Xbox One - Does it breach EU consumer rights?

frugal_mike

The publishers seem to have the mentality that every £10 spent on used games is £40 they have lost, which is clearly false. Forcing people into these expensive lock-ins will (hopefully) make them spend less and harm the profits of the games companies.

It's a shame really, it looks like a lot of people worked hard to make the xbox functionally impressive, but the business model has soured it.

Timalay

I'll think I'll stick with my Xbox 360 for now. The OUYA is looking very tempting.

custardy

Timalay wrote: »

I'll think I'll stick with my Xbox 360 for now. The OUYA is looking very tempting.

A Tegra 3 Android box vs the next gen consoles from M$/Sony?
different ball parks

Lifeforms

Not Xbox, but Wii. I rarely buy games. I buy them quite reduced at likes of 2nd hand game shops because there is no come back if you just don't enjoy the experience. BUT the thing is, If I buy dirt cheap 2nd hand and enjoy it, I would often then go out and buy full price new versions/editions of the enjoyed game.

So with out a fully accessible easy 2nd hand market they'd actually get no money from me. Granted I know I'm the minority in games buying, but they're freaking expensive new first off, and when you throw in all the restrictions that Microsoft has done, they're gunna kill their own market. Meanwhile the Xbox 360 will have a blossoming appeal with new released games on that format, and the One will languish on the shelf because it's too risky to buy.
Was this an april fools joke released just too late? Because I do believe the joke will be on them.

This really is one company I hope falls apart from their latest error of judgement, and I suspect the likes of Nintendo, and Sony are closely watching to see what the impact of such strict restrictions will have as they will be considering doing the same if it works out for Microsoft.

frugal_mike

custardy wrote: »

A Tegra 3 Android box vs the next gen consoles from M$/Sony?
different ball parks

This is true, but if its games are fun that's all that matters. I might just give it a look.

Takeaway_Addict

http://news.xbox.com/2013/05/qa

FAQ to read from 1st May

Plus this more recent...whoever said about membership you only need one so they are actually saving you money by getting rid of the family account!

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-05/22/xbox-one-faq

Takeaway_Addict

A more depressing article

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/05/22/xbox-one-what-we-do-and-dont-know

ineed

I was just reading this article from Eurogamer on it, http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-06-07-microsoft-kills-game-ownership-and-expects-us-to-smile

E3 should be interesting to watch, more explanations will be required and I wonder how they will pacify people.

Timalay

custardy wrote: »

A Tegra 3 Android box vs the next gen consoles from M$/Sony?
different ball parks

Yes and no, 4k tvs are far to expensive at the moment for a standard consumer. Also the cost of these games are (clearly) going far cheaper than MS and Sony's.

Littlestars_2

frugal_mike wrote: »

You'll still be able to do that at participating retailers and if the publisher agrees. Not sure what a retailer has to do to be participating, but I wouldn't be surprised if it costs money. Pay Microsoft a percentage of every sale perhaps? Not exactly great for competition.


Technically you can still do this as long as your buyer is willing to wait for 30 days until you can send them the game! Stupid....

But the problem with that is currently when people trade in games you can look about for the best deal for trades, but when it changes rather than having a choice and getting as much as you can you will probably only get a stupid amount back, and thats if the publisher will trade it back. And many people would actually want to friend someone on their xbox they dont know in order to sell the game, apart from the fact they would have to wait a month.

The problem is they care changing it so you never actually own the game - you just get a license to use it and at £40 + a pop its not going to be viable. Many people buy preowned for various reasons and in some ways it can actually help the publishers. When people get a game for cheap preowned and really enjoy it, when the company brings out a new one people will be more likely to buy it full price brand new because they enjoyed the last one.