In what will be considered one of the biggest u-turns in electronics history, Microsoft has today announced that they will be removing some of the restrictions that have soured gamers towards Microsoft’s incoming Xbox One console.
Last week’s E3 gaming event in Los Angeles revealed many things but the biggest issue was the lack of DRM and always online connectivity requirements for the Sony PlayStation 4, which was the complete opposite to the previously announced Xbox One and thus placed Sony’s incoming console in a much better position and light with fans.
Microsoft however has heard the outcrys of fans and in a statement made on the official Xbox Wire News site, MS has announced that it will be dropping some of the controversial aspects of the Xbox One.
In the statement Microsoft says:
“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.”
Which basically means that gamers will no longer need to connect to the internet once every 24 hours to play a single player game, in fact they wont need to connect at all after the game has been installed. Gamers will also be able to re-sell any of these games that they purchase as well as use a purchased game on a friend’s or other consoles!
Microsoft has said that the changes have come from the feedback of the Xbox fans (and possibly the gloating of Sony fans too) and Don Mattrick, President of Interactive Entertainment Business, who announced the changes also stated “[Microsoft] would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One”
This is absolutely amazing news for Xbox fans and could possibly sway people back to the Xbox One as so many gamers have been shocked by the strong DRM measures Microsoft was looking at implementing.
So it’s a triumph for the gamers and now a real battle is gearing up. Were you swayed to the PS4 by Microsoft’s restrictions, and if so, will you now be going with Xbox?
Check out all our thoughts and feelings on last weeks E3 conference!