You have to laugh at Microsoft this week, whose representatives have talked until they are blue in the face about the Xbox One’s ‘internet requirement’.
After all, as gamers are already proving with their massive pre-orders of PlayStation 4, Xbox One could very well be a failure due to its invasive DRM and daily internet requirement. But, it’s patently obvious how low down in the barrel Microsoft is willing to scrape when they are now saying multiplayer makes Xbox One’s internet requirement ‘acceptable’.
The comments this time come from Microsoft VP Phil Spencer who said this yesterday,
“What we’re seeing in games … is online community gaming becoming a predominant way that people play. You see so many of these large games that are out there that rely on and are kind of made by the connection people have with their friends, and how they play cooperatively and competitively with the millions of people on Xbox Live and other ecosystems,” he said. “It’s a predominant form of gaming today.”
Oddly, though, study after study has shown that, while multiplayer gaming is definitely seeing some increase, most gamers still play offline and play single-player games. I know I do. In fact, I would say for every one hour I play a multiplayer game online, I spend 100 hours playing offline in single-player mode and the majority of my gamer friends are the same.
So, no, Mr. Spencer, your ridiculous ‘justifications’ for why the Xbone, as many gamers are now calling it, has a daily internet connection requirement are just that — ridiculous.
As for the PlayStation 4, which already seems to be kicking the ass of the 25 percent more expensive and DRM_loaded Xbone, most sites have already sold out of pre-orders of the PS4’s ‘Launch Edition’ (same as the Standard Edition, actually) and are already warning that, even if you pre-order a Standard Edition PlayStation 4 now, your chances of getting it when the console actually goes on sale may be limited as demand is HUGELY winning out over possible supply.
So, hey, Microsoft, you might want to stop talking some time soon. After all, when the hole you’re digging is getting bigger and bigger, it’s often smarter to just put down the shovel.
I am a Brit-American journalist, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I’m also obsessed with music, anime, manga, and K-dramas. Help!