I totally get what Cerny says and people who hold the same opinion. Next-gen consoles won't be half as good without a internet connection, because of the things that Cerny listed above. This was already the case this gen where pretty much every game had updates, patches, dlcs and so on, many of which were totally game-changing. You would also miss on many great games that were digital only on PS Store. Not to mention all of the changes that happened during the firmware updates, PS3 of 2006 is nowhere near the PS3 of 2013 in terms of content and aplications (not counting BC) thanks to internet connection.
On the other hand I don't know what's the point in forcing a internet connection, if someone regardless of reason doesn't have or want to have his console connected to the internet it's his choice, and loss. Of course one reason would be DRM implementation like in xbone's case.
Always online would be the last issue I would have if PS4 required it. My console will be connected nevertheless and internet in Warsaw is overall prett. good, I never lost the connection with my current provider to date, although the upload/download speed isn't very stable.
But I have one big problem with online checks daily xbone style, particularly I go to my summer house for holidays for about two weeks, pretty much every year. It's located deep in the country, I don't have internet there, don't know if I ever will. And every time when I go there since I have a console I take it with me so I'm not bored in the evenings when we're not doing a grill. With xbone I couldn't do that anymore and that sucks bigtime.
So it is happening...PS4 preorder.
Greatness Awaits!
