6 things you’ve heard about next-gen (that aren’t true)
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The future is whack
Always online? Game sharing? Free-to-play console MMOs? Backwards compatibility? There’s been plenty of news and announcements over the past few weeks concerning the next generation of consoles. It seems like there are just as many new features being announced as there are refuted, convoluted, or, as of a few days ago, completely renounced.
Despite the best efforts of PR representatives everywhere, there’s still plenty of confusion about what’s real and what’s just another online rumor. Allow us to make things a bit more clear.
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The new generation is a return to exclusives
The rumor: Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts looked great at Sony’s E3 press conference, while Microsoft managed to nab Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and Titanfall. It seems like third parties are finally back to picking sides and signing system exclusives this generation.
The truth: Many of the games shown off at this year’s press conferences were quietly confirmed to be multi-platform after the show. The big Square Enix announcements are following in the console-spanning footsteps of Final Fantasy XIII, Kojima hasn’t totally abandoned his old home, and PS4 owners looking to scratch their mech-combat itch will be able to grab the PC version of Titanfall (assuming they’ve got the specs to keep up). Likewise, plenty of the other big franchises, like Assassin’s Creed and Battlefield, will be just as widely available as ever.
As much as Microsoft and Sony would love you to believe that the games shown are theirs and theirs alone, the reality is that most next-gen games will be available, regardless of which system you choose. Still confused? Well, here's a full list of PS4, Xbox One, and PC exclusives, as far as we can tell...
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Killer Instinct is strictly free-to-play
The rumor: Killer Instinct is back in HD--but only as a free-to-play, microtransaction-filled download? C-C-C-C-Combo Breaker!
The truth:Games like League of Legends have proven that the F2P model is a great way to draw in players, but it isn’t the only option for those looking to fill out their roster. The game will launch as a free download packed with just a single character, allowing players to decide whether or not they’d be willing to buy their old favorites individually--but it's not the only way to get in on the a-a-a-a-a-a-a-action.
Meanwhile, those who would prefer a one-time, bulk purchase will be able to buy the season pass with all of the characters included. Although there’s no word yet on the pricing, this optional approach should accommodate as many wallets as possible.
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Xbox One online ban takes away all access to games
The rumor: If the Xbox One is looking to offload its processing and data storage to the cloud, wouldn’t that mean getting banned from Xbox Live will lock us out from the games we purchased?
The truth: Much like on the 360, any disciplinary action from Microsoft will only affect your ability to play online multiplayer. We now know that the Xbox One won’t be completely reliant on an online connection (among other things), but many games may still take advantage of the cloud. Regardless, there was plenty of concern and misinformation online until Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson, officially put the rumors to rest. But then again, all of this could be avoided with some good online behavior.
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Xbox One will only work in 21 countries at launch
The rumor: Vacationing in the Bahamas? Stationed in the Middle East? Living in Japan or Eastern Europe? Don’t count on your Xbox One to be there with you.
The truth: Unlike the rest of these entries, this one was a reality until just a few days ago. The Xbox One’s old system of online check-ins would also check whether or not the console was connecting from the list of 21 approved countries. Anywhere else would be locked out--not only from Xbox Live, but single-player games and other services as well.
Thankfully, this is no longer the case. According to Microsoft's official statement, you’ll now be able to take and use your Xbox One anywhere around the world after a one-time update. Much like many of these other policy reversals, region-locking will now work just as it did for the Xbox 360.
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Your online account will carry over
The rumor: The next generation is all about our online profiles, so there’s no reason why all of our old information and purchases wouldn’t follow us over. We think.
The truth: By and large, the majority of your information will be making the next-gen transition. Profile names, account details and achievements/trophies will all be saved, but the majority of game-related content won’t be available on the new consoles.
Largely due to the Xbox One and PS4’s lack of backwards compatibility, all of the downloadable games and full releases that you’ve been purchasing for the last few years will be exclusive to the last generation. Just another reason to think twice before packing up your old console for good.
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Kinect 2.0 will always be watching
The rumor: Xbox One needs the new Kinect plugged in at all times, and the Kinect will always be active even when the system is off. Guess that means no more running naked through the living room...
The truth: This is one that we can only take on Microsoft’s good word. The Kinect can’t be entirely turned off when plugged into the system, as it's constantly working in a dormant state that supposedly only listens for the phrase “Xbox on.” Additionally, Microsoft has said that no personal information collected through Kinect will ever leave your console without “your explicit permission.”
That being said, there are still a few ways to get around this for those unwilling to take the chance. Blocking your Kinect camera or fully unplugging the peripheral after gaming sessions is always an option, but now that the Xbox One no longer requires a daily online check-in, you could just stop connecting to the Internet completely. At the end of the day, those who are concerned have the ability to cover their bases.
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The truth will set you free
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MadlyLaughing - June 23, 2013 9:55 p.m.
I'm sorta confused why this article shows Final Fantasy fourteen's title artwork with Final Fantasy XV(15) stenciled in. FFXV has its own title artwork Games Radar :\ at least get your slide art right. -
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GamesRadar_BugReport - June 22, 2013 9:38 a.m.
I can't believe I registered to post this...(OMFG)... Bug Report: There is a typo in Slide 5, it says... this one was a reality until official statement, you’ll ...the words "official statement" is a link to garbage. I mean it literally is a link to part of the article's text, cuz the href of the link wasn't closed properly. The HTML Source shows a "smart quote": ” in the (a href) tag. "Smart quotes" are stupid & cause problems, like this. My quotes in this post might get converted, so instead of saying use this type of quote: " ...I'll just say you want the %22 type quotes instead of the %u201C or %u201D type quotes (that format of referring to specific char is from JavaScript's escape() / unescape() functions)... You REALLY should have a simple (anonymous/not-logged-in) option for reporting typos (or "Bugs" in general) in articles. Yes, I found the "Feedback" link, but this isn't exactly an idea or "feedback" in the sense of that site. This is more of a "bug report". You are lucky I wasted my time registering & typing this. I really enjoy NOT HAVING A PREVIEW, when I post something online (that was sarcasm, you should add a Preview button) -
Dave_Muoio - June 22, 2013 10:30 a.m.
aaaaaaaaand fixed. Thanks for the (constructive) heads up. -
GR_TomMagrino - June 24, 2013 8:29 a.m.
If we had an anonymous way to get people to report bugs, how on earth would we get people to register? Clearly, you've fallen for our diabolical plan, and you're just going to have to live with consequences. P.S. Thanks for the feedback! -
ObliqueZombie - June 22, 2013 2:43 a.m.
I really, really dislike Kinect and will wait to purchase an Xbone until they give a price deduction, however small. But being able to do "accurate" voice commands is incredibly compelling, forget the hand motions all together. -
SirManguydude - June 23, 2013 10:09 a.m.
From what has been said and shown, it can pick up things as small as a finger waggle. This could make some interesting gameplay mechanics. Hell, I could see some cool shooter aspects, like maybe in BF4 the CommoRose on the X1 could incorporate hand motions. -
grannysmith - June 22, 2013 2:26 a.m.
All this fuss. I very much doubt anyone at Microsoft would want to see me running naked through my living room! -
Technodude - June 22, 2013 12:26 a.m.
Hang on, if they said the Xbox will have all its restrictions removed with a one time update at launch, how are people outside of that ridiculous list of 21 countries going to activate their Xbox if all the shipped units contain the initial restrictions? Do they have to fly over to the US just to patch it? Microsoft have been a load of crap this time around, nothing they ever say is clear anymore. Very glad I've only played Sony's consoles. -
tyeswo - June 21, 2013 9:43 p.m.
The xbox one still wont be easily playable in many countries however. As you said "will be playable in those countries after a one time update" well thats great but many countries dont have the wide spread internet adoption that the US and most of central Europe have. They will have to wait for systems to ship with this update built in. -
ljrivarola - June 21, 2013 6:42 p.m.
The problem with Killen Instinct is the same problem that the Xbox One had with DRM and all that stuff: Microsoft doesn't know how to inform the public about it. On that Jimmy Fallon show, Phil Spencer said "Killer Instinct is going to be a free downloadable game on launch day"... So, I wouldn't be surprise if people think that KI is F2P -
SirManguydude - June 23, 2013 10:12 a.m.
Well it is F2P. It is just like League of Legends, you can buy characters, or you can play with with Jugo if you like him. Typically people who are hard core into fighters only play three different people, and it is safe to assume that Killer Instinct won't be bringing any new fighters to the game, and mechanic wise will be very similar to the past Killer Instincts. -
ljrivarola - June 23, 2013 10:43 a.m.
Yes, but Spencer just said that, the message he gave to the people was "Yeah, we're giving you a free game", when it's not the whole truth. Imagine the people who aren't hardcore into fighters. They're gonna download the game and find out that it has only one character, that won't be good. I assume that the same will happen with Driveclub PS+ Edition -
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Squander - June 21, 2013 6:14 p.m.
The issue with exclusives will change once a certain amount of consoles are sold - developers and publishers must no be blamed that they go multi in the beginning, from an economic point of view its the only right thing. I guess we will see an increasing amount of exclusives after 1-2 years
Showing 1-16 of 16 comments
thekeelo_g - June 25, 2013 9:08 a.m.