Quake3World

Eraser wrote: They aren't denying an always online requirement either...

MKJ wrote:

Transient wrote:If it's not mandatory, then at least it can stay in the box. If it is, then fuck both of 'em.

but you're still forced to pay extra for something you'll never use. which was your initial point.
#dealwithit

Transient wrote:There's no real reason to buy a console

MKJ wrote:That makes sense.

scared? wrote:Consoles r for kiddies and morons...which r u?...

Your modern DVR set-top box is constantly connected to facilitate the steady stream of information being sent back and forth, so that you can power on and get whatever channel or services almost instantly. It also allows the device to know when to record a program that is on when you're away. In order for an Xbox to successfully work as a television device, it would need to have a constant connection.

MKJ wrote:Other rumors suggest that it needs online to function; that it will shut down whatever you're doing after 3 mins of disconnection. Insane.

MKJ wrote:dvr stuff

Microsoft creative director who sparked always-on controversy no longer with company

GONNAFISTYA wrote:A little known but poorly-kept secret: Ubisoft didn't always use it's "always on connection" only for authentication...they were constantly tracking every.single.thing.you.did in the game and - wait for it - using that tracking data to improve their game designs. Think of it as having a QA manager sitting behind you while you play, taking notes of where you got stuck, what things you missed and your favorite route taken.

In short: alot of times the always-on requirement isn't malevolent.

And, while I despise the idea of forcing customers to repeatedly authenticate online before playing games they already paid for, I have no issue with certain features that require it for gameplay...such as multiplayer, etc. Let's not forget that the upcoming PS4 has a "Share" button and there's no way in hell you'll get that system working smoothly without an always-on connection.

It's a ghey idea, but I can understand why they require always-on.

Captain Mazda wrote:Xbox as an extender is the biggest piece of shit ever. I used it for two years until Shaft showed me the real deal: HTPC + XBMC

Transient wrote:http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/10/4209912/microsoft-creative-director-that-sparked-always-on-controversy-no

Microsoft creative director who sparked always-on controversy no longer with company

bitWISE wrote:http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2013/04/08

Captain Mazda wrote:Xbox as an extender is the biggest piece of shit ever. I used it for two years until Shaft showed me the real deal: HTPC + XBMC

You're not using it to actually watch cable and record shows though are you? I'm running digital cable through my PC and the guide/dvr software in media center is the best I've used (especially if you factor in plugins and extensions). The card has four HD tuners so I could watch a show with each 360 in my house and still be recording two shows centrally (handy for stopping a show downstairs and continuing in the bedroom). I've got one plugin that inserts network logos into the guide rather than just the channel number, as well as giving me control over the number of rows for the guide and on-screen guide. I've got a mobile app from my tuning card company that lets me view and search two weeks worth of TV guide, full management of the dvr, and if I'm actually at home I can use it as a remote control or to directly queue up shows/channels/media. Interesting bit of trivia, Microsoft is one of the original DVR software providers and is still one of the biggest players alongside Tivo. Their core software powers AT&T Uverse (extremely similar to whats in media center) and Verizon FIOS boxes.

As far as media streaming, as long as you don't upgrade to Win 8 64-bit, you can use the shark codec pack and get great playback support.