Representatives from Microsoft today explained some of the controversies surrounding the gaming giant's newest console, Xbox One.
As far an online connectivity goes, "while a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend." In addition, games that use the cloud may require a connection.
So Xbox One doesn't need to be online at all times, but it does need to be connected often. Players can boot up their games offline for up to 24 hours on their "primary console" or one hour on a separate console, but "offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies."
Microsoft promised that it will enable consumers to give games to friends or trade them in at participating retailers, but "third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers."
In addition, "because every Xbox One owner has a broadband connection, developers can create massive, persistent worlds that evolve even when you’re not playing."
So what about used games? “We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games...your friends and family, your guests and acquaintances get unlimited access to all of your games. Anyone can play your games on your console--regardless of whether you are logged in or their relationship to you."
Microsoft went on to say that it designed Xbox One so that publishers can enable consumers to give disc-based games to friends, as long as two requirements are met: "you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once." Although Microsoft allows you to gift games to friends, it will not allow you to lend them to friends. "Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners."
As far an online connectivity goes, "while a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend." In addition, games that use the cloud may require a connection.
So Xbox One doesn't need to be online at all times, but it does need to be connected often. Players can boot up their games offline for up to 24 hours on their "primary console" or one hour on a separate console, but "offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies."
Microsoft promised that it will enable consumers to give games to friends or trade them in at participating retailers, but "third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers."
In addition, "because every Xbox One owner has a broadband connection, developers can create massive, persistent worlds that evolve even when you’re not playing."
So what about used games? “We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games...your friends and family, your guests and acquaintances get unlimited access to all of your games. Anyone can play your games on your console--regardless of whether you are logged in or their relationship to you."
Microsoft went on to say that it designed Xbox One so that publishers can enable consumers to give disc-based games to friends, as long as two requirements are met: "you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once." Although Microsoft allows you to gift games to friends, it will not allow you to lend them to friends. "Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners."
Microsoft takes the joy out of life. What's next? Swipe your credit card before the system will turn on?
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