| kungfuian said: Step 1. Admit when you’re wrong and apologize This is no joke. They have pissed off a lot of their loyal customers, retail, and industry professionals (journos, indi devs, etc) faster than I have ever seen in my time as a gamer (+/-30 years). As a start they need to admit there is a problem by directly acknowledging this to their fans with true meaningful dialog. And no pre-caned pr bullshit. They in some way or other need to directly apologize for not listening to their fans, and show a willingness to change by listening to what people are unhappy about. Step 2. Attempt to Fix what’s wrong For starters, a potential revision to the 24 hour log in requirement is a must. Something as simple as a longer time between log ins and/or a program for military personal would go a long way to fixing the perceived problem. But why not go further. If the log in is designed to prevent unlimited game sharing, via installs of the same game across multiple systems, there are other solutions that offer similar protection for the developer, only require occasional log ins, and allow for loaning and private sales. For example; they could require the disc to be in the system for first time use and require online registration with a kinect based facial recognition drm added in the mix. If you want to loan a game to a friend simply log on to your account, select the game, select loan, indicate the friend you are loaning to and how long (say no longer than 30 days max). Your friend takes the game home and registers the game as borrowed and wala. If you want to transfer ownership by private sale or gift it would work the same way. You log on and select deactivate. Then the game disc would have to be inserted in the new system, and the game could be reactivated to the new account. And if they want to prevent the negative effects of used game sales the real solution is to prevent sales in the first 2 months at retail. To do this they could set up their system to automatically say, sorry this game has been/is registered to another system and is not eligible for transfer until (insert date). There are so many solutions; many I’m sure better though out and probably much more eloquent than mine. Point is; Microsoft need to immediately begin exploring these options with its fans, publishers, and retail partners and they need to do it now, before launch. |
I'd say there's 2 big flaws with these steps.
First: Admitting they're wrong and apologizing. Everyone had already decide to hate Microsoft BEFORE they gave any details of their console. People had decided to be unhappy based on rumors. The facts were nowhere near as harsh as the speculation, but people decided to maintain their full level of anger.
Second: Attempt to fix what's wrong
Online checkins are critical for the new system, and yes, having them hourly for loaned games. The fact is, the console sharing they announced is amazing and exciting. For many, and I dare so most gamers with friends (and even half decent internet), it will be better than ever. People are resistant to change, and haven't actually read what the new system involves, or they'd complain less. Your suggestions are for LIMITING the sharing options a great deal, in order to eliminate the check in. Or requiring the disc to be in the drive once? As it stands, I can loan games to friends all around the country, no disc, no time limits, as long as they have the internet. and destroying that capability to eliminate check ins is somehow a bonus?
