Constant Internet Connections

If the rumour that both next-generation consoles will require a constant Internet connection is true than it is about time to start worrying. The feature will of course decrease piracy but it will also create a permanent wall between publishers and the consumers.

Ok piracy is a problem that reoccurs in the games industry on a regular basis but punishing us all for the minority’s behaviour is unwise and may affect the choices customers make in the future. The argument against this is the fact that not every single gamer will be able to always have access to and always on internet connection let alone one that is reliable. While I am an avid Xbox gamer if Microsoft went down this route and Sony didn’t I’d be the first person to jump ship and not because I pirate games either – mainly because I like to play my games when I want to play them and my Internet Connection is not always as problem free as I’d like it to be.

Restricting games to an always-on connect seems like a significant oversight of the fact that not everyone plats online games either as, a failure to recognise your own consumers is a basic level mistake regardless of the reasons.

This action will first of all alienate a significant number of gamers that simply cannot afford and Internet connect or at least one that’s permanently available. In other cases people experience regular drop-out which will restrict game time which can occur due to service maintenance or poor connect issues. Other areas of concern are slow connections, internet data caps and the fact that not everyone wants to play at home all the time.

On an even bigger level there are technological implications for the consumers too. An always on internet connect will mean a loss in consumer power in that they will no longer be able to experience their game when and where they want. The always-on internet option is just another sign that consumers are losing control over the products they own; whether that’s in the video game market or any of the major entertainment industries.

Rumours have even taken to stating that games will be auto linked to a single Gamertag or PSN account; restricting the trade in market, rental shops and even removing the ability to try out a friend’s game. The more restrictions put in place the less the consumer market will enjoy their products they have brought and the less likely they are to dip into their pockets for games they aren’t sure about. 

Several publishers have had similar schemes in mind recently but most if not all have been very poorly received. EA announced last month that the new SimCity would require an always on connection which didn’t go down greatly with the public; they tried to tame the poor reception by saying that it is being used to emphasise their focus on multiplayer which has seemed to anger people more.

In August last year, Blizzard revealed that Diablo III would also require a constant Internet connection, even in single-player mode. Again the publisher stated that the reason was for enhanced updates but were honest in the fact that it was also to stop security and piracy. The problem with this is that if the players connect drops then penalties would be assigned (in hardcore mode it would actually mean a characters permanent death). 

The reasons for and against always –on connections are rather broad but in all honesty it’s almost a publisher vs consumer battle which will mean dissatisfaction for one part at least. I have the Internet and a reasonable connection but I would still feel cheated if my hobby was to become full of restrictions. I don’t see people needing a constant license to rent their local football pitch or read their favourite book.

Feeling strongly about these rumours – let me know in the comments below.