Why the XBone is a good console

[rasputin0009]

I'm not going to buy the Xbox One anytime soon, but I'll probably buy the PS4 on day one. I dislike a lot of the major things about the Xbox One (mandatory internet connection, mandatory Kinect, stream-lining DRM for publishers), but I like a lot of what it's bringing to the table, too. Like the television stuff. From what they've advertised so far, the user interface to switch and combine applications looks pretty damn nifty. Mind you, I'm going to assume Kinect isn't going to work as well as they advertise (Voice recognition still sucks across the board, no company is doing it well because of how complicated human language is). And the Xbox One still has games coming. Look at Sunset Overdrive. That's fucking Insomniac Games. You can never go wrong with the creators of Ratchet and Clank.

Even though I really, really dislike the Xbox One, I think Microsoft hit the nail on the head. I believe it's going to outsell the PS4. It's going to grab the mass market like the Wii did. Cable and internet companies are going to give away Xbox Ones as incentives for subscribing. It will become the new CoD box. Everybody will buy it. Even the hardcore gamer will buy it. Maybe not within the first year, but definitely within the second when Halo 5 comes out. And I'm going to buy one. And I'm still going to hate it.

 

[Gatx]

I wasn't planning on buying an Xbone anyway, but this was one question I had in regards to the sharing. I knew there was no way in hell 10 people could all play a game at the same time from only one purchase, and I doubted that more than one person could play the game at a time. Can you post a source for this information? If only one person could play at a time, how is the license handled? I'm assuming the owner could kick off someone else at any time to play the game they purchased, but then, what if they couldn't?? Or if the two person limit described above is true, if one friend is constantly playing a game and never disconnects, is it possible to kick them out remotely to give someone else a shot at the game? Can different friends all play different games from the shared library at the same time, or can only one game be accessed at a time? I'm hoping the source you are referring to answers some of these, because I am curious.

Here's the source:
http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/xbox-one-allows-you-to-share-games-with-ten-family-members-but-some-details

And no it's still kind of vague, but at least it clears up what they mean by "family."

 

[BlackJimmy]

4. Evil spying Kinect:
This wrong, just wrong. It has been confirmed that the Kinect can be turned off completely long ago, and you won't be spied. The Kinect itself is also a fairly useful tool, I own a Kinect 1 and there are some fun games for it out there, and it adds functionality by voice commands etc. I know people don't like being forced to get a product, but it's entirely possible that there will be an "Arcade" edition like with the 360, which is cheaper and delivered without Kinect. "Why did Microsoft do this in the first place?" you could ask now. To prevent segmentation. This way everyone has the same setup and games can be designed in that way. Apart from that I believe that if people don't try something new over time, things can't evolve.

5. Hardware:
The hardware isn't too different, really. You have about the same specs in both consoles, if I trust some of the other posts I read the XBone is slightly worse, but that's nothing you could notice. Apart from that, Microsoft has the whole cloud computing thing going, and while you might start laughing at me now, this is the future and even Sony knows it.

Unless they've backtracked on what they said, then you can't turn it off just set it to sleep mode. All it takes it a specific voice command to get it working. So, it's still on. Still listening.

What is this "Cloud Computing"? Would you mind explaining it to me? And does the PS4 definitely not have it or have they just not mentioned it.
Beside's from what I gather it doesn't make the console run better or increase what it's games will do, merely store information. Am I wrong?

 

[CinosNroca]

4) The Evil Spying Kinect:
Now this is the topic that REALLY burns me. First of all, since when did Microsoft, the Government, or ANY company for that matter take an intrest in what some random Joe Schmoe does with his free time? These companies couldn't give one flying flip about you, or me, or whoever decides to purchase this console. (Besides, if they really wanted to watch you they are probably doing it right now and you have done something to get yourself noticed. Like murder or money laundering.) And yes, I am well aware of the recent Verizon scandal. I myself am a Verizon customer and I just don't care. Because I have nothing, as with most people, that the government wants to know about. Yes it is a shame, but the world keeps spinning and I'm still here so life goes on. *deep breath* But I digress.
Second, if one really has an issue with the Kinect, it has been confirmed that one could just turn it off. Problem solved. And just in case one is really paranoid, then just turn the sensor so it faces a wall. Then it won't be able to "watch" one sit on the couch, take naps, or whatever interesting thing one does in front of their gaming console.

Actually, a lot. I don't know about the government, but big companies would kill for that kind of information. Why do you think focus groups are a thing? If they actually were able to know exactly what your daily habits were - what kind you TV shows you watch, where you shop, buy food, etc. they'd have way more accurate data to go by than focus groups.

Obviously the extent to which your Kinect can spy on you is heavily dependent on what room you have your Xbone in, and Microsoft probably isn't spying on you anyway, but it's the possibility that scares people. If there's a suspicious hole in your bathroom wall it doesn't matter if you're pretty sure there's no one there, but you're gonna worry that there is.

Well when you put it that way, sure it makes sense. Not arguing that spying is good here, but if companies had better data to base their products off of, wouldn't we all benefit from that? Maybe Microsoft should spy on people, then at least they would figure out how to make the perfect console! (lol)

 

[Lovely Mixture]

What is this "Cloud Computing"? Would you mind explaining it to me? And does the PS4 definitely not have it or have they just not mentioned it.
Beside's from what I gather it doesn't make the console run better or increase what it's games will do, merely store information. Am I wrong?

Cloud Computing has a variety of meanings. Microsoft is using it as a gimmick and claiming that the Xbone's power will be quadrupled. Their exact words are:

"We're provisioning for developers for every physical Xbox One we build, we're provisioning the CPU and storage equivalent of three Xbox Ones on the cloud," he said. "We're doing that flat out so that any game developer can assume that there's roughly three times the resources immediately available to their game, so they can build bigger, persistent levels that are more inclusive for players. They can do that out of the gate."
--
Jeff Henshaw

But....It doesn't work that way exactly. I'd hesitate to say if he's LYING, but I'm almost positive that he's misrepresenting the concept. You can't just transfer HUGE tons of data without loading times, you can't do that while you process the game in real-time. At least for now.

What they are trying to make people believe -> "The Xbox One is actually four Xbox Ones, it will have the real-time processing power of four. This means it will be four times the power!"

What is actually happening -> "The Xbox One will do minor server side work that might improve its performance a bit....Provided your internet is stable enough."

For a much more detailed look, go here:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-in-theory-can-xbox-one-cloud-transform-gaming

If am correct, for ACTUAL cloud computing to work you'd need

1. All the consoles running toward the same task.
2. Really good internet, with no latency
3. A game with requirements that do not push the console to the limit.

 

[zalithar]

!. You have no idea what your talking about. The DRM is mandatory publishers can decide if your allowed to sell the game at all.

2. Pathetic justification for shit DRM

3. This is one way they ensure that they're used game block is working. They could get rid of it, but it is highly unlikely

4. After what the NSA is doing it will only take one court order and the Xbone is always watching, and you might not even know it.

5. GDDR5 is far more powerful than DDR3 (or GDDR3? not sure if they used the G or not. Either way PS4 crushes it in RAM), and don't forget about the shit OS that takes up 3GB of RAM from system's total 8GB.

6. PC does it all better, and factoring in the XBLG (bringing the cost of running it throughout it's total life span to $1100, excluding price hikes) can do it faster and cheaper.

7. Personal preference. Both controlers are undergoing a redesign so 360 ones being better does not have bearing. I will say that the home button looks like it is in a terrible spot but that's all I could say.

8. It's a brick, at least Sony put some angles on it. More edgy if you'll excuse the terrible pun.

9. Not true. Unless you count truly exclusives, but the point is valid. Down to personal preference.

10. No. Playstation Plus is still not required for anything outside of multiplayer, and gives you free games that are good fairly recent and not ones most people bought already, as well as discounts on a large portion of the store. PS4 comes with some type of motion control. Not sure how to break it to you but...the kinect is not a plus. Xbone is $100 more expensive for features no one asked for.

No, No, No, will get to, No.

The Xbone is targeted at America exclusively. Most of it's 'features' won't work outside of America at launch, or are simply meaning less to people outside of America.

YOUR USING SIMCITY AS A DEFENSE? No that is horse shit. Simcity died shortly after release, no one plays it anymore. That is not a good sign for a console M$ wants to last ten years.

Microsoft is still trying to 'Xbone' people harder. It does not deserve to succeed.

 

[zalithar]

snip

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?

Or are you a Microsoft account?

None of this is true (okay maybe small details are but the ideas are just bullshit)

(sorry about double post. I just started reading some of his secondary arguments, and they read like Fox news.)

 

[Vegosiux]

Well when you put it that way, sure it makes sense. Not arguing that spying is good here, but if companies had better data to base their products off of, wouldn't we all benefit from that?

No, we wouldn't. We'd just get spammed by ads.

"We have noticed you seem to eat takeout very often! Need to lose weight? Call now!"

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

Fanboyism! As far as the eye can see!

OT: Their is nothing that Microsoft or Sony can do that will convince me to buy a console. I'm just fine with my PC, Steam, GOG and indies.

 

[jnixon]

Can't believe people actually try and say the xbone is a good console let alone better than the ps4, the stupidity astounds me. The xbone is so bad that opinions don't come into it it is an objectively worse console: more restrictions, more money (especially if you add up 40 pound for any game you ever even want to TRY) and it has worse hardware, where is the benefit? It cant boast anything the ps4 cant and the company has put so many fingers up to consumers that master hand off smash bros is taking lessons

 

[jnixon]

I'd also like to say to anyone that is saying a positive side of the xbone is you can share games with your friends, you are beyond ridiculous they are putting RESTRICTIONS ON THAT not adding it as a feature, that is a feature of life that they are restricting it's not a BONUS, the ps4 places no restrictions but that doesn't mean it lets you share games everything in the fucking universe is sharable its not something for companies to allow

 

[Zenn3k]

Its a fine console.

However, just being a fine console isn't enough. Its direct and most important competition on the market (PS4) is doing EVERYTHING better.

So being FINE isn't enough, has to be better at SOMETHING and currently, its better at NOTHING.

 

[Matthew Filer]

This is the best astroturf I have ever seen. Microsoft really shelled out for the good stuff here. I mean if you really sit back and take the whole post in, you almost feel like he is sincere. How much does MS pay you for turfing/damage control? I know deep down inside you're slightly disgusted with yourself over this post. It's ok man, so long as the pay is good, right?

 

[Asuka Soryu]

The XBox One is a bad system, whether you like it or not, a lot of its defenders are people who only think of themselves. Because they won't be negatively effected by its massive restrictions that they don't care to think about ANYONE this screws over. Whenever I see an argument for the XBox One it's always that you're getting a lot of things, you're getting a Kinect! And they always, always mention how they have constant internet and don't care that they are RENTING games, not buying them. You're so damn self centered if you think restrictions on how we game shouldn't matter, as long as you get to dodge the bullet. You're all happy to step to the side as Microsoft fires their gun and let the person behind you get shot, but you don't mind that Microsoft was the ones to pull the trigger, cause it didn't hurt you.

They believe Microsoft's words, as though the Cloud does what they think it does. Microsoft remains vague, Microsoft uses tricks, Microsoft passes the blame of not being able to use used games onto the developers.

Microsoft tries to devalue our arguments by saying it's a necessary change, that it's the future of gaming and we should welcome it.

The XBox One is one of the worst systems for gaming and by supporting it, you support a company whose belief is YOU the consumer live to SERVE them, not they, the company live to serve yours needs.

You should bow down and thank them that they graved you with the honour of the future, destined by the Gods of Microsoft.

Look at this! Look at this!

Sony is being praised, commended, for doing NOTHING! The fact that they're just doing nothing is proof that something horrible is going on!

But no, you sit their quick to defend this disgusting future, this sickness in the gaming world, because you aren't effected and you are LOYAL to a company who values you like a farmer values a cow.

All your good for is your "milk"(money) to them.

You want to know why Microsoft gets so much hate? You want to know why XBox owners are abandoning ship? You wanna know why the majority are against XBox One?

BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DAMAGING FOR THE GAMING COMMUNITY!

This isn't some damned bias Sony fans pouring their hate and spamming the internet, this is the end result of people seeing a system made to impose their rights as a consumer and taking a negative response.

But no, you with your damn XBox love and need of a multi-media system, your constant internet don't need to ever considered the people who are constantly moving, the people who have poor internet, or no internet at all.

Nah, fuck the soldiers who want to game on their console while they're trying to relax from taking a break from defending your country.


Fuck the poor, you have disposable income and good internet.


You know, the PS3 had a rocky start because it was a 600$ Blu-Ray player selling to Gamers.

Your XBox One is a PS3! It's another over priced, multi-media device in the gaming market, run by arrogant ass hats who think that if you don't have internet, or don't like having your rights taken away, then you can go fuck yourself.


But I'm glad you people will come in to defend this god damn sickening device. Who needs to have consumer rights when I can wave my arms like a jack ass in front of a camera acting as life support for my CABLE BOX!

People have the right to chose what they buy, but don't you fucking dare tell others they're wrong to be disgusted by this horrible piece of trash.


I remember when a game console meant you buy a game, you OWN it, you can do anything you want with it.

You put it in your system, and it ran immediately.

Now I need my damn console to constantly update, be constantly tied to the internet and I can only RENT games.

All in the name of 'change'.


I've got news for you. Change isn't inherently good!

You know, consoles used to be something almost anyone could get. You saved up, or you traded in games.

You had a console and if you took care of it, it wouldn't break down unless the designers themselves fucked it up.

Now days it means a device that only a select few can get, only a select few can use and when the company abandons its servers, no matter what you did, no matter how well you took care of it, it's a dead lump of plastic and all your 'rented' games will vanish with it.



But hey, thank God we can now share a game with up to 10 people. Holy shit, that makes all the things we lose worth it, right?


It's like every day, gaming tries to make itself worse. I'm staring to welcome the idea of another game crash, killing off game consoles.


If I wanted a gaming PC I'd get a PC, Microsoft. Atleast then I wouldn't need a stupid camera hooked to my gaming device and I'd get discounts on my games...

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

I will quit gaming forever before I buy an Xbone. I don't think their are any games that could be made on the Xbone that would make me buy one.

 

[Elijin]

The pricing thing is odd.

Especially in Australia...

At this point in time, the Xbox One is getting a $100 dollar bump up to hit Aussie shelves, while the PS4 gets a $150 bump up. So, in my region at least, its a $50 dollar price difference, and me left scratching my head as to why Sony bumped the price up more than MS.

 

[Rad Party God]

Trying to be objectively reasonable and definitely trying not to lose my shit, If you think it's a "good console" and it entices you to buy one and even if you happen to enjoy one when you buy it, then great!, good for you!.

In my experience, I was a full on PC gamer at the time when a buddy of mine sold me his Xbox 360 for $150, I was pretty excited, because I always wanted an original Xbox (you know, the big, black box), but I never could get ahold of one and eventually I played everything I wanted to play from it on my own PC (Halo 1/2, Stranger's Wrath, Munch's Oddysee, Morrowind...).

So, after buying 7 retail games (a couple of them used), 6 XBLA games, buying a year Live Gold memership, buying an overpriced WiFi adapter, almost exactly 1 year after I got the console, I simply decided it just wasn't worth it and I sold it in a flea market. I swear, the most fun I had with the console was Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, a compilation of 40 Genesis games, all of wich I could already have access via emulation, I dunno, maybe it was the fact that I never had a Genesis back in the day and it made me feel like I finally had one. I kid you not, I literally went through a raging storm and a flood to get this freaking game.

The point is, the console itself didn't offer anything new or better that I already had on my PC, I already had better graphics on my PC, better internet browsing, better chatting apps (try to chat using the controller... hint: it sucks), I could switch programs at will, it was already quieter than the console itself, I already had a working wifi connection, I didn't need to pay for a stupid subscription to play online and so on and so forth.

The PS4 looks like a worthy console and I'm definitely salivating for the WiiU, but if the Xbone doesn't offer anything new from the 360 aside of just "better graphics" and even going so far as being backwards with the always online DRM shenanigans, then I just simply wouldn't even consider recommending it to anyone but my worst enemies (wich I don't have).

 

[Kipiru]

So far all I've read are excuses for Microsoft's choices, but the fact that every one of these choices needs deffending is a great bright red light, that there is something really wrong here. And nothing said has yet rectified the restriction of the XBox to 21 countries at launch- that was the dealbraker for me! Microsoft openly said, I'm not good enough to be their customer- excuse that!

 

[Whoracle]

[...]Major snippage[...]
4. Evil spying Kinect:
This wrong, just wrong. It has been confirmed that the Kinect can be turned off completely long ago, and you won't be spied.[...]

Nothing to say one way or the other here, but I'm picking this point because, hey, pet peeve.

This. Is. Not. True.

I may be overly paranoid, but in light of recent events *cough*prism*cough*, I feel I'm on the right path to that. They SAY it can be turned off. You don't know. Period.You don't have access to the internals of your Console, you simply can't say if they're bullshitting you. Same goes for every device with a camera that you can't physically detach. You simply don't know if it's really "off".
Even on a linux OS, which arguably gives you the most control over your system you can't say for sure that a device isn't in use. You could in theory check the source code for that, but in practicality you can't. Only devices that can be totally disconnected can be trusted to be off. Period.

Same goes for webcams et al.
And I'm not even that alarmed by the spy_cam_, really, since video data is a) traffic intensive, and b) you could always just turn the thing to a wall or tape it blind or somesuch. It's the highly sensitive microphone that's the problem. Soundproofing that is way more of a hassle, and audio streaming isn't as traffic intensive.

tl;dr: No device that can't be physically unplugged can be safely considered "off", ever.

 

[Foolery]

snip

You quoted from the wrong guy, man. I only posted once before on this topic. Right at the beginning. Never mentioned anything about the evil kinect.

Ok. Well, I'm just going to repost a bit from one of my earlier posts today. The platform is just a vessel to me. A gateway to games. It's all subjective and all preferential. I like personally like to choose platforms that are the most beneficial to me. For consoles, that's DRM free, used games friendly, no online fee, no online pass, full functionality offline, etc. There is zero benefit to me in buying an Xbox One. No interest in owning what I consider a crippled machine that's at the mercy of Microsoft. I'm out. No hate. I have other gaming options to choose from. PC, Wii U, 3DS, retro, and possibly PS4.

See?

captcha: I know nothing!

Damn it captcha, that's supposed to be a secret!