This week I’m not going to talk about any games, characters or series. This week I’m going to talk about the ones who spend money to support the games industry, the ones who explore worlds and analyse everything about them, the ones who have a passion for the virtual worlds. I’m talking about us. I’m talking about the gamers.
[drop]E3 is kicking off today and with it we’ll finally know exactly what choices we’ll have and what virtual worlds will soon be ours to explore. After E3 we may well each know which console (or consoles) we’ll pledge our money towards and just how much control we’ll have over the devices.This E3 is the first time that we’ll be dealing with something other than consoles and games. E3 2013 is about what being a consumer means, and the ownership of goods.
Let’s look at our options.
Microsoft
The Xbox One is the console we’ve heard the most about recently, and most of what we’ve heard has been very negative. The reveal didn’t seem to be aimed at gamers (at least not those outside of the US), the PR was confusing and the resulting clarifications sparked outrage across the web.
We now know the console will have to check in every 24 hours or you’ll lose access to your games. We know the ability to rent is not there, second hand sales will be restricted to approved retailers, and lending games to mates is also severely limited.
We also know that the Xbox One is a machine interested in being a full media centre with games being a portion of it, not the main attraction. If they were, then offline single player games might still be accessible even without authentication. Instead it’s only some of the media features that you’ll be able to access if you’re not connected.
Games wise the Xbox One has currently positioned itself as the AAA machine. Microsoft have set up deals for exclusive content with EA for games like FIFA and Activision for Call of Duty, while the leaked Titan Fall by Respawn Entertainment will be entirely exclusive to Microsoft’s consoles. Forza V has also been confirmed and it will be unsurprising if Halo or Gears makes an appearance.
For us, the consumers, we’re presented with a media centre with very restrictive measures. It’ll be likely you’ll need a LIVE account to access the majority of the features like the Cloud and multiplayer.
From our perspective Microsoft have to promise the world to earn trust. E3 is damage control central.
Sony
Sony are being quiet. As gamers we’ve positioned them to be the saviours of the next generation and that attitude has been fed by positive reinforcement. We know the PS4 won’t have an online check, so they’ve ticked one box that pleases gamers.
We also know that the support for both the big publishers and the indie developers is there; Sony are courting everyone they can.
Game wise Sony are all over it. They’ve announced that’ll there will be 40 games present for the PS4, PS3 and Vita, so you can expect a variety of genres represented on all three consoles. Killzone: Shadow Fall, DriveClub, Tearaway and a host of other titles will be shown off, as well as who knows what else. It’s an exciting time for fans of all sorts of games.
However, the question with Sony is just why are they being so quiet? What are they hiding? Will there be an online fee present on the PS4? With the likes of Plus and Gaikai being present on the console, will there be a fee to access them? Multiplayer is free this generation but will it be next generation? We don’t know.
The second hand market is also something Sony has been quiet about. All we know is they’ll make the “right choice.” But who for? The gamers who trade or the publishers who would love to see the second hand and rental markets collapse? We don’t know.
So far, Sony have been positioned as the saviours of the next generaton. They’re waiting in the wings to announce a console with no DRM, no always online, no second hand fees. At least that’s what we want, but the truth is we don’t fully know what Sony is planning. We have to be wary. Sony could still introduce these things.
Nintendo
In the furore over the second hand market, backwards compatibility and consumer rights, Nintendo seem to have been forgotten. The Wii U has been out several months now and we have all the facts here.
There are no restrictions on second hand sales, there are no issues with always online and the console has backwards compatibility. The Wii U has been built as a games console first and foremost, with no major extras to detract from that.
While we’ve been concentrating on whether Sony or Microsoft will “win” the next gen, Nintendo is on the brink of making a huge impact too. Imagine if both Sony and Microsoft have some form of restriction on game lending and trading. As gamers we can either live with such restrictions or head to a platform that’s missing those restrictions entirely.
Game wise Nintendo is focusing a lot on first party titles for the Wii U and the 3DS. Third party support is bare, especially for the Wii U.
This E3 Nintendo has the advantage. Play it just right and gamers as well as developers could be attracted to the platform.
The problem is, at the minute the Wii U is in a vicious cycle. It has limited sales because of a lack of third party support, and limited third party support because of a lack of sales. However, Nintendo have the chance to come out of E3 smelling of roses, which could break the cycle.
What It Means For Us
E3 2013 will be exciting, big and important. This is where the very future of the games industry will be decided. How each console maker presents itself this time will determine where we spend our money, and how we own media in the future.
If Microsoft manage to sway the majority of gamers then it’s a future of always online with DRM and the eventual extinction of the second hand trading market.
[drop2]Currently, Sony seem poised to “win” E3 2013 but that is all based on our own hopes and perceptions. Yes, Sony are remaining quiet but whether that’s a good or bad thing is yet to be seen. They’ve done everything right up to this point but they can still throw it all away.Nintendo are the ones we should be watching though. They already have their next gen machine out and it’s free of anything that is concerning us about consumer and ownership rights. Sure games are a bit slow to appear on the Wii U but this is Nintendo’s chance to take away hype from the other two consoles.
E3 2013 will be one of the landmark conferences of the games industry. It’s here that our consumer rights are being tested.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’re not affected because your internet is solid. Think of the long term consequences, like servers being switched off and losing access to something you paid for. Think of your fellow gamers who may not have excellent internet.
Yes, E3 marks an important time in the industry we love and the fallout following it will determine the path the industry goes down.
deadwelsh
Sony are already doing DRM and game rentals – its called PS+, admittedly it is good value for what they offer, but for those late to the party, its frustrating not being allowed access to all previous titles, and to those already subscribed, you either stick with Sony or lose out on all those games you had access to.
I for one will stick with disc based gaming, avoiding the risk of the perils of online worlds being shut down. I dont mind a small fee for a DL game (BF1943 was great value at £9.99) but fuck companies like Activision wanting £60 for a disc, and another £60 for the elite/maps stuff every year.
I play Civilistation 4 on steam, spent £3.49 on it, its been running 8 years and still loads of people play it, that is the kind of thing that will disappear if consumers accept the way MS and publishers are pushing things.
Radboud
What are you on about?
PS+ has nothing to do with DRM and game rentals.
It is an extra option which includes the current Instant Game Collection and has other features too (ie. automatic updates and cloud-saves).
Some of the games you get as PS+ member are yours to keep, even if you do not extend your subscription.
When you buy a disc (or a digital copy from steam) for a PC game, than you will always need a PC to play that game, if you buy a game for PS3 or Xbox360, you’ll need that console to play it on. I really don’t understand your remark about “you either stick with Sony or lose out on all those games you had access to”. You’ll have that with any machine you play games on.
deadwelsh
“Do I lose access to my PlayStation Plus games if my subscription expires?
You can keep any content you pay for on top of your sunscription fee, such as a game downloaded at a special offer price, and you can keep using all games downloaded at no extra cost as long as you remain subscribed to PlayStation Plus.”
That is off the FAQ on UK PS site – seems like a rental service to me, pay £40 a year to play these games Sony give you for ‘free’, or stop paying and lose access – so if you switch to say Xbox One for next gen, or Nintendo, then chances are you wont keep up your ps+ sub, and the games wont be playable when it expires.
As for DRM they tie it to your account, so you need to have your Id on the machine, so they are managing your rights to digital content…
And yes i checked – it does say ‘sunscription’ lol
I dont subscribe, mainly because of that issue, if you are allowed to keep the instant game collection after your sub expires then Sony certainly havent made that clear.
tactical20
I also see PS+ as a rather limited rental service, with a few minor add-ons. But at least at the moment it’s totally optional. Lets hope it doesn’t become like xbox live and end up virtually essential.
Radboud
Most of the games of the instant game collection are limited to the ps+ subscription. But there are games you get for free that dont have the expiration date (of the end of your subscription) so are not tied to your ps+ subscription.
But the DRM is only on digital content (which I think is rather understandable). Disc games are not restricted by DRM (as long as you dont have a copied disc) as is the whole discussion on the DRM restrictions of X1.
bunimomike
@Deadwelsh
I have absolutely no problem with the PS+ model having the games available as a subscription process, as such. It makes perfect sense and is reasonably priced when you think what we get to play. Sure, if you want to hang onto your games or play them multiple times without the hassle of a PS+ then the service might not be for you. However, you are in such a fraction of a minority with this as most people think PS+ has been a roaring success.
It’s when Sony, Microsoft (or whoever) take the piss to unacceptable levels that people will really start to kick up a fuss. We’re seeing it this year with the new consoles and it’s a great article pointing out that the industry is ready for an upheaval. I’m not sure consumers will put up with certain practices but time will tell.
Broonba
Which of the instant game collection games don’t have a time limit (tied to your subscription) as I thought every one of them were only playable as long as you have a current subscription. ??
deadwelsh
totally aware that it is good value, but what happens in the future? Can you still access all those games on the ps4/ps5 – if Sony say PS+ will be £100 a year from launch of PS4 would you still subscribe? That could be ~£400 for the machine and then another £~400 / £800 for the sub depending on what Sony say…
I think it is a great deal for people who want it, particularly if you are just buying a ps3 and want a load of games without spending £40 per title, I just dont like the model and have decided against supporting it. People who are moaning about next gen DRM whilst subscribing to a service like PS+ is just hypocritical.
Are MS taking the piss now, Xbox Live, rumoured PS+ like service, Sky subscriptions? Would Sony really see how much money could be made and pass up the opportunity given their recent history?
Radboud
I still dont understand what you mean by the DRM issue in connection to PS+.
Even if it is a rental service, than is is a renta service, but has nothing to do with DRM of games you buy. The issue here is that MS implements a DRM method that keeps you from buying secondhand games and lending friends/family a game once in a while.
That is a totally different issue than a subscription to a service in which the games you get to play is just one of the feautures.
I really dont see a connection to the DRM issue and PS+, but I guess that is just me….
And if they announce a price increase, I’ll just subscribe now. My subscription expires somewhere in december 2014 ;-). I kinda bought a code for PS+ instead of the intended €50,- for the wallet in PS Store….
I can by the way “lend” my games from PS+ to my brother or someone else. I can creeate an account on his PS3, download the games and than he can play them on his own account, as long as my account is active on his system. But it doesn’t need to check every hour, day, week or month. It just works until expiry date and then it needs to check it again.
Radboud
I dont really know if they are part of the Instant Games Collection, but at least the following games I have are through PS+ and free of an expiration date:
– The Cave
– Joe Danger 2
– Retro/Grade
There are more, but these are the ones I have on my PS3 now…
Broonba
Cheers man. I’ll need to have a check on my PS3 as I have the first 2 you mentioned and more. ;)
Broonba
Here’s a wee update to my earlier post……
The following games have no time limit and are theoretically still available to play after your Plus sub runs out……….
– The Cave
– Joe Danger 2
– Quantum Conundrum
– Guardians of Middle Earth
– Limbo
– Double Dragon Neon
And to get back on topic….I’ve enjoyed being a gamer for the last 31 years (Aye, I know) and after hearing what Microsoft have in store for purchasers of their “nextbox” it has staggered me by how arrogant, stupid, short-sighted etc….etc….they have been. I’ve been a proud owner of all 3 Playstations over the years, and as a result I’m a bit sceptical (just a bit mind) as to whether Sony would follow suit. If (god forbid) Sony go down the Microsoft route (I personally think that they won’t) then I’ll be seriouslly re-considering abandoning my gaming hobby on consoles & only playing the odd release on PC……….but only time will tell.