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Military personnel on Xbox One; Microsoft responds

I first made this forum image back in 2001. I never thought 12 years later I would have a chance to use it again:

hindenbox.jpg
 

watership

Member
Just wow, even if Larry doesn't truly believe this every single point seems to highlight how much they don't get the situation.

Of course they get the situation. Just because they haven't responded in the way you like doesn't mean they don't understand. I'm sure they'll figure something out for Military personnel.
 
Of course they get the situation. Just because they haven't responded in the way you like doesn't mean they don't understand. I'm sure they'll figure something out for Military personnel.
The problem is, any solution they figure out for the military should be applicable to any other consumer. So they kinda boxed themselves into a corner here.
 

linkboy

Member
The problem is, any solution they figure out for the military should be applicable to any other consumer. So they kinda boxed themselves into a corner here.

Exactly.

If MS were to remove all of the restrictions for military members, but leave them in place for everyone else, they're opening themselves up for a potential lawsuit (someone will take it up in court, we all know this).

They really only have two options.

A) Open the console up for military members, and risk being sued by people

B) Taking the PR hit and keeping the console locked (and we all have seen how well MS's PR people are doing in regards to this).
 

BigDug13

Member
You get VPN that solves the issue. both on deployments and stationed in other countries. VPN is what everyone should be using if you are outside of the country you originate from.

You can't use a VPN on deployment in the Navy. We're in the middle of the ocean with no personal Internet.
 

spannicus

Member
The dudes overseas are probably like oh well fuck it and more worried about getting back home than xboxlive. Ps4 will be the console of choice simple. I think this whole thing is getting crazy just a lil bit. Microsoft doesn't really owe the military anything, they're a corporation trying to make money based off a set business plan. Microsoft isnt gonna switch it up because service members cant play online. Sure its bad press but these days people don't view the armed forces with such high regard anymore at least thats how I feel. The policies suck ass but I dont see them changing up their gameplan for a percentage of people who may or may not purchase the console in the first place. P.s im an optomist hehe.
 

IISANDERII

Member
Of course they get the situation. Just because they haven't responded in the way you like doesn't mean they don't understand. I'm sure they'll figure something out for Military personnel.
Yeah but then the solution they have will leave military personnel with a gimped system......unless it turns out that the cloud doesn't add anything to the gaming experience.....then the cat will be out of her bag and all that bullshit they've been going on about will turn out to be bullshite.
 

linkboy

Member
The dudes overseas are probably like oh well fuck it and more worried about getting back home than xboxlive. Ps4 will be the console of choice simple. I think this whole thing is getting crazy just a lil bit.

As one of those dudes who was overseas, playing games was one way to escape from where I was at.

I beat FF7 for the first time when I was over there because for those few short times where I had free time, it was something to focus on.

Games and movies are ways that military members cope with being away.

As wrong as this sounds, thinking about going home only makes it worse because you start to anticipate it (and then it appears to take longer since you dwell on it).
 
If Sony wanted to twist the knife even more maybe they should something out with the military and offer discounted ps4's or something.

PS4. Its for Freedom!
 

watership

Member
The problem is, any solution they figure out for the military should be applicable to any other consumer. So they kinda boxed themselves into a corner here.

They probably won't. they have a vision of where they want the console to be. How they want the ecosystem work, and it doesn't work offline. They obviously have decided to embrace that. Come what may. They see the stats of xbox 360 users. I bet 90+ percent are online. So they said. That's it, that's where I am going.

The problem is that people are upset on principle, not on actual behaviors or how it will actually affect them.
 

antitrop

Member
WAT

Please tell me this is some kind of hard core army slang I don't understand.
I stirred plenty of shit. Literal human shit. With a pole. While it was burning.

What else are you going to do with it in Iraq? It builds character.

First deployment boots up, baby. Everyone gets their turn. 'Rah.

Is this seriously news to someone? Are people that unaware of what being on a military deployment is like? I mean even straight out of high school I had a sort of an idea what I was getting myself into based on movies, television, and books.
 
They probably won't. they have a vision of where they want the console to be. How they want the ecosystem work, and it doesn't work offline. They obviously have decided to embrace that. Come what may. They see the stats of xbox 360 users. I bet 90+ percent are online. So they said. That's it, that's where I am going.

The problem is that people are upset on principle, not on actual behaviors or how it will actually affect them.

Again with this shitty excuse...
 
You gotta stir the shit gently and keep a nice distance. It "pops" if you go to fast. Great way to get human shit all over your uniforms and not be able to replace them.
 

spannicus

Member
As one of those dudes who was overseas, playing games was one way to escape from where I was at.

I beat FF7 for the first time when I was over there because for those few short times where I had free time, it was something to focus on.

Games and movies are ways that military members cope with being away.

As wrong as this sounds, thinking about going home only makes it worse because you start to anticipate it (and then it appears to take longer since you dwell on it).

Shit I got my 360 modded in Korea lol then got banned for playing Gears early I feel you but after that I just mostly used Hulu Netflix etc and always having a battlebuddy around playing Online was something I quickly forgot about. Depends on the person. Soldiers are always up to something so there are always other things to do. The storys I could tell...
 

watership

Member
Because that would be too simple.


I'm sure this has been posted before in another form, but this is how they should do it.

Have a window pop up when you insert the game:

"Do you want to bind this game digitally to this account"

If Yes: You will be able to use the game without the disk. You will not be able to sell the game until you unbind it to your account. You will have to connect to the internet every 24 hours to ping our servers. You will be able to share this game with 10 of your friend or family. You will be able to give this game to someone on your friends list, as a gift, one time.

if No: You must keep the disk in the drive. If you lose this disk you will not be able to play this game. You will not be able to digitally share this game with your 10 family lists. You will not be able to gift this game to your friends.

That'll fix SO MANY concerns. And I bet the vast majority would pick Yes.
 

linkboy

Member
Shit I got my 360 modded in Korea lol then got banned for playing Gears early I feel you but after that I just mostly used Hulu Netflix etc and always having a battlebuddy around playing Online was something I quickly forgot about. Depends on the person. Soldiers are always up to something so there are always other things to do.

Korea and Afghanistan are two totally different situations (I was focusing more on the latter).

When you're at a remote site with less than 25 people, activities such as gaming and watching movies take more of a precedence.
 

watership

Member
Speak for yourself.

Are you saying that every single person is losing their minds online about this.. because they are personally impacted. That's bullshit.

Some are beyond pissed and they're directly affected. Some are mad on principle. They see this as wrong and even tho it doesn't impact them, they think they should say something about it. Most are mad because it's cool to be mad and this is an internet fuck show. Drama, that's fun to be involved with. Why else are people mass LOLing? It's theater. Some never liked MS and never would have bought it anyway and it's fun to kick Ms when they're down. I'm not speaking for myself, I'm saying this is how it really is.
 
Are you saying that every single person is losing their minds online about this.. because they are personally impacted. That's bullshit.

Some are beyond pissed and they're directly affected. Some are mad on principle. They see this as wrong and even tho it doesn't impact them, they think they should say something about it. Most are mad because it's cool to be mad and this is an internet fuck show. Drama, that's fun to be involved with. Why else are people mass LOLing? It's theater. Some never liked MS and never would have bought it anyway and it's fun to kick Ms when they're down. I'm not speaking for myself, I'm saying this is how it really is.

And we should feel sorry because this multinational corporation with documented shitty practices is getting beaten by the media and the consumers?
 

Woorloog

Banned
And we should feel sorry because this multinational corporation with documented shitty practices is getting beaten by the media and the consumers?

They deserve every kick.
Hell, we don't even really do anything, we just watch as they shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly.
 

Eusis

Member
Come on the original XBOX was pretty cool.
I imagine at the time it didn't seem likely a third party could easily intrude. And hell, even at the same price as the PS2 and way more power it didn't stand a chance, though the PS2's 2001 was mindblowing, if you weren't just in it for the graphics or thought Halo looked badass I couldn't see why you'd want an Xbox over a PS2 then. By the end of 2002 it was well worth having both, especially with KotOR hitting in the middle of 2003.

Now? Despite building up a strong base they're just firing off at their feet until half their legs are gone, and they STILL didn't fully shake off Sony's hold, they're just begging for it to snap back with a vengeance now.
 

spannicus

Member
Korea and Afghanistan are two totally different situations (I was focusing more on the latter).

When you're at a remote site with less than 25 people, activities such as gaming and watching movies take more of a precedence.

No doubt but there are always other options and I dont ever remember soldiers having too much time on their hands to really do anything like playing games online hours a day. Buying a PS4 would just be the best bet that way soldiers dont have to worry about video games more than the mission. This whole xbox thing is getting out of hand Sony for the win end of story. Play Xbox when you PCS.
 
It affects me. It also affects military which some of my friends are. It affects anywhere with natural disaster. Power comes back on but wait no internet. Damn. Have to wait two weeks. WTF am I supposed to do till then?

The principle is wrong as well but more people than realize it are affected by it.
 

watership

Member
And we should feel sorry because this multinational corporation with documented shitty practices is getting beaten by the media and the consumers?

Heh, no dude, I'm not saying people should feel sorry when people shit on Microsoft. It's not anything new. I'm saying that there are some people who are into that, for the sake of it. There are many voices out there.
 

BigDug13

Member
Then don't buy it. We are not on deployment forever. 6 months is not forever for me when I am on deployment. Busy actually doing what I was sent to do in the first place.

Sea going ships sometimes spend 9 months of every year underway. Should I stay busy with work for 3/4 of my year because I chose XBO?
 
Nevermind all the countries that we already knew wouldn't have respectable access to the internet.

Please step aside.

The military needs its gaming fix folks.
 

Roland1979

Junior Member
Some never liked MS and never would have bought it anyway and it's fun to kick Ms when they're down.
M$ Is to rich to be down. Come to think of it, we should probably kick even harder.
Maybe you have a point but also consider the other side: what if people's fears are true. Let's say you spend 500,- on this and MS AGAIN sells your information to other companies but not only that, they did it while NOT UPDATING their EULA, so you have not agreed with it. So people are now no longer trusting their Kinect, they won't get a refund and are stuck with a large heavy box that they are afraid to plug in. That's only one example of why people feel the need to brace themselves for this thing. And before you say that won't happen i say PRISM.

This list someone posted has a few good points of why PS4 is to be preferred over XBone:

No new DRM
Allows used games from any retailer
No mandatory online check in
No forced camera sensor
No external power brick
65% smaller
Region free
Upgrade-able hard drive
$100/€100/£80 cheaper
more powerful APU
GDDR5 vs DDR3 (2.6x more memory bandwidth)
2GB additional ram available for games
Easier to develop for
Self publishing for Indies


I thought it was a pretty good list.
 

mboojigga

Member
You can't use a VPN on deployment in the Navy. We're in the middle of the ocean with no personal Internet.

I never said you could. Unfortunately you are out of luck. I am fully aware it depends on location but it isn't the case for all military me ere deployed or stationed overseas. I already stated if I can't connect my Xbox One to the Internet I will survive. I will wait until I get home. I am too busy doing the job I was sent for in the first place. Some people have a lot of free time but every works hard for the mission whatever their AFSC is.
 
Has anyone else mentioned the new tidbit from Xbox support on Twitter that "if you're banned from Live, you lose all licenses on that account?" I mean, it makes sense based on the always-online ecosystem, I just don't know if it's been brought up before.
 
I am a deployed contractor (9th deployment in last 7 years). Most of the time I have decent internet, but their have been a few times when I am on the side of a mountain with a team, and the internet is used sparingly. We would still play Black Ops on our 360's connected via a LAN. Anywho, now I am on a big base with a real nice PX and MWR (as you will see in the video).... I shot this video today just to hopefully show Microsoft that they need to change their 24 hour check to a longer timespan.... Yes, they have a ton of 360's that they sell there, and they usually sell that big ol stock of them out in about a month.


Video - http://youtu.be/flzbsKzKGvU



IMG_2617%20copy.jpg
 

BigDug13

Member
I never said you could. Unfortunately you are out of luck. I am fully aware it depends on location but it isn't the case for all military me ere deployed or stationed overseas. I already stated if I can't connect my Xbox One to the Internet I will survive. I will wait until I get home. I am too busy doing the job I was sent for in the first place. Some people have a lot of free time but every works hard for the mission whatever their AFSC is.

I...I just can't understand how any active duty member would defend these policies. I really can't.
 
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