Through a turn of events, Microsoft has a turn a 180° on it’s DRM features in it’s upcoming Xbox One console today confirmed in a post on Xbox Wire. The details from the post states that most of it’s DRM restrictions related to online check-ins, the ability to play games offline, region locking and used games sales are now fully intact as it’s suggest.
- No more always online requirement
- The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours
- All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360
- An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console
- All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline
- No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs
- Region locks have been dropped
“As a result of feedback from the Xbox community, we have changed certain policies for Xbox One,” Microsoft wrote on it’s official web site, saying its previously policies are “no longer accurate.” Those changes were outlined by president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick.
“An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games,” Mattrick wrote, “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.”
“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.”
Microsoft’s earlier policies for the Xbox One was designed for new benefits, “such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games.”
“We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future,” Mattrick wrote, “Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.”
Now with all the cheering in mind from us who oppose the DRM direction for the Xbox One, certain features that were positive for the system such as playing disc based games free out of the disc after installation and the family game-sharing plan. Gone now is the ability to share a game library with 10 people, the ability to go to a friend’s house without a copy of your game and download it from the cloud. While games will still have to be installed, the disc will have to be in the tray for the game to function just like a disc based Xbox 360 title but this time the system would verifies a gamer owning a game they’re playing when you put the disc in the tray said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox Live.
