Microsoft turns the Military into a Playstation Nation

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**Ahtman**

Article

Navy Times Article

An article in the Navy Times calls the Xbox One's DRM "a showstopper," and explains to its readers exactly how they'll be unable to use the Xbox One, should they be stationed aboard ships or overseas.

"Microsoft has single handedly alienated the entire military. And not just the U.S. military -- the militaries of the entire world," stated naval aviator Jay Johnson.

As well as the region locking and online check-ins, the Navy Times highlights the "serious security concerns" with the built-in Kinect and its constant listening. Always listening. Forever listening.

"Even when the Xbox One is in sleep mode, its built-in microphone can always listen in," explains the article. "It’s a feature developers say will provide quick voice-command access to games and apps -- but that could spook commanders who might worry the always-connected device could also capture more than just idle chit-chat among troops."

Videogames have become a big part of military downtime, and the Xbox 360 was undoubtedly a hugely popular choice. Don Mattrick has expressed his belief that anybody unable to use the Xbox One (basically the entire armed forces) can just keep using the 360, but I have a feeling service members will instead just migrate to the PS4. According to a local air force buddy of mine, that's already being seen as the best option by some folks.

**Sigvatr**

Pretty sure some heads will roll @Microsoft sooner or later.

**Dreadclaw69**

Nothing like forward thinking, or knowing your market.....

**Manchu**

Sony was in major trouble before they started competing against this generation of Microsoft execs.

**Sigvatr**

This does worry me, however...has the Xbox 360 ever been successfully hacked or rather been infected? Imagine someone else leaking any footage of you on the internet...specifically as a lot of really careless youngsters tend to play video games, especially Xbox, this might worry me...but alas, that's just speculation.

**djones520**

I hadn't even thought of this angle. I brought my Xbox 360 with me on my last deployment. I couldn't do that with the Xbox One. Just one more point against Microsoft.

**SagesStone**

Sigvatr wrote:
This does worry me, however...has the Xbox 360 ever been successfully hacked or rather been infected? Imagine someone else leaking any footage of you on the internet...specifically as a lot of really careless youngsters tend to play video games, especially Xbox, this might worry me...but alas, that's just speculation.

Likely within a month or two of release in order for pirated games.

**Dreadclaw69**

Sigvatr wrote:
This does worry me, however...has the Xbox 360 ever been successfully hacked or rather been infected? Imagine someone else leaking any footage of you on the internet...specifically as a lot of really careless youngsters tend to play video games, especially Xbox, this might worry me...but alas, that's just speculation.

It depends what you mean by "hacked". Many sites exist with tutorials on how to re-program the Xbox to run your own code, bypass security features on games etc.

**Sigvatr**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Sigvatr wrote:
This does worry me, however...has the Xbox 360 ever been successfully hacked or rather been infected? Imagine someone else leaking any footage of you on the internet...specifically as a lot of really careless youngsters tend to play video games, especially Xbox, this might worry me...but alas, that's just speculation.

It depends what you mean by "hacked". Many sites exist with tutorials on how to re-program the Xbox to run your own code, bypass security features on games etc.

Hacked as in "taking over" e.g. by viruses. I am aware of jailbreaking the Xbox 360...very aware

**Dreadclaw69**

The only one that I am aware of was a virus spread through some CoD games, but if the user quit to dashboard or powered down it cleared the malicious files

**commisar rhodes**

Yet another thing Microsoft has screwed up in with the Xbox 1 and quite offensive to the military by saying stick with the Xbox 360 in the interview because to be fair if anyone should have the right to play the latest games/newest consoles its the people who are away from home and need things like this to help them relax/have fun.

**LordofHats**

Its not just the military either. Games will now be locked to XBL accounts which are region locked. Anyone who moves from one country to another (like a buddy of mine who married Canadian and moved up North) will lose their account and library.

**MrMoustaffa**

Yeah it's getting ridiculous, it's like Microsoft is trying to kill their system off at this point.

All the power to Sony. I fully realize they're exploiting gamers just like Microsoft, but at least they're being honest about it. That applause at E3 when they said the PS4 would work offline, would allow used games, and allow you to trade games with friends was deafening. Watch the Sony spokesperson as he listens to the cheering, that's the biggest gak eating grin I've ever seen.

Even if Microsoft goes back on their policy to allow offline playing or used games, the damage is done. They've shown that they at least want to pull these kind of things, and most gamers won't forget that. It'll sell, especially with parents who don't know better or the more relaxed gamer crowds that don't care, but I feel that they've lost a decent chunk of their fanbase over this.

Which is good. As long as one company is willing to backstab the other over pulling stuff like this and milk the advantage for all it's worth, we'll be ok. Here's hoping the PS4 works well for all the men and women overseas, lord knows they need all the distractions they can get.

**commisar rhodes**

"Even when the Xbox One is in sleep mode, its built-in microphone can always listen in," explains the article. "It’s a feature developers say will provide quick voice-command access to games and apps -- but that could spook commanders who might worry the always-connected device could also capture more than just idle chit-chat among troops."

God I hope no one keeps an Xbox 1 in there missions briefing/war room.

**LordofHats**

commisar rhodes wrote:
"Even when the Xbox One is in sleep mode, its built-in microphone can always listen in," explains the article. "It’s a feature developers say will provide quick voice-command access to games and apps -- but that could spook commanders who might worry the always-connected device could also capture more than just idle chit-chat among troops."

God I hope no one keeps an Xbox 1 in there missions briefing/war room.

No. DOn't you see? That's exactly what we want! Then the Microsoft executives will be arrested for espionage!

**commisar rhodes**

No. DOn't you see? That's exactly what we want! Then the Microsoft executives will be arrested for espionage!

I think somebody is on Sony's payroll lol, but good plan.

**Palindrome**

djones520 wrote:
I hadn't even thought of this angle. I brought my Xbox 360 with me on my last deployment. I couldn't do that with the Xbox One. Just one more point against Microsoft.

Why not just take a laptop? It takes up far less space and any game worth palying on an Xbox is playable on a PC.

I'm sure as hell not dragging a TV to Afghan with me.

**djones520**

Palindrome wrote:
djones520 wrote:
I hadn't even thought of this angle. I brought my Xbox 360 with me on my last deployment. I couldn't do that with the Xbox One. Just one more point against Microsoft.

Why not just take a laptop? It takes up far less space and any game worth palying on an Xbox is playable on a PC.

I'm sure as hell not dragging a TV to Afghan with me.

Brought my laptop as well. I had the 360 plugged in at work, and the laptop back in my room. 360 was there for everyone in the shop to use.

**MrMoustaffa**

Palindrome wrote:
djones520 wrote:
I hadn't even thought of this angle. I brought my Xbox 360 with me on my last deployment. I couldn't do that with the Xbox One. Just one more point against Microsoft.

Why not just take a laptop? It takes up far less space and any game worth palying on an Xbox is playable on a PC.

I'm sure as hell not dragging a TV to Afghan with me.

Right now getting an Xbox 360 is cheaper than getting a PC (unless you go all out and custom build one, but most people don't have time for that) so that's factor one.

Plus you can't play split screen on computers. A lot of those guys are playing Call of Duty and Halo split screen since there's no internet. So that's point number 2.

I'd also imagine that they have some sort of rec room or something where there's a TV set up. Heck, you can even use a PC monitor with the right connections.

**Melissia**

Plus you can't play split screen on computers

This is not true. But it is true that it's harder to set up.

**Dreadclaw69**

LordofHats wrote:
Its not just the military either. Games will now be locked to XBL accounts which are region locked. Anyone who moves from one country to another (like a buddy of mine who married Canadian and moved up North) will lose their account and library.

Does he know that he can migrate his account? It takes maybe 30 seconds. I did it shortly after I moved to the US.

**Ifepy**

My entire platoon is against the Xbone, not just because we can't take it overseas but because we all know they're milking the crap out of us. Besides, all my buddies are starting to move to PC gaming instead and the only game I can see myself playing on PS4 as of right now is "Destiny"

**Palindrome**

MrMoustaffa wrote:

I'd also imagine that they have some sort of rec room or something where there's a TV set up

If there is a TV the chances are that there will be a console there as well. Welfare areas are not for personal use though, there will be other people wanting to use the facilties for themselves.

A laptop is smaller, much more portable and doesn't require an external monitor. It is simlply the best deployed gaming platform.

**Ifepy**

Palindrome wrote:
MrMoustaffa wrote:

I'd also imagine that they have some sort of rec room or something where there's a TV set up

If there is a TV the chances are that there will be a console there as well. Welfare areas are not for personal use though, there will be other people wanting to use the facilties for themselves.

A laptop is smaller, much more portable and doesn't require an external monitor. It is simlply the best deployed gaming platform.

it is but it isn't usually the best for playing with your buddies (who aren't pc gamers). I brought my TV to the sandbox and my buddy brought his Xbox. We play it in his room which is 5' x 5' and a lot of other people brought their crap too.