The rumors were true! Microsoft has made the smart business decisions in regards to some rather negative policies imposed by Microsoft for the Xbox One. It was modeled partially after a Steam like platform, but after much community feedback, some more violent than others, Microsoft has retracted and did the right thing!

“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.”

Source: http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update

– Chief Landless

After much backlash from the community and during the thunderous cheers during the Sony E3 2013 press conference it only seemed like a matter of time.

** UPDATE: Here are the updated Xbox One Policies **

Giantbomb broke the news first (giantbomb article) and has since gone viral, crashing the site. Here’s a screenshot and excerpt from the website.

“Multiple sources inform me Microsoft will announce what amounts to a complete reversal on its DRM policies for Xbox One today.

What does this mean?

• 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
• 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

It is unclear what caused this huge change in policy right after E3…”

Microsoft themselves has confirmed that policies have been updated.

“Update on June 19, 2013: As a result of feedback from the Xbox community, we have changed certain policies for Xbox One reflected in this blog. Some of this information is no longer accurate — please check here for the latest.“

Here http://news.xbox.com/2013/05/qa is the list of policies as they were before today, but be sure to monitor this page http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update when Microsoft reveals the changes which are scheduled to happen sometime today (June 19th, 2013)

I’ll try and keep you all updated on the changes!

– Chief Landless