The reason I felt this was relevant is because it might potentially alter the entire future of gaming. While I don't know the exact pricing of said fee, apparently each game you buy will be linked to your xbox profile where a code needs to be redeemed. There are a couple of caveats here that seem to be true thus far.
a.) You have to have internet connection to verify game each time you want to play. Therefore, if your internet is down you can't play any of your "offline" games. Bye bye rural DSL gamers.
b.) The game is linked to your profile. So if your roommate, who went in halfzies on the game with you, wants to start his or her own saved games it would have to be under their xbox profile (so far normal) but would be required to pay said fee to have access.
c.) This eliminates "borrowing". Sorry guys no more friendly "yea John, of course you can borrow my copy of Mass effect 10 that I purchased with my money in exchange for your copy of Halo 10 that you purchased with your own money."
d.) This one is merely conjecture at this point, but it is rumored that the fee might be pretty steep. Like, close to retail.
With PC gaming this sort of activation was necessary because for a very long time PC games could be EASILY duplicated and burnt onto a new CD/DVD. Hence the reason we don't see PC games selling used at all; everyone would just buy it, copy it, and return it. What are your thoughts on this direction gaming is headed? Me personally? I find that purely on principle the whole thing turns me off of console gaming altogether...at least on the Xbox.
Edit: additional Question - Do you think Sony will follow suit?
Edited, May 21st 2013 8:40pm by electromagnet83
Edited, May 21st 2013 8:40pm by electromagnet83