'Sony forced Microsoft's hand, not the internet whining', - Bleszinski

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Gears of War designer and former Epic Games man Cliff Bleszinski has said it was Sony - and not "the internet whining" - that pushed Microsoft to withdraw its strict Xbox One used game DRM policies.


Microsoft today announced the complete withdrawal of the Xbox One's controversial used game restrictions and internet requirement for online license checks once every 24 hours - policies which Bleszinski bullishly defended on multiple occasions.

The platform holder said the changes came "as a result of feedback from the Xbox community," handing vocal internet communities a victory of sorts in their backlash against the corporation's original plans. But Bleszinski says it was Sony's largely DRM-free PS4 - and not the voice of the community - which forced Microsoft into the policy changes.

"Sony forced Microsoft's hand, not the internet whining," said Bleszinski via Twitter.

The designer also commented, "At the end of the day many hardcore dislike what was attempted. You can't do well in that space with many of your core unhappy. Especially when users have a choice. The nature of capitalism encourages competition and Sony played into that."

The original DRM proposals would have brought with them the infrastructure for Microsoft to channel some of the money made from used game sales back to publishers. But with that prospect now seemingly gone, Bleszinski believes publishers will only accelerate their efforts to maximize profits using DLC, micro transactions and "tacked on multiplayer".

"Brace yourselves. More tacked on multiplayer and DLC are coming," he said. "You're also about to see available microtransactions skyrocket.

"You're going to see digital versions of your favorite games with added 'features' and content to lure you to digital over disc based. 'Do whatever it takes to keep that disc in that tray' is the mantra of developers in a disc based world," Bleszinski went on.

"I want *developers* who worked their asses off to see money on every copy of their game that is sold instead of Gamestop. Fuck me, right?" he commented.

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/415453/sony-forced-microsofts-hand-not-the-internet-whining-says-bleszinski/

Comments

"'Sony forced Microsoft's hand, not the internet whining', - Bleszinski" :: Login/Create an Account :: 72 comments

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WokzePosted:

i personally believe that both of these factors made microsoft change their mind, but they have changed for the better, so there is not point moaning about it, pointing out what made them change, they changed because they needed to change, the internet factor would of lost them so many customers and playstation would of won the 'console war' so its a good thing they have changed.

martiantigerPosted:

Its nice to know Mr Bullcrapski thinks Sony forced Microsucks hand. As if he matters.
I mean god forbid WE the players, buyers, etc have the right to say anything.
So,if I did internet whining, Its my right to do so!
I think he and everyone else like him..not to name names..microsuck..are mad that gamers are sick of being raped. You all know what I mean, pay for passes, dlc, memberships, $60 games that are actually about $100 after all the add on's.
personally PS4..im waiting..Bye,Bye, BSL (xbl).

LeapPosted:

liamcole123 To everyone moaning about the DRM are idiots, they clearly didn't understand its benefits and should have looked into it anyway! The Xbox One would have won in the long run but people are too ignorant to accept change! PC gamers have been fine with a forced internet connection and no game sharing for years! It's gonna happen in the consoles too after the Xbox One and PS4!


Exactly! Thank you -.-

322Posted:

xCeeTee
liamcole123 To everyone moaning about the DRM are idiots, they clearly didn't understand its benefits and should have looked into it anyway! The Xbox One would have won in the long run but people are too ignorant to accept change! PC gamers have been fine with a forced internet connection and no game sharing for years! It's gonna happen in the consoles too after the Xbox One and PS4!


No, first of all; we don't have to have an update every single day, and if I wanna play say DOTA 2, I can play offline with bots, same with most games like that. Secondly, PC is udnerstandable, because otherwise you're going to have a bigger problem with piracy and more people running off one copy of the game.


you need an online connection to sign into steam tho

StonerzardPosted:

liamcole123 To everyone moaning about the DRM are idiots, they clearly didn't understand its benefits and should have looked into it anyway! The Xbox One would have won in the long run but people are too ignorant to accept change! PC gamers have been fine with a forced internet connection and no game sharing for years! It's gonna happen in the consoles too after the Xbox One and PS4!


No, first of all; we don't have to have an update every single day, and if I wanna play say DOTA 2, I can play offline with bots, same with most games like that. Secondly, PC is udnerstandable, because otherwise you're going to have a bigger problem with piracy and more people running off one copy of the game.

liamcole123Posted:

To everyone moaning about the DRM are idiots, they clearly didn't understand its benefits and should have looked into it anyway! The Xbox One would have won in the long run but people are too ignorant to accept change! PC gamers have been fine with a forced internet connection and no game sharing for years! It's gonna happen in the consoles too after the Xbox One and PS4!

-AN-94Posted:

Yes, part of it was Sony, part of it was the Xbox community but the last part he said was true. Since both companies are not going to have DRM built in, expect a rocket in DLC and features to lure you over to digital. This is a good thing and a bad thing. I like digital but to make people spend so much money over the original cost is ridiculous I already have a tough time spending for DLC now unless it's a game a really enjoy and want to support the developer. The next gen will be very interesting.....

AG_CounterfeitPosted:

xxJENGAxx Or maybe it was just a marketing strategy where people would hate it then love it and realize how much better it is and get the Xbox1 instead of the PS4. They never had any of the DRM policies to begin with.

Not gonna lie that does sound like a strategy that Microsoft would you but the thing is, is that they knew it would work if it was an intentional thing.

neboPosted:

"You're also about to see available microtransactions skyrocket." I hate microtransactions ._.

xxJENGAxxPosted:

Or maybe it was just a marketing strategy where people would hate it then love it and realize how much better it is and get the Xbox1 instead of the PS4. They never had any of the DRM policies to begin with.