Xbox One storage management is closed off to the user by design, says Microsoft

Xbox One’s storage management is handled automatically by the console, taking control over save files away from the user, Microsoft has said.

Reports that users won’t be able to manually manage the console’s files has caused some concern, but Microsoft insists this is better for the average player.

“Xbox One was designed to make storage management automatic,” a Microsoft representative told Game Informer. “For saved games, settings, and other information that Xbox One customers save to the cloud, space is virtually unlimited. On the internal hard drive in each Xbox One, games and apps can be uninstalled or reinstalled instantly with the click of the Xbox One menu button.

“Saved games and settings information is retrieved from the cloud for any game as its being reinstalled. By being smart about how storage is managed, Xbox One keeps everyone playing, watching, and sharing their entertainment content rather than worry about limitations. You can also see how much storage any app uses by pressing the menu button on that app.”

So what happens if the cloud is down or you can’t reach the online storage for any reason?

“In Xbox One your game progress, purchase history, pins, and activity history available to you wherever you are when you want to play because they are stored in the cloud,” the rep explained. “Everything stored locally on the console is just a cache that enables you to play offline, track achievement progress offline, and more. When you reconnect we will sync your progress in the game and sync your achievements. If you remain connected to the cloud, your game progress will always be available in the cloud so you can pick up where you left off in the game from any Xbox One you play the game on; if not, it is stored locally on the console.”

That’s a pretty long-winded way of saying a local version of your saves will be available.

Xbox One launches tomorrow, November 22.

Source: Game Informer