A little over a week ago at E3 2013 both Microsoft (Xbox One) and Sony (PS4) unveiled their new consoles and while hardware wise there might not be that much of a difference (apparently the PS4 is slightly better), the way each company approached how consumers could use their platforms was like night and day. Microsoft revealed their game plan first (no pun intended XD ) and it couldn't have gone down any worse with it's fan base; a hefty price tag for additional features that most gamers don't care for, a mandatory link up with Xbox servers at least once every 24hrs for all games to continue working (on or offline) and complex restrictions on how gamers could handle their game disks. Well, late last night, Microsoft posted an update on their Xbox website regarding the Xbox One, which was nothing short of an embarrassing U-turn on policies that they were stringently defending, not more than a few days ago. You can head over there to read the entire article in full (link at end of article) but if you just want a quick summary, basically out of the three points I mentioned above, the last two have now been scrapped/altered significantly. I've quoted the changes below for your convenience:
- 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.
Xbox have cited listening to customer feedback and concerns about their policies, which prompted this sudden change in their stance but I'm more inclined to assume that they saw how many gamers were planning to jump ship to the PS4. Either way, it's obviously good news for Xbox fans and a smart move by Microsoft, I just wonder how much of a difference it will make in the grand scheme of things, roll on Q4 2013. Clearly peoples opinions of Microsoft and Xbox have evidently taken a nose dive of late, I'm curious if these revisions are enough to restore consumer confidence? It might seem a bit odd to hear me empathise with Xbox gamers, don't get me wrong, I'm very much team PlayStation but it doesn't mean I like seeing consumers getting shafted, regardless of the product. My biggest concern over this whole situation is that Xbox clearly wouldn't have made any changes at all, had their community and outside critics alike, not been soo vocal in their disgust. Not to mention, if this is the direction that Microsoft and Xbox wanted to take their business in the present, what other not-so-nice surprises might they be planning for the future? O_O On a final note, in some ways I think Xbox fans have Sony partly to thank for this turn around by Microsoft, if they hadn't imposed the policies they did, these changes would never have been implemented. Just some food for thought on both sides of the fence...
Are you an Xbox fan that was planning to defect? If yes, has this decision changed your mind? Or if you have any other thoughts on the subject, I'd really like to hear what you have to say, so let me know below :)
Source: Xbox Website
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