Speaking to GameTrailers Microsoft's President of Interactive Entertainment Don Mattrick has advised those with poor or no internet – and therefore unable to use an Xbox One – should buy an Xbox 360.
"I think that people arguably could have gone the other way if we didn't do it" he said, referring to the decision to require an internet connection on Xbox One; the connected nature of the console has drawn significant ire but Microsoft believe it makes the console "futureproof."
Mattrick says that at Microsoft "We appreciate the passion. It's important that people share their ideas, but people are imagining outcomes that we believe are worse than what it's going to be like in the real world.
"When we designed the box we paid attention to what it means to connect to the internet. The average internet connection is working the majority of the day. People are imagining that it isn't, but I don't feel that's the world we live in."
For those with connection problems he said "fortunately we have a product for people that aren't able to get some form or connectivity – it's called an Xbox 360.
"If you have zero access. [the Xbox 360] is an offline device. I mean, when I read the blogs and thoughts about who really is the most impacted, there was a person who said 'hey, I'm on a nuclear sub' – and I don't even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub [grins] – but I imagine it's not easy to get an internet connection. I can empathize, if I was on a sub, I'd be disappointed."
Of course, if you're on a sub – or anywhere else with poor internet – you could always get a PS3, a PS4 or a Wii U instead.
