Internal Microsoft email reveals that "always online" is false and confirms Blu Ray

Good news for gamers – the rumours of Microsoft's 'always-on' next-gen console appear to have been exaggerated. Either that, or it's changed its mind in response to the whirlwind of online fury at the suggestion that you'll a constant internet connection to play single player games.

A Microsoft email to employees (picked up by Ars Technica) states that "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 scenarios include "playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV and yes playing a single player game".

And there you have it. You won't need to hook up to the interwebs to rack up those single player gamer points, so put those pitchforks down.

The eagle-eyed among you will also notice a reference to Blu-ray, matching up with one of our predictions for what the new Xbox event will reveal on May 21st.

Its a start. Now debunk the rumour of blocking used games please

N1NJA FWG wrote:Its a start. Now debunk the rumour of blocking used games please

here here!!

About time for the Blu Ray.
Fucking hate having to plug my ps3 in to watch blu ray movies

its peculiar that this is the only "debunking" rumour thats come out. you would think that there would be a good number of fanboys inventing plenty to counter the million "always online" ones, but no. odd

Only 10 days before theres something more concrete... probably

I hope so Homer but I wouldn't bet on it.

I wouldn't put a "conceptual" reveal past MS that lacks much detail.

Daz190uk wrote:I hope so Homer but I wouldn't bet on it.

I wouldn't put a "conceptual" reveal past MS that lacks much detail.

Actually M$ from past reveals tend to blow it all out in one big event (even with the 360 Slim) so I would expect to see a full reveal especially if they want to contend with Sony this time round.....

I think with Sony showing their hand early (and impressively) I think MS have got to really wow on the launch and I hope that doesnt equal a load of guff around Kinect!

I hope you guys are right.

I couldn't stomach a PS4 as I just can't stand the controllers and especially the analogue sticks.

Kinect=the only dust covered tech in my house. M$ seem to think gaming should involve families after initial success of Wii. But how many still use the Wii? And you only have to look at poor sales of the WiiU. Gaming will always be a one person activity (as in where your playing) unless you have some mates round for some beer (online gaming covers this perfectly). SONY seem to understand this and I think that they could win the next gen.