Some military personnel are less than happy with the Xbox One.
It might be safe to say that more than a few people have taken issue with the Xbox One’s various built-in restrictions. For many the controversy has been centered on Microsoft’s attempts to limit used games. For others however, the issue lies with the console’s strict online requirements. Players hoping to actually use the console for games will need a reliable online connection to check in with Microsoft on a daily basis. Failure to check in will disable gaming functionality, even for single player experiences.
For members of the military, this requirement could wind up being a deal breaker. “Microsoft has single handedly alienated the entire military,” said naval aviator Jay Johnson. “And not just the U.S. military- the militaries of the entire world.” Johnson, who has spent the past three years deployed training at sea regularly relies on his Xbox 360 to unwind. “It is where I went to calm down after a long day of flying.” The Xbox One’s online requirements could make future similar experiences impossible for service members deployed to areas of the world with unreliable internet.
Microsoft, which has previously suggested players with connectivity problems stick with the Xbox 360, has expressed sympathy for service members. “There was a person who said, ‘Hey, I’m on a nuclear sub.’ I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub, but I’ve got to imagine it’s not easy to get an Internet connection,” said Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment division. “If I was on a sub, I’d be disappointed.” Despite acknowledging the less than perfect nature of Xbox One for service members, Microsoft has yet to offer any viable solutions for the near future. “I don’t have additional details to share and can’t speculate on workarounds at this time,” said Xbox rep Danica Stickel.
Source: Navy Times
Published: Jun 17, 2013 08:59 pm