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Why the Xbox One is Still Worth Buying

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To hear others talk, the very fact that Microsoft might be still on track to release a console that users might appreciate is baffling. The company hasn’t done itself any favors either. Between offering users the ability to do more than just gaming, and requiring that all games silently ping their database every day, even some Xbox devotees are singing the PlayStation 4 tune. That would make you think that the Xbox One isn’t worth a second look. Here’s the thing, it is.

Let’s just consider why Microsoft is including mandatory internet check-ins for games. For all intents and purposes Microsoft is pushing the concept of digital games further than Sony ever has. Not only will game releases be available digitally the day they arrive, the company will alter the way games interact with the console itself.

The Xbox One price is set at £399.99 in the UK at a third-party retailer, but it is subject to change.

On the Xbox One, games are natively installed on the system itself. Even if the user went out to purchase the game on a disc, the console would then install the game on its hard drive. That could mean faster loading speeds and it certainly eliminates the problem of buying a game only to lend it to someone else and get back a title this unplayable because of scratches.

Read: Xbox One – Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience

On the subject of sharing, Microsoft has also taken the bold step of allowing users to gift their games to friends. They must be a friend to the user for at least 30 days and they can only be given once. Still, that’s a digital game changer. Yes, users can share an actual title with other PlayStation users by handing them a disc, but Microsoft’s digital system makes this as easy a few button presses instead of a trek across the city. Sony isn’t saying whether users on it service will get to gift digitally purchased titles on any level, with or without DRM, though we’d imagine if they were, the console’s announcement would have been a great time to share that information.

That makes Microsoft’s digital first approach to gaming worth investing in. It turns games into what they should be: bits stored on a hard drive that don’t fill your shelf with pieces of unnecessary plastic.

That’s not all either. Being able to share those titles with other family members without having to physically use the same disc is historic. There’s no driving to their house and delivering the game, they’ll already see it on it available on their console and vice-versa. Using the system, users could very quickly work with their family members to build a huge library of shared games. A library that would be a pain to build and manage otherwise. Again, that makes the Xbox One worth buying.

At the end of the day, many users will be turned off by the very idea that a console will not allow them to play their favorite games without being connected to the internet at least once every twenty-four hours. However, for literally millions of users this is a non-issue for the majority of their time spent gaming. No they won’t be able to play their games if they lose internet access for longer than a day. That’s an inconvenience. However how often does that happen? Certainly less than what most nay-sayers are presuming.

Let’s also not forget that the console will only check-in every day, not constantly. Users will have a full day of playing time before they need to worry about the console denying them access to their games. If it comes down to it, most smartphone plans include use as a hotspot, which would allow the Xbox 360 to connect to check in even if a home Internet connection went down.

Really, this breaks down to the same balancing act that users have always had to deal with when purchasing digital goods, whether that be music and television shows from the Apple’s iTunes Store: is the slight predictable inconvenience of DRM worth the benefits. For potential Xbox One users, many would argue it’s worth it.

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Ziggy

    06/15/2013 at 2:56 pm

    Man I loved the Xbox 360 and was a huge fan of Microsoft, but after seeing the Xbox One and learning about there policy’s, I’m just disappointed.

    Oh well, anyone know here I can still pre-order a PS4?

    • bamn

      06/16/2013 at 1:49 am

      @Gamestop , i called 4 trying to reserve a xbox all sold out , asked about ps just to see and they had plenty

  2. Markmanicon

    06/15/2013 at 7:30 pm

    Wow! Amazing how you try to put lipstick on this pig. Typical of an iTunes buyer that is okay with DRM. Guess PRISM doesn’t bother you either.
    Why don’t you do some research and do an article about Why the PS4 is Still the Better Buy? I’m sure it will be a lot more interesting than this tripe.

  3. medman

    06/15/2013 at 7:51 pm

    This guy is lost. Digital downloads huh? With mandatory game installs. On a box that has a 500 gb hard drive with no ability to swap it out, unlike the hard drive in the PS4. So now, not only will you have that humongous console sitting on your shelf, you’ll have a kinect camera you could give a rip less about, a power brick because Microsoft engineers are still years behind Sony in the ability to design a console with an internal power supply, and an external hard drive because Microsoft can’t think ahead and realize that 500 gb ain’t a whole lot if you’re going to require every game be installed on your inferior hardware. That’s a whole lot of hassles for the “future of gaming”. That’s a whole lot of bullshit, more like it. What a crock. I’ll be enjoying my gaming on a PS4, thank you. More powerful hardware, better first party developers, Gaikai with the potential for streaming ps1, ps2, and ps3 games, psplus that more than pays for itself with the games it gives away, and the knowledge that I can do all that at a price that is reasonable, and not artificially inflated by a bunch of greedy scumbags. Good luck with your Xbox One though.

    • crwolv

      06/15/2013 at 9:20 pm

      Amen amen

    • Stephen H (@devsteveo)

      06/17/2013 at 10:26 am

      Even if the Xbox 1 contained everything you wanted and more, I would still expect you to choose the ps4 anyway. You could have said you’re a fanboy and be honest and saved all that typing.

      • medman

        06/20/2013 at 8:09 am

        You couldn’t be further from the truth. I have a 360 and a PS3 and bought the 360 before my PS3 this gen because in the beginning Microsoft had the games I wanted to play, Sony did not. That has completely turned the last few years of this generation, and Sony’s first party exclusives are knocking it out of the park. Their first party development houses are the main reason I decided years ago the PS4 would be my first choice next gen, and when the system specs for both consoles were released that decision was validated. Now that Microsoft has reversed their ridiculous restrictive policies for the One, I will at some point in the future consider purchasing that console. But not a bloated 499, and certainly not before a PS4. I go where the games are. Sony is killing Microsoft in that regard, and the open invitation from Sony to the indie community is just icing on the cake. Game over.

    • mike

      06/18/2013 at 9:06 pm

      At least the Xbox One IS adding new things, as far as I’m concerned the Ps4 a Ps3 with better graphics. A lot of people just are not comfortable with change. If I’m getting a new console I want a new console and not just a update.

  4. crwolv

    06/15/2013 at 9:17 pm

    Amen he is lost…completely. why are you trying to substantiate the fact that Microsoft as it does now is restricting people, while Sony is moving more the route of Android and of course Android is Trouncing IOS and Microsoft. Open source or a semblance of it will ALWAYS win out. The essence of freedom. I love the specs(accept its ram is inferior to the Playstations gddr5) but its KGB like restrictionswill put it behind ps3 and continue to kill Microsoft. you trying in essence failed, making excusesfor Microsoft when they are restricting steaming piles of Cow dung

    • crwolv

      06/15/2013 at 9:22 pm

      Wow.your article is a loosing battle. Look at comments already. PS4= FREEDOM. XBOX1= RESTRICTIVE RIPPOFF

  5. Unconvinced

    06/15/2013 at 10:01 pm

    Writer seems the kind who would write a piece extolling your forthcoming imprisonment by pointing out how you would get regular balanced meals, exercises as well as lots of new friends. Great time to be looking forward to.

    • George

      06/16/2013 at 1:39 pm

      So true!!!!

      Damn you straight to hell M$ with your piece of crap restrictive console…and I hope they have a good internet connection for you down there for your daily phone homes.

      XBone just go home for f*cks sake, no-one wants you.

    • medman

      06/16/2013 at 4:15 pm

      Hilarious. Kudos.

    • crwolv

      06/16/2013 at 9:29 pm

      Ya lmao….it’s like a dude that glass is half full even know it’s f’n filthy

  6. Terster

    06/15/2013 at 10:45 pm

    I actually did my research and used my actual brain and I feel the same way as the reporter. The ps4 will undoubtably be better at launch, but the xbox one has more to offer for the future.

    • dan

      06/16/2013 at 10:26 am

      Congratulations you actually convicted yourself that the xbox will defeat the ps4. Wow i feel sorry for when you paying alot more money for something thats gonna kill your pockets. On top of that the xbox has 500 GBs. Not good for the future i believe if you stored over 40 games on top of apps, music, and movies. The game would simply over heat. Your basiclly paying more within a year than ps users. I think microsoft bit off more then they can chew which is killing them.

    • crwolv

      06/16/2013 at 9:32 pm

      Seriously…. Not trying to be obtuse but I would hate to have your brain.

  7. nene

    06/17/2013 at 12:33 am

    damn i thought the xbox was the greatest till i heard of the xbox 1,now im just dissapointed in microsoft. they really took it too far this time and i hope they know the majority of there fans including me are turning there backs on them and going for a company like sony who actually give a damn on there fans point of view than what they can get out of there wallets. you better fix these probloms microsoft or else you will lose everything. and whoever wrote this article, you got to be crazy to actually like what they are offering….. RIP Xbox :,(

  8. Stephen H (@devsteveo)

    06/17/2013 at 10:21 am

    If family sharing works out as speculated, then count me in. If I can halve the cost of owning games with a few mates, then who cares if I need to connect for that 2 secs per day.
    The majority of those complainers probably wouldn’t have bought one anyway, don’t kid yourselves fangirls.

    • Bob

      06/28/2013 at 1:13 am

      Sharing the cost ain’t gonna work, since you can only send it once, and you cant both have it.

  9. Jaymon

    06/18/2013 at 7:47 pm

    For me it was a tough decision between the two consoles. I decided to pre-order the Xbox for one reason above all, GAMES! I think xbox has a stronger 1st year plan for exclusive content and it’s won me over along with the fact that it’s more than just a gaming console, (assuming xbox live experience will continue to be better than psn). I’m gonna have faith in M$ that they will do everything they can to try to win the console war in the 1st quarter of their release and not sell me a piece of sh*t in comparison to ps4. I’m pretty sure sony will be giving in to digital rights of content eventually without mentioning it anytime soon. IMO the graphics of xbone titles are looking better than the ps4’s games so far too.

    • medman

      06/20/2013 at 8:03 am

      “I’m pretty sure Sony will be giving in to digital rights of content evetually”. You really were on top of that one. Only you meant to say Microsoft would be caving, right? Your powers of perception are astounding.

  10. Iago

    06/29/2013 at 11:57 am

    its a very difficult choice between both consoles. But i think I am Getting both. I know that sounds a bit stupid because it is too expensive. But they are both amazing consoles and trying to decide is making me loose my head. So y not both

    #YOLO

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