They got the message. Today, June 19 at 2 p.m. Microsoft’s President of interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick posted an announcement that Xbox fans everywhere had been waiting to hear.
According to Mattrick, the Xbox One will no longer require an online connection to play offline games and there are no more restrictions on used 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,” said Mattrick in the post on the Xbox website.” 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. “
As for the used games he added,” There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.” There will be no region locks for games.
“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,” continued Mattrick. “Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray. “
Mattrick seems to have had a change of heart since a recent interview in which he advised gamers without internet connectivity to just buy an Xbox 360.
Microsoft began to take a verbal beating in the gaming world after they announced the Xbox One would need a once-a-day login, constant internet access and would have regional restrictions. The PlayStation 4—which had none of these issues and is also $100 cheaper—was beginning to look like the no-brainer choice between the two consoles. (Especially after they released this video making fun of the situation.)
Now that Xbox has gotten rid of all these ridiculous rules and restrictions, the playing field is a bit more even.
“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,” said Mattrick. “We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.”
The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 hit stores this fall.
