The people at Microsoft have today announced they are changing their minds on used games and DRM on the Xbox One system. After quite a lot of negative feedback and bad PR Microsoft has decided to add the following changes:
What new changes have been made?
“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.” – Don Mattrick
“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.” – Don Mattrick
“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.” – Don Mattrick
Has this change resulted in any other changes for the system?
“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.” – Don Mattrick
This means the features such as the family plan where you could share your games online with your 10 friends and family will no longer be available. This was previously the Xbox One trade off for not having the used games. It was also a large feature of the system.
What all the fuss was about?
Basically gamers all over were complaining that they couldn’t trade, rent or share their used games. You couldn’t trade the game in a store, if you bought a used game there was some type of fee. If you gave it to your friend it was restricted to only one friend. You also wouldn’t be able to rent games as a result of the policy. There were blogger’s, twitter users, commenter’s on posts, and basically everyone all over the internet voicing their view opposing this. Many were questioning Xbox such as this YouTuber (Angry Joe) who took his questions direct to the source. Interestingly the interview clearly outlines Microsoft’s position last week.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtSGFryKwo[/youtube]
Overwhelmingly this was quite negative for Microsoft and their competitor Sony even capitalized on the ordeal during E3 with a video showing how to share games on the PS4. The video has been viewed by over 13 million people now. All of this and much more looked bad for Microsoft.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWSIFh8ICaA[/youtube]
It seems Microsoft are now following their competitor and their policies or at least matching them with this change. Will it be enough to change perception though and get sales?
This publicity has been effecting the pre orders for the system. Here in Australia today I went to EB games and spoke to a sales person who told me that PS4 pre orders are nearly sold out and I have to get in soon to get one. Xbox One on the other hand has been struggling in that regard. “It is sad to see xbox struggling so much” they told me, they thought maybe this news would turn it around.
Question is; will it be enough to recover public opinion? Will they recover those they lost? Will the pre order situation turn around?
Only time can reveal the answer, let us know in the comments below what you think!