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You've heard the news, seen the screenshots, and hopefully listened to our spectacular live commentary.The Xbox One has revealed itself, and the next generation is on. The question now, two days down the line, is what does everybody think of it and what has Microsoft said since?
In both cases, the answer is "it's complicated."
It is very clear that the gaming community has not taken well to the Xbox One. Gamespot's "twitter battle" to determine the public's console preference is hilariously one-sided, with the Playstation 4 winning at 89% approval as of this writing, and it's not looking too much better elsewhere: 45% of Business Insider's polled readers declared their support of the PS4 versus only 25% support for the Xbox One, and an average of 75% of IGN's polled readers declared the presentation was either "disappointing" or "a disaster." For further evidence of the dissatisfaction, one only need look to comment sections of virtually every gaming site covering the console, including the comments on 4Player Network, the undisputed king of video game broadcasting and coverage.
The response from Microsoft has alleviated absolutely nothing, with responses ranging from dismissive to offensive to confusing. The always-on issue was seemingly answered by Phil Harrison, the corporate vice president of Microsoft, who said in this Kotaku interview that while the Xbox One does not require a constant internet connection, it does have to connect once every 24 hours in order to even play single-player games. This was made confusing when Microsoft PR hurriedly declared that Harrison was only describing a "potential scenario," making this possibly the first time in recorded history that the corporate vice president of a company was shot down by his own PR team.
The used games issue? Just as embattled. First it was said that purchasing a used game was possible, but you would need to pay a fee to activate it. Then Microsoft said that you don't need to pay a fee to activate it.
Do you need to have the Kinect on at all times in order to use the Xbox One? No idea. First it was said that the Xbox One will not function without the Kinect attached. Then Microsoft said that "you definitely will have the software capability to turn off all the capabilities of Kinect."
There is a much, much larger issue here than whether or not the debut conference was impressive. Right now Microsoft needs to agree on exactly how their console works. Until that happens, the bad rumors and negative opinions will only get worse and worse, though at this point it's hard to work out exactly how much worse they can get.
Now more than ever, Microsoft's E3 conference will be incredibly important. That press conference has become less a triumphant continuation of a brilliant debut and more a second chance to right what many are, only two days after the console's debut, convinced is a sinking ship.
But they can do it, right? Microsoft's E3 showings are always cutting-edge and focused on the core gaming experience, right?
Right?
Comments
10 years, 11 months ago
kinect needs to always be on,no thank you. a cable box that needs me to already have a cable box,no thank you. a media device that has video games as an afterthought,no thank you. microsoft giving me "permission" to play games,no thank you. all and all,i see no need for xboxone.
10 years, 11 months ago
It's just been a PR nightmare as far as letting information out. These conflicting reports are boggling my mind, especially when the vice president is telling a different story. They really need to have a fantastic E3 conference, which doesn't correlate well with their track record.
What makes it even more interesting is that we arguably know even less about the PS4. They haven't really delved into used games, although it doesn't need to be always online. But one thing's for sure: they placed a lot of importance on games in their first conference. To me, that's why they're "winning."
10 years, 11 months ago
"The used games issue? Just as embattled. First it was said that purchasing a used game was possible, but you would need to pay a fee to activate it. Then Microsoft said that you don't need to pay a fee to activate it."
Their big mistake was to get into details, or at least try to. They should have followed Sony's example since the PS4 stance on used games is actually no different to the Xbox One.
Sony merely said they would enable used and rental games to be played, they pointedly did not say how and whether they would be using an activation fee to do so. Something an amusing number of people and gamers still don't seem to realise.
If neither Sony or Microsoft clarify the issue at E3 then it's going to look ever more likely that both are going to do it.
10 years, 11 months ago
Not surprised the gaming community is up in arms about the x1 reveal.
Looking back, could this get any worst than Nintendo's? I fear that they could.
10 years, 11 months ago
'Always' on was certainly another lesson in how not to do it. I can't believe there wouldn't be some kind of workaround option built in for anyone who does not have an internet connection. That might be an ever decreasing number of people but it is folly to simply write off sales to those who might want a console to play but for whatever reason do not possess a connection for geographical or other reasons. It's not merely Microsoft that have to wrestle with that though, since so many retail games are now patched afterwards and want to sell DLC they are hardly very friendly to those who may not have a connection.
Kinect is Kinect and it's the fact that it's there as a necessity for the console rather than an add on which is more likely to annoy core gamers rather than the intricacies of switching the thing off.
Overall they did have a far worse reception than Sony did so they'll have it all to do at E3. The irony is they were making PR blunders on most of the same subjects before the announce so why they keep doing it is anyone's guess.
I'd still caution anyone who thinks having all those big game selling franchises with some exclusivity isn't going to be a very effective console seller at the end of the day. The more casual gamers will still want to play them first on xbox one.
Hopefully E3 can nail down some of the details on both sides but after both initial announces I'm leaning towards Sony. Let's hope Sony and Microsoft at least don't make a mess of their pricing announces.
10 years, 11 months ago
All the conference did is tell me that I would be playing my 360 for quite sometime. I would like to play Forza 5 but the console is rather unappealing.
10 years, 11 months ago
I'll say it looks like a good entertainment system.
10 years, 11 months ago
Yeah no thanks I will stick with PS4 and PC
10 years, 11 months ago
So yeah, I'm going to go play my $50 kick-ass PC games on my computer that has better specs than both of these consoles combined. Exclusives don't make me want to buy a console, they make me want to punch whoever thought exclusives were a good idea.