Home Gaming Cliffy B thinks we need to just accept the Xbox One DRM

Cliffy B thinks we need to just accept the Xbox One DRM

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CliffyB

I’ve always been a fan of Cliff Bleszinski and his honest and outspoken opinion and I guess it would be hypocritical of me to be against that now… but I don’t care this time he’s wrong.

In a series of tweets he has strongly supported the Xbox One’s DRM policy and believes that the day of the $60 disc based model is over. Thankfully Nintendo and Sony disagree so right now he’s in the minority along with Microsoft.

And let’s ignore how stupidly profitable his last company was on this very model (and those huge royalties from the Unreal Engine)

He starts the tirade with

“You cannot have game and marketing budgets this high while also having used and rental games existing. The numbers do NOT work people.

The visual fidelity and feature sets we expect from games now come with sky high costs. Assasins Creed games are made by thousands of devs.

Newsflash. This is why you’re seeing free to play and microtransactions everywhere. The disc based day one $60 model is crumbling.”

He ends of by showing his American ignorance by tweeting

“If you can afford high speed internet and you can’t get it where you live direct your rage at who is responsible for pipe blocking you.”

And he doesn’t think Sony is being honest at all with their policy stating

“I’d bet Sony has some similar stuff up their sleeves they’re just playing on the internet outrage for free PR. You’re all being played!”

But he does then go onto also say

“Also if you haven’t figured out that half of my tweets are posted to get a reaction yet you’re an idiot. Kisses!”

So yeah who really knows if he believes any of this or not. But to repeat it yet again so that everyone understands.

I don’t have a problem with Microsoft focus on being online, I have a problem with their enforcement of it against my will. Let me play games offline and trade games and I’ll be all over the Xbox One like a fat kid at the donut shop.

Last Updated: June 13, 2013

110 Comments

  1. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    June 13, 2013 at 13:38

    Trying to understand Cliffy B is like trying to calm down Angry Joe. To be quite honest Joe’s point of view is more in line with gamers….just maybe a BIIIIIT more vocal. His rants on the Xbox1 are hilarious. And also pretty damn accurate.
    After LazyGamer, Joe is my go to guy.

    Reply

    • Kromas

      June 13, 2013 at 14:50

      You can’t watch Joe and not watch Yahtzee!

      Reply

  2. RichardC

    June 13, 2013 at 13:40

    CliffyB is a douchebag, and has been one for almost forever, the only time when he was still awesum and genuine was in the Jazz Jack rabbit days. I really hate this pompous asshole.

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 13, 2013 at 13:55

      He made Jazz Jackrabbit? That was a sweet game.

      Reply

  3. Daniel Keevy

    June 13, 2013 at 13:43

    This isn’t surprising. Cliffy has been anti-consumer for a while now. But then again he is the face of the industry. It’s like John Cena calling the WWE lame.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      June 13, 2013 at 13:45

      Well put!

      Reply

  4. Argentil

    June 13, 2013 at 13:43

    Cliffy B doesn’t have the mindset of a Publisher. He’s a face, and a game developer with opinions.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      June 13, 2013 at 13:47

      Maybe Cliffy is eyeing Adam Orth’s old position.

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 13:48

        Lol!

        Reply

  5. Slade Boender

    June 13, 2013 at 13:43

    Says the dude with a tribal tatt. Sure. Will totally take his opinion seriously. Also what are you trying to say? SP is dead? Everything is going MP? That people give a crud about accessing their games on some one elses console? Hell even steam lets you copy what you want where you want and play offline once the game has been dl’d. I get the issue with soaring costs etc, the issue of piracy and the effect that rentals/lending games can have. Though to ask for the full price immediately is a bit of a punch in the face no? Surely the game has already met its subsidies? Yes ok, now some one else is enjoying your hardwork, but that work has been paid for. Sure, a portion of the asking price would be acceptable for lets say online features or what ever, but trying to get double the money from one title is a bit pig headed?

    As for DRM. I dont know. Its been circumvented with each new game and each iteration of console. Might take a while but folk will find loopholes, whether legal or not. However, cutting yourself out of the entire offline market is going to hurt. I wonder how they measure their metrics up against consoles sold vs consoles permanently online. I just wonder how much they thought about this. Im a fanboy of sony sure, but thats from childhood roots, and having played all consoles from both sides, to date, for quite a while, sony seems so less intrusive. Maybe its just me.

    Reply

    • John Ambitious

      June 13, 2013 at 13:48

      Bravo

      Reply

  6. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    June 13, 2013 at 13:44

    There’s an undeniable scent of desperation whenever Cliffy B opens his mouth these days, and it’s become clear that ever since he left Epic, the guy has been eager to be noticed again. Sadly, Cliffy B, your jacket just isn’t as powerful as Don Mattrick’s.

    Reply

  7. Rinceyouropinion

    June 13, 2013 at 13:47

    Yeah, thanks Cliffy. Next. What first world opinions you shower us with!

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 13, 2013 at 14:19

      It’s like liquid gold… wait a minute… 🙁

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 13, 2013 at 14:23

        Yes, let the liquid gold pour over… Uh… No, wait a second…

        Reply

        • Slade Boender

          June 13, 2013 at 14:33

          HA!

          Reply

  8. DaxterZA

    June 13, 2013 at 13:49

    Im over the whole DRM thing, MOST of the times I play on my Xbox 360 it is connected to the net, and when I take it to a friends house, which I never do anyway, there is always internet available, so this whole DRM thing is okay with me, in fact I think it might open doors to a lot more features!

    The big problem I have at this stage is that the Xbox One will only come to SA next year 🙁

    Reply

    • Andre116

      June 13, 2013 at 14:01

      But do you ever play used games or do you buy everything new? The last 3 games I played on my xbox were all borrowed from friends.

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 14:02

        Not only that, but more importantly, you may be fine, but if 60% of South African gamers have unreliable internet, or none at all, you can be sure the install base will be minimal. That IS something that affects you.

        Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        June 13, 2013 at 14:02

        You filthy filthy pirate! How dare you share?

        Reply

        • Andre116

          June 13, 2013 at 14:05

          But, but…my friends paid for it and own it…

          Reply

          • Trevor Davies

            June 13, 2013 at 14:09

            NO! Get with the program here. Every individual person must buy every single game at full retail price once for every platform they want to play it on. Think of the poor publishers children, going to bed at night with a silver spoon in their mouths because daddy can’t afford a gold one because you want to share 🙁

          • Andre116

            June 13, 2013 at 14:28

            sigh…I hate to admit it, but you are right. There are publishers that has to drive around in last year’s Ferrari. And it is all because of me.

      • DaxterZA

        June 13, 2013 at 14:05

        I buy most of my games new. And most of my friends are pirates or play PS3/PC….

        I just prefer to have my own games and buy new games…

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 13, 2013 at 14:06

          As do I. I have a nice collection. I enjoy lending my friends games when they adopt my platform nonetheless. Sharing is caring.

          Reply

        • Andre116

          June 13, 2013 at 14:14

          That sounds really expensive. I saved at least R1800 by playing those used games. Money that I can use on other important stuff, like alcohol and strippers.

          Reply

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 13, 2013 at 14:24

            You called? ?Coconut Oil here man! Boya!

          • Andre116

            June 13, 2013 at 14:28

            Slippery bugger, ain’t ya?

    • OVG

      June 13, 2013 at 14:25

      and this

      Reply

      • Slade Boender

        June 13, 2013 at 14:35

        Wait a second. Brazil?? *blink blink* Wuht?

        Reply

        • OVG

          June 13, 2013 at 14:37

          not even Japan lol

          Reply

          • Slade Boender

            June 13, 2013 at 14:42

            Was thinking the same thing actually. But then I posted the comment already. Point though.

  9. Trevor Davies

    June 13, 2013 at 13:51

    Sometimes CliffyB needs to STFU. Making a good game doesn’t make you god’s gift to gaming with opinions made of gold.

    Reply

  10. OVG

    June 13, 2013 at 13:54

    I accepted it. That is why I will not be buying it. See how that fucks up an extra game sale? KIND OF LIKE SECOND HAND GAMES HAY CLIFFY!!!!!!!! But no NEW SALE OR SECOND HAND.

    Reply

    • John Ambitious

      June 13, 2013 at 13:58

      The Xbox One was going to be the first Xbox I buy, guess that’s not happening anymore.

      Reply

      • OVG

        June 13, 2013 at 14:00

        So in order to make more PROFIT by killing second hand games, they lost more money because people do not want to buy their product… losing new sales.

        Go figure :p

        Reply

  11. Argentil

    June 13, 2013 at 13:55

    If anything he should be commending Sony for their Playstation Plus scheme, which is not only a great promotional tool, but developers and publishers all win also.

    Reply

  12. Tbone187

    June 13, 2013 at 13:55

    And this guy’s opinion is valued , why???

    Reply

  13. Jakster

    June 13, 2013 at 13:59

    “I have a problem with their enforcement of it against my will”….Please click disagree on the T&C’s page when setting up your complimentary Xbone.

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 13, 2013 at 14:18

      lol complimentary Xbox One… yeah right that would be the day

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        June 13, 2013 at 14:23

        Xbox on.

        Hello Gavin, you look very suave today.

        Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 14:25

        Go enter their DEW and Doritos competition. You can win one. /notevenjokingrightnow

        Reply

  14. Umar Kiiroi Senk?

    June 13, 2013 at 14:00

    Cliffy ….

    Reply

  15. Argentil

    June 13, 2013 at 14:01

    Wow, I never woulda pegged him as such a little troll. Perhaps he left Epic because they weren’t making games exclusively for Xbox One next gen.

    Reply

    • Jakster

      June 13, 2013 at 14:02

      Gears of War: Redux is coming to PS4 *fist bump*

      Reply

      • Argentil

        June 13, 2013 at 14:03

        It’s a lie 🙁
        Epic debunked that rumour.

        Reply

  16. Jakster

    June 13, 2013 at 14:01

    ““If you can afford high speed internet and you can’t get it where
    you live direct your rage at who is responsible for pipe blocking you.” This is Afrika. We have no internetzzzzzz!!!

    Reply

    • Jack Randall

      June 13, 2013 at 14:14

      If you are in Africa with no internet you probably have better priorities than playing xbox.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        June 13, 2013 at 14:53

        Like getting internet 😛

        Reply

  17. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    June 13, 2013 at 14:04

    I think he’s just trolling for kicks

    Reply

  18. Matthew John

    June 13, 2013 at 14:09

    Although I disagree with most of what he says, I think PS4 does still have something up their sleeve

    Reply

  19. ElNicko

    June 13, 2013 at 14:30

    And while we are talking about Dev’s – check what good old Peter Molyneux had to say about Micro$$$$ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124958-Molyneux-Microsofts-E3-Conference-Was-Unprofessional

    Reply

  20. Happy Hamster

    June 13, 2013 at 14:31

    Cliff after reading his own Tweets

    Reply

  21. Zubayr Bhyat

    June 13, 2013 at 14:49

    Ya, everyone who wants to play on an Xbox has uncapped lines above 2mbps :/ Yay.

    Reply

  22. Pieter Kruger

    June 13, 2013 at 14:50

    This man Cliffy B speaks the truth! Besides, there’s no console war guys, no matter how much Sony would’ve liked there to be one (MS couldn’t care less, they’ve already stated that this is not a sprint, they have their eye on a completely different prize). Even if Sony should outsell them in the 1st couple of years, MS will still sell millions of the Xbox one and they will still make more money in the end! MS has clearly positioned themselves in a completely different market and I think the console war is now between Playstation & Nintendo! They still think it’s the 90’s all over again and their business models testify to that, but they couldn’t be more wrong!
    Digital media is the way to go! No more scratched or broken disks thank you! No more fuss of where to keep my 70+ Xbox360 Games! I know us here in South Africa have a gripe with internet, myself included and the only thing bothering me about the Xbox one is the no offline mode(yet?) I’m in the fortunate position to have Satellite broadband (screw you Helkom!!) and I’ll gladly wait a year to get an Xbox one, till then I’ll be enjoying my 360! (There’s rumours to be some big changes coming to Xbox Live SA…) In the end you’ll pay less for digital media guaranteed! LOL! When it was mentioned that KI would only have one playable character and you’d have to pay for the rest all the Sony supporters went crazy, till Drive Club did the same! Heck, I’d rather just pay for the cars/ characters I like than to buy the whole disk for more and never play with half the cars/characters!)
    When MS announced Xbox Live would be a paid service back in the day Sony Fans once again went crazy vowing that Sony will never ever ever ever ever go that route…oops, but now, everybody is justifying the PS+ service as being a paid for service? If it’s not too late Sony will follow the innovation of MS once again in a couple of years, it just makes business sense!
    If neither console had any DRM MS would’ve owned E3! Sony simply cannot build their whole strategy just on NOT having DRM! From an investor’s point of view that must not be looking too good surely(pls do not just go and google MS & Sony stock prices, just look a bit closer at the trends for both!)
    I might be completely mad but I will not be buying the PS4 and will wait for the Xbox One where I can share a gaming library with 10 other friends (No, MS will not be able to tell friend from family as per Xbox Support, but I think who you add as family will be a very long term decision! LOL!)

    Reply

    • Martin du preez

      June 13, 2013 at 14:55

      HOLY FUCKING WALL OF TEXT

      Reply

    • Umar Kiiroi Senk?

      June 13, 2013 at 14:56

      GEEZUZ!!!

      Reply

    • Happy Hamster

      June 13, 2013 at 15:02

      All i could see was alot of !

      Reply

    • Rinceyouropinion

      June 13, 2013 at 15:02

      Text avalanche!

      Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 13, 2013 at 15:03

      I wish we could edit comments.. would love to just add some line breaks here…

      Reply

      • Rinceyouropinion

        June 13, 2013 at 15:06

        Haha, I know, my eyes kept slipping to the next sentence, feels like I’ve been eye f**ked by a smurf.

        Reply

        • Sageville

          June 13, 2013 at 15:09

          That happen alot where you come from?

          Reply

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 13, 2013 at 15:10

            Only on Thursdays,and only if I beg…

          • Sageville

            June 13, 2013 at 15:43

            Curse you and my HD imagination! Fkkn mental image stains!

          • Rinceyouropinion

            June 13, 2013 at 16:02

            Better? Hahaha!

    • Zubayr Bhyat

      June 13, 2013 at 15:05

      Fair enough IF you can afford fast and reliable internet. That’s the big IF. PS4 still takes everyone into account, and that’s far more important than introducing a major step like what MS is proposing. The other issue, as Gavin as highlighted is that they’re approaching things in a way that makes the customer look like a criminal. It can be made easier but they’re clearly not going that route.

      Reply

    • Sageville

      June 13, 2013 at 15:06

      Begging your pardon but I’m a gamer, I don’t look at business models, stock prices and the rest of your reasoning in said wall of text.

      If you love the new Xbox One, then good for you I applaud your conviction, personally I look more at what is best for me here and now, as opposed to some theoretical 1st world future country.

      Reply

      • Slade Boender

        June 13, 2013 at 15:26

        Ok now my post looks inflated. Well bloody said.

        Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 13, 2013 at 15:34

      Their ideas are solid. It might have been a better choice to perhaps give people the freedom of choice and therefore opening the potential market even more? Then they would destroy any competition without even needing to blink.

      As for the length of your comment… I approve 🙂

      Reply

  23. jgerb0

    June 13, 2013 at 18:32

    He’s right in every way. This console was designed to be online and cater to the majority of people who have high speed internet. I feel sorry those those “less privileged” people who either can’t access, or are not permitted to use an internet connection but honestly that’s just the way it is. Why should companies who spend so much time and money developing and marketing these games allow people to buy a game, then freely give it to another person and lose a sale? Its 2013 people, this is the new model, and if you can’t afford to play a game and play by the rules, tough. For those offline people, sorry and it sucks. XBOX 360 will continue to work :).

    Reply

  24. iPrimal

    June 13, 2013 at 20:03

    American ignorance? Why do I have to feel hated on whenever I go on a foreign site?

    Regardless, I enjoyed the Gears series when Cliff was in charge, but he doesn’t really do much now, to my knowledge. I will have to respectfully disagree. If $60 isn’t enough for a blockbuster game, then I don’t want it. If devs are afraid of rentals leaching them out, they can either make a game that people will want to buy, or they can enforce the optional drm that sony offers. The ps4 is the real console for everyone. How can Microsoft build more walls, and then claim it’s with good intentions?

    Reply

    • Harvey P. Cheesewinkle

      June 13, 2013 at 20:50

      Unfortunately, it’s a generalization you’ll run into quite frequently here, from the Staff and their readers. It’s sad, because gamer’s shouldn’t really be segregated into their countries of origin. Each person has their own distinct interests and tastes and we’re all here just to talk about games. But hey, whatever increases the site traffic.

      It’s funny though because all the people who raved about the 360 here for years, and it’s made from that American ignorance. Hypocritical much? You bet.

      Reply

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