Welp, Microsoft Just Blew Their Foot Off

[Duke.Togo]

Wow. Just... wow. I didn't think it could get worse: http://m.ign.com/articles...-used-games-always-online

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

I still can't get over how bad they're blowing this.

Yatzhee's video today pretty much told people to not buy a next-gen console. I think the return of the PC to the forefront of gaming is nigh.

[KidA]

What's worse about these announcements?  I think the rumors were more severe.

[Duke.Togo]

For me it is the verbiage "can enable" and "participating retailers."

"can enable" says to me that by default, it isn't enabled. Meaning that no used game sales unless they want to turn that feature on.

"participating retailers" tells me that they are going to squeeze out the small stores that I enjoy going to. But hey, there's always GameStop. 

[KidA]

I agree with your reasoning.  Hopefully they allow "participating retailers" to encompass the local mom & pops.  I guess this would render reselling online or in person useless, unless they establish the online marketplace that was mentioned before.  With EA recently eliminating online passes, I hope that even the big names realize the detriment of instantly changing the console ecosystem.

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

It's just altogether too convoluted and obnoxious. Don't we just want to play freaking good games?

Backwards compatibility was NEVER an issue until PS2, and now all of the sudden people act like its the end of the world if a system doesn't support it.

It's like the industry is being taken over by information entropy. AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE DEALING WITH THERMODYNAMICS, WE JUST WANT TO PLAY FUCKING GAMMMMMESSSS

[techwizard]

most of these are just confirming rumours but i agree with kida, a lot of these sound better than the rumours made it out to be. the backwards compatibility thing is only an issue because every system offered it last generation, and ps2 the generation before. it's never good to take away a successful feature, even if it's not used by a huge percentage of people. why mess with a good thing? so they can have an excuse to re-release these games in compilations and HD packs without people having a cheaper alternative. that's why people are mad

[Cobra]

Hmm... participating retailers? Sounds like Microsft may charge a fee to stores for the privilege to be one of these participating retailers.

[blcklblskt]

XBone launches in November for $499.  Your move, Sony.

[SlasherNES]

Ugh, I think I'm going to stick to retor gaming for awhile.

[RetroRage]

Just saw the sneak potash for Killzone 4.....hmm....this is the PS"4", right?  It looked no different than anything I've seen on the current gen systems.  I haven't been wowed by anything yet by either company yet.

[InvadErGII]

I was a lot more impressed with what Microsoft showed off today than I expected...until I saw the price.

On the other hand, new Killer Instinct...

[techwizard]

people will have to really stop buying new hardware for the graphics only and focus more on the games. we're at the point where unless someone comes up with some completely new way of programming game engines, the graphics aren't going to change that drastically. it's not like we're ever going to see another snes to n64 level of transition, and it's all about minor refinements now. they will of course be noticeable after more time (compare launch title 360 and ps3 games to current games, it's a big difference), but year to year it's not going to be that big.

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

people will have to really stop buying new hardware for the graphics only and focus more on the games. we're at the point where unless someone comes up with some completely new way of programming game engines, the graphics aren't going to change that drastically. it's not like we're ever going to see another snes to n64 level of transition, and it's all about minor refinements now. they will of course be noticeable after more time (compare launch title 360 and ps3 games to current games, it's a big difference), but year to year it's not going to be that big.

It would be if devs didn't have to design by the constraints of consoles.

[Leynos]

Killer Instinct is developed not by rare but double helix. Known for amazing games as Silent Hill Homecoming and battleship. Wow MS you messed up yet again