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Microsoft has announced plans to drop Xbox One’s controversial DRM policies “as a result of fan feedback”, confirming that the console will no longer require online authentication every 24 hours, and that there will be “no limitations to using and sharing games”.
“Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience,” wrote IEB president Don Mattrick on Microsoft news site Xbox Wire.
“For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.
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“Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.
“You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.
“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.”
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.
The console will no longer be region-locked either, and due to the changes, all disc-based games require the disc to be present in the tray to be played. The option to share titles with up to 10 family members has been dropped, too.
Mattrick continues: “We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.
“Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.”
Rumours of Microsoft’s plans to alter its Xbox One policy first emerged earlier this evening, after separate reports claimed that Microsoft was to backtrack on previously announced DRM policies.
The news should go some way to revive confidence in fans put off by Microsoft’s original policies. But is it enough? Let us know your thoughts on the platform holder’s dramatic U-turn below.
Source: Xbox Wire
