Details on the Xbox One were released yesterday, and it seems people aren't thrilled. Compared to video games today, the XBO places serious restrictions on what we can and cannot do with "our" video games. Digital surveillance is a major issue in American politics today, and just today the topic has received major attention. I love video games because they are a fantastic escape to the imagination, and usually I will keep politics away from this blog, however, these two worlds are meeting in a big way right now, so I'm going to analyze the issues that face this industry and our society.
First, "owning" a video game is uncommon today. You may think you are buying a video game when you buy a video game, but in reality you are renting a license. These big companies want as much control as possible, and they don't want you modifying, pirating, or distributing their games without their permission. I understand that piracy is an issue, and developers and publishers deserve to make a profit, but I feel they don't see the pitfalls of being too controlling. These restrictions are extremely harmful to the culture that can form around a beloved video game. Take for example the culture that resulted from the freedom of access in games like Half-Life, Starcraft, Neverwinter Nights and The Elder Scrolls series gave the user. The developers essentially gave the end user all the tools and code that they used to create the game. Perhaps the developers didn't have much choice at the time, but regardless people put a lot of energy into these games, tweaking and designing levels, and developing a sense of ownership too.
It's tricky to balance giving access - on one hand the company sees little money from the mod community, and on the other people become passionate and deeply involved in these games. The developers will see improved hype, sales, and loyalty on the sequel. I'm sure EA makes a lot of money selling Call of Duty multiplayer maps, but, I argue, it be equally beneficial in terms of brand loyalty to open up their games.
How many of us have fond memories of trading video games with our friends, or taking a fist full of old games down to Game Exchange (or whatever) and trading them for a new title. As a child I found Chrono Trigger in mint condition at a pawn shop for $12. Kids in the future won't have the opportunity to feel that sort of excitement, at least with Xbox One games.
The Wii U doesn't have these sort of restrictions, but if Nintendo could go back and redesign its system, would they? Sony hasn't announced their used game policy either. After the shitstorm Microsoft has endured, Sony would be fools to follow suit. If all game companies adopted polices that mirror Microsoft's, which is one day likely, I'm afraid it would choke out the fun, creativity, and childlike excitement that comes with video games. In short, people don't like being told what to do with something they feel is theirs, even if technically it isn't.
Another huge mistake Microsoft is making, in the name of control, is requiring a broadband internet connection. 20% of Americans, and countless others around the world, simply don't have access. Soldiers overseas, many of whom are passionate gamers, rarely have broadband. Some college dorms will not let students hook up game consoles to their broadband internet. This is one issue I see resolving itself, as I believe the free market will force Microsoft to realize it's seriously fracturing its consumer base.
Finally, there is the always operating Kinect, which I have major issues with, especially after this week's press release. For the XBO to function, it is mandatory that the Kinect is plugged in and functioning on your system. They say it's not always watching you, or listening, but it will hear you whenever you say "Xbox, on" to turn the system on. So, we know it has to capacity to always listen. This announcement coincides with the news this week, which is that basically everything you have ever done digitally is in government hands. Microsoft says "Privacy is our #1 priority," but that doesn't fly with me anymore. If there is data out there, you can safely bet that the government will find a way to it, all in the name of "public safety." What's to keep the government from forcing Microsoft from turning on the Kinect if it deems you suspicious?
2013 is the year that our digital rights either die, or are earned. As it stands, we, as citizens of America and a digital world, have a serious fight on our hands. Let me say that the government can and does add a lot of good for us on a daily basis. However, our country has this terrorist mentality where we see terrorists all around us. Do you know what kills more people than terrorists? Texting. That's right, terrorists wish they could kill as many people as texting and driving kills. I'm not saying that there aren't bad people out there who want to murder us, but usually their own incompetence gets in their way. Most terrorists are idiots, and I mean that literally. The government doesn't want our data for public safety they want it to make their job is easier.
I am disappointed in Google, Apple, and the other tech companies for not fighting for us more. I was foolish to ever be surprised that they would ever willingly turn over our data. I remember when Google swore that our data was sacred to them; that they would never turn it over until it was absolutely necessary. Now there is a story that YouTube (Google) is complying with British government to remove protest videos.
Me, you, and everyone: we need to demand that our rights be protected. Make a ruckus. Honestly, the only politician I see fighting for us is Elizabeth Warren. Vote the rest of them out, and don't ever vote for a Democrat or Republican. To the Libertarians and Liberals who have become disenfranchised with the Democrats: we need to work together in the areas of common interest: privacy, police power, drones, and the separation of corporation and state.
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