After a pretty bad E3, Microsoft has had a rethink on the Xbox One policies. They’re spinning it as listening to feedback, but ultimately the gaming community spoke loud and clear, Sony’s policies around ‘always on’ connection and trading of used game policies left a lot of gamers heading for the PS4. Props to Microsoft for not being stubborn on these issues, but during the week of uproar there was a lot of damage done to the brand and a lot of PS4 pre-orders purchased.
Below is a summary of the new policies for Xbox One.
- An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – 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.
Personally I pre-ordered an Xbox One yesterday as these issues were never a problem for me. I’m always connected and I haven’t sold a single Xbox 360 game. One Xbox One, I feel the bigger news is that you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. That’s massive. Even if there’s a little convenience tax, I’d still much prefer to get my games digitally. If you choose to download your games, you will be able to play them offline just like you do today. Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console — there will be no regional restrictions.
You can read the full statement @ Xbox Wire
