You know what’s pretty ironic? We’re all freaking out about something that hasn’t even been confirmed yet. Nevertheless, when we’ve heard reports that the next Xbox will require an always-on Internet connection and the backlash has been furious. But it appears that the complaints haven’t fallen on deaf ears, because a new report is suggesting that Microsoft is stepping away from their always-on plan.
Gamesthirst.com has the details:
“Microsoft’s original intent was to be the Apple of the games industry by forcing the digital revolution upon it, just like Apple did with the music industry, when it started selling single songs for $.99. Durango would still use a 50GB capacity Blu-ray disc, however blocking the sale of used games and requiring an internet connection to play games were part of the bigger revolutionary picture.
Top executives saw the backlash and the bad press Durango was receiving, and held meetings to change that. These new rumors are not happenstance.”
The mere fact that Adam “Deal With It” Orth has been fired is enough to suggest that Microsoft isn’t happy with how their new console was being viewed. Plus, the fact that the console won’t be unveiled (supposedly) until next month lends credence to the reports. However, Microsoft enjoys selling their content digitally, so adding an always-on connection to play digital games wouldn’t be terribly different from the way Apple does their music through iTunes.
It’s nice hear that Microsoft might be rethinking their strategy. The Internet’s hivemind wasn’t happy with the rumors last week, but everyone seems happier now. Whether or not there’s any legitimacy to these reports still remains to be seen.