Microsoft Studios Creative Director Adam Orth blasted against protesters of the “always on” connection the next generation Xbox may include, and in the rant almost conclusively hinted Microsoft were developing a console with this feature in mind.
Up until now Microsoft has kept a tight lid on the Xbox 720 project, although one developer managed to try and sell a developer console kit on eBay and rumours of Xbox ‘Durango’ have been persistently erupting on the web in many different shapes and sizes.
The original tweet that sparked the questioning said “Sorry, I don’t get the drama around having an ‘always on’ console. Every device now is ‘always on’. That’s the world we live in #dealwithit.” The rant isn’t definite proof, but for a creative director to go on record and say this, it seems a little coincidental.
Microsoft has since offered an apology on Orth’s statement, explaining he is not a spokesperson for the company. This just adds more fuel to the fire, especially considering Microsoft should be releasing information about the console either next month or the month after.
The apology also didn’t deny anything Orth said regarding “always on” connection, and we suspect this was did on purpose. Simply, Microsoft do believe that always on will be worth it for developers and piracy. With the next gen consoles likely to feature easier PC porting, the move to pirate games could become easier, Microsoft may want to rid users of this opportunity.
A report from an anonymous developer said the next Xbox does have an always on feature and without it you cannot play or even start games and apps. This is pretty bad for those that may want to keep the connection off at certain times of the day, but it also opens up simple DRM, updates and live connections.
With Sony opening the PS4, with easier porting, no weird add ons and just a simple system, the Xbox, with an always on connection and Kinect 2.0 possibly built it, may look a little raggy to core gamers who want a simple and open experience, without forced gimmicks.
