Thursday, June 13, 2013

Mouthyneux Piece

I'm shocked to find that Peter Molyneux actually speaks for me. In the wake of Microsoft's clarifications about the new Xbox One's always online requirements Molyneux spoke up about his opinion on the always online policy.

Something I've been saying on forums and Twitter is that Microsoft haven't told me one thing that makes always online a benefit to me... not a single thing. I haven't a clue what their justification for it is.


"As a consumer, just show me why I should be always online and I'll be happy with it. At the moment, it just means game sale authentication. I don't want that. But if there's some way you can give a huge benefit for the consumer, and make the message super clear, [it would be accepted]."

I like the internet. I like things with inter-connectivity. But I feel it should always be optional or HEAVILY justified. 

I was galled to find out that apparently my smart phone uses data in the background and that's why I NEED to have a data plan for my smart phone. The phone works when data isn't available for whatever reason so I accepted it. I'd rather not be paying for it at all but apparently its a function of the device and not AT&T so i cant blame them (unless they were lying, which they probably were because I am unaware of any such requirement in Europe). 

But anyways, that data plan that I don't really want, but they insist I have, does actually have a tangible benefit for me. I use the GPS on my phone quite a bit.

Typically I'll just use it as a guide to get my journey started because I have lived here all of 3 weeks but being able to check it mid journey is rather beneficial to me. In fact, there are many times when I just like having internet wherever I go. So yeah, the data plan has a tonne of value for me even though I still resent being forced into this position.


I've asked several places, I've asked fanboys, critics and everyone in between. I've googled it and NO ONE has been able to tell me how the online requirement benefits me as a user AT ALL. The only thing I can come up with is the possibility that the reduction in piracy (which isn't really a big problem for consoles because of the barrier to chipping) could result in better quality games etc. But that's some trickle down economics bullshit right there.


*doesn't know if he should get his hopes up for godus or maintain low expectations cos... ya know... molyneux*

Source: Escapist Magazine