Upset that the next Xbox will require you to be have a constant on-line connection? Do you think that is a deal breaker? I bet I can market it to you. I bet you would buy the Xbox over a PS4 or a PC if Microsoft followed my marketing plan.
Microsoft has to know that there is a percentage of it's fanbase that doesn't have access to a reliable internet connection. Microsoft has to know that there is a sizable Xbox fanbase that would choose the PS4 (no online connection requirement and used game capability) over the next Xbox (as rumoured). After all the PS4 has better component specifications and is not requiring that intrusive Kinect 2 spy device. How do you get a gamers attention?
If you are requiring a constant on-line connection to play games Microsoft, it's time to take it to the next step. It's time to abandon physical game sales. Physical games are obsolete for a video game service provider. There's no collection value to a new xbox game and you've removed the used game market. All sales will benefit the publisher (and you of course). These games will be specific to one user. Publishers won't be loser 50% or more of their potential sales to eye patched pirates and their parrots anymore thanks to your "always" on-line connection requirements. Therefore, you need to cut out the middleman mark-up. Your games have to be cheaper, no substantially cheaper to get gamers to buy in.
New Xbox games have to be at least 1/2 off the retail price. If Sony is selling for $60, you have to sell it for $30. Nobody's going to pay $60 for something they can get for $30. You don't have to sell that to just anybody, sell it to your GOLD members. Charge your SILVER subscribers $35. There won't be many SILVER subscribers, as you have to buy what, one game per month to justify the GOLD subscription and you get multiplayer capabilities?!?! Principals, bah! If you sell the games for half the cost of Sony or 60% of the PC cost, people will flock to your console. You'll have stopped Android and it's annoying OUYA based system on one front. Gamers will be singing praises for your always online DRM. It's basically what Valve is doing with Steam, well minus the "always" part.
Well what if the retailers don't want to carry a unit that gives them no additional physical sales you say. My answer, Amazon will sell it if no one else will. You unit is always online, your "always on-line" customer base knows about Amazon and to save 50% off the costs of your games...your customers will go to Amazon if no one else will sell it.