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Well things just became a whole lot more interesting. Giantbomb is reporting on multiple sources saying that Microsoft is about to pull a 'complete 180' on the DRM policies which have been causing them so much derision since E3 2013.
So how are things looking to change? Two words: Completely and Totally.
No more always online requirement
The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours
All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360
An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console
All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline
No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs
Region locks have been dropped
This puts MS policies in line with that Sony had proposed for the PlayStation 4, and marks a sea change for how Microsoft will approach used games and online capabilities during the next generation. It also completely blows a hole in MS's argument that the 24hr online requirement just seriously had to be there for the system to work. Now we're seeing that story was a bit more shady than reality would suppose.
Fact of the matter is Microsoft had to do something to assuage themselves of the bad press these policies have been hoisting upon them, especially in light of what looks to be a massive slowdown in the pre-order arena since Sony came out with their own anti-DRM proposals.
This announcement is possibly coming today. Stay tuned.
Comments
11 years, 6 months ago
If this turns out to be true it may earn them SOME customers back, but honestly I doubt it. They've left a sour taste in the mouth of consumers everywhere and I would be surprised to see gamers go for the PS4 out of spite. Also it's still $100 cheaper and the XBone still requires a Kinect. That's enough to ensure the more frugal and privacy conscious consumers continue support for Sony in this case.
No region locks would be cool though.
11 years, 6 months ago
There'd still be the issue of $100 more for (not sure if I'm remembering the numbers right but it's definitely a substantial amount...) a 40% slower and 65% larger console. Not to mention word of mouth to live down such as the past week of Xbone bashing and confusion about Kinect privacy.
This is great news to the Chris Davises of the world, but I think PS4 is still going to dominate the market in a big way.
11 years, 6 months ago
Sounds too good to be true. If this follows through though it's because of how they saw their future within a dream of the Microsoft logo burning to ashes while the Sony logo was being raised towards the heavens.