M'softs policy reversals prove "Power of the Cloud" was PR buzzphrase

M'softs primary defense to originally being an always online console was that the "power of the cloud" would make the big difference against the PS4. Even first party devs were trained to mention the "power of the cloud" and its advantages. Now with the policy reversal the "power of the cloud" is officially in a  coffin. So what are we left with? In concept the cloud would have been something that differentiated Xbox games for Ps4 games, and I would have considered getting one at some point. Now the Xbox is 500 dollars machine vs a 400 dollar machine with inferior hardware that forces a camera and motion controls on me. I am getting the same games as PS4 that could potentially perform worse, no/lack of Indie support, and besides Halo all the Xbox exclusives are pretty bland/ uninteresting.

No. It just means some games will now be online-required or some parts of the game will require the net. Forza 5's drivatar's are a perfect example. You won't need to be online to play the game but if you wanna race with the A.I. you will have to be connected.

Single-player games that take advantage of cloud computing will require an internet connection

19th June - http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/19/4446308/xbox-one-family-sharing-plan-cloud-library-price-cut-plans

No. It just means some games will now be online-required or some parts of the game will require the net. Forza 5's drivatar's are a perfect example. You won't need to be online to play the game but if you wanna race with the A.I. you will have to be connected.

timbers_WSU

nice

Not that I disagree, but it's been stated that the cloud is optional :?

Here. They're still focussed on the cloud, but it isn't hinged on their online DRM.

There's a sticky for the reversal of policy and multiple other threads for "Cloud" talk. This thread was unneccesary.