Microsoft responds to Xbox One backlash - "This isn't a sprint"

[papamudd]

@Lister of Smeg : "Sony fans have been doing 180s with their opinion. They hate it til its on PS4 and its seen as a good thing. Such as paying for MP portions of games. MS does it, its bad for gamers. Sony does it and its the greatest thing for gamers ever."

I don't think anyone in their right minds thinks this is awesome or good for gaming. It sucks, plain and simple, thank you xbots. To be fair $50 wasn't much at all to play with friends and some extraordinary exclusives to boot!

However, I do think there is great contrast in what MS did from the "get go" to what Sony is doing. Much like MS DRM that is built into the system, the social capabilities of the PS4 are built in to the core OS. I believe effectively Sony made a miss-step by integrating the online experience with social media aspects that aren't even matched on the X1. (Could get to that specific point later). Which means that they are actually providing a service for online gaming by default whether you want it or not, much like the DRM system on the X1. I believe this is why they are charging specifically for online. Not because of Gakai, or some other multimedia or "improved OL experience". It is specifically because of the social services that are inherit on the PS4 with online gaming, and that is what they deem worthy of a fee because it requires some backend support.

Alternatively, they should of thought about this more thoroughly and enabled a basic online gaming experience that doesn't utilize these extra features that will become more apparent as we get closer to release. I for one do not think I am really interested at all in their social media offerings, no matter how "great" because I loather most social networking sites and do not want my real name associated with my gamer profile. Additionally, I am already currently a PS+ member and don't like that they are charging for online play even with all the other benefits that make it more than worth the cost of purchase.

That being said while PS+ is great on its own I am not pleased that Sony is making it mandatory for online. However, the cost of PS+ with out online play is worth way more than the cost. So while I don't defend the change at all the advantages of PS+ ownership will make any former XBL subscriber more than happy with its offerings.