Microsoft u-turns on Xbox One used game, always-on policies

‘Your feedback matters’, started a startling announcement by Don Mattrick on Xbox.com.

Microsoft has essentially done a complete 180 on its used games and always-on policy by announcing today that it is scrapping plans for both.

What this essentially means is:

• 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.

God bless competition! Surely Sony’s pro-used games policy and support for offline play, coupled with fan outcry over restrictive Xbox One policies has pushed Microsoft into backpedalling.

Among all this, there’s good news for eager Xbox fans in India as well. This policy change also removes all region restrictions, which means Indian gamers won’t have to wait till late 2014 for an official Xbox One launch. You can simply import the console and the games.

There’s no word on Kinect yet, so it seems the Kinect sensor will still need to be on at all times for the console to function.

The new announcement surely brings more balance into the PS4-Xbox One battle. The only difference now lies in the exclusives and the Xbox One’s additional $100 price tag.

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