Today Microsoft pulled a complete 180 on their DRM policy for Xbox One. Here's an excerpt taken from Don Mattrick's statement:
"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.
In addition to buying a disc from a retailer, you can also download games from Xbox Live on day of release. 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."It is a little shocking to see them play follow the leader, but at least they listened to all of the feedback. Note that last line. Xbox One just became region-free. Now if only it was $399 without the kinect...
2 comments:
Holy crap, Im stunned. Basically they are admitting to making a huge mistake, but at the same time just trying to cover their ass which was about to get blown out of the water.
Although on one hand Im really happy, because its great for gaming, Im also still pissed at Microsoft. They tried to get over on us, and when they realized we werent having any of their bullshit, they backed up. But dont for a second think this is some philosophical reversal or goodwill gesture towards gamers. Its strictly a business decision.
I will back off my statement that "Im not buying an Xbox One." They earned that much. But I will say this: if and when I do get a next gen system, it will be a PS4 first. Because we have Sony to thank for saving us from this whole debacle, and for that I am truly grateful to them.
Since the Sony PSN hack it seems like that woke them up and they started really focusing on their customers, to give them a reason to stay/come back.
It was going to take a very big gesture to win people over and part of it was a couple of free games. Then that philosophy maybe rolled over into the instant game collection, which launched at the following E3.
More to it than that, but they had their big scare and don't want to lose a bunch of customers. Microsoft perhaps saw the pre-order numbers (rumoured at a 10-1 ratio) and the fact that their E3 message got over loud and clear. "No used games, Spyware & pay us $100 more for the pleasure."
It seems so clear how badly this would go for them to most of us. The fact they spent all their E3 denouncing the things they now embrace must cost somebody their job. Probably the wrong person though.
The fact they are suddenly able to just drop all those essential requirements mean they should really do another LIVE TV extravaganza launch of the REAL Xbox One.
I'm sure there's a wrestling Heel Turn storyline analogous to this.
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