Xbox live has never had an attack that has been that successful. There are constant attempts to attack Xbox Live. If there is ONE THING Microsoft should be good at is Software Security on a CLOSED network. Unlike your normal PC, Xbox Live is a closed system where EVERYONE has the same hardware. Makes it alot easier to secure. Sony network is more open by it nature, hence, more open to attack. Xbox Live was designed to be closed from the start, PSN was not.
This. I'm more of a PS3 guy, but the 360 slim is fantastic. Had it for awhile and it hasn't even gotten noisy, frozen up, or behaved weirdly at all, let alone failed. More impressed with it than the PS3 slim, honestly. Ah, franchises. You're a big Halo guy. That makes more sense then. For me, most of the exclusive franchises remaining on the 360 got kinda tired years ago. Halo and Gears of War are great games, but for me it's reached the saturation point. Oddly enough, the games I've been most excited to play on the 360 in the past few years were indie downloadables. Still, I expect I will be getting all the next-gen systems eventually. Just a matter of when, which really will all be dictated by the games. Not hearing word of anything I'm desperate to have early on though. I dunno about that. I know it's early, but I've generally only heard good things about the PS4 hardware-wise. And, again purely hardware-wise, from reading comments around the interwebs it seems like the Vita is perhaps the greatest handheld ever made, technologically and ergonomically speaking (though it's still a miserable failure because there aren't enough great games on it, and no UMD Passport program). So they've been making good hardware lately. ...aaaaand, everyone seems to be saying the PS4 is super developer-friendly now. So the developers won't necessarily run to Microsoft first, followed by a bad port to Sony anymore. That could really change the early landscape and prevent that lean launch the PS3 had. But hey... I'll be interested to see what Microsoft announces.
BTW...when I say Xbox Live has never had a successful attack, I mean on the scale of the hack that brought PSN down for a month. There have been minor hacks that were able to steal gamer tags and even some credit card info....but it was not system-wide and it was usually targeting people's passwords. For the most part, Live has had very good security.
And, given the original 360 went from the most absurd failure rate ever to being completely fine with the next model, and Playstation is apparently going from developer nightmare to developer dream... I'm guessing Sony has learned from its mistakes and beefed up their network security a bit.
I actually think the XBL "hack" was worse (at least in some ways) than the PSN "hack". The PSN hack was bad since it highlighted some big flaws in the design (hence the need to re-work many pieces, hire a guy dedicated to security, and shut down the network). But no one (AFAIK) actually had charges against their card, identity theft, etc. Think even with the information taken, it would be difficult to do much with it (especially if users were proactive about things). With the XBL hack, lots of people actually did get their CCs charged (among other things). MS refused to publicly acknowledge the problem though (i.e., shutting down system to resolve issues), so it just didn't seem as bad. Kind of going off-topic though...
THIS! Everyone is ignoring this! The XBox got a major boost from being the first mover, so most cross platform developers developed for the Xbox, then PS3 owners were left with a sub par port. All signs point to this NOT being the case this time around. That will be HUGE.
Maybe, but price matters too. Remember, even when the PS3 DID come out, it was extremely expensive. By this time, people have a comfort zone with the prices they are willing to pay, and they also have a comfort zone with which brand and style of consoles they like. Now me, I will almost assuredly end up with both of them (I currently have two Ps3's and two 360's in my house, so you know, I am a sucker for the new toys), BUT, I am NOT paying 'early-adopter' prices, and I suspect a lot of people will be in the same boat. And if this is the case, then that effectively nullifies what little advantage there may be in being 'first-to-market' with the newest console. It just doesn't matter that much, especially if BC is not going to be there. (I *still* am pissed that I can't play Fight Night Round 2 on my 360!! What the heck, come ON and make a 360 version of it guys!)
The big winner are PC gamers, since both consoles are as close to PCs as you can get. I look forward to actual games instead of crappy ports. Neither console look like a huge break through over the previous gen as a home entertainment system. I still have my streaming and blu-ray needs met with my PS3.
Developers didnt run to the XBOX bc it came out first...they went in that direction because it was more developer friendly compared to the PS3. It has little to do with who is first on the scene.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/subscr...priced-at-300-with-500-standard-model-6406544 Windows blogger Paul Thurrott reveals rumored pricing options for Microsoft's next-gen platform, claims always-online requirement is accurate.
Hmmm... this may be a problem for me. I always take my xbox console with me once a year to mexico to spend my christmas with the family. We dont have any internet access over there so I don't know what the hell I'm going to do. I dont necessarily bring it for my own enjoyment but more so that my cousins and other relatives could have some fun for a while.
It has to be something for their own benefit mostly and not your own. Im really curious if they have just decided to axe used games completely.
Always-on internet is unfortunate. I don't know if this will be a bad decision business-wise, since they likely make quite a bit more money off of Live subscribers in the long run than non, but short term I could see it make many people reluctant to get a 720. I'm personally hoping I'm able to restrain myself from buying one at all. The last couple of years it's simply become a NBA2K machine, and I'm not paying $500+$40/year+$60/year for one of those.
If the other rumor is accurate, you could probably get by with $300 for the system, plus monthly payments for Live if you were going to sign up for it anyway (though there might be a premium on the Live subscription).
Yeah you'd probably have to get in a 2 year subscription agreement for that, which I just refuse to do myself. PC gaming aint so bad
Yeah I think I'll just get a controller for my PC and play NBA2K on there if the desire strikes. I might have to upgrade a few parts since it's a desktop intended for business use, but that will still be cheaper than getting the new system. Good, informative thread btw, fellow CFers. Always love to see these.
More rumors: http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans Not really that new (it was known they were going this direction), but more confirmation of what to expect.