UPDATE: Microsoft changes Xbox One policy based on feedback

[Leftos]

UPDATE:

Update on June 19, 2013: As a result of feedback from the Xbox community, we have changed certain policies for Xbox One reflected in this blog. Some of this information is no longer accurate — please check here for the latest.

Source: http://news.xbox.com/2013/05/qa

UPDATE 2:
Linked page finally loads, has this message from Don Mattrick:

Last week at E3, the excitement, creativity and future of our industry was on display for a global audience.

For us, the future comes in the form of Xbox One, a system designed to be the best place to play games this year and for many years to come. As is our heritage with Xbox, we designed a system that could take full advantage of advances in technology in order to deliver a breakthrough in game play and entertainment. We imagined a new set of benefits such as easier roaming, family sharing, and new ways to try and buy games. We believe in the benefits of a connected, digital future.

Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.

You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.

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.

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.

These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.

We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, 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.

Thank you again for your candid feedback. Our team remains committed to listening, taking feedback and delivering a great product for you later this year.

Source: http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update

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ORIGINAL REPORT
Giant Bomb's Patrick Klepek reports:

Sources indicate Microsoft is going to move away from what's caused the company so much headache.

The tug-of-war between Microsoft and Sony just got more interesting. Multiple sources inform me Microsoft will announce what amounts to a complete reversal on its DRM policies for Xbox One today.

What does this mean?

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

It is unclear what caused this huge change in policy right after E3, a week where Microsoft executives spent days explaining, justifying, and talking about its policies to the press. I suspect Microsoft’s official announcement will say something to the effect of “we've been closely listening to consumer feedback.”

Based on what I’m being told, that’s definitely true.

I've reached out to Microsoft for comment.

Microsoft has taken an enormous amount of heat regarding DRM policies with its new console. Sony became consumer heroes at E3, announcing PlayStation 4 would not treat used games differently, and the status quo would reign.

Of course, Xbox One is still $499 and PlayStation 4 is still $399. But today moves the needle.

Source: http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/micro ... 1100-4673/

Penny Arcade's Ben Kuchera weighs in:

My guess? This isn't set in stone, but it's definitely something Microsoft is discussing internally. They almost have to at this point. But I don't know if I'd hold my breath at this point. On the other hand, Klepek is a hell of a reporter, and I know he wouldn't run a story that he didn't believe in. We'll see. And we'll hope. I'm not even sure if it's technically possible to just remove these requirements if they've been baked thoroughly into the console's three operating systems. This is a unique situation in many different ways.

Source: http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/ ... quirements

[Jackal]

I remember someone saying something along the lines of them doing this and coming out as "good guys" because they "listen to the community". Me? Not happening. +100 euros & that reaction by the guy that scoffingly said how about you get an xbox 360 if you want to play offline sealed my decision. I'm going back to Sony.

Good on Microsoft though.

Edit: Kinect watching still doesn't sound like sexy times.

[Leftos]

Yeah, I'm really curious to see what Don Mattrick's next statement is after all this.

[chicagoRAW]

This is M$ admitting that they did no market research on this or they didn't care. For me it's too little too late.

Would be funny if they do a price drop with the removal of needing to use Kinect next.

[benji]

The cloud is dead, that was an important part of the vision and now they can't do it. You needed the DRM to touch the infinite power of the cloud.

Such a shame.

[Oznogrd]

I find this absolutely fucking hysterical.

And yup called it with the "look like good guys who listen" now.

But i'm with you Jackie boy..damage done. Im going PS4 Next gen. Everything i really enjoy is multiconsole so it really wont bother me to save 100 dollars and not have kinect.

[JaoSming]

The cloud is dead, that was an important part of the vision and now they can't do it. You needed the DRM to touch the infinite power of the cloud.

Such a shame.

Online required games? Didn't Forza and Destiny already say they have to be online to be played?

[RedPhazon8]

They took way to long to fix this, but just like when EA got rid of their online passes, I'd say this is a somewhat positive thing.

[Andrew]

The smartest move they've made as of late, but as you guys have noted, a lot of damage has been done already. It's enough to at least make me consider the One again, especially on the heels of Sony releasing a firmware update that's causing PS3 users so much grief, but I'm still leaning towards the PS4. There's also the concern that they could just as easily change gears again and push through an update that changes everything back, though they should know from the reactions so far that that would be a PR disaster.

[NovU]

I also didn't believe they were going to stick to their original agenda because it sounded too moronic to be happening. They were pretty much killing themselves from the get go, handing over the throne pretty much to Sony for nothing.

I don't think their move came too late at all but the game is not even started yet. Of course, some of us already have been turned down by what they gave us so far but the truth is both are still at the developing stage with room to fiddle with ideas. I like how competition is coming close to an even point once again.

especially on the heels of Sony releasing a firmware update that's causing PS3 users so much grief

I think only a handful of users had the issue with the firmware update. Most of my buddies haven't had such bad luck with it, including myself. Some complain about update installation time prior to playing each new game for the first time, but I am fine with playing with a most uptodate patch. It should happen on every console anyways including PC if you want the latest update. I just go do my own thang while the install finishes and come back later to play. No biggie.

[Sauru]

saw this coming. even after everyone said they would not change it you just knew they would. no way they were going to let sony win the war before either system even launched

[NovU]

For a moment, I considered about asking to join your circle so I could get benefits of $60 titles. Micro$oft had a neat idea going on there for awhile.

[Patr1ck]

They probably saw the preorder numbers for the PS4 vs the XBone and bit the bullet.

[shadowgrin]

RIP James Gandolfini, RIP POWER OF THE CLOUD.


You forgot to bold the no more region locks part...

Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -- there will be no regional restrictions.

[Andrew]

Ah, definitely worth highlighting. I would've liked to have been able to check out some of the college basketball games but that was obviously impossible with the 360.

[Sauru]

i wonder how much this change will turn the preorders around? for me i am still sold on the ps4. even with the changes i simply think its a better system. the only thing xbox has is exclusives and those only count if you like them. in my opinion all FPS games need to be played on a PC so i never cared for halo or any of the other FPS games on the box

[benji]

So about that Family Sharing...

First is family sharing, this feature is near and dear to me and I truly felt it would have helped the industry grow and make both gamers and developers happy. The premise is simple and elegant, when you buy your games for Xbox One, you can set any of them to be part of your shared library. Anyone who you deem to be family had access to these games regardless of where they are in the world. There was never any catch to that, they didn’t have to share the same billing address or physical address it could be anyone. When your family member accesses any of your games, they’re placed into a special demo mode. This demo mode in most cases would be the full game with a 15-45 minute timer and in some cases an hour. This allowed the person to play the game, get familiar with it then make a purchase if they wanted to. When the time limit was up they would automatically be prompted to the Marketplace so that they may order it if liked the game.

http://www.heyuguysgaming.com/news/1250 ... -must-read

who knows if real but if MS/Xbone shill proper 2K PC port hater Leftos can post a "candid post" by an Xbone engineer

[Leftos]

You know me all too well, benji.

If family sharing was just 30-45 minutes of gameplay, then I call meh.

Only reason I believed the candid post to be real was because it was linked to on Twitter by Paul Thurrott, hence why I posted it here.

[shadowgrin]

If true, so much for one of XBOne's clear advantage over the PS4.

[Sauru]

If true, so much for one of XBOne's clear advantage over the PS4.

i dont see any advantage unless you are in love with halo

[NovU]

Defeats the purpose of joining anyone's circle now. Seems like the Solo gaming continues even after widely praised Cloud concept by the Micro$oft.