It’s almost impressive how quickly Microsoft have managed to throw away any good will they had with the Xbox One. I’ll admit, I was quietly pleased at the end of yesterday’s reveal. Judging by the general reaction on Twitter it seems like I was in the minority, but a lot of what they had to show intrigued me.
Oh sure, the concept of an always listening Kinect in my front room is exceptionally troubling, but the quick boot time, the rapid task switching and the multitasking that the Snap concept demonstrated showed that a huge amount of time, effort and innovation has gone into designing the operating system that lies at the core of the Xbox One. Even the TV concepts looked great, although it seemed obvious that they’d only be available in the US initially.
However, as the show ended journalists started to ask questions about the new console, and that positivity rapidly drained away. We started to get answers to the troublesome topic of internet connectivity, and while it seems that you don’t need an internet connection to play, you will need one to register games when you first play them.
Always Online
Then came the news that the Xbox One needs to check in once every 24 hours, just to make sure that you’re not doing anything you shouldn’t be.
While many will find this annoying, things got a whole lot worse when questions about pre-owned games started to be asked. On the upside, you can, in theory, re-sell your games. In practice this seems like it will never, ever happen.
You see, you need to register the game against your account when you first play it, installing it as you do. Once it’s registered you can play it on as many consoles as you like, as long as your account is logged onto Xbox Live on the console.
If another account wants to play the same copy of the game, either because the game’s been resold or because you’ve loaned it out, then they’ll have to pay a fee. That fee? Anything up to the actual price of the game. It’s a little unclear what kind of fee we can actually expect, but some amount of money is going to come out of your account.
Backlash
As you’d expect, this has caused a huge backlash, as has the almost comically poor way Microsoft’s PR machine handled the announcement of this element. They seem to have revised their answer a half dozen times, before finally confirming that there will be a fee, and that the fee may well be the full price of the game.
Then there’s the fact the TV integration that seems to lie at the core of Microsoft’s vision is all smoke and mirrors, simply using an HDMI pass through from the cable or satellite box that your provider gives you. Oh there’ll probably be some clever things with a few select providers they’ve partnered with, but in general they’re just sticking the Xbox overlay on top of what your set-top box already has.
In some ways this is clever, allowing them to hook up to a much wider variety of boxes and TV providers. In others it seems disingenuous, particularly with the fact that you always need a set-top box, even if you’re using a provider that Microsoft have established a relationship with.
The thing is, I’ve got no objection to Microsoft centring the Xbox One around TV and other forms of media, it’s just the way they’ve implemented it and announced it that I find frustrating. Whatever you want to put at the core of your system should be a masterpiece that works flawlessly and simply in almost any situation. Unfortunately, the solution that Microsoft has seems inelegant and deceptive to me.
The same holds true for their internet based DRM solution and the frankly ludicrous concept of transferring a game licence for the same price as buying the game new. The solutions simply aren’t great, and the way that Microsoft put out inconsistent, conflicting statements was incredibly frustrating in the wake of yesterday’s reveal.
In need of a boost
While more facts have at least become clear in the light of day, it seems that within 24 hours of its announcement the Xbox One is already in desperate need of a boost. Hopefully that will come at E3, but right now Microsoft really need to clarify their messaging if they don’t want to fall into a deep, dark hole of negative spin and consumer mistrust.
They need consumers to be buoyant about the console, to be spreading their anticipation far and wide, not worrying about what the console means for buying their habits.
Of course the big question hanging in the air is why they didn’t have a clear message on any of these points from the get go. The questions that were going to crop up were, frankly, obvious and anyone with a modicum of common sense could have worked out what they’d need answers for. How have they managed to get it so wrong?
Takyu
In terms of consumer appeal, a twitter poll of sorts that gamespot are doing at the moment says a lot. They are asking fans around the world to “declare their allegiance” to either the PS4 or X1 by replying with a hashtag with their chosen consoles name. The last time I saw it, PS4 was ahead with a massive 89% of tweets, with only six countries having an Xbox majority; Nicaragua, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Iran and Sri Lanka.
Raziel_n2gc
Let’s recap: Microsoft introduced a faked set-top box UI, which needs to be online at least once every 24h, is spying on you all the time, is almost only focused on US, features fancy used games fees (now I know why EA dropped the Online Pass) and can do plenty of shit no gamer wants (e.g. mood detection, uhhh).
This all without showing a single ingame frame and with faked cheering.
Well, that’s kind of a “Do NOT” list for a game console reveal press conference.
Sony is going to blow them away at E3 :) [fanboy thoughts]
wanprime
I cant help but feel underwhelmed. Kinnect has never really interested me and when I’ve played games using it, I’ve always feel like an idiot (more so than normal!). Hopefully Kinnect 2’s improved functionality will silence my scepticism and help me embrace the tech.
Also, with reports suggesting that AAA games are going to cost developers considerably more to produce, additional charges will be passed to customers. I have a hard time parting with my cash on £39.99 prices. The new pad looks lovely however :)
wanprime
Oh yeah, the console looks like a sleek VHS player from the 80’s. Not great…
(Sorry for the double post)
JR.
The console does look like a budget bluray player. Awful, lazy design. My super slim ps3 is a work of art by comparison. I do like the look of the new control pad though. It’s strange to see all the negativity. I really thought it would go the other way. Most people I’ve spoken to today are leaning more towards ps4, wii U and PC. I haven’t heard anybody say they want the Xbox One. Very strange turn of events.
Quag
And here i sat wide eyed waiting for the announcement of an awesome new games console and all i was shown was some awful looking 1980’s philips cdi monstrosity. I just want my console to be a games machine first and everything else second, i’ve already got cable channels and internet on my tv and i’ve not once had to wave my arms or shout commands to make it work perfect.
Bilbo_bobbins
A launch of a “gaming” console is normally great. Better graphics, new games, new design and future ideas.
What we got from Microsoft, was TV and complete confusion on the questions people have been asking leading up to it. You are right. To come out of it with not many people actually saying they are impressed and can’t wait for the release is very worrying for them indeed.
I still cannot get over this license thing for each game, absolutely crazy.
Gaztee
I can almost guarantee that this MS VHS player will fly off the shelves in the US of A when launched. To me it looks like a VHS player combined with an Atari 65xe computer. Fuggly!!
It is interesting to see so much negative feedback for the X1 & I have to say I hope it bombs, but the US market will, probably lap it up again! I just don like all the restrictions they’ve placed in it. Was never going to go with this console anyway & all MS have announced just confirmed my choice 110%.
double-o-dave
Definitely a rush job I think.
Does anyone know the size dimensions of the console?
Stef Nighthawk
I’m starting to think the HDMI passthrough isn’t the only trick for TV usage.
There was a interface on the back of the XBox One I couldn’t understand. I think I do now; it’s an IR interface.
You’ll probably have to connect an IR led to that interface and put it in front of the settop box which is connected to the HDMI in.
This way the voice commands can be translated to IR signals to change channels.