Andre Yoskowitz
21 May 2013 23:21
Today during a special event, Microsoft unveiled their hotly anticipated Xbox One console, set for release by the end of the year.
Rather than rehash what they unveiled, please read our earlier article here: Microsoft unveils Xbox One.
What Microsoft did not reveal, was how unfriendly the console will be to the average consumer.
So far, this is what we have learned about the Xbox One from multiple sources:
-The console is not backwards compatible, even for downloaded Xbox 360 games. This was not unexpected, but it still sucks for gamers who paid good money to build collections over the last 7 years.
-Installing games will be mandatory, but at least Microsoft says you can play while it installs. Once you place the disc in and install, you will never have to use the disc again.
-Used games, rented games and borrowed games from friends will not be playable unless you pay a fee to install from that disc. This will effectively kill the second-hand market unless you are willing to pay said "fee."
-The rumored always-on DRM was not as bad as expected, but developers can build games that require an always-on Internet connection at their own discretion, meaning the console will slowly but surely move to always-on.
-The Xbox One does not work without the Kinect 2 sensor. Period.
-The console's 500GB hard drive is non-replaceable.
This is what I was able to compile after today, which is an extreme amount of anti-consumer practices. We can only imagine there will be more to come.