Following all the hatred and criticism of the Xbox One’s ridiculous DRM, region locking, and always online disc check, Microsoft is pleased to announce their plan to drop it.
Earlier today, Microsoft made a statement that they will drop the always-online requirement, DRM that prevents people from selling or loaning their games, and finally the region locking. When the Xbox One releases this November, the things you hated prior to the announcement will no longer happen, making it an even playing field with Sony’s PlayStation 4. The ability to play digital games while offline will now be possible.
As a recap, here’s what Don Mattrick announced today:
– No more always-online requirement
– The console will no longer check in every 24 hours
– Internet connection is only required when setting up the console
– All downloadable games will function the same when online or offline
– Region locking is no longer happening
– No restriction on trading games or loaning discs
So, today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360. Here is what that means:
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.
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. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.
For the full statement, head over right here. With the issues of the Xbox One finally dropped, will you consider purchasing an Xbox One now?
No price drop and I like the must connect for first time setup weaseled in there and nothing about the Kinect being on nor if you must still DL the games to the harddrive. Still ps4 bound for me
thw kinect still has to be on all the time but you can put it into sleep mode which means it only listens to 2 voice commands being xbox on and xbox off but it turns the camera off while in sleep mode
You still need to authorize each game you play with an online connection.
That, and the friends and family thing they dropped was apparently just access to a demo. Not sure when they were going to talk about that?