Microsoft drops used games and online requirement policies

[El Mano]

Wow, a sensible decision at last.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/n...-policies.html

I guess they counted on PS4 using the same draconian DRM and they failed. There's time for them to save sales but their public image is ruined forever.

[Zaxx]

May be too little, too late. It will probably win them back some customers but not many imo.

[Sparky]

While it was asinine for them to even have that stupid idea in the first place, at least they've listened to the backlash of the market and are adjusting accordingly.

I still won't buy one

[Den Leiw]

The damage has already been done. People won't easily forget about their anti-consumer mentality that they went with at first.

[Rollo]

Wow, a sensible decision at last.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/n...-policies.html

I guess they counted on PS4 using the same draconian DRM and they failed. There's time for them to save sales but their public image is ruined forever.

I don't know if MS cares if their public image is ruined, but this is great news for those of us who will be buying their kid both a PS4 and a XBox1.

I buy a fair amount of used games when they're not on the "gotta have it day it launches" list.

[zanzabar]

While it was asinine for them to even have that stupid idea in the first place, at least they've listened to the backlash of the market and are adjusting accordingly.

I still won't buy one

that was the plan, now they can say MS cares and market it as they listen to customers.

[Starscream]

The PS4 stil is 100 euro cheaper and has the better hardware.

And this also doesnt change the arrogance towards the customers.

edit:
I also got the feeling that they didnt do this because of the criticism but because the execs saw the PS4 beating the XboxOne on pre-orders.

[lizardmech]

I still have no interest in the xbone, it's slower and more expensive. They also still seem to have a poor policy regarding smaller companies self publishing and charging developers for patches or releasing new content. I was kind of looking forward to the xbox brand failing but it's probably better for everyone if there's more competition.

[Philip_J_Fry]

i still hate this console with passion. btw, don mattrick went from this:

(fortunately we have a product for people who cant get decent connection thats called xbox 360)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yC8FbgGnd0

to this:
(we at microsoft care deeply about our customer, so much. please love us)
Your Feedback Matters ? Update on Xbox One

what a wonderful person.

[Greg83]

and they cared only after the sales for pre orders, the money was hurt.
just like windows 8 pro, even though oems really stopped them from understanding how bad it hurt their money til too late so they came up with free windows blue. :P
its amusing. how they didn't drop the price too , to show they are ready to compete again. instead it just shows how this is just a please give us money stll move. we'll be nicer, as long as you don't give us market share.

[alpha0ne]

Although competition is good for the consumer, I really wish that microsucks loses billions on the xbox, then, with a bit of luck, ALL the upper management responsible for the attitude of 'we @ microsucks know better how an OS/game console should be used and we will make sure the consumer comes around to our way of thinking when using our products, whether they like it or not !!!!'............are all sacked, to be replaced by ppl who can give the consumer products they really want to use and own, without the limitations forced upon them by microsucks

[Chrono Detector]

Well that's a start, so Microsoft went from being arrogant to being nice, because if Microsoft really did go through those ridiculous DRM schemes with their Xbox, they may as well withdraw from the console market because I don't see how it would sell, not to mention the community has spoken as well.

Being arrogant and refusing to listen to customer feedback isn't going to earn Microsoft brownie points either, so they had to suck it up.

[Jamesrt2004]

Good news )

[DeathReborn]

I will believe it when this generation is replaced and the policies have not been brought back. We all know MS wants to have these policies and will put them in as soon as they think they can.

[Mats]

The damage has already been done. People won't easily forget about their anti-consumer mentality that they went with at first.

In fact, they will. Sony have done some pretty stupid things in their past as well, but people tend to forget.

[EniGmA1987]

The damage has already been done. People won't easily forget about their anti-consumer mentality that they went with at first.

Mmmmm hmmm, just like people wont easily forget the massive issues from Sony about the spywarre being installed, locking down consoles, crazy usage (or lack thereof?) policy, and security issues (on multiple occasions) all from just the last year or maybe 2 at most. But no, Sony is an absolute godsend to the gamer.

[Dimitriman]

I love competition...

[Piledriver]

Xbox one is the result of Microsoft listening to game developers, those poor fellows, why aren't they taking heat?

[Tuvok-LuR-]

Finally I can sell my games to gamestop for one dollar!

[kromosto]

May be too little, too late. It will probably win them back some customers but not many imo.

my thoughts

[WangChung]

Microsoft - "Don't like it? Don't buy it."
Everyone - "OK. Done."
Microsoft - "Wait! Wait! We were j/k!"

Idiots.

[El Mano]

The only good news here is that voting with your wallet still works.
Microsoft didn't listen to anybody but their own bank account. A friend of mine who works at Spain's largest game retailer told me yesterday they had sold 32 PS4 vs 1 that is ONE xbone.
That's the only thing MS cares for.

Xbone is now closer to what PS3 offers, but it's still more expensive and there's no information about some of the other drawbacks, like kinect being always on etc.

I will believe it when this generation is replaced and the policies have not been brought back. We all know MS wants to have these policies and will put them in as soon as they think they can.

True. Just like Sony removed the Linux option after selling many machines, MS might go back to their original plan at any moment.

[vario]

Well, before opening champagne we have to remember that:
1.Xbox one still needs internet activation ,why ? Kinect has to scan my room in search of any non NSA approved material ?
2.Kinect still needs to be ON ,and whenever console gets internet access it will send some data...
3.Its slower and costs more than PS4
4.All this TV stuff will work in few countries around the world (maybe only USA)
5.They will force on you few different things like msn hotmail skype etc .
6.You have to pay for online play and have an account with it (most probably only real name/country valid),thats a wide rant, sony needs this too, sony is cheaper tho
7.redacted
8.It wont be available in the whole world ,21 countries at the beginning ,and with region lock and other features you wont be even able to configure the first time initialization of the console even if you import one.(?_game wise region lock is gone however imported consoles may still be a no go because of the first time internet activation)
9.Lets be real, they have it all ready, they will turn back drm ,just in phases over time.And dont kid ourselves, sony wants the same ...

Either way, if someone really wants to buy a console they should go with ps4.MS needs to learn, however i doubt they will (sony did in some ways tho)

[zalbard]

6.You have to pay for online play and have an account with it (most probably only real name/country valid)

The same applies to PS4.

7.It will have region lock ,yay!No imports, a big FU to people not in the states or japan (or even those countries on some occasions)
8.It wont be available in the whole world ,21 countries at the beginning ,and with region lock and other features you wont be even able to configure the first time initialization of the console even if you import one.

Region locks are gone.

[vario]

The same applies to PS4.

Region locks are gone.

Yes, i was wrong with the region lock for games, and PS4 multiplay it seems,PS4 multiplay however has much more value, cheaper while offering more games for "free".As for the console its really up in the air still.It needs this one time activation, it could go either way, for a long period of time you couldnt register xbox gold account in many countries, at least not without lying and hoping you wont get banned.It may be impossible to activate x one in a country where it wasnt launched yet.