pie crust, it's probably a good idea to turn around, take a deep breath and await some official confirmation before diving headfirst into things.
Do bear in mind, however, that EDGE's report draws heavily on a previous GamesIndustry report here, which in itself is based on a story by VGLeaks here. It's like some crazy game of rumour-based Inception.
That's the latest from EDGE, who collectively reckon that Microsoft will not only adopt the Sony-backed Blu-ray technology for 50GB capacity disc space, but it will also include online activation codes for games in an attempt to bugger up the pre-owned sales market.
"Although the next Xbox will be absolutely committed to online functionality, games will still be made available to purchase in physical form," reads the report. "Games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user."
It all sounds rather absolute indeed, for a fast-changing rumour landscape. As the mills churn ever faster and the skies start to suffocate us all with dusty pie crust, it's probably a good idea to turn around, take a deep breath and await some official confirmation before diving headfirst into things.
Do bear in mind, however, that EDGE's report draws heavily on a previous GamesIndustry report here, which in itself is based on a story by VGLeaks here. It's like some crazy game of rumour-based Inception.
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
ohms 6 Feb 2013 12:36
1/4
Blocking pre-owned sales will be the death of any console that implements it. Their market is already shrinking, and that's before any Ouya's or Steamboxes have appeared in the shops. Bad move.
TimSpong 6 Feb 2013 12:38
2/4
Yup, it's a horseshit idea. Also, won't happen unless:
(a) they really want to f**k off the BRIC countries.
(b) they really want, "F**k you man!! My ISP was down for an hour last might and I couldn't play Halo IX!!!"
Smells of crapola
(a) they really want to f**k off the BRIC countries.
(b) they really want, "F**k you man!! My ISP was down for an hour last might and I couldn't play Halo IX!!!"
Smells of crapola
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Dreadknux 6 Feb 2013 12:42
3/4
IF this comes to pass... which it most likely won't (I refuse to believe Microsoft is that stupid), all it will do is exacerbate the current consumer slump that the console market is experiencing.
Who in their right mind will consider spending £60 on a game (plus DLC) without the ability to at least trade it in (for, admittedly, pittance) towards another game? It's hard enough getting people to buy games like DmC without this pre-owned block threat.
The only way it would work is if console games dropped in price dramatically. £20 at the very maximum. But we all know that's not going to happen.
Who in their right mind will consider spending £60 on a game (plus DLC) without the ability to at least trade it in (for, admittedly, pittance) towards another game? It's hard enough getting people to buy games like DmC without this pre-owned block threat.
The only way it would work is if console games dropped in price dramatically. £20 at the very maximum. But we all know that's not going to happen.
Steve Parkes 6 Feb 2013 16:22
4/4
@ohms but you can't resell your Steam games when you've finished them.