Honestly, the hottest button news story in gaming in the last several years has been Microsoft's decision to include a 24 hour authentication requirement with Xbox One. Because of what the system does, it totally makes sense. If you're allowed to install a game and play it without the disc, then what's to stop people from buying games, installing them, and returning them for a full refund? Something had to be set in motion, and the DRM decision made perfect sense.
However, the DRM decisions are now dead. Microsoft has listened to the insane internet backlash, and basically fixed every single issue that gamer's had with the console. I'm utterly shocked that they listened and did this, and I couldn't be happier. In addition, their stance on used games changed now and it is back to the way it was before for Xbox 360. In other words, you can sell, trade them in, lend, rent Xbox One games with no limitations just like how it has been done in the past and today. In the last week, as a fan of Microsoft and a loyal supporter of Xbox 360 for the last eight years, I had accepted the whole DRM fiasco. It is what it is, and they showed me a hell of a conference with enough exclusives to crush anything else. But when Sony dropped the mic on DRM, everyone looked to see what Microsoft would do? Would this company stick by it's controversial decisions? Obviously not.
What does this mean? It means this:
No more always online requirement
The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours
All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360
Authentication is no longer necessary
An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console
All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline
No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs
Region locks have been dropped
This is a huge decision, and one that I honestly am not surprised at. The amount of backlash the internet has given Microsoft has been so severe, they've basically been forced to do it. It us an incredible feat on their part, and I'm happy they have decided this. I would have bought the system one way or another, but seriously, this is fantastic. The article has been submitted by Don Mattrick, and should end this debate against gamers across the internet finally.
