In what could be the biggest backtrack in the gaming console wars, Microsoft has issued a statement reversing their 24 hour online requirement and used games restrictions for the Xbox One.

The news comes after a resounding disappointing show at E3 2013 after requirements and policies with the Xbox One were revealed. Mainly the fact that the console would require players to have to connect to the Internet at least once every 24 hours in order to keep playing their games and the restrictions it encompassed when it came to trading, borrowing or sharing used games.

The gaming community highly criticized these points and Sony even used these new policies as a way to show how their console, the PlayStation 4, was a better buy. Microsoft justified these polices at the time saying that they were looking into the future of gaming and following the shifts seen in other digital platforms like iTunes and Steam.

Well, it looks like Microsoft has been listening and has decided that there will no longer be a 24 hour connection requirement and “no limitations to using and sharing games” for the Xbox One.

Here’s the full statement for you to read below:

Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One
By Don Mattrick, President, Interactive Entertainment Business

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.

While it is commendable that Microsoft has reversed these requirements for their new console, is this action a little too late? Will Microsoft find another way to limit other areas of gaming?  And while the cost is still $100 more than the PS4, is the Xbox One still worth buying? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Source:  Xbox News