The Next Xbox Will Still Work Without An Internet Connection

One of the more controversial rumors surrounding the next Xbox is that it would require an always online Internet connection. Some rumors even said that the next Xbox can only remain offline for three minutes before interrupting a game to troubleshoot the connection. Those concerned will be happy to know then that Microsoft won’t require an always online connection, at least for some activities, in the next Xbox.

Ars Technica got its hands on an internal Microsoft email that lays out its policy regarding Internet connections on the next Xbox:

“Durango is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today’s Internet. There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should ‘just work’ regardless of their current connection status. Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single player game.”

It’s pointed out that the above email seemingly confirms that the next Xbox will route through a set-top box to deliver an Xbox-branded TV experience to consumers. It’s good then that Microsoft won’t be forcing any kind of online connectivity on those who just want to watch TV.

Going back to games, what does this mean for all those rumors of DRM and blocking used games? Well, the next Xbox could still incorporate DRM that’s similar to what many PC games now do. The console would use an Internet connection for a one-time activation, and then the game could be played offline afterwards. It could also be used to block used games from being played on the system so there is still some concern there.

That being said, the next Xbox will at least be partially consumer friendly. That’s only a good thing as it looked like Microsoft was readying to shoot itself in the foot in the upcoming generation if it were to move ahead with an always online DRM scheme.

We’ll find out more about the next Xbox, and hopefully more clarification regarding any DRM, at a dedicated event on May 21.

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Is Google Getting Into Game Development?

Google likes to dabble in a little bit of everything, but it has largely stayed out of game development. It helps developers make games for Android and Google+, but it doesn’t actually make games itself. That all may be changing soon.

TechCrunch reports that Noah Falstein, the game designer behind arcade classic Sinistar, had updated his LinkedIn profile to say he was now the “Chief Game Designer” at Google. An even earlier version of the page listed the same position, but at something called “Android Play Studio.”

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a game development studio to me. It could be that Google is starting to get serious about game development by either making its own games, or creating tools to help others more easily make games for Android. By hiring Falstein, it adds a lot of credibility to the studio as well.

It’s speculated that Falstein could even be working with Google’s Niantic Labs, the secretive part of the company that released Ingress last year. I would hesitate to call it a “game,” but it is another entry in the increasingly popular world of augmented reality experiences. Falstein could be working on complimentary experiences for Android to bring more AR games to the device.

Of course, all of this is simply speculation for now. All we know is that Google has hired Falstein for some unknown reason. It might not even be for games. I would be surprised if it wasn’t though.

[Image: Flickr/Georgina Goodlander]

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Will The Next Xbox Be Called The Xbox Fusion?

It’s pretty much a given that the next Xbox won’t be called the Xbox 720. As for the actual name, we just don’t know yet. Some have speculated that it would be called the Xbox 8 or Xbox Infinity, but a recent domain name grab from Microsoft points to an entirely different name.

Fusible reports that Microsoft has registered multiple domains for the name “Xbox Fusion.” Now, Microsoft registers a lot of Xbox-themed domains, but what sets this one apart is the sheer number of domains it has registered. Aside from XboxFusion.com, there’s also an XboxFusion.info, XboxFusion.biz, XboxFusion.co.uk and more.

The previous rumored name for the next Xbox was Xbox 8. That name came about after Microsoft grabbed a couple of Xbox 8-related domains from a Chinese cybersquatter in July of last year. In that case, however, Microsoft only obtained Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org. The Xbox8.com domain is still owned by somebody in China thus making the XboxFusion name that much more likely.

Some may gawk at the name Xbox Fusion for being silly, but it really does sum up what Microsoft is seemingly attempting with its next home console. It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to take over the living room with its Xbox brand, and all the rumors we’ve heard thus far point to Microsoft fusing the world of console gaming with that of living room entertainment. That strategy is most apparent in the rumor that says the next Xbox will have an HDMI-in to route a cable box through. Doing so would provide an Xbox overlay on top of your TV setup so consumers would never have to leave the Xbox experience.

Of course, all of this could be wrong. Microsoft may be acquiring these domains for the inevitable reveal of Fuzion Frenzy 3 for the next Xbox.

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EA Signs Exclusivity Deal With Disney To Make Star Wars Games

We reported early last month that Disney shut down LucasArts and canceled all the games that the developer was working on. At the time, it was suggested that Disney would farm out future Star Wars games to outside publishers and developers. As it turns out, those Star Wars games will be going through only one publisher.

EA announced today that it has signed an exclusive deal with Disney to be the sole publisher of Star Wars games for the foreseeable future. The exclusivity deal only covers games targeting a core gamer audience with Disney’s own mobile division overseeing all casual and mobile titles.

“Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Wars universe,” said EA Labels president Frank Gibeau in a statement. “Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Wars fans. DICE and Visceral will produce new games, joining the BioWare team which continues to develop for the Star Wars franchise. The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay.”

The three above mentioned studios should make Star Wars fans giddy with glee. All three are respected developers with a proven track record so any Star Wars games out of them should be good. DICE may even finally finish Battlefront III – a game many have been requesting for years now.

As for BioWare, a Star Wars game made by the core team could potentially be exciting as the studio also made Knights of the Old Republic – a title many consider to be the best Star Wars game ever made. Some may be hesitant of such a title, however, especially after BioWare’s The Old Republic failed to live up to the hype. The MMO was made by BioWare Austin, though, so some may be willing to give the main BioWare studio a chance, especially if its Star Wars game is similar to its recent Mass Effect trilogy.

[h/t: Kotaku]

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