I suspect MS at least entertained the idea, and saw the backlash and changed their mind. Otherwise, the always online requirement would have been refuted long before. Labeling people who are against an online requirement as "haters" does not further your cause. Just like pointing out that Harden should drive right sometimes doesn't make someone a hater. If he did, he would be a better player. If the Xbox720 did not have an online requirement, it would be a better console.
As I said time and time again... Absolutely foolish to hate on Microsoft so blindly before they've even had a chance to reveal all the details.
I highly doubt they entertained the idea as much as you would suspect...or more so than Sony. The plan they have in place isnt something you just come up with in a matter of days as a result of backlash. It's clearly been a plan for quite some time. Im not categorizing people that are against online as haters. I personally would hate that idea...Im strictly talking about the people who attack Microsoft before knowing the facts, just because its Microsoft or xbox. Basically, jumping the gun in order to knock the xbox. It happens. It would also work the other way around...if the PS3 came out with what people thought was a bad idea, Im sure the xbox fanboys would attack immediately before having facts in hand.
I don't agree that it has been a plan for quite some time. I think it was a possibility for some time, along with the possibility of online only. I'm sure they were feeling out the different options but with the massive backlash it was clear now which way they need to go.
That's completely pure speculation on your part. There is nothing that backs up your position. What we do know is that the current plan that has been revealed is something that must have been thought of long before reports came out of "online only". And, their reasoning of being online only under the current model is very well thought out and reasonable. There is nothing that would indicate that they are now going with plan B. Did they maybe think about online only for the primary console? Sure...just like Im sure Morey takes phone calls for trade offers for Harden. I would be more worried if Microsoft didnt consider every and all options...but, there is nothing to indicate that they took all options seriously.
Ummm... People had EVERY right to complain since the rumors were not being denied...if anything they were being confirmed when you have this guy, a Creative Director tweeting about it and basically saying "Yep, it's true. Deal With it." in oh so many words. He added fuel to that fire and people made sure that their voices were heard about it. How can you be against that? I guess everyone is supposed to just not say anything about it at all?
Well...that dude on Twitter, Adam Orth, or whatever his name was, was definitely a douche. He should not have gone that route, and that was definitely criticizable. But no...people should not have complained about the console yet. Sure they had the "right" to complain, but complaining about something without the full details, and before Microsoft had even revealed the thing, was just foolish. Now...when they reveal it and give the full story, and you still don't like it, then fire away. But until all things are known, how can you make a truly educated opinion on something?
M$ should've said something long ago, but they allowed the multiple stories to come out time and again without giving a peep or anything. Adam Orth resigned from M$ yesterday but he certainly didnt help the case. I like that people could voice as customers what they want and what they dont want dont you?
Of course customers can voice their opinion. I never said they couldn't, or shouldn't, for that matter. But Microsoft doesn't have to respond to simple rumor reports. Why should they? They will have their reveal show this summer to show off their Xbox and it's features, as well as answer many of the questions that have been floating around. If they responded to all the rumors and stuff that came out about the Xbox, the reveal show would be unnecessary.
Does Microsoft have to run out and deny or confirm every rumor that is dispelled? They have no obligation to do such a thing. A few level headed people in this thread mentioned waiting until all the facts are revealed. That would be the smart thing to do.
I think they definitely should have because you have their creative director basically saying that it's true and it's the way of the future and people need to deal with it. So yeah, people SHOULD have complained. Just like they did with D3 and Simcity before those games came out and just like they will continue to do. There literally is no harm in what people said, if anything there is only benefit if the company decides to change their mind and listen to the consumers. Well when you have your creative director telling people to deal with it it's probably time to say that the rumor isn't true or say something about it.
Of course there's no harm in what people say. People can say whatever they want, whenever they want, but that doesn't make what they're saying an educated opinion. In this case, it proved to be uneducated. And yes, as I said, that Adam Orth guy was stupid with how he handled himself, and that's why he's now not a part of Microsoft. But the general idea of what he was saying is perfectly reasonable. Microsoft had a plan in mind, and details got leaked to the public, but clearly not ALL of the details. The public started to criticize, but clearly didn't understand the total story, so obviously Microsoft isn't going to take uneducated public outcry too seriously, nor should they.
Companies (especially in the VG industry) rarely comment on rumors/speculation, and I'm OK with that. I don't really expect MS to comment on these things directly, nor do I blame them for ignoring it. That said, it is perfectly fine to praise/criticize/discuss rumors based on consoles. Didn't really see much wrong with what went on in this thread (well, the usual console war stuff, but that happens no matter what). Especially since these were pretty strong rumors about something pretty different (and keep in mind that while I think the last rumor I posted is MUCH more reasonable/likely, it is still a rumor too).
If that were the central point you were making, you should also decry the "lovers," who say they've already decided to get the next Xbox simply because it's called Xbox. Based on zero facts. Both are equally idiotic.
Very interesting stuff, thanks for posting. The possibility of Durango shipping with the 360 SOC is HUGE. On a side note, I find it funny that I'm an employee, yet I find out details about Durango via internet leaks posted on Clutchfans :grin:
I'm not particularly fond of that rumor. Not even sure why it is getting attention (anyone can put out info like that). But then again, I guess VGLeaks, etc., aren't much better (especially if VGLeaks is just going to re-post stuff like this). Outside of the 360 SOC, there's nothing too crazy. I'm not sure it really makes sense to add the 360 SOC though. Would add a lot of complexity (in terms of hardware and software), and not sure it is worth the cost. Would be a nice bonus though (well...more likely a trade-off since other specs could have been improved if they dropped it, but you get the idea).
I need some translating into dumbass language so that I may understand. What does "BC" mean? What is SOC? So on the Mini you can download and play games? 360 games or Durango games or what? What does XBLA mean? Is he confusing WinRT for Windows 8 RT or am I an idiot (or both)?
BC = backwards compatibility (specifically with 360). SoC = System on (a) Chip. Basically saying the CPU+GPU(+ whatever else is needed) from the 360, integrated into one chip. If they can get the SoC in Durango, that would be how they could provide BC with Xbox 360 games (they'd have actual 360 hardware to run them). The Durango hardware is quite a bit different than what was in the 360, and probably couldn't easily emulate 360 games, so putting in a SoC might be the only good way to provide BC. Mini could play 360 games. Though with no disc drive, it would need to be downloaded games. XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) is the service MS uses for downloadable games (along with Games on Demand). So that's just saying you can download 360 games to play on the Mini. WinRT is this I believe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Runtime
So basically....now everybody can stop relentlessly whining about having to be on the internet to play?
