[OPINION] – Microsoft and Xbox One – How to piss off your consumers

((UPDATE: Some time after posting this, Microsoft revealed that they would actually be removing their horrid DRM; the ramblings in this post are no longer valid.))

Well, it’s finally here. It had to happen. You all know it. I knew it. I’ve known it for a long time, and this has indeed been a long time coming.

I mean, you didn’t think I’d go without bitching about Microsoft and the Xbone, did you?

Don’t even try it, you damned snake oil merchant.

But, oh gee, where to start? Where, amongst the big massive pile of Microsoft’s consumer hate, do I start? There’s so much to cover. So much nonsense, so much crap to wade through. I’d best get my galoshes on, ’cause it’s time to squirm through the nasty sewer slime that is “Digital Rights Management”.

When the Xbone, as it’s so lovingly referred to, was revealed, there was already a hefty load of rumours circulating about the console. It couldn’t be played without Kinect being on, there are fees for playing used games, la dee da dee da. Of course, some of those rumours had truth behind them. And then there’s the more obvious stuff like region locking, which is complete and utter stupidity. But I digress.

Used game fees? Really, Microsoft? As if you didn’t have enough money, already? With their new console, Xbox plans to instill used game fees on any Xbox One games bought secondhand. The idea is that whenever you buy an Xbox One game, and put it into your console, the console automatically installs it to your Xbox, and yours alone, and then you no longer need the disk. Alright, that’s fine and dandy. But wait, there’s more! You couldn’t simply play your games without strings attached!

Because games are installed immediately, and of course, can only be installed once per disk, games can’t be installed or played on a separate console with the same disk. Hence, in order to do so, Microsoft wants people to pay an extra fee in order to play the game they’ve bought secondhand. Upon paying this fee, TO MICROSOFT, your game will be unlocked, and it can be installed on your Xbox.

Now, I’m sure this kind of monopolization on used video games is probably illegal in most normal countries of the world, which is bad enough already, but the fact that Microsoft feels the need to screw consumers over in this manner is appalling. I remember a time when I could go to a store, buy a cheaper, used copy of a game, and simply play it, no strings attached. I didn’t have to jump through any hoops. Hell, I remember a time when I could buy a gaming console, play games, and games alone, and be happy with that. In fact, I’d still be content with that today; I don’t need companies selling me oversized smartphones that look like a 90s VCR.

Honestly, Microsoft, if you think I need to pay to play a game on my machine, that I paid with my hard-earned cash for, then you’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t know why Microsoft thought it would be a good idea, at all, to block used games on their machine. Maybe monetary gains? Money is always the drive for many things. All I know is it’s a horrible idea.

You know what else is a horrible idea? Someone at Microsoft – I don’t know who, and I’m not pointing any fingers – but someone thought it would be a TERRIFIC idea to require a constant internet connection to play games on the Xbox One. That’s right; your console will attempt to dial home every 24 hours, to make sure it’s still connected to the internet. So long as it’s connected, you can play all of your games. But if it isn’t, you only get access to Blu-ray, and other stuff that no one should even care about for a device that’s always been predominately for GAMING.

Now, personally, the whole “constant internet connection” thing doesn’t bother me that much, although it’s been used with PC DRM software a lot, and it’s a complete bitch to have to deal with it when my internet goes down, but for the most part, I maintain a pretty good internet connection. There is the rare occasion where something happens, and my internet goes down the shitter for awhile, but I could probably dial home enough to still play my games on the Xbox One, unless something terrible and cataclysmic were to happen (NO INTERNET? NUUUUUUU).

But I know there are people out there, in the world, who live without a constant internet connection, and there are many reasons why people WOULDN’T have a constant internet connection, even in our normal lives today. Maybe your router dies, and you can’t run the internet, period? Maybe you can’t afford your internet bills, for whatever reason. Maybe your ISP is having some major issues, and your internet goes down. There are various reasons as to why the internet could crap out, or fail. In fact, maybe your internet wouldn’t crap out or fail. Hell, maybe you’ve just got terrible bandwidth, because you have to share it with a dozen other people in your house, and that’s simply not good enough for Microsoft, and their shiny new VCR.

I just have to ask: WHY? Microsoft, you’re shoving this DRM down consumer’s throats, and there seems to be no logical explanation. It’s a stupid idea. It causes only irritation more than anything, and it essentially eliminates a massive part of your consumer base; I.E. the people who play their Xboxes without an Xbox Live account or internet connection, as I used to do for a LONG, long time.
I guess the whole idea is that Microsoft wants to appeal to publishers: “They always have to verify crap online. That means no more pirated games. Woohoo.” Splendid. Another hoop we have to jump through for the men in fancy suits, who don’t give two craps about consumers. The same men in suits who will have a laugh, and release unoriginal exclusives for the Xbone, with the idea that people will buy into it, despite the DRM, and will care enough to buy a shiny new VCR.

What I’m seeing from Microsoft is that they’ve stopped caring about the consumer, period. Their PR department is doing wonders digging them into a massive hole, while they’re left flailing down in the deep, wailing and wondering “WHY, WHY ALL THIS INTERNET HATE, WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS? ALL WE WANTED WAS MORE MONEY.”

Thing is, you aren’t going to get more money if you PISS OFF YOUR CONSUMERS. You aren’t going to get the cash if you look at your consumer like he’s a PIRATE, CRIMINAL, AND SCUMBAG. That’s essentially the message I’m getting from Microsoft with their DRM policies. “Screw you all, we want money, and you’re all pirating scum.”

But of course, they don’t care about you, anymore. They care about themselves as a company. There was a time when companies sold the features that would benefit consumers, not predominately the company itself. The company is there to sell a product that appeals to the consumer, who in turn loves them and showers them with money for all of the nice features they offer, and the games you get to play. Of course, Microsoft is essentially limiting the capabilities you have to play, what you can do with your games, and their fanbase, period. Their console is no longer accessible to a wide range of people, and they’ve essentially taken complete control over what you’re free to to, PERIOD.

Grr. I’m going on a tangent. Bloody hell, this infuriates the crap out of me.

Bottom line, the Xbone requires a constant internet connection. It’s bad. It’s a horrible idea. It’s stupid. Microsoft, you’re dumb. At this point, I might as well just buy a new, better PC. At least with my PC, I’m free to do what I wish, instead of being crapped on by DRM on a mass scale.

So let’s see: used game fees, constant internet connection requirements… what the hell else could Microsoft possibly do to piss people off?

Well, the Xbox One requires a constant internet connection, so… obviously, people have risen up against this. What’s Microsoft’s solution to the problem? Do they finally yield, and appeal to the customers? Here’s a little blurb from Microsoft’s very own Don Mattrick:

… What?

Don, maybe I didn’t hear you right. “You can’t play online? Right, you don’t get access to all these delicious Xbone exclusives. HERE, HAVE A 360. You know, that old crap. While we get the future, you can stick with the older trash.”

Microsoft, this completely baffles me. So not only do you instill crippling DRM on your system, but ontop of that DRM, you just go out and say “The 360 is for offline gamers”? Really?

You just dug yourself into a deeper hole, Microsoft.

For god’s sake, you shouldn’t be so surprised that there are people online complaining about the constant online play thing. You brought it on yourselves. And you only dug yourself towards the flaming hot core of the Earth by basically saying “Screw you, people with bad internet, have the old stuff, not the new hotness”. This only reinforces the idea that they’re pandering to themselves, not consumers.

If Microsoft even cared a lick about consumers, they would remove the DRM on their machine; if not completely, then at least the need for a constant internet connection. But essentially, what Microsoft is saying here, is that the Xbox One just isn’t good enough for people who can’t deal with the stresses of having a proper internet connection, or for people who simply don’t have one, because the fates have cursed them with dial-up, or whatever the hell.

It’s a PR nightmare, for Microsoft, and it’s only getting worse for them. In my opinion, Sony and Nintendo will see a rise in popularity, because of Microsoft’s cock-ups. It’s Microsoft taking their consumers for granted, being complete arrogant idiots, and just generally blind to the wishes of the “criminal consumer”.

If they think that the Xbox will win out over the Playstation, for instance, which is not only a next-gen device, but for the most part a DRM-FREE device, then they’re completely delusional. Do they honestly think that they can get away with saying “Buy our current gen device if you want offline play, not our competitor’s next-gen thing”? Clearly, they think they can.

Bleh. Whatever. It sickens me just to think about it any further. Microsoft, how thou hath fallen…

You think? You really think so, Don?

[TECHNOLOGY] – Oculus Rift – A New Step Forward in Augmented Reality? And for Horror games?

DELICIOUS IMMERSIVE HORROR GAMES, HO!

Sorry about that, I got a bit ahead of myself.

I’ve been following the “Oculus Rift” a lot recently. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a “virtual reality headset for 3D games”, under development by… Oculus! The headset promises to deliver an engaging, immersive experience to any games that support the “Rift”, by giving the sense that the player is actually within the game itself, instead of simply watching it on a screen.

According to an article by “The Verge”, who took a look at the VR headset, the “Rift” looks a lot like ski goggles, with two lenses within; one for each of the player’s eyes. Combined, the lenses form a 1280 x 800 display for the player. Each eye, alone, is able to see 640 x 800 pixels worth of resolution. The visuals offered are, supposedly, 3D.

Despite the rather low resolution on the “Rift”, the immersion factor is apparently what sells it. Much like “TrackIR“, another augmented reality input device, the “Rift” allows you to look around within the game by moving your head around; meaning, if you tilt your head up, your character does so in-game, and so on. There are some key differences between the “Rift”, and other VR devices, however; not only does the “Rift” allow you to turn 360 degrees, but it also blocks your peripheral vision. When you wear the “Rift”, your peripheral vision doesn’t include your room, the edges of your monitor, or anything of the sort. Rather, your peripheral vision includes the game itself, much like you’ve stepped into the world itself.

But what does this mean for games? There are games in development, and even games that are out already, that are implementing “Rift” support in their design. “Team Fortress 2”, for example, has included Oculus Rift support. Even “Half Life 2”.

Now, while I agree the boost of immersion is great for any game, but there’s one particular genre that I think it could work incredibly well for: horror games.

You’re probably already aware that I love horror way too much.

The thing with horror is that immersion is vital for a good experience. The player simply must be sucked in to the experience to be able to explore the spookiness and the scares with proper effect. And the Rift could offer that on a tremendous level.

The question now is if games should shift their focus onto “Rift” support, or continue without it. There are games that are embracing the “Rift” quite openly, already. One in particular that I’m very excited for is “The Forest“. The player is the lone survivor of a plane crash, and must survive on an island inhabited by cannibalistic mutants. With the “Rift”, it might make things even more tense. When it’s a dark night in the woods, the cannibals are out hunting you, and you feel as though you’re actually there, it’s only more terrifying. What’s even worse is when the cannibals find you, and start tearing into you, you almost feel like you, yourself, are the one dying. It makes the experience feel more personal.

But games have gone a long while without VR support, and have still managed success. Not to mention that the “Rift” will probably be fairly expensive; not something that everyone will be able to get their hands on. So the shift to focus on the “Rift” is somewhat worrisome; perhaps it’s just a fad? And what about those companies that would spend valuable time and money attempting to offer support for the “Rift” in their games?

I guess they’re not very big worries, as far as I’m concerned. If you ask me, the “Rift” could be exactly what horror games, and many other games, need. The massive step in immersion factor is brilliant, and people don’t have to worry about their immersion being broken anymore by disturbances outside of their game.

I just hope that people develop games that involve more atmosphere than… jump scares. Ugh, jump scares. I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit.