Microsoft employee berates fans for always on hate

Microsoft's next console has been rumoured for some time to be an always online system, something fans haven't been too happy about – in many instances, claiming that it means they would buy a PS4 instead. That's even more likely now, after Adam Orth, a creative director at Microsoft, suggested that they should just “#dealwithit.”

All this came from the man's personal twitter account – since made private – where he began by suggesting a complete lack of understanding at the furore surrounding always on systems. “Sorry, I don't get the drama around having an “always on” console. Every device now is “always on.” That's the world we live in. #dealwithit”

Of course fans weren't happy about this and a reddit thread quickly exploded with angry comments. They weren't the only ones though, with Bioware designer Manveer Heir taking the fight right to Orth and asking him directly, “Did you learn nothing from Diablo 3 or SimCity? You know some people's internet goes out, right? Deal with it is a sh%*$y reason.”

Thanks to the redditors for this image

This is quite a good point. The launches of both Diablo 3 and the latest SimCity were marred by issues with the always on system. Players weren't able to connect when EA servers were overloaded and those playing single player were annoyed that they had to be online at all.

Orth obviously didn't learn anything from these gaming quagmires though and instead responded “Electricity goes out too.” He then followed it up with an insult to rural areas, saying “Why would I live there?” when Heir suggested he try living in more remote places were internet connectivity isn't quite as stable as in large cities.

This whole episode wouldn't be complete without sarcasm however, and Orth finished up by saying, “Sometimes the electricity goes out. I will not purchase a vacuum cleaner. The mobile reception in the area I live in is spotty and unreliable. I will not buy a mobile phone.” This was also followed by a suggestion that people get the internet, as “it's awesome.”

At this point Orth privatised his twitter and offered a half-assed apology.

KitGuru Says: This guy has no interest in seeing things from a customer's perspective, which is a horrendous mistake for someone involved in the creation of a customer focused product. Here's hoping he doesn't speak for Microsoft either, as if this way of thinking is endemic in the New Xbox's construction, it's going to be a bust.

Thanks for the heads up Eurogamer.

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