Of course, one might also ask why Microsoft would try to turn the Xbox 360 into an all-in-one home entertainment system, when word around the campfire is that they approached developers with that very idea when they were working on the first iteration of the 'box several years ago, and developers said, resoundingly, "No. Make a game system." And they did. But now they're back to the idea of using their gaming system as an entertainment hub — and most gamers already have a computer, after all. What we want is what those developers wanted: a gaming system.
Microsoft just doesn't like to play nicely with the other children — even when "the other children" are their customers or potential customers.
Like many others, I was not going to run out on launch day to buy an Xbox 360, even though I'm a pretty dedicated gamer. I keep thinking I'll let Microsoft convince me to buy one — after all, Halo sold me, and I'm such a rabid anti-MS person that my husband and I are about to make the switch over to Apple-land. But I'm willing to make an exception for games. However, between this very poor decision and the lack of any revolutionary games at launch, I'm getting further and further away from ever deciding to buy a 360.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
Microsoft didn't become get to where they are without knowing how to throw a few elbows.
I'm glad I am out of the MS business.
2 - Alisha Karabinus
They are such dirty bastards.
3 - Aaman
This is no big deal - Microsoft already has the same information in any case if you're an XBox Live member.
One of the reasons for aligning the two systems is because the 360 is intended as being a collaborative device. The Passport makes it easier to align the two.
Now, what they could do, and probably will do, is migrate your XBox Live info into the Passport system if you already have both, as most people might.
XBox Live totally rocks, IMHO
4 - Alisha Karabinus
Xbox Live is pretty cool and you won't hear me say much negative about it (except loading your account onto one box from another without a memory card is a pain in the ass if you don't remember EXACTLY how you typed something, since there's no f'n keyboard), but the whole streamlining of the 360 and all the other MS crap is one of the reasons I'm NOT going to be buying a 360.
I have a computer.
I want a gaming system. I don't need the BS, kthx.
5 - Aaman
Good report though, totally slipped under the radar, too bad it's not going on GNews yet
6 - Alisha Karabinus
Thanks! That's probably the only compliment I'll ever get in writing about the 'box. Just wait 'til tomorrow. :)
7 - Ken Edwards
I read that having a Passport account would help in getting your Xbox Gamertag to your Xbox 360. So I made a Passport Account. Which is the same as signing up at the "new and improved" xbox.com.
As such, setting up my Xbox 360 with my Live account was a breeze, and took only a couple minutes.
I had to provide my Gamertag, email address, and password. Nothing more.
This is truely a better way to handle adding/moving Live accounts then in the "old days" of the original Xbox.
8 - Alisha Karabinus
So your credit card information and all that is still kept outside of the Passport? THAT is good news.
9 - Mr. Nosuch
Of course, if you enter in the email address of a Passport account that was linked to OLD Gamertag that is no longer active (like I did), God help you. Once you make a profile on your Xbox, you can NEVER change the Passport email account. NEVER.
And once you link a Gamertag to a passport account, you can never change that either.
So just be sure you enter the right account, or prepare to spend weeks in limbo as Microsoft tries to correct data in its out of control databases.
Of course, all this could be avoid if the 360 simple said "Hey, your Live Tag doesn't match what's linked to this Passport account"... Especially since it is irreversible.
10 - azza
What the hell? i just want to change from my old e-mail address/passport to my new one and they wont let you? that sucks!
11 - blahblah
screw them they suck balls