E3 2013: Mattrick on online connectivity: no internet access? Stick with Xbox 360
In what might be the biggest blunder of E3 2013, President of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Don Mattrick has described the Xbox 360 as an “offline device” for gamers with limited internet access during an interview with Spike TV’s Geoff Keighley.
Not only does his comment undermine the online capability of Microsoft’s current generation platform – something the manufacturer has touted for many years now, but as Keighley construes, Mattrick’s message regarding the Xbox One’s mandatory connection and authentication policies appears to be “if you don’t like it, don’t buy it”. Whatever your stance on which black next-gen box will ultimately win the console war, we don’t reckon anyone was expecting that statement.
Think we’re making a mountain out of a molehill? Then we urge you to click on the clip embedded below and make up your own mind. Said interview is available in full on the GameTrailers website.
Charles
June 12, 2013 @ 5:06 am
What Microsoft is trying to say is, if you don’t have an internet connection, you ain’t good enough to own a Xbox One.
Way to go Microsoft!
Daniel Flatt
June 12, 2013 @ 7:50 am
I don’t see this as insulting in any way, he’s just saying that if you don’t have an internet access buy a 360. What else is he going to say? Buy a PS4? He knows he can’t adequately sell a Xbox One to someone without the net so he’s offering their other product.
While it’s not antagonistic it is certainly not the best statement. They are telling you to go buy their old product that will soon be forgotten completely.
Danny
June 12, 2013 @ 8:33 am
I see your point Daniel, but I’m kinda with Craig and Charles on this one. I’m a Xbox owner, and when I saw this my first thought was “fail”. I even laughed. Don pitches the 360 here as an offline device, which contradicts all the fuss Microsoft’s been making about how great 360’s LIVE is. Sure the 360 can be played offline, but it is not an offline product for people with no internet. You can’t overlook how stupid that statement is coming from a company spokesperson.
As for the Xbox One thing, Microsoft has been very dismissive when it comes to concerns about authenticating games, online connections and so on. I feel the general attitude is very much “if you don’t like it, don’t buy it”, and looking through the YouTube comments many agree with me. That’s not the best message to be communicating to your potential buyers. To be honest, Microsoft has made quite a few mistakes are far as pleasing its community is concerned.
Craig Reynolds
June 12, 2013 @ 8:45 am
So you’ll be buying a PS4 then, eh Danny? 😉
Hey, you guys have the same name! *chuckles*
Danny
June 12, 2013 @ 9:48 am
Lol
Yeah probably. A lot of my friends have already pre-ordered theirs, so unless I want to be lonely come holiday 2013 I’d better get my order in.
PSPhwoar
June 12, 2013 @ 10:05 am
At 3:38 on GT’s full interview:
“Xbox has been created by gamers for gamers”
So he’s saying that Microsoft’s gamers asked for a restriction ridden console that focuses on TV, needs a constant online connection and doesn’t support used games? And wasn’t that one of Sony’s key messages??
bleachorange
June 12, 2013 @ 3:39 pm
Yeah, I was already looking at Sony before this (got a ps3 6 weeks ago), and the information coming out makes it look like the 360 is going to be outperformed by the wii u.
bleachorange
June 12, 2013 @ 3:40 pm
excuse me, the XBone
Kelsey Miller
June 12, 2013 @ 5:33 pm
Microsoft might be slowly killing me. I’m trying to close my eyes and ears to this stuff in hopes that it will all just magically disappear. After the initial Windows 8 release I’ve been trying not to cry and this just isn’t helping be hold things together..
Though, considering things like Google Fiber and such, and how the internet is progressing hardware-wise, access could be available pretty much everywhere… in maybe ten or fifteen years. Nice work jumping the gun there.
Charles
June 12, 2013 @ 9:02 pm
This is just like that fiasco with Adam Orth.. So apparently, he was expressing Microsoft’s stand on that issue. Who would have thunk..
Craig Reynolds
June 13, 2013 @ 12:21 am
In the words of Microsoft: “Xbox, go home”.