With the debate about always online games and DRM in full swing, rumors that the next-gen Xbox will require a connection to the internet at all times have riled up a vocal group of gamers. But some have been wondering what the difference between an always online game and an always connected game is. Though it seems as though the terms are very similar, they do not mean the same thing.
Always connected games or consoles are similar in that they require an internet connection. How they differ from always online DRM is that the console will turn itself on and check for downloads and updates for the console's hardware or games. This is usually done at a time where the owner would most likely be unavailable or asleep, such as after midnight. While the machine is always connected to the internet, it does not require the user to stay connected, as gamers can continue to use the console or game offline if they so chose.
Always Online games such as the PC version of Diablo 3 and Simcity require an internet connect to run. This is due partially from anti-piracy measures verifying that the user is the legal registered owner of the game, and also as a means for developers to put features of the game on the company's servers for ease of use. This could lead to users flooding the servers, even if they wish to play a single-player game, leading to the disastrous launches of both Diablo 3 and Simcity.
Many critics of this strategy point to these failures as the reason that always online DRM is a poor, ill-conceived strategy. Others point to the lack of choice of whether to play online or not as a reason to dismiss the idea. Check back with Latinos Post as the debate surrounding next-generation consoles rages on.