The XbOne Yard

Since 7512 Days

Posted by KORNdog

are they only doing the incentive until november? i think i heard that too. so it's not a long-term thing? if AC3 and halo 3 is the standard and age of titles on offer. i'd wait untill they announce what they plan to give away next month before jumping in.

and that is my plan.

In reply to

Since 7512 Days

Posted by gym4life

Yes.

This is unclear, most sites seem to think you will be able to keep the games, but i would not be surprised if it worked like the PSN+ model were when you stop subscribing you lose access to the free games?

It probably will end up being like PS+ but the difference is PS+ usually offers more and newer content.

In reply to

Since 7512 Days

Can you believe this guy?
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-damned-if-they-do-d...

I get his point about the PR disaster and how microsoft should perhaps change the way it deals with direct consumers.....BUT I still fail to see why anyone would think the previous system was good to consumers and was actually moving the industry forward by stripping us of our rights.

In reply to

gym4life

Since 6106 Days

found this.

Microsoft recently shared some new details regarding the promotion, stating that a new game will be given away on the 1st and 16th of every month. You’ll have a limited time to snag each game from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and they are yours to keep forever even if you don’t renew your Gold membership

In reply to

gow_fan

Since 5938 Days

Yes it will your forever but not accessible just like online gameplay is not accessible without subscription membership.

In reply to

Since 7512 Days

Posted by gow_fan

Yes it will your forever but not accessible just like online gameplay is not accessible without subscription membership.

Posted by gym4life

found this.

Microsoft recently shared some new details regarding the promotion, stating that a new game will be given away on the 1st and 16th of every month. You’ll have a limited time to snag each game from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and they are yours to keep forever even if you don’t renew your Gold membership

So Basically, back to square one i.e. you have to have Gold to access OR is it that you only have to online to access it (i.e. Silver membership.)

In reply to

gym4life

Since 6106 Days

Gold to get the free games, after your gold memebership expires, if you dont renew you still get to keep/access the games.

In reply to

Since 7512 Days

Posted by gym4life

Gold to get the free games, after your gold memebership expires, if you dont renew you still get to keep/access the games.

I need official confirmation from MS, got any sources?

This is MS' biggest problem...They simply dont know how (or perhaps intentionally dont want) to explain things well so that the things they are offering seem better than they actually are just like the family sharing nonsense which is now rumoured to be a more complicated way of making game demos.

In reply to

Since 7512 Days

Eurogamer nails it again

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-06-21-the-m...

In reply to

Sath

Since 7448 Days

Its like PS+ if i remember it correctly.
As long as you have PS+ those full free games is yours, it expires, you cant play them until you get PS+ again.

In reply to

deftangel

Since 7450 Days

Posted by alimokrane

Eurogamer nails it again

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-06-21-the-m...

As does the ever excellent Rob Fahey;-
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-20-x...

Microsoft spent a good 2-3 years doing very little and yet the rocked up with a DRM solution that was as much of a mess as the way they communicated it. The manner with which they've staggered around the last few weeks would have given me very little confidence it would have turned out well for anybody, gamers, developers alike had they stayed the course.

Used games, AAA game budgets, the retail model and the transition to digital only warrant some serious critical thinking to find good solutions for everyone. That Microsoft hadn't done enough of it is disappointing.

Posted by Sath

Its like PS+ if i remember it correctly.
As long as you have PS+ those full free games is yours, it expires, you cant play them until you get PS+ again.

As far as I remember, Fable III was the first run of these and unless they built some extra functionality into live that verifies gold account status before booting the game from the dashboard (not impossible but I'd warrant they've got other things on the go right now) I'd say it's just a matter of the price being "Free" for gold members to download for a limited time.

I'm sure if anyone downloaded it and disconnects from Live it'll work just fine.

In reply to

[quote=alimokrane]Eurogamer nails it again

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-06-21-the-most-popular-arguments-in-favour-of-xbox-one-drm[/quote]

As does the ever excellent Rob Fahey;-
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-20-xbox-180-microsoft-pulls-back-from-the-brink

Microsoft spent a good 2-3 years doing very little and yet the rocked up with a DRM solution that was as much of a mess as the way they communicated it. The manner with which they've staggered around the last few weeks would have given me very little confidence it would have turned out well for anybody, gamers, developers alike had they stayed the course.

Used games, AAA game budgets, the retail model and the transition to digital only warrant some serious critical thinking to find good solutions for everyone. That Microsoft hadn't done enough of it is disappointing.

[quote=Sath]Its like PS+ if i remember it correctly.
As long as you have PS+ those full free games is yours, it expires, you cant play them until you get PS+ again.[/quote]

As far as I remember, Fable III was the first run of these and unless they built some extra functionality into live that verifies gold account status before booting the game from the dashboard (not impossible but I'd warrant they've got other things on the go right now) I'd say it's just a matter of the price being "Free" for gold members to download for a limited time.

I'm sure if anyone downloaded it and disconnects from Live it'll work just fine.

http://twitter.com/deftangel

Since 7454 Days

If Microsoft and publishers are really serious about this and not just talking bullshit, they could starve the physical disc right out of existence if they were willing to make some concessions to gamers.

They could make the digital version the most desirable with a cheaper price point ($34.99 - $44.99) that included more day one content, lower priced season passes, and granting that version the advantages of the online sharing that was removed. The physical disc sitting on store shelves for $60 or more would die quickly under those conditions and it would minimize the effects of being undercut by retailers.

They'd sell way more titles than they sell now at those prices, and they could move the industry progressively forward to a more equitable model than what currently exists. Which quite honestly has the retailer taking terrible advantage of both industry and consumer. Right now the only thing Microsoft did was throw the baby out with the bath water. But a more subtle approach that gives gamers the option of choosing the better digital version over the physical disc could be the way to getting their original vision back on track.

Gamers wouldn't turn down a bargain.

In reply to

If Microsoft and publishers are really serious about this and not just talking bullshit, they could starve the physical disc right out of existence if they were willing to make some concessions to gamers.

They could make the digital version the most desirable with a cheaper price point ($34.99 - $44.99) that included more day one content, lower priced season passes, and granting that version the advantages of the online sharing that was removed.   The physical disc sitting on store shelves for $60 or more would die quickly under those conditions and it would minimize the effects of being undercut by retailers.

They'd sell way more titles than they sell now at those prices, and they could move the industry progressively forward to a more equitable model than what currently exists. Which quite honestly has the retailer taking terrible advantage of both industry and consumer.  Right now the only thing Microsoft did was throw the baby out with the bath water.  But a more subtle approach that gives gamers the option of choosing the better digital version over the physical disc could be the way to getting their original vision back on track.

Gamers wouldn't turn down a bargain.

Since 7581 Days

Why bother with retail at all if you're going to undercut retail prices by such a large margin? Retail costs money you know. That's never going to happen.

In reply to

Since 7581 Days

Some off-screen Dead Rising 3. The image quality is too terrible to really gather anything but the poor framerate from.

http://youtu.be/vlhsWb40Tb0

In reply to

Since 7454 Days

A few years ago Microsoft asked me to go to the Gamestop Manager’s show in Las Vegas. I was knee deep in development of Gears 3 and had already had a ton of press related travel, plus, I ****ing hate Las Vegas. (You want to see anti consumer, hoo boy.) But my Microsoft marketing guy told me it would go a long way. He reminded me that it’s a big fun event for the managers who would love to press the flesh. So I flew out there, came on stage, shot a T-shirt gun at the crowd (so fun) met the managers, and did my best to not remind myself that I was in a city that I really don’t like.

Next up was the big exciting midnight launch for Gears 3. Exciting stuff; Big Sean played the event in NYC, the fans were stoked (sent over a few dozen pizzas to the fans in line as a goodwill and fun PR stunt!) and I got to show my future in-laws how amazing this business can be. Cut to flying home and people start sending me pictures of the extremely well put together finely printed leaflets at the Gears 3 launch that said “Trade in this game by November 6th and get more than you normally would on your trade in!”

Mother****er. We had done a lot of work to keep the disc in tray, but those retail practices are deliberately set up to create a revolving door of game trade in. Folks say “Yeah, but Gamestop helps out a lot of games by pushing them!” to which I quote Chris Rock “Yeah, they’re like the uncle who paid for your college…but molested you.”

Capitalism? Sure. It’s a free market and they’ve got every right to do this. I accept that. However when I see studio after studio closing and the aforementioned alluded titles failing I know something’s got to change.

But Cars and Movies and Books haven’t had this problem, why are games different?

http://dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com/post/53457606850/...

I recommend everyone take a look at this article. And the industry does have the power to steer this ship in the right direction. FORWARD.

*stick one more quote in there* Good stuff in this article

I’ve said before if I worked at Microsoft I would not only POSITIVELY motivate users to go digital but also offer their own trading system in which they give you MORE money for your game than Gamestop and sell the used games for LESS than Gamestop. Include a Netflix style mailing system and move along your merry way by engaging the customer as opposed to treating them like criminals.

In reply to

[quote]

A few years ago Microsoft asked me to go to the Gamestop Manager’s show in Las Vegas. I was knee deep in development of Gears 3 and had already had a ton of press related travel, plus, I ****ing hate Las Vegas. (You want to see anti consumer, hoo boy.) But my Microsoft marketing guy told me it would go a long way. He reminded me that it’s a big fun event for the managers who would love to press the flesh. So I flew out there, came on stage, shot a T-shirt gun at the crowd (so fun) met the managers, and did my best to not remind myself that I was in a city that I really don’t like.

Next up was the big exciting midnight launch for Gears 3. Exciting stuff; Big Sean played the event in NYC, the fans were stoked (sent over a few dozen pizzas to the fans in line as a goodwill and fun PR stunt!) and I got to show my future in-laws how amazing this business can be. Cut to flying home and people start sending me pictures of the extremely well put together finely printed leaflets at the Gears 3 launch that said [b]“Trade in this game by November 6th and get more than you normally would on your trade in!”[/b]

Mother****er. We had done a lot of work to keep the disc in tray, but those retail practices are deliberately set up to create a revolving door of game trade in. Folks say “Yeah, but Gamestop helps out a lot of games by pushing them!” to which I quote Chris Rock “Yeah, they’re like the uncle who paid for your college…but molested you.”

Capitalism? Sure. It’s a free market and they’ve got every right to do this. I accept that. However when I see studio after studio closing and the aforementioned alluded titles failing I know something’s got to change.

But Cars and Movies and Books haven’t had this problem, why are games different?

http://dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com/post/53457606850/brutal-honest-thoughts-on-this-whole-debacle

[/quote]

I recommend everyone take a look at this article.  And the industry does have the power to steer this ship in the right direction.  FORWARD.

[i]*stick one more quote in there*  Good stuff in this article[/i]

[quote]

I’ve said before if I worked at Microsoft I would not only POSITIVELY motivate users to go digital but also offer their own trading system in which they give you MORE money for your game than Gamestop and sell the used games for LESS than Gamestop. Include a Netflix style mailing system and move along your merry way by engaging the customer as opposed to treating them like criminals.[/quote]

Since 7581 Days

So Microsoft's plan to make Gamestop a virtual trade-in monopoly was going to fix that, right? RIGHT?

Come on. We can go forward. Microsoft wasn't taking us there.

TitanFall is going to make a buck with a team of 60 folks and a budget to match. Maybe it's not retail that's the problem.

I’ve said before if I worked at Microsoft I would not only POSITIVELY motivate users to go digital but also offer their own trading system in which they give you MORE money for your game than Gamestop and sell the used games for LESS than Gamestop.

That costs a lot more money than simply dropping the prices of the digital content to match the average price (or undercut the average price) of Gamestop's used software. It makes sense for car manufacturers. But these aren't physical goods. When you can push out another copy at no cost, creating an infrastructural to trade-ins and used game sales could cost a lot. It seems pretty convoluted. They'd have to sell those used retail copies again too.

1000 man teams producing 6 hour games is as big of a problem as any retailer.

In reply to

So Microsoft's plan to make Gamestop a virtual trade-in monopoly was going to fix that, right? RIGHT?

Come on. We can go forward. Microsoft wasn't taking us there.

TitanFall is going to make a buck with a team of 60 folks and a budget to match. Maybe it's not retail that's the problem.

[quote]I’ve said before if I worked at Microsoft I would not only POSITIVELY motivate users to go digital but also offer their own trading system in which they give you MORE money for your game than Gamestop and sell the used games for LESS than Gamestop.[/quote]

That costs a lot more money than simply dropping the prices of the digital content to match the average price (or undercut the average price) of Gamestop's used software. It makes sense for car manufacturers. But these aren't physical goods. When you can push out another copy at [i]no cost[/i], creating an infrastructural to trade-ins and used game sales could cost a lot. It seems pretty convoluted. They'd have to sell those used retail copies again too.

1000 man teams producing 6 hour games is as big of a problem as any retailer.

Since 7454 Days

Posted by GriftGFX

So Microsoft's plan to make Gamestop a virtual trade-in monopoly was going to fix that, right? RIGHT?

Come on. We can go forward. Microsoft wasn't taking us there.

TitanFall is going to make a buck with a team of 60 folks and a budget to match. Maybe it's not retail that's the problem.

Did you read it Grift? He doesn't give Microsoft a pass on anything, or even support everything that I do.

In reply to

Since 7581 Days

Yes. I'm just relating it to the subject. I also don't think he's really that full of good thoughts. Jim Sterling's rebuttals are pretty much spot-on.

Cliffy might be an expert when it comes to game design, but I don't believe he has any special insight into the economics of big business.

I'm glad it's a dialog that continues to move forward though. It's a good debate to be had. It's good to have a debate about the future. It's better than letting Microsoft dictate.

In reply to

Since 7454 Days

Posted by GriftGFX

Yes. I'm just relating it to the subject. I also don't think he's really that full of good thoughts. Jim Sterling's rebuttals are pretty much spot-on

Sterling is fine if you want to hear what's wrong with the gaming industry, I'll grant him that. But he's not a person I'd seek out for comprehensive solutions to the industry's problems.

In reply to

Optimusv2

Since 7474 Days

In reply to

Halo Reach using 360 tesselation unit extensively.

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

Seeing it in motion on your HDTV, will blow your mind!!

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of th

Since 7581 Days

It sounded pretty silly. I would not be surprised if there were some hook. I expect Steam's sharing to be really limited if and when it happens.

You have to figure that publishers are going to be a little anxious about the whole idea.

But that rumor sounded pretty silly. An hour? Why even require a friend to own the game. That's just a demo.

In reply to