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Microsoft Backpedals on XBOX One: Removes DRM & Used Games Limitations

With the amount of ire that Microsoft received from the public about it’s DRM & used games policy for the XBOX One, Microsoft has reversed it’s stance.

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.

It’s great that Microsoft has reversed it’s stance on the “always online” DRM and the used games activation policy, but given the amount of flak it received over their restrictive policies, Microsoft really should not have pushed the issue in the first place. The PR damage to the XBOX One has already been done and it will take some time for Microsoft to win back it’s core base, as Sony did a great job in hitting Microsoft over the DRM issues and wooing gamers at E3 earlier this month.

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