Both Sony and Microsoft MSFT have announced new gaming consoles; Xbox One from Microsoft and PS4 from Sony.
Gamers have been complaining about two new requirements that Microsoft imposed on Xbox One. First Microsoft required at least once a day Internet connection and second, it restricted the reselling of used games.
Microsoft was playing a game of chess with Sony. Sony was smart to let Microsoft make the first move and alienate gamers. Sony went on attack by imposing no restrictions on used games and not requiring an online connection to play games. The result was that at last week’s E3 conference, PS4 won a lot of admiration and Xbox One received a lot of contempt.
In a big win for gamers, Microsoft has just announced that it is reversing the unpopular policies. Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business, just wrote in a blog post:
“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.”
In a further concession, there will be no regional restriction on games…Read more at Forbes
