Microsoft has confirmed tonight that they’re reversing their policies on the Xbox One’s DRM, used games, and hourly check ins.
This is huge. Giant Bomb broke the news and nearly 15 minutes later, the site crashed. After the assault of angry consumers over the borderline absurd restrictions to the Xbox one, Don Matrick president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft has released a statement explaining the “reshaping” of the console based on costumer feedback.
You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.
An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games
No doubt a huge complaint among not only consumers but industry people as well. There was a concern for this feature in the circumstance of a natural disaster in case you lost internet connectivity. Not to mention the people who help serve our country in Afghanistan, but now it seems like it’s no longer the case
After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.
Used games will work.
Sony was very straight to the point with their online connectivity but they really brought down the house when they mentioned that used games will work. This was a huge blow for Microsoft as their stocks fell further after the announcement that their games. Now it seems like we will enjoy another generation of used games
Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today. There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.
No region lock, downloadable games can be played offline
“These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold.
It looks like Microsoft is on a fairly even playing field with Sony now, the only separation being a $100 price gap. But will this be enough for Microsoft?
For the full details, read Don Matrick’s official press release.
Published: Jun 19, 2013 07:14 pm