Update: Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox One will have “changed policies,” on the Xbox press site. An internet connection will…
Update: Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox One will have “changed policies,” on the Xbox press site.
An internet connection will not be required to play “offline Xbox One games,” according to the page. It also confirms that users will need to connect upon initial setup of the console. The 24 hours connection requirement is gone.
The console will no longer need to authenticate games.
It will have no limitations on used and sharing games, “it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360,” it reads.
Region locking is gone too.
Disc-based games will have to be in the console when played now.
“While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment,” Microsoft wrote, “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.”
The page reads, “We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games.” It’s unclear if that means the 10 person “family sharing” feature for the Xbox One is gone.
Original story:
Giant Bomb is reporting from multiple sources that Microsoft will cut its digital rights management policies for its next-generation console the Xbox One.
The console will require a connection when initially setting up the console, but it will no longer require one every 24 hours, according to the sources.
Xbox One game discs will function as they do with the current Xbox 360, meaning users can trade them to friends with no restrictions from Microsoft.
The Xbox One will no longer have region locks.
Microsoft suffered from poor messaging and confusing DRM restrictions after it revealed the Xbox One in May, which was made worse after Sony revealed the PlayStation 4 would feature no new restrictions on games and won’t require a constant online connection during its E3 2013 press conference earlier this month.
It’s unclear what prompted Microsoft to make such a drastic change in its policies.
We’ve contacted Microsoft about this change in policy and will update the post should we hear back.
The Xbox One will launch for $499 this November.