Microsoft reverses DRM policy for XBOX One

On the heels of the Internet crying out in anguish over Microsoft's proposed always-on connection and complicated used game sales policy, Microsoft has drastically reversed their position on a number of issues:

An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games - Systems will have a one-time set-up.  Thereafter, you can play any disc-based game withing "phoning home."  Just like the 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today - Just like the 360, no restrictions on disc based games.

Additonally, gamers will be able tyo download games from Xbox Live on realease day- and play them offline.

Overall, great changes.  The interesting thing is the 2 changes eliminate virtually all of Sony's E3 cred, "We're not Microsoft with no restrictions on used games and no need to be always-on!"

 Ultimately for me, this just underscores the fact that I'm going to wait until the consoles are actually released before I make any decisions on my next-gen console purchase.  Currently, there's so much FUD out there that it just makes sense to wait.

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Consumers Speak With their Wallets in the Battle of PS4 to XBOX ONE

Well after what most would call a deathblow strike by Sony against Microsoft it would appear that it is directly translating over to at least Amazon. There are reports now coming in that say that Amazon has sold out of Pre-order PlayStation 4 (the Standard Editions). How bad is it, you might ask, well according to sources we're talking two PlayStation 4s to every one XBOX ONE. Now I'm still not 100% sure on the used game policy of the PlayStation 4, but a deadly blow in my mind that was dealt was the point made about you don't have to have an internet connection to play your games, which to me is pretty huge. I'm still trying to grapple with the fact that Microsoft is making users authenticate, even when you've installed the game on your hard drive against their server to play your game. I would have thought they would just be tying to game to your console off the bat, and if it installed that meant you actually owned the game, but apparently maybe I'm wrong?

As much as I've tried to be pro XBOX I have to say that I'm now dancing the line between the two. This is not where I want to be, by any stretch of the imagination, but this is what happens when Sony lands such a body slam to the opposition. Now that being said, I am a bit hesitant to put all my eggs in the Sony basket simply because of the slip up in delivery of the PlayStation 3, the PSP Go! and the PS Vita debacle, and then there's also the PlayStation Move which I've always considered the expensive stick with a bouncy ball on it. There's enough to give me pause about how awesome the PlayStation 4 can be, but Microsoft is dropping the ball enough that I'm hesitant on both the consoles as of now.

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FEZ II Revealed

Alright so I somehow missed out on this, but it would appear that Polytron is ready to not only step back into the ring, but bring us a sequel to their heavily anticipated, long awaited game FEZ. The only thing that is known at this time is that yes there will be a second FEZ, and that the same composer that worked on the first one is back again to bring his magic.

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IO Interactive Hit by Layoffs

Well I guess its that time yet again, for something called layoffs to hit yet another company. This time its IO Interactive, which is owned by Square Enix, apparently they have been hit with a 50% layoff. This of course also caused many future and in progress projects to be cancelled, though what exactly they are, Square-Enix is being very hush hush about. You might recognize this studio as the one behind Kane & Lynch, and the most recent Hitman game. For a statement from IO Interactive, I give you the following:

"We are making significant changes at IO Interactive as we align our business against a changing and challenging market. Hannes Seifert, formerly Production Director for 3 years at the studio, will take over the position of Studio Head at IO," said the spokesperson in a statement.

"The studio will focus resolutely on the future vision for the Hitman franchise and is in pre-production on a new AAA Hitman project. However we have taken the difficult decision to cancel other studio projects and initiatives at IO and reduce the workforce in this studio, which will impact almost half of the employees currently at IO, as we make internal adjustments to face the challenges of today's market."

"For those affected, we are extremely grateful for the hard work which they have contributed, and where it's possible and appropriate to relocate staff to open positions at other studios within the group, we will try to do so," the statement continued. "We are also reaching out to other companies for outplacement opportunities. We sincerely wish them well in their future careers. If you are part of a company that is looking for additional development talent, please contact us directly at info@ioi.dk"

You know the really nice thing is at least this company is willing to put in a good word and recommend those laid off to other studios if they just e-mail them. I know it still sucks that there were so many let go, but on the bright side it would appear the hardworkers, and those who truly had the passion that IO Interactive had to regrettably release, will have a real good chance to get some love from them to their next place of employment.

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Microsoft's Policy on Game Submissions Continues to Be Double-Edged Sword

Alright folks lets go through this again as it seems that peolpe continue to make Microsoft big, bad, and not to be trusted, and on top of that evil for FORCING developers to get publishers to get their game on the XBOX ONE. Now I've reached out to Microsoft, and I'm hoping that I don't get stone walled on such a simple request, but I've basically asked them what the financial breakdown of this forced partnership will be. See the only thing that gets my blood boiling about this news is the simple fact that developers might get the raw end of the deal and the publishers, who are basically the gatekeepers will hold all the power about money. 

The benefit to having a gatekeeper, though, is the clear fact that if you do get through the publisher your title will be put on the marketplace, and it is a shit ton less likely to be buried by shovelware. This could greatly improve the chance of getting your product spotted, and hopefully with a publisher you might get some marketing out of it, on some shape or form, but that once again goes back to how big of the pie are they going to take. From my understanding the going rate is Microsoft take 30% of the price and the 70% is to the developers, if you go the Indie route, now of course that route is being eliminated, but how bad are developers going to get stung by publishers? I guess we'll find out. 

Please check back as we will be updating this story as time goes on, hopefully with good information and not stuff that we have to dig up from the bowels of the internet.

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