110°

MS regularly passes on information about how to break into its products to US agencies

bubblews.com writes:

"With already major concern over DRM and Microsoft's complete backtrack on it, deep scrutiny from whistle blowers, drones and current privacy policies, (especially in the US NSA) the public is at a perhaps all time sensitivity of their data and details being passed on. However Microsoft is under the spotlight again as investigation has shown Microsoft passes on information on how to break into it's products to US agencies. So with the kinect fixed in a bundle with the Xbox One console, it wont be a surprise that many people will begin to fear they are being watched, under constant surveillance. This is not the first time Microsoft have received this sort of accusation as windows appeared to have backdoors built in. "

Read Full Story >>
bubblews.com
US8F3988d ago

The problem is that they may activate those without anyone knowing down the road. I suggest that people who buy the console read the fine print and see to it that when your rights gets violated, you have the right to sue.

NewMonday3988d ago

"special access codes prepared by the US National Security Agency have been secretly built into Windows"

$#!t

time fore a Linux partition

If someone was to make a secure OS he would make a ton of money really fast.

Richard Cypher3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

Yes it's clear when only looking at published news (so just a part of reality) that this is a very standard practice.
Since the "war on terror" thing, it just went worse since they have more power to force any society to let them access their data.

For the average joe, all you have to know is that anything you put on the cloud, you should consider govnerments can acess it if they want to.
When you know about security this is just the day to day situation, for example any person or society can't cypher data with high level key without giving associated private key to the government (depending the country, by advance or on demand).

So the question isn't even if the government can access your kinect or not, if they want to or ask it, they will be provided an access, they have "the legal right" to do it and the companies have to give it and can't for national security reason speak about it.

The situation is worsened by the fact that :
1 - most major IT and Internet actors are US societies
2 - the us govnerment is the one with the more budget and tools (and everything isn't even known since black program budget aren't even published and validated by any chamber)

Orwell, you were quite a genius on this abnormal "security" trend.

Richard Cypher3988d ago

What people should be aware of is that most of the time when you are taken away one of your rights, you don't get it back.

So clever peoples should be very interested in how their datas are accessed because knowledge is the basis of power.

And a tool has no morality, it depends of the use you make of it, so the same tools supposed to protect you can be used to enslave you, it's just as simple as that.

Therefore, we should be very cautious when your rights are removed.

Excalibur3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

Exactly why I WILL NOT have a mandatory surveillance system connected to an "entertainment" system.

Like the old staying goes "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't watching".

SpinalRemains1383988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

The fact that ppl actually bow down to the corporate masters and give away their privacy rights, just so they can play call of duty with their favorite controller, is a complete indication that we are headed for Idiocracy.

One day, when they're in their 40s, they will look back and realize the massive undertaking that they have not only participated in, but supported and cheered on!

green3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

I do not know where he got his quote from but reading it, it has nothing to do with the Xbox but with Windows. Hence this story is not gaming related and should be submitted to Techspy.

""A careless mistake by Microsoft programmers has revealed that special access codes prepared by the US National Security Agency have been secretly built into Windows. The NSA access system is built into every version of the Windows operating system now in use, except early releases of Windows 95 (and its predecessors). The discovery comes close on the heels of the revelations earlier this year that another US software giant, Lotus, had built an NSA 'help information' trapdoor into its Notes system, and that security functions on other software systems had been deliberately crippled.""

Richard Cypher3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

If a society on purpose let backdoors for the government on their major product long before the "patriot act", just guess what will happen with a product coming soon.

Try guessing for example with a product that come with a mandatory camera :)

MariaHelFutura3988d ago

....a mandatory infared camera that cannot be disconnected for the console to function even if you're not on a game thats not using the camera.

MariaHelFutura3988d ago

I would say ANYTHING associated w/ Microsoft that has to w/ spying is very very relevant to Xbox One considering the circumstances.

creatchee3988d ago

@MariaHelFutura

"I would say ANYTHING associated w/ Microsoft that has to w/ spying is very very relevant to Xbox One considering the circumstances."

That's like saying that because one person is a rapist or murderer, then everybody in their whole family should be considered rapists or murderers.

A more accurate comment from you would have been:

"I would say ANYTHING associated w/ Microsoft is bad because I am a Sony fanboy/girl and feel the need to attack everything about their products so that I can feel more secure in my purchases. Or maybe I am just a giant tool."

LostDjinn3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

@ Green. "I do not know where he got his quote from but reading it, it has nothing to do with the Xbox but with Windows." - Xbone runs Windows 8.

That's the reality of the situation. Do I need links or can you find those on your own? I hope you didn't charge MS for that exhibition of evergreening. It was terrible.

Edit: I mean really terrible! (You look like you needed reminding)

Lone_Man3988d ago (Edited 3988d ago )

one blow after another...

Megaton3988d ago

I'm not so paranoid that I think the government has any interest in a nobody like me, but the mandatory Kinect plugin is still the main deal-breaker for me on the XB1.

Show all comments (17)
150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

Read Full Story >>
xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19723d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

3d ago
3d ago
3d ago
darthv722d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19722d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2d ago
CaptainFaisal2d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead2d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan2d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl2d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx1d 11h ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 11h ago
Show all comments (19)
70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Psychonaut856d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.

380°

Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.

Read Full Story >>
windowscentral.com
Brazz8d ago

"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "

Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.

Xeofate8d ago

"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."

It's for the best.

Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.

crazyCoconuts8d ago

Take good care of those Xboxes if you have 'em ...

outsider16248d ago

An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.

jznrpg8d ago

It is dying anyway so doesn’t make much of a difference

VersusDMC8d ago

No way can they get rid of the hardware as probably 90% of game pass subscribers are hardware users.

Highly doubtful those users will move to PC or Cloud to subscribe there and the competition (Sony and Nin) will never have gamepass on their system.

If they want to keep the current subscribers, they need to keep releasing new hardware.

PSPSA7d ago

I'm not convinced, why then announce that they're actually working on the next-generation Xbox with “the largest technical leap”, and also looking into handhelds now?

Rols7d ago

Not like MS don’t drop things a hot potato if it is not performing. Look at MS history to see products or platforms discontinued. Xbox is not a charity for MS, it needs to make money and the ABK was the last roll of the dice for Xbox.

purple1017d ago

Xbox hardware team members have been incorporated into surface team

This perhaps shows they are not expecting big things from Xbox as a separate entity

Abear217d ago

Seems like they are planning to win next gen. All the acquisitions were this generation and nobody except Xbox fans expect games from the acquisitions any time soon.

I’m sure Microsoft can afford to lose money on the short term, pretty sure they do risk assessment when acquiring many companies and spending billions, they’ll be fine lol.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 7d ago
gold_drake8d ago

i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.

but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.

S2Killinit8d ago

They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.

PRIMORDUS8d ago

It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃

ChasterMies8d ago

The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.

shadowT8d ago

"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"

Forza and Starfield next?

Skuletor8d ago

Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.

shinoff21838d ago

Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.

-Foxtrot8d ago

In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year

“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"

S2Killinit8d ago

Yup. MS are a cancer to console gaming.

Aloymetal8d ago

100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...

PRIMORDUS8d ago

Yup, and it's only going to keep spreading.

Outside_ofthe_Box8d ago

Phil Spencer's words always comes back to bite him lol

8d ago Replies(7)
Show all comments (75)