So, I know a lot of people here aren't really gamers, so might not have been following the next generation console wars. But I think that Microsoft's approach in this arena is interesting because of certain conversations here in regards to Windows 8 and glass walled gardens (and I'm willing to eat crow on this)
So first, the basics, which I'll reference with links, then give the salient points in this post:
The Xbox Is Not Always Online, But Seems To Block Used GamesReport: All Xbox One games must be installed, secondhand players must pay feeThat XBbox One Reveal sure was a disaster, huh?XBox One is a desperate prayer to stop timeXbox One Internet Trade PolicyXBox One Privacy, Connectivity, and Game LicensingTL;DR - Basically, the XBox One has targeted the entertainment appliance rather than the gamer. They are looking to replace your cable box in your house. It requires a Kinect, and is always on. With Xbox One you can game offline for up to
24 hours on your primary console, or
one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library.
Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies.
You don't own your games, you license them, and they are no longer an insert a disc proposition, but must be installed, and registered to your Xbox Live account. Once this is done, it cannot be installed to anyone else's account, though there is talk of a fee to allow it to do so. If your XBox live account is suspended/banned, you lose all of your games. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but they are
exploring the possibilities with their partners.
And now you know why it's being nicknamed the XBone. Take it up the rear for Microsoft's partners.
"More not so NSFW gifs to express displeasure"
Is this what's next for the desktop?