Here we go again. Another wild rumour has appeared and this one’s another one of those that make Microsoft’s next console about as appealing as a bowl of jalapeño chilies for breakfast. Well, unless you’re the sort of person that has an internet connection to hand, in which case news that the Xbox 720 needs such a high concept idea as the internet to start up a game will mean next to nothing.
Regardless, Kotaku are citing two sources who are proclaiming that unless you’re within range of a series of floating binary zeroes and ones, the machine will steadfastly refuse to do very much at all. “Unless something has changed recently,” said one mysterious source, “[Xbox 720] consumer units must have an active internet connection to be used.”
“If there isn’t a connection, no games or apps can be started. If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time – currently three minutes, if I remember correctly – the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started.”
Nothing excites me more than the thought of a Microsoft-developed troubleshooter explaining why my piece of rubbish next-to-dial up connection has struggled to push out more than thirty megabytes in the same number of minutes. Forget Halo 5, I’m getting one just to see this thing in action. At least there’s that three minutes grace – just enough time for my router to reboot.
Kotaku say their sources are “tied to the gaming industry” although urge caution in putting too much faith in what is essentially unverifiable information. Sensible.
blackredyellow
Who wants to see the industry go down this route anyway?
If this was to ever happen, to any console, then we should all vote with our wallets and show them we won’t put up with it.
blast71
I’m out! (Except for the jalapeño chillies for breakfast, mmm lovely)
ico
As a big fan of PS3 and a bigger fan of the 360, should these rumours have any truth then suffice to say I shall become a big fan of PS4 and likely wouldn’t wee on the 720 if it was on fire.
Mind you I’m still rather miffed about lack of BC on PS4. And yes I know many commentators out there think ‘why would I want to play last gen games on next gen console.?’ My answer: well given time and money constraints I’ve barely scratched the surface of the classic games on this gen and it’s likely going to be a year or two until the new gen gets a really decent catalogue of games.
fattyuk
play your ps3?
ico
True. Tis is a viable option. However i don’t expect that console to last forever. Don’t think I’d mind about the BC issue so much if they gave free downloads or gaikai (or heavily subsidised) of PS3 games for the ones you’ve already bought but appreciate this would likely be too difficult to police.
I also think, on the other hand, that I bought loads of old tapes and vhss then replaced many of the albums / films with cd / dvd and didn’t complain then. I guess at the end of the day if the console is sold with full disclosure and you know exactly what it can and cannot do prior to purchasing it then you make an informed value judgement on whether to part with your hard-earned or not. Think I’ve just been talked out of my own argument (I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong by the way ;) ).
However I do think the lack of ability of PS4 to play digital downloads from PS3 is a little cheap. Feel like I’m going round in circles here!
stonyk
If true the next box is dead before it starts and I will never get one. Luckily this is blatantly a load of bollocks…..
ron_mcphatty
Regardless of whether this is true or not, the rumor has become self perpetuating and all our discussions are evidence enough that this is actually harming Microsoft. They need to sort it out, or admit it and get a silver lining out there. I’ve still not played on an XBox 360 at all, weird eh?
Klart
If it’s true the new XBOX has an always on requirement, then I hope it’s it’s downfall.
We’ve had trouble enough with other always online games (Diablo 3, SimCity,…).
I think Sony once mentioned 1 out of 5 Playstation 3s never goes online; that’s a huge slice of the market.
Starman
I know several people with 360’s who just play family & friends on things like Fifa and don’t even have internet. If this is true then they’ll be lost sales for sure.
fattyuk
That’s because it’s not true, and for your point exactly!
Starman
Eh?