When Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced the details regarding the company’s next generation gaming console – the Xbox One, the company received a backlash from people around the world mainly because of its strict DRM policies which prevents users from lending discs to others, and internet connection required once every 24 hours to check for gaming licenses. Now that’s something that many people didn’t like and created a controversy and in fact, many users clearly stated that they are going to opt for PS4, not Xbox One because of such policies.
Well, fast forward today and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has taken a U-turn from its policies. It seems that sometimes these multinational companies really do listen to what their potential customers say; at least Microsoft has listened in the current scenario.
Microsoft Published An Update About Offline Gaming
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has just published an update to its blog saying that an internet connection will not be required to play offline games, and secondly, the company says that you can now trade-in, lend, resell, gift and rent disc based games, without any limitations.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has offered further clarification on both these matters. You’ll need to be connected with the Internet once when you’re setting up the game, and after that, you can play any disc based games without ever going online again. The previous 24 hour connection requirement is now a thing of past.
Also used games will be freely tradable and sellable, just like they are on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 4. What this means is that gamers can rent their games to their friends or even sell or trade them, without any restrictions. This means gamers will be able to buy cheap used games and enjoy them, just like they do with their current generation gaming consoles.
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.
No Regional Policy
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is also dumping the unsupported countries policy by saying “no regional restrictions.”
This recent announcement has surely surprised us all, and it might be because of the pressure from its customers. In the PS4 vs Xbox One war, the PS4 was already considered as a winner because of so many restrictions on Xbox One, but not anymore. The Xbox will now show its true potential as a gaming console, and is now rightly in direct comparison with the PS4.
Well, the game has just begun for Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) (TYO:6758) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and it would be interesting to see who wins this game of the mighty gaming consoles.
