We Did It! Microsoft Relents on Terrible Policies
Microsoft officially announced today a broad stroke of changes to the Xbox One after letting the console dangle in the wind since E3. Finally realizing that their policies were severely hamstringing Xbox One sales compared to the PS4, Microsoft announced the removal of the 24-hour check in rule as well as all limitations on buying used games and lending games. From Microsoft’s press release:
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.
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.
Of course, Micrsoft really shot themselves in the foot by eating all that bad publicity, letting Sony have their grand parade without raining on it and losing the first round of pre-order sales for what is now a moot point; and they’re still having to charge an $100 more for their console due to cramming the Kinect down everyone’s throats, but they’ve at least positioned themselves as capable to catch up.
Now everyone can just buy the console with the games they want most and we can move forward without pointless fanboy console war fighting, right?
Right?
