Xbox One will 'certainly' play games after next system launches

Microsoft promises to support playback of games on Xbox One after the upcoming generation is over, and says that getting banned on Live won't prevent you from accessing your games library.

56

One of the potential consequences of Microsoft's decision to require daily online authentication for Xbox One games is the inability to play games after the company decides to sunset support for the console. Many gamers are concerned that once this upcoming generation comes to a close, Microsoft will no longer support the servers necessary to keep games running on Xbox One. With online server closures a regularity in the industry, perhaps that fear is justified.

However, Microsoft spokesperson Larry Hryb (aka "Major Nelson") says that Microsoft will never pull the plug on the One. "That's certainly something we would not do," he emphatically said. "That's not the way the system is designed. It's designed for flexibility."

He does note that it may be too early to hypothesize on these potential scenarios, however. "Let's get the system out there first," he told /r/games (via The Escapist).

At the heart of the Xbox One controversy is Microsoft's stance on games ownership. While in previous generations, gamers purchased games, on Xbox One, Microsoft is only allowing gamers to, essentially, rent them (however indefinitely). Another concern is that being banned on Xbox Live could result in losing access to one's games library. However, Hryb explicitly says that won't be the case. "Absolutely not," he said.

Microsoft has been on the defense during E3 due to its policies. Assuming Microsoft keeps its word, these comments should reassure fans. However, there are still other unanswered questions--for example, what will happen to games if there's even an Xbox Live outage, or a hacking incident like the one that took down PlayStation Network for an entire summer?

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 16, 2013 2:00 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Xbox One will 'certainly' play games after next system launches.

    Microsoft promises to support playback of games on Xbox One after the upcoming generation is over, and says that getting banned on Live won't prevent you from accessing your games library.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:06 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:10 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 2:13 PM

        I heard it uses the Kinect to film the rape, and then sends out footage to everyone on your friends list.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 4:22 PM

        "Xbox One was designed to include all of your family members in it's usage and we are excited to talk more about this in the comings weeks."

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 4:25 PM

          It wouldn't have been so bad if Major Nelson wasn't licking his lips when he said that :-(

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 4:35 PM

            DO YOU NOT WANT TO JOIN US IN THE FUTURE?!!?!

      • JT legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        June 16, 2013 6:01 PM

        But does it legitimately?

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 8:33 PM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:10 PM

      "Let's get the console out there" and your money in our pockets.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:11 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 2:14 PM

        They don't have to? They aren't selling licenses. Your disc actually does something. Besides, let's check back in ten years from now and see if they keep their promise. they won't :)

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 4:07 PM

          [deleted]

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 4:14 PM

            Or you guys are all thick and missed his very obvious joke.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 4:16 PM

          [deleted]

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 4:28 PM

            Not in any form that would be held up in court. Games are "sold" in stores, and you can play the game without ever seeing the license for it - unless it has an online component you're almost certainly never going to be asked to agree to anything before playing.

            There's a reason first sale is generally upheld for this sort of thing.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 2:17 PM

        Lol because people are insane. The consoles aren't even out yet and this is a buying decision for you? Lol

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 6:25 PM

          Uhhhh this is the first console to use DRM in this sort of way? Of course we would ask these questions as gamers.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 2:30 PM

        How generous of them to let you keep using your Xbox one when they release the Xbox two. Nobody had made that promise before no one ever had to.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 3:24 PM

        What?

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 3:31 PM

          [deleted]

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 3:44 PM

            What? ..? . ? umm

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 5:32 PM

            Did they what? There's no licensing on the PS4. Insert disc, play. It doesn't even have to be connected to the internet.

            • reply
              June 16, 2013 5:58 PM

              [deleted]

              • reply
                June 16, 2013 6:05 PM

                what? They didn't announce that the next xbox would be BC with the xbone, wtf.

              • reply
                June 16, 2013 6:06 PM

                That doesn't make sense. MS only announce that Xbox one will continue to play Xbox one games after xbox 2, nothing about XB 2 playing XB1 games or XB 2 playing XB1 games.

                • reply
                  June 16, 2013 6:07 PM

                  oops, last part should be "or XB1 playing XB2 games."

              • reply
                June 16, 2013 6:17 PM

                What the FUCK are you talking about?

              • reply
                June 16, 2013 6:24 PM

                [deleted]

                • reply
                  June 16, 2013 6:44 PM

                  why would they not work?

                  • reply
                    June 16, 2013 6:48 PM

                    [deleted]

                    • reply
                      June 16, 2013 6:50 PM

                      lol what is this

                    • reply
                      June 16, 2013 6:51 PM

                      what are you doing? why would they not work? there's no check required to make the games work. there is no reason for sony to say that the games will still work. of course they'll work. there's no check-in.

                    • reply
                      June 16, 2013 9:13 PM

                      Are you drunk? I'm not trying to be mean here but are you not following the goings on over the last fortnight?

                      • reply
                        June 17, 2013 7:07 AM

                        I thought digital downloads on PS4 would have the normal DRM. The kind where the client and server sync up your game list.

                        Why wouldn't this also be a problem for Sony?
                        They can't keep their PS4 game / account servers running forever.

                        • reply
                          June 17, 2013 7:28 AM

                          This is especially evident with PS Plus when you cancel your sub and all the games you've purchased on sale or got free are no longer available. When the PS4 launches, I don't think those games will carry over to that system. How long will Sony provide support for those games and the Plus system on the PS3? It's not as important as what's going on with the One as the blow is softened by the fact I didn't pay that much for those games or Plus. For about the cost of a GameFly sub, I got what I got, enjoyed it when I did. Price being the ultimate factor and is with Steam, iPhone apps, and yes, the XBone.

            • reply
              June 16, 2013 6:10 PM

              There certainly is if you buy digital.

            • reply
              June 16, 2013 6:20 PM

              [deleted]

            • reply
              June 16, 2013 10:29 PM

              [deleted]

              • reply
                June 17, 2013 4:31 AM

                Your conclusion is incorrect. EA and Activision have all publicly declared they will have no extra DRM or unlock codes for their games.

                http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/11/4421314/electronic-arts-talks-drm-and-used-games

                Right here: "We said enough of Online Pass. Not saying, you know, it was Austin Powers type meeting of Doctor Evils saying [places pinkie finger on eyetooth, Dr. Evil-style] 'we know we can get it back down the road'. No. That was not the meeting I was in. Online Pass was more trouble to the consumer than it was worth. It was a mistake. The consumer's feedback was that this thing gets in the way of a good experience so let's get rid of it."

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 6:04 AM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:15 PM

      Microsoft has said nothing to reassure me yet. I love my Xbox and I am a Microsoft fan but at this point no one including myself plans on getting an XBone. I have a PS3 and never use it but I will buy a PS4 before a XBone. Just don't see why they are pushing this stuff on us. History tells us that the most user friendly devices are the most successful. Especially the one that can be configured to the customers requirements. It's clear Sony learned from there PS3 release, especially on price.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 2:32 PM

        I really disagree with this comment. To me having a library that follows me everywhere I go without needing to have a disc is more consumer friendly. Not having to get up from the couch to have to swap games is that too. All this rage is so stupid I can't take it anymore.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 3:21 PM

          Nobody's arguing that not having a disc is less consumer friendly. The problem is that the MS guy is correlating one thing with an entirely different thing and sidestepping the question. Microsoft would absolutely shut down server support for the x-bone. After how long is the real question, and he doesn't answer that at all.

          I understand you're willing to put up with the downsides for the benefits, but the overwhelming voices are of an opposing viewpoint and are not feeling reassured by the corporate line.

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 3:24 PM

            They shutdown the original Xbox live service in 2011 I would imagine they would do the same mid way through the other generation.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 6:27 PM

          Ps4 also has day 1 digital downloads

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 6:30 PM

          Choice is the most consumer friendly.

          I can't purchase a physical disc and not install it, license it to my account and a lot of vagueness about lending and trading.

          That option is great. But if you go to a persons house with a game like The Last of Us (26GB) and had to download it. The disc becomes more convenient. But what if they don't have Internet?

          So many questions with no answers is the biggest problem.

    • Ziz legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      June 16, 2013 2:17 PM

      Come on guys! After all, all the Xbox games are playable on our 360s!

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 2:57 PM

      It would be much easier to believe if you didn't recently sunset the multiplayer component for original Xbox titles, ie. Halo 2.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 3:09 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 3:28 PM

      i would prefer they state and define all this clearly in the terms and conditions or something else legally binding before i buy anything.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 6:32 PM

        I suspect its not going to happen. Because... you know what. Xbox One will still sell like hot pancakes anyway. You know that. They know that.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 7:37 PM

          that and no one reads the terms and conditions anyway

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 4:13 PM

      "It's designed for flexibility"

      hehe. funny stuff.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 4:28 PM

      my nes carts will still probably work in 100 years...ms needs to verify thats the case with xbone.
      I dunno Im as bitter as anyone else with the whole thing and am probably(for the first time) going sony for my first next gen purchase.
      The whole thing with the online only xbox could turn out to be great. But right now it sounds like a whole bunch of red tape that could hurt the experience. In my neck of the woods I have awesome home internet(shaw 100mbit), LTE blankets the country side so Im always online. I was able to play Diablo 3 in the middle of a farmers field and did so just to say I did. I think its going to come right down to how MS treats its customers and how much wiggle room they are going to give up. If me and my local friends can form an xbox "family" and all share games and have more than 1 instance of the same game licence running at the same time Id say this online only stuff is worth what we are giving up.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 4:38 PM

      "If you're backwards compatible, you're really backwards"

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 5:24 PM

      "It's too early to hypothesize." Or I can't promise anything but we probably wont.

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 5:26 PM

      Couldn't they issue a final firmware update that eliminates the need for authentication?

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 5:28 PM

        xboxBeNice = true;

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 5:27 AM

        yeah, but it has to be in their contract with game publishers already or they'll have to figure out licensing for a billion games in about 15 years when they're actually thinking of turning the servers off. i don't think it's likely (also this is why i don't think steam is likely to do it)

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 6:25 PM

      Anybody buying this? Keeping servers online costs money, why would they keep servers on for years and years on a dead platform?

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 6:29 PM

        This is a real issue with any digital marketplace, and the industry as a whole is going to need to figure out a solution. The PS4 will have day one digital downloads too.

        The easiest solution would be to tell people to download all their games before shutting off the servers, but that could be a lot of gigs.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 6:33 PM

          The solution is Backwards Compatibility.

          Almost 60 million iPads out there in less than 4 years (half of the current generation of consoles). Each year a new model, consoles will become the same to be able to go fully digital.

          It will help increase game revenue and have a wide range of iOS $1 and full console experiences. It will be interesting to see how much XCOM will cost when it is released on iOS.

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 6:43 PM

            I think you're right, I see BC becoming more trivial to implement in the future as computing power ramps up and the architecture becomes very similar from generation to generation.

          • reply
            June 16, 2013 6:56 PM

            of course iPads drop back compat as well. My device is now 3 iterations old but I don't get the latest OS and can't play all the latest games for various reasons (hardware and software). The issue isn't really about digital vs physical, it's about maintaining the same hardware architecture and making back compat a priority feature (as Windows has traditionally done while Apple has not with OSX or iOS).

            • reply
              June 16, 2013 7:45 PM

              Your iPad problem isn't a backward compatibility problem. New hardware coming out is fully compatible with all older software.

              Creating new software that is too complex for older hardware to run is called progress.

              • reply
                June 16, 2013 10:52 PM

                But when the older software is no longer available (as is the case with Apple's iTunes store), that's a huge problem. I can still get older PC software for an aging computer and it works just fine. I can reinstall older PC apps on a computer with no problem.

                However, I cannot install the older Facebook app on my iPhone 3G because Apple removed it from the iTunes store. They only have the newest version, and it doesn't work on my phone. Same for every other app that I didn't download a couple of years ago, and which has since been replaced by the newer, incompatible version.

                It's a shitty system that makes me lose confidence as a consumer.

                • reply
                  June 17, 2013 1:51 AM

                  But again, that's a completely different issue that is the opposite of what people are saying.

                  An app I buy on the Apple store when I have say, an iPhone 5, will still work on my iPhone 5s, and 6, and 6s, and so on. Sure, updated versions of that app might not continue to work on a 5, but I won't still have a 5, and unless I delete the app, will still have the version that works on that phone forever.

                  The console problem is that this isn't the case. I bought a ton of games on PSN for my PS3, but those games *won't* work on my PS4. I still own them, it's still part of the same network ID and account, but I can't use them on the new system, and I doubt I'll be able to use them on the PS5 or 6 or whatever.

            • reply
              June 17, 2013 6:30 AM

              That's not what backwards compatibility means...

          • reply
            June 17, 2013 6:25 AM

            Yes. This. It has to happen once we go full digital.

        • reply
          June 16, 2013 10:24 PM

          the industry as a whole is going to need to figure out a solution.

          They already have, it's called selling you the game again and again and again.

          • reply
            June 17, 2013 6:58 AM

            Nintendo is definitely king in this arena.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 6:38 PM

        I like the family library idea but that's about it. A few buddies could get together and can go you get this game, I'll get that one, etc. It won't work if you want to play the game at the same time, but still it's a nice feature for single player games.

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 7:50 PM

        well...they said it was true. whenever they announce an unpopular piece of news about this console, it's not only believed, but also read into and interpreted in the most negative way possible.

        but when they say things like there will be special offline military accounts and the games will continue to function after the release of the next generation, people either dismiss it as rumor or put their fingers in their ears.

        there is plenty of shit circling the xbox one, for sure. there are also several positives (family game sharing plan; traveling library; background updates; option to give games to friends digitally).

      • reply
        June 16, 2013 10:20 PM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 2:28 AM

        Why couldnt it just use whatever cloud system the new machine uses?

    • reply
      June 16, 2013 9:04 PM

      "...Microsoft is only allowing gamers to, essentially, rent them (however indefinitely)."
      Well that's not true at all, Andrew.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 6:55 AM

        Yeah, Andrew is just spreading FUD at this point. Do you just "rent" iOS apps? Do you just "rent" digital downloads on Xbox 360 and PS3 (and soon, PS4)? Do you just "rent" games on Steam?

        I've been coming to Shacknews for awhile now, but I think it's time I find another gaming site to visit...

        • reply
          June 17, 2013 7:01 AM

          considering you don't really have any of the rights normally attributed to owning something, I'd say calling it an indefinite rental is quite appropriate.

          • reply
            June 17, 2013 7:05 AM

            Just call it a digital purchase that you delivered to your console on a disc. Because that's what it is more than a "rental". Rental implies a payment over time.

        • reply
          June 17, 2013 7:03 AM

          Yes, you are just renting the game. (licensing) You don't own it.

          • reply
            June 17, 2013 7:08 AM

            So, are you renting XBLA games? PSN games? Steam games?

            • reply
              June 17, 2013 7:09 AM

              You are licensing them. You don't own them. Which is what I think the guy was trying to point out.

            • reply
              June 17, 2013 7:12 AM

              Though he was wrong to claim that you did own them, in previous generations.
              You never own digital downloads.
              You can own a disk or cartridge, but you don't own the game.

        • reply
          June 17, 2013 7:09 AM

          It's a pretty apt description based on the licensing model. You don't truly own it, sure the fee is a one time thing but in 20 years from now, people who looked after media and hardware will be able to play Xbox 1, PS2 games, CD's, records, VHS, Tape, 99% of blu ray movies, probably 99% of Xbox 360 and PS3 games


          Those bits where it's less than 100% - that's only going to get worse.

        • reply
          June 20, 2013 10:50 PM

          Andrew loves inserting his subjective opinions into his articles like they're divine word. I find it very off-putting.

          I know, this is the new games journalism, people were tired of games writers simply regurgitating press releases, so now it's gone the other way and we get 1 paragraph of facts mixed in with 3 paragraphs of self-important blathering by the author about how he feels and what his unsupported hunches are on everything.

          Andrew in particular loves the "company says X but I'll give you the REAL scoop, trust me guys I know all these things somehow!"

          • reply
            June 21, 2013 5:19 AM

            Ok that was mean, I'm sorry. Irritable today.

            <3 all the Shack writers.

    • reply
      June 17, 2013 2:39 AM

      So, did the Xbox One end up becoming the new watercooler?

    • reply
      June 17, 2013 6:47 AM

      This is probably the most disappointing thing about Xbox One. They are being anti-consumer with this policy but it is beneficial for the developers and corporate side of the house. Better messaging and focusing on how this will benefit me in the long run will soften the blow but as of right now Microsoft is not doing a good job. Still is not deterring me from buying day one edition of Xbox One but might influence the ones on the fence.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 6:50 AM

        This is far too reasonable to be a finalSpart4n post.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 6:52 AM

        This is the most modest post you've made so far, I'm guessing someone got a shackmessage!

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 7:18 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 7:27 AM

        It does indeed seem to have influenced a lot of fence sitters, a great majority of them.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 7:40 AM

        Oh, what happened? Where's my real finalSpart4n?

        ...but on the topic: maybe XBone will be perceived as an exclusive and expensive product for people who are willing to put up with its DRM scheme (and live in selected countries), and PS4 will be more like a common people's console, for everyone, more affordable and easier to manage? As entertaining as it is to watch the clusterfuck that Xbone has become it is clear that it is a quality product with shitty PR, they are fucked on the start but in the long run who knows.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 7:48 AM

        If finalSpart4n is making even the smallest concession about Microsoft's handling of this situation, Microsoft must in fact be truly fucked.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 8:05 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 9:00 AM

        shit, this sounds like Shakespeare compared to what's come before.

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 11:22 AM

        This is like that time Polansk spoke English

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 1:04 PM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      June 17, 2013 8:04 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      June 17, 2013 9:53 AM

      No thanks to the xbone. I would go for the Playstation 4. I already preordered it. :)

      • reply
        June 17, 2013 11:31 AM

        HAHAHA GET IT XBONE HAHAHAHAH I BOUGHT PS4 HAHAHA LOOK AT MEEEEEE

    • reply
      June 17, 2013 6:19 PM

      Poor Microsoft team... Major Nelson is always honest (looks like an honest guy), it sucks he has to keep explaining things over and over. Hopefully they comeback more humble next gen if their still around. I'm starting to feel sorry for these guys but not sorry enough to put up 600+ to play a video game. I would have no problem with their ideas if it was PC gaming ala Steam. Everyone loves them now...

      I remember the first time i input my cd code for Counter Strike on Steam, i thought it was great. Don't have to worry about scratching or losing the CD-ROM. And obviously we all don't feel the same about consoles doing the same thing. They come and go every decade, servers get shut off, service is discontinued. If the Xbox One had upgradeable hardware it would of maybe worked. Or a future program where you can trade in your old Xbox One for an updated version (new hardware, cpu, etc...) Because the way they outlined things now, its like if it was a version of steam that would die in a decade (assuming you buy all digital). Plus all the new Xbox One features... They totally fucked this one up. Can't wait to see which MS employee gets fired first. Someone had to input all these ideas out there. Someone has to take the hit for the future failures next gen.

    • reply
      June 18, 2013 12:11 PM

      Xbox TWO confirmed by Andrew Yoon ;)

Hello, Meet Lola