After major consumer backlash and criticism, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick has announced that the company’s previous requirements and plans for Xbox One games have been drastically altered.
Similarly to current Xbox 360 games, disc-based games on Xbox One will not require online authentication or an Internet connection. Game discs can be played as soon as they’re inserted into the console – though it’s currently unknown if the system will still require the games to be installed to a hard drive – and can be played on an unlimited amount of One consoles with no restrictions, meaning that games can be shared between people or outright sold. In addition, the One will not require an online connection at least once every twenty-four hours, and will only require an Internet connection during the system’s initial setup. Games will also not be region-locked, meaning that, for example, European game discs will be playable on North American consoles.
Previously, concerns were raised over the Xbox One’s initial digital rights management policies and requirements. Originally, users would have to connect online at least once every twenty-four hours (If a user was playing on a console other than his or her own, he or she would have to “check in” once every hour), and would have to connect online and register a disc-based game to their Xbox Live accounts. The restrictions criticized even further when Sony announced that games for its upcoming PlayStation 4 will function largely similarly to PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360 games. While the updated policies seemingly come at the cost of some neat features originally proposed – such as the ability for users to share their entire libraries with up to nine other people online – the fact that Microsoft has listened to community feedback may be a good step for them going forward.
Source: Xbox Wire
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Looks like Microsoft will be playing “Catch up” with Sony but I still think Sony will win despite how desperate Microsoft will want their products to sell well.
Well, of course they want their products to sell well. They’re a business, that’s what a business wants. The only problem is that Microsoft showed how
greedy they arefar they’re willing to go to get money from their customers. If you ask me, the damage has already been done, and no amount of backtracking is going to get rid of that awful taste they left in my mouth. I can now see myself possibly buying an Xbox One, but certainly nowhere near launch.Also, in all honesty, I can see them enforcing a few of those original policies at some point in the One’s lifespan, and trying to get all of them in place again for the fourth Xbox whenever it’s released. As I said, that’s what they want to do, they’re going to do their damnedest to achieve it.
Called it. 8)
Glad they’re going region-free and they dumped all that horrible internet check-in stuff but there’s still nothing on the console that calls to me enough to buy one so if I skip one console this generation it’s still gonna be the Xbox 180. (I love its new name so much ahahaha.)
Basically everything Cherrim said
Also, Nintendo’s the only region locked one now. Not that I’d ever be importing something, but what gives? Only Nintendo caved to the developers/publishers’ demands and they still get the least third party coverage :S
I really hope that people aren’t quick to forgive them for this. They’ve shown their true colors and they’re only reversing because they know it’s going to affect sales – Microsoft isn’t suddenly the consumer’s friend.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. 😡
I still don’t know anyone who wasn’t already planning on buying a 180 who is planning to buy one now. I think the damage is done. Maybe much farther on down the line, more people will forgive them, but for this year at least? I don’t think they’re going to get much support from the people who aren’t hardcore Xbox fans.