Why Microsoft Wanted the 24-hour Check-in

I have been skulking around the net on game news sites. A LOT of people were complaining about how Microsoft's decision to reverse its policies showed that they have no backbone. One thing in particular bugged me - there were people who only had beef with the 24-hour online check-in rule. Some suggested that while a player has the game's disc onboard the console, the check-in should not be mandatory. Some stated that the check-in should be pushed to take effect every week instead of once every 24-hours.

Here, I am going to explore a little on why Microsoft wanted to check on you every 24-hours. Of course, this is based solely on speculation, but I think it is a very sound assumption. Let's begin with a story.

One fine day, John bought a game for his Xbone. Following the rules Microsoft had imposed for the playing of games on the Xbone, he installs the game from the Blu-Ray disc, registers the product key on the Internet to his account, then proceeds to play the game. While playing, John thought of selling the game once he was done with it. John took the game and sold it. After the trade, he no longer has rights to the game under his account, and cannot play the game even though it has been installed on his Xbone. 

So far so good right? Now, imagine that the 24-hour online check-in was removed, or delayed to a week. What could John have done?

The story continues from when John wanted to sell his game. This time around, however, John removes his Xbone from the Internet. He proceeds to sell the game to his friend. John then goes back home, and replays the game another time. Without the 24-hour check-in, one can effectively buy a game on release, install it and sell it on the same day for more money - all after unplugging the Xbone from the Internet.

This seems really tedious and unlikely, but it will be done if granted the chance. People are like that.

Now, I am making this point because I want to drive home the point that Microsoft is a business corporation. To those who think they would have removed the 24-hour check-in issue or mitigated it, do you honestly think that as a company, which has time and time again revealed their sole focus to be monetary gain, would ever bother with allowing such a loophole that could make losses? To seal it, Microsoft needed the check-in. There was no way they would have removed it or mitigated its effects, anyway, anyhow.

This online check-in requirement ties in to their DRM. Amazon's poll reportedly showed 95% of users favouring the PS4 instead of the Xbone. Of course Microsoft needed to do something. Since the main beef centred around DRM, they decided to "listen to their fans" and reversed their original Xbone policies. No DRM restrictions, no online check-ins.

Following that, Microsoft also retracted their Family Sharing "feature". As previously discussed, this "feature" would allow for up to 12 people to share the cost of a SINGLE game. That means, $60/12 = $5 each. Microsoft potentially loses revenue totalling $60*11 = $660. Do you think they would have just left it there with or without the DRM? Heck, now that they have to compete and in turn abolish DRM restrictions, having this feature COULD spell even more loss for them. These 12 people could in turn go around their friends' houses and log-in to their accounts to install the game. Without DRM restrictions, the game could then spread like wildfire. Really guys, I mean, it's pure business.

An Xbox supporter told me that a similar feature already exists in the current XBLA. If Brian buys an XBLA game, he could install it on his friend's console, and his friend can play the game for free. The game can also be played online. Simple breakdown - 1.) this game is indie, it does not cost much, but good for you to be so indie-supportive by wanting it free anyway; 2.) to play online, one needs the Xbox Live Gold SUBSCRIPTION. You have effectively paid a fee to play online for free. How... weird.

I am getting rather confused at how "involved gamers" can be so supportive of things that SEEM innovative but, really, it's just a business model. Now, don't get me wrong. Sony is a business corporation too. The only difference is, Sony seems to know better. They get what customers want, and when customers want it. Them being a Japanese corporation also makes me feel more secure, in that Japanese businesses tend to have better customer service than Western corporations.

One last thing, stop spouting nonsense about cloud processing. Simple arithmetic and a rough understanding of how MMO's work can give you a rather clear idea on how totally nonsensical this push for "cloud power" Microsoft is having. Sony owns Gaikai, which is essentially one of the pioneers of cloud streaming, and yet they aren't pushing things too much. MAYBE, just maybe, there's a good reason why Sony isn't pushing that. *cough cough* bullshit *cough* exaggerations *COUGH COUGH*

Well, that's that. Hope you guys enjoy your PS4.