Microsoft gave up and announces that is rolling back some of Xbox One controversial policies. For starters Xbox One will not longer require an “always-on” internet connection and every gamer will be able to trade, resell, lend, and rent game freely without any restrictions (So, Sony’s video poking Microsoft doesn’t work anymore).
The announcement first appeared at Xbox Wire, where Microsoft’s Xbox Chief, Don Mattrick admitted that some of the new policies in place for the next console generation won’t work in its current state as a result of many customer feedbacks.
The company also noted that every game you download will be playable without an internet connection, furthermore games won’t be region lock either. In other words, any new game you buy will be playable on any Xbox One. Also Microsoft previously revealed that it would support installing disc games into the console’s internal hard drive, but with the new changes now the disc will be required in the tray in order to work.
Here is what Don Mattrick officially said:
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. Here is what that means:
- 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 only downside, though, is that games you purchase and download from Xbox Live will not have the ability to be shared or resold, which means that the game family share feature is no longer an option. Also I really don’t want to think this way, but what about if this specific restriction becomes a bigger problem in the long run? Would it be crazy to think that Microsoft could start offering better game deals online and five years from now, you end up with a library of 30 downloaded games and only 5 physical game discs that you can share or resell? Wouldn’t this be the same problem we were having moments ago?
At the end of the day this is a great victory for everyone who made their voices heard about the concerns on the new video game console. And it seems that Microsoft heard all the feedbacks loud and clear. I am really happy with the new changes and I think this just shifted 180 degrees what people think about Xbox One. Now I truly believe that Sony should be worried about Microsoft.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].