Xbox One's DRM Explained

The Xbox One has online DRM. But what does this mean, and why isn’t it as big as deal as you might think? Shaxster explains.

[Yo Mama]

Boy, these no name, generic, pro-microsoft sites are coming out of the woodwork today. Microsoft must have contracted out some positive PR spin . Damage control.

[WorldGamer]

My thoughts exactly. Phantom "experts" emerging from the ether to defend MS.

Does make sense however, I don't think MS really anticipated the negative reaction they got. At this point, it seems like they might be trying to stop the bleeding, if I may use that analogy.

[JokesOnYou]

Yeah of course all the negative news threads were legit but how dare any site examine the pro and cons without forming a negative opinion.

If you actually read it, hes not waving pom-poms, no its just a well thought analysis of micros drm plans.

I cant believe of all people you guys complain about a few balanced/positive news stories amongst a parade of negative ones...hmmm probably because these sound alot more accurate, informative and balanced than a 1000 "why you shouldn't buy a Xbone" blogs. lol

[Biggest]

"Yeah of course all the negative news threads were legit but how dare any site examine the pro and cons without forming a negative opinion."

You are absolutely correct, JokesOnYou. How dare anyone form a positive opinion. There are no positives to this from a consumer's perspective. Isn't that what we are?

[YNWA96]

Yeah, phantom experts... Oh wait, this site is full of them.... All well paid experts..... Fantastic...

[JokesOnYou]

Biggest
"There are no positives to this from a consumer's perspective."

See thats the problem you believe your perception to be a fact.

You are unwilling to see there are 2 sides to every coin, where you see drm some see usage conveniences or even a way to pay less for brand new retail games on day 1 vs used game fee/price.

Now if you just flat out say YOU personally prefer the traditional way used games are handled vs drm restriction regardless of the convenience/financial incentive then fine but assuming thats the case for everyone just means you like to dictate whats best for everyone and likely wont read or sensibly discuss the validity of the writers points.

[greenlantern2814]

@JokesonYou
cheaper games, ms announced as did sony that next gen games will be 60$ so the same price there goes that point. the positives are only for ms and devs if they want to take advantage of this but not to you the consumer, for now anyways. and you continue to miss the fact that not every one that is totally pro xbox cant get online so they cant get xbox 1. right. even ms has said that 40 million xbox live accounts but that is a little over 50% of xbox360 sold, ms potentially cutting about half their market

[justastranger10]

Everything in that article was true. It's also true that Sony is going bankrupt but everytime I mention it, people get so upset and angry. Why? I didn't lie or anything. It's the truth.

[CYCLEGAMER]

@greeniantern

Some games will be cheaper, Killer instinct is the prime example of one.

i.e. you can either buy killer instinct at full retail price $60 or you can get the game for free with one character, and choose which characters you want to download. If I will generally only play with 5 or 6 characters, I will have made out like a bandit (depending on the price of the characters).

[Sono421]

@ JokesOnYou

"some see usage conveniences or even a way to pay less for brand new retail games on day 1 vs used game fee/price."

What? Care to go into detail at all? Stop being so vague. Explain one convenience that requires DRM, and as for paying less for a used game... What? How do you figure that? Seriously not hating or being a fanboy I legit want an explanation because both of these are new to me.

[NewMonday]

"If you think this 24 hour requirement is a problem…get over it"

gamers don't have to, the XBone is not the only game in town.

@JokesOnYou

can explain to me why Steam and iOS games can be played off line on multiple devices without check-in?

can you explain to me why an Xbone game is still $60 but I cant use it indefinitely?

can you explain to me why I don't have a choice to NOT sync my games to the digital library and thus don't need a 24h check in?

this "article" is just another shill piece that tries to cover up the MS anti-consumer assault, tell your masters it's not working.

[Freedomland]

It's not about DRM or anything else but about over all approach towards gaming, consumer rights and freedom to play, sell, borrow and gift your games. They made everything so complicated that I would surely prefer even not to do it.
Ps4 all the way for me.

[Death]

Consumer rights...
Read your User Agreement. Ask someone to explain it if you can't comprehend it.

The article is a very good read. It explains the features and benefits of having a digital library. It explains the DRM needed to prevent dishonest people from stealing all their games. When I sign into Steam from my laptop, it signs me out of my PC. You need to authenticate the system you play on. This is DRM. You also can't trade these games, sell them or gift them to a friend.

If you want to give up the ability to play all your games without the disc in the drive locally or have access to all your games remotely, buy the PS4. XboxOne games can still be traded. You just can't give them away. You can still loan them out, but you are being forced to do it digitally without actually handing them a physical copy.

XboxOne games have more flexibility than PSN or Live Marketplace games since you still retain a physical copy and enjoy the convenience of the digital too. If this scares you, once again buy the PS4 and pray that Sony doesn't decide to evolve like everyone else.

Nobody thought Sony would trample the "rights" to play online for free. How is that working out?

[gaffyh]

@JOY - I agree with the usage convenience, but personally I thin the cons outweigh the pros, and feel like people shouldn't buy an XBone, especially at launch, just out of principle, because accepting some of the measures MS has put in place now, will lead to a world of hurt in the following generations.

@sono - He means the fact that you can install and run games, without having to swap discs. It is a good thing that, but you can do the same with digital downloads, if only they were price accordingly.

[Freedomland]

@Death

And you think hackers will leave X1 alone.
Don't compare Steam because Steam is for pc not for consoles because pc is always online.
If I wanted Steam, I could have bought a gaming pc and it can do a lot more things than X1.
I need a console which can play games in a simplest way anywhere, anytime, just pop in the disc and play.
You've been paying for Live for years and now you complain about Psn, you know that Gaikai services are really expensive.
Sony provided psn free for nearly 7 years and still it's free for ps3.

[SilentNegotiator]

It's a no name site using the old "it's not so bad" line.
You can't be so dense as to fall for that.

It's sad and telling that only the most intense of fanatics are even trying to convince people that it isn't "bad"...just "not so bad"

[dantesparda]

So now MS and all their lackeys and fanboys (the Microsoft Defense Force) are insulting my intelligence and trying to tell me that im an idiot for not understanding why this sh!t they are trying to impose on us, is not only good, but actually better. F-you MS, you're the dumb@sses, not me/us for not falling for this crap! and Jokes is just becoming more and more of a joke all the time with every new comment he makes and Death is just another diehard MS fanboy, who is actually worst than Jokes in my opinion.

Dueces!

[mananimal]

Nope.

You might want to check the track record of MS giving your data over to the NSA.

Especially in light of all the spying that's been uncovered (and anyone with a dinosaur brain has known about).

Because Microsoft DOES give your data away, it does sell or trade it with other corporations (thousands of them).

If the NSA requests your data....Microsoft will hand it over...it doesn't even need a real court order. It doesn't even need an unconstitutional FISA kanagaroo court order, or a letter of national security.

Because they also let the gov't jack into their stuff and you know then no one has to ask Microsoft jack.

Also in other operations they jack into the backbone of the internet and record everything.

Here's a clue people...if it's electronically communicated...it's being recorded.

Didn't anyone read how members of congress were finally briefed on what was going on. You know what they said?

"In a C-SPAN Journal Video interview yesterday, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) said about the secret NSA briefing Congress received Tuesday, that the federal surveillance programs revealed in media reports are just "the tip of the iceberg."

"What we learned in there," Sanchez said, "is significantly more than what is out in the media today."

Sanchez said lawmakers were "astounded" by what they heard. "I think it's just broader than most people even realize, and I think that's, in one way, what astounded most of us, too," Sanchez said of the briefing. "

Oh yes they are watching you. Your data from what your heart rate to how you react to something (since they can tell your mood) to all sorts of data including audio and video.

Then they come out with a bill entitled...."We are watching you" to curb some of this crap.

Why do you think that is???? Think the title is a bit of a hint? A way to get around national security bs? You bet your sweet ass.

When it comes to spying, especially when the gov't tells them to keep it hush, hush....you don't refer back to MS to 'prove' Kinect doesn't watch you.

Are people really that fucking stupid????? That fucking naive???? Don't be morons.

[4Sh0w]

Its clear to me some like what X1 is doing some don't some will buy it some won't.

It just bothers me that the was who wont care so much about what others buy. If it really sucks X1 will fail like you wanted it to anuway and you can still play your ps4, win win for the ones who don't like it.

Fortunately no individual group dictates the direction of a free market, thus the mass market will decide, hell they've already decided every piece of entertainment media has a digital download format with drm restrictions and this method continues yo grow in popularity, soon games will go the way of CDs in that the method of sales and usage will be almost entirely dd.

[LonDonE]

Microsoft have reversed xbox 1 online and used game policies, bravo this is a good day for gamers and consumers, and has shown the greedy corporations we wont take it laying down!!
http://uk.ign.com/articles/...

[JoySticksFTW]

From gaf

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

http://news.xbox.com/2013/0...

[Dee_91]

DRM is there for the digital library
/article
now the question is, who wants to give up their rights for a digital gaming library?

[Gaming101]

lol here's the sad part: this is just a fanboy site, they're not being paid by Microsoft. Msoft executives have no clue they even exist, they write this garbage solely out of their fanboy allegiance to all things X-bone.

Here's what I still don't know - if I haven't authenticated in 24 hours, what do they really mean that I won't be able to play games? Does it mean that I just need to re-authenticate by connecting to the internet again? Or is there some other process whereby all your games are accessible again? How do I get my games back without an internet connection if my internet goes down temporarily? Oh that's right, I can't. Not even single player.

And who are these "gamers" who desperately want DRM and a digital based future? They're a minority, if the outcry over used games is any indication. If the audience of people buying everything digitally was so big, there would be no qualms over this DRM. This is what the writer of this fanboy website has failed to recognize. Time to get out of the bubble, we do not live in an all digital age of games, retail will always exist as long as people enjoy borrowing games, trading them in, and buying used.

End of discussion.

[Mikelarry]

today??? try since last week bro.

its funny tho if microsoft truly believed they had the right approach wouldn't they let the amazing games and the value of kinect speak for itself makes you wonder hey

[HammadTheBeast]

All week, I've been seeing "news" of MS heads spewing BS about "cloud", "digital era", always connected, kinect, and just so much damage control garbage its like a joke.

Meanwhile, people are making news about Sony one-liners.

[Narutone66]

They might be in trouble now. See this news: http://www.warpzoned.com/20...

[MizTv]

Yeah it's called bullshit

[RedHawkX]

yep basically this. xbox 360 owenrs i dont know why you are trying to get an xbox one because no ones gonna buy it. xbox one is the new myspace buddy. its dead finished people are moving over to the ps4 its cheaper and more powerful and it makes since to get it. ps4 top of the preorder charts everywhere. that xbox live experience is no more. that experience times 10 is coming to the ps4 and thats where all the people will be. stop fighting it and use your brains if you still got one.

[Death]

Cheaper and more powerful.

You get less in the box and the power will be determined with the software. Anyone that trully feels one is better than the other isn't very bright. Both have Jaguar 8 core CPUs, 8 gigs of ram and a 7000 series derived AMD GPU. The only difference is the type of ram being used. Search for the difference between DDR3 and GDDR5 ram online. Then make an informed opinion about which is the better way to go. I'll give you a hint, neither is ideal.

[The Real Peter Moore]

@Death

STFU with that bullsh!t, you know damn well that the GDDR5 gives PS4 way more bandwidth than Xbone's GDDR3. PS4's GDDR5 RAM gives it a 176GB of bandwidth throughout its entire 8GB RAM pool, whereas Xbone's GDDR3 only has ~66GB to its RAM. But yeah, that's not alot faster, right? And dont talk to me about some tiny 32MB cache that runs at a ~102GB bandwidth, cuz you'll only get that bandwidth to a minuscule amount of RAM. You thats why MS put those "Move Engine" chips in the Xbone right? each one has 25GB of bandwidth to try and compensate for the differEnce between the GDDR3 RAM's bandwidth and the ESRAM's bandwidth. But you realize, that, this make the Xbone a far more complicated architecture when compared to the PS4, right?

They may both have the same CPU but we dont know what modifications (if any) were made to each one and i know Sony has talked about a few of them, i havent heard of any from MS. And even the AMD guy said that he was really impressed with the PS4's APU but has said no such thing of MS'.

But when it comes to the GPU side of things, its a whole different story. And here the PS4 is clearly superior, with over 50% higher CU performance than Xbone. Now if the programmers are going to develop to the lowest common denominator (clearly being the Xbone here) then yes, you wont see a difference. But otherwise, you would see a difference where the PS4 version, could run at a higher res and with higher frames rates and more effects like AA or AF. And this nonsense about Xbone giving you more for the money? Are you crazy? i aint paying no extra $100 for no fvcking Kinect! Im straight with that sh!t, you can keep that, little kid! And Sony sells the PS4's PS Eye for $59, still cheaper than Xbone. Man, you're one dumb fanboy! Now you go read up and learn a little something.

[HammadTheBeast]

I honestly don't know how you'd explain it, it's DRM lol. What's there not to get?

[trancefreak]

I just hope that Microsoft's DRM POLICIES doesn't enforce unintended unnecessary charges onto other gaming consoles' used value and resell.
I would not want Gamestops and other trade in stores to try and compensate for losses with Microsoft's trade in/ re sell/ policies.

That will piss me off

[TheHybrid]

What facts in this article were false? Sounds like a cut and dry examination of how it's going to work. Tired of hearing ppl speak out against something they don't understand

[Caffo01]

What's false?

The fact that DRM "isn’t as big as deal as you might think".

[jmc8888]

Because they act like it's the ONLY way to do things.

There's 1000 ways to skin a cat, and last I checked Steam sends me an email that my account is registered to when I log on, if it sees I'm at a different computer. (when I LOG ON, not when Steam decides to)

The difference? I can play my games offline with no reason to need being online.

There are many ways to go about it, requiring a 24 hour check-in or my console useless is mornoic.

Especially if some people won't share anything. You see that Microsoft assumes EVERYBODY is going share EVERYTHING with as many as they can and each one of them is going to try to abuse it.

Why is it that if I download a game, or even have the disc itself, it can't tell without an online check?

Especially when PS4 allows others to play a game with them that they don't own without the DRM.

Also then the article makes light of the situation...saying in most places..

Well most isn't everyplace, yet everyplace the console is at it is beholden to these rules. It affects more than you know.

How many people have internet access in their living room, but not in little billy's bedroom?

Also the world has varying levels of internet capability.

Others have tons of data caps, and if someone is over, or the Xbox One breaches those caps, their entire console is bricked. The Xbox One isn't made for them?

So I guess the Xbox One isn't made for about 1/3 of all gamers, which means it isn't for gamers.

Last I checked no matter what someone elses internet is, I can still play my multiplayer games, but you say because MS wants DRM that since some players can't or won't bend over for it, it's holding you back? No...that's MS holding you back. Because THEY DECIDED IT!!!!

He makes assumptions then that it's THOSE people holding him back? Try steam buddy.

Oh and it completely forgot the #1 reason people shouldn't need to rely on such checks...the PSN network hack.

That's right, had PS3 used the same features that are in the Xbox One your internet might have been just fine, but since Microsoft's wasn't working, you would have not been able to use your console for a month.

Guesses, errors, omissions, and incorrect assumptions.

..and it doesn't at all talk about the 100 percent guaranteed to spy on you massively Kinect.

...and doesn't talk about $100 more for a console where the graphics card isn't even worth $100.

It's important price is factored in, because you are paying more and getting so much less.

[badkolo]

they are blinded, it clearly states why its needed, becuase you can share aND TRADE YOUR GAMES DIGITALY AND THE DRM STOPS YOU FORM STEALING or playing the game with 2 people at the same time which you cant do now, learn to read

[fatstarr]

they are pushing alot of shill stuff to all the videogame centrals. next ign will be pro xbox after a couple of checks are cashed.

[defyenz]

Wait til you own your own business and have to do everything to get it back to top form.Strictly business son.Watch and learn. Might be useful to you in the future once you realize the living in your video game world does'nt cut it in the real world.

[NextGen24Gamer]

Great read. Sony fans will never like these type of articles. Clear to the point and it clearly shows the advantage of having disc less gaming. Sony will catch up to Xbox next gen and have disc less gaming and these same pigeons will say how great it is. Lol

[DigitalRaptor]

What about the advantages of Internet-less gaming. I bet you won't see them, right? In fact, a huge chunk of the world won't see those benefits because of the glaring problems that come with the requirements, but that's okay cause they won't be buying a worthless brick.

Keep pretending this is exclusive to Sony fans. When the reports come through relating to Internet-based or DRM-based issues from Xbox One purchasers, the last laugh will come from those sensible enough to not have supported MS.

[NextGen24Gamer]

I haven't Internet less gamed in over 7 years. I would assume it would be a requirement moving forward into the next generation. If your a person with no Internet, you are stuck in the past and the future is leaving u behind

[greenlantern2814]

sony currently way ahead in pre orders so why do they have to catch up to ms? devs will make their games for witch ever system they can sell more games on.
also you all seem to think sony cant do digital but the ps3 has a huge amount of content on the ps network right now and lots of day one digital releases the same will apply to ps4. sony gives you and game devs options. ms forces you to bend to their will

[NextGen24Gamer]

@Greenlantern

"sony currently way ahead in pre orders so why do they have to catch up to ms?"

When I say catch up and have disc less games, I mean exactly that. In order to do that they need to have DRM in place and need to support that. It needs to be a standard for it to actually work when you buy a game and never have to use the disc again. Sony will eventually do it, and all YOU sony fans will say how great it is! Late to the party! LOL

"devs will make their games for witch ever system they can sell more games on."

No your partially wrong. Devs will sell their games where they can make the most money off their games. MS with their DRM will guarantee devs that thei game sales will go directly to them every time a game is sold or resold. So while they might sell more copies on the ps4, they will make more money from their games on the xbox one...Don't get it twisted. These guys are in it to make money kiddo! LOL

"also you all seem to think sony cant do digital but the ps3 has a huge amount of content on the ps network right now and lots of day one digital releases the same will apply to ps4. sony gives you and game devs options. ms forces you to bend to their will"

Sony can do digital, Sony can do eye toy, sony can do cloud, LOL...the problem with all of that is that it's all optional and Sony hasn't invested all of their resources in the future. They have one foot in and one foot out...which means it won't be fully realized on the Ps4. It's common sense really. Xbox is ALL IN on the new tech and features and DRM...Meaning that they are way ahead of Sony in every next gen feature set...Sony will do many of the things Xbox One is doing now with their next Next gen console...LOL...

Meanwhile Xbox One gamers will already have it....This November!

Just like Sony is now charging for online gaming...LOL...Follow the leader...Sony fans from all walks of life bashed the xbox for having to pay to play online...LOL....Funny how far advanced MS was in that area...Sony is playing catch up and MS is leading the way!

Now Sony fans love having to pay to play online...LOL...No complaints from anyone....lol...This site is too funny. I love it!

[badz149]

what is this "disc less gaming" that you're talking about like it's something new on consoles? if you ever own a PS3 or PSP or Vita, you might have heard the thing call full game downloads, right? the PS3 has done this so called "disc less gaming" since what...Warhawk? that was launched in 2007! shall I say...welcome to digital age to you? you're 6 years late to the party though!

back then, a game purchased and can be downloaded to 5 different PS3s and can be used by unlimited number of accounts on those 5 PS3s all at the same time! the number of consoles have been reduced now to 2 plus 2 portables but still no restrictions on playing them at the same time like the Xbone is going to do!

"Sony will catch up to Xbox next gen and have disc less gaming and these same pigeons will say how great it is." - LOL!

I and many other PS3 owners have been doing disc less gaming since back then! I myself have Warhawk, SOCOM Confrontation, GoW Collections, Sly Collections, R&C Collections, Jak & Daxter Collection, MGS Collection, Borderlands, Sly 4, R&C Q4B, R&C QForce, PASBR, BFBC2 and some more I don't remember because it started WAAAY back then, not 2013 LOL!

[moparful99]

Its not about the advantages or lack thereof.. The issue is about it being forced everyone complies or you don't play. Just because you fall in the 1% of gamers that want a console like this doesn't mean it should be forced upon us.. We vote with our voices and dollars but you label us sony fanboys because we dont want a restrictive game experience for features that exist elsewhere with ZERO. restrictions.. I'm sick of Microsoft writing their own rules and then having to deal with loyalists such as yourself berate me for opposing their corporate greed driven restrictions!

[NextGen24Gamer]

Disc Less as in Every single game on the system is Disc Less. Even when you buy a disc...you install it and never need it again. Never need to carry around your game library again...That's the future of gaming and Sony will eventually catch up. Sure Sony has games you can download and play without disc...But I'm talking about as a standard.

In order for it to be a standard you need DRM. It's not complicated.

Everyone who complains bout MS pushing new tech and features for the FUTURE of gaming...Don't jump in. Stick with your ps3, ps4, or xbox 360.

My dad made a lot of the same arguments you sony fans are making when companies made to push from Tape Recorders to CD. LOL..LOL...LOL...

Real talk...I understand you don't want to let go of the present and the past..I get it...But some of us are ready for the future. We shouldn't be held back because some still want to dinosaur game.

We can agree to disagree. But when the next next ps5 comes out and they follow what MS is doing now...It will be funny how you sony fans will respond.

Being revolutionary takes a company being bold and taking calculated risks....MS is fortunate to be a mega rich company so they can afford to be bold and revolutionary. Sony is in financial trouble so they played it safe with old policies and basically giving gamers the ps3 again but with better graphics.

Sony will be rewarded with better sales to help their struggling company.

Gamers who choose xbox one will be rewarded with true next gen console with next gen features that SONY doesn't offer as a standard!!!!

Kinnect 2.0
4k gaming
300,000 server Cloud Computing
Disc Less games (sharing with 10 people)
1080p Skype/TV/Movies/Games all switched in a SNAP!

Thank you Microsoft....Who cares if you don't sell the most, you are giving the most to hardcore next gen gamers!

Click the link and you will see that SONY ps4 doesn't do 4k gaming! LOL...

http://www.gamespot.com/new...

And the xbox one does support 4k gaming!!!!! Ultra HD...The future!!!!

http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/x...

[dantesparda]

Wow! Elitegamer whatever the fvck, you've just gone full retard on our ass. You are one super deluded MS fanboy eh? I aint gonna spend anymore time on someone as deluded as you, that would make me stupid.

[justastranger10]

You seem to be mad its a pro Xbox One article more than anything. Dealwithit

[brish]

DRM explained:

http://matthill.eu/wp-conte...

[JitterbugTS]

Well what a shock - every comment I see posted by 'Yo Mama' is either a pro-Sony stance or a vehemently anti-MS one. Perhaps the corporate shill hat sits squarely on your head. Talkingship has been around for a long, long time. The site's never been a heavy videogame focused place, but more about having a good time and enjoying games, movies, music, or whatever. Perhaps before your next accusation about a site being a "generic, pro-microsoft" shill, you should take ten seconds to actually explore if your accusation holds any weight. Oh, why bother? Just continue wearing a corporation's name on your face and blare their marketing mantras all over the internet. It's one thing to fall in love with a corporation, but it's another thing (a sad, sad thing) to make it your life's goal to spew their marketing message every chance you get.

[joefrost00]

The funny thing about all of this is I bet all of you stay connected to your internet anyway
If not im pretty sure you have an cell phone that can do tethering

I have figured it out
Its not the being Connected the bothers you all its.just yall want the mindfuck of knowing you all have a choice
MS comes along and basically tells you its now required.to do something you.have been doing anyway
And people are like
No I want have no part of this it doesn't matter im always hooked to the internet what if I want to get off even though I haven't sense I had internet x amount of years ago
Or what if my connection drops. I dont care if it hasnt ever dropped for a whole day
Lol you people are classic

[AceofStaves]

What's "classic" here is the assumption that everyone else has the same Internet functionality you do, or the same cellphone. Some of us have spotty Internet connections and also have to deal with data caps. I've gone through point where my 'Net was done for a couple of days. Not to mention other circumstances - people moving to new places to live, soldiers, etc.

And not everyone has a smartphone either. I don't, because I don't need my phone to surf the Web. I just need something to make calls on.

What if the positions were reversed, and Sony was the company with the mandatory DRM? Would you feel the same way?

[irokster]

To hell with you man, my internet goes out EVERY DAMN NIGHT! I can't be dealing with a console that requires you to check in and authentication bullcrap. Trust me, I'm all for the future but most of OUR country isn't ready for it a far as internet strength and reliability is concerned.

[pete007]

Bt you have the choice To go ps4. What makes you think msft wants To sell an Xbox To every human beeing? I have my One preordered and cant whait!!!

[safsaan]

it could be MS, but all of it does seems like legit info.

[FunkMacNasty]

I tried to read this objectively, but I still come away with a bad taste in my mouth over the X1..

Also the author says "Gamers have been begging for games to go discless for a long time now, but now that it’s here they can’t deal with the implications of it." Really? Never once in any gaming circle have i EVER heard someone say (or type) "gee I sure wish videogames were discless"

I'm sorry to say it, but this whole thing sounds like it was written by Microsoft PR. It even has the same cocky tone to it that Microsoft has adopted in the face of worldwide criticism over the X1.

[irokster]

All I hear being said is people still want their physical product even though a bunch of people have adopted downloading new games.

[tawilk34]

i've had times where i've made perfect circle scratches on my discs and had to go back to gamestop for a replacement. i've also had them just get totally scratched up by various neglect. then there are the times you lend it to a friend and he really puts a number on it or sometimes losses it.

i don't think i've explicitly asked for a discless system, but it has some benefits that i can't argue with. it will also free up some much needed shelf space in my house.

[BallsEye]

Yeah, like sony contracted all of you on n4g. Shush fanboy. If it would be article about how much it sucks, you'd praise it. Open your mind tool. It's good to have options and it's good to listen to opinions, but you fanboys got out of hand.

[Cmk0121]

Yeah way worse than article saying X1 isnt being sold at gamestop certain locations cause that makes ZERO sense. 1/3 of the company is boycotting??? or jimmy fallon saying X1 doesnt support used games, FALSE. its just the gaming world man, they do it for MS and against MS. they do it for Sony and against Sony. Gaming community is just that way

[Cueil]

I got some tin foil hats for sale... I'll give you 50 percent off. The more logical truth is that some people just see things differently then N4G posters

[kreate]

from the article..

'Go to shop. Buy disc. Insert disc in console. Game installs and links to your Xbox Live account. Throw disc away forever'

since the xbox needs to be connected,installed, and authenticated, what's the point of going to the store, mine as well just download it off the xbox live.

[badkolo]

thats the point, you should just download it if you can, no need to wait to go buy it, travel, we are in the future. #jointhefuture

[kreate]

i understand thats the points. so i agree with ur comment.

[Mariusmssj]

"So your Internet speed shouldn’t matter at all."

I thought it was clear that the lowest speed limit was 1.5Mbps

[MazzingerZ]

"Explained"....again ? I guess it's pretty clear that all those restrictions are not attractive to gamers so it doesn't matter how you put it...the only good explanation would be "Sorry, we taking away all that stuff so you'll get a X360 2 which is what you actually want"

By the way...never heard of this site...I guess as time goes it's becoming harder and harder to find sites that still have the guts to defend MSFTs policies with the X1

I wonder how things would look for MSFT after Gamescom...SONY still hasn't shown anything from Media Molecule and Naughty Dog..and we know they have somthing to show...they have for sure other stuff to show

At this point I can't guess what MSFT can show, their E3 (US) has always been stronger than their Gamescom(EU)...but who knows

I'm getting a PS4 regardless, I like the variation SONY delivers with their exclusive games and those little PSN gems can't either be missed

[Doctor_Freeman]

This article means nothing...

http://www.ign.com/articles...

[NYC_Gamer]

"As Microsoft have put it over the last few days, if you don’t have an Internet connection then the Xbox One isn’t for you"

That's a lot of countries/rural areas that X1 isn't for then...

[matgrowcott]

It depends if those rural areas have literally no internet, in which case they'll basically be used to being left out. It's unlikely they'll get phone coverage either and they may even find getting post relatively difficult. If someone in that situation absolutely needs a next-gen console, they're going to end up with dozens of half-games and a system that does hardly anything advertised regardless of what they choose - be it current-gen, next-gen or PC.

If they do get dial-up or whatever, there's a pretty good chance they'll still be able to do the check-in (a couple of KBs will take less than a second on most dial-up connections). They'll just have to turn off every other feature, which is what they'll be doing on any system anyway.

[Why o why]

Two words

SINGLE PLAYER

[matgrowcott]

What was the last single player game you played? I mean, strictly single player, absolutely no multiplayer component whatsoever? I'm thinking Dishonored on my part.

Do you think the trend towards adding social features and multiplayer modes - given what we know about next-generation and the features that both consoles brag - is going to subside? Rather, do you think developers are going to continue to presume most people have decent connections and will include features to blend single and multiplayer?

I mean, you have a point and I'm not going to specifically argue that point, but I'd say that those looking for purely single player games would be better off investing in a current-gen console or a last-gen console. Those investing in a PS4 without an internet connection will lose out on so much of what it's capable of, to the point where you're paying full price for a game you won't be able to fully access.

There's no argument that those investing in an Xbox One will be losing more however.

[JeffGUNZ]

Honestly, do you real give a sh*t about a third world country having internet so they could play a gaming console they couldn't even afford? Give me a break.

[MonChiChi]

Umm last I checked X1 is not workable at launch in a lot of countries, Japan being one of them. X1 only active in 21 countries. This is all from xbox official site. So I wouldn't say it's much third world countries because other countries are being left out.

[JeffGUNZ]

First off, Japan? Really? Like MS controls so much of Japan...Come on, that's Sonys land. MS is hitting their target markets at launch, that's evident.

[tawilk34]

@MonChiChi

like the release of the PS3 and 360, they will roll out countries that work best with their capabilities and shipping channels. they will most certainly expand on this country list as they get closer to launch. they will even have countries in the queue for shortly after launch.

japan is a tough sell in terms of competition, but the XB1 will eventually be there as well.

[Cmk0121]

I honestly dont get why anyone would spend 500 to play this thing offline when 98% of perks are derived online gaming and other wise. I get people want food in the fridge even if they arent hungry, BUT dont hear a whole lot about the core things. Jump ship to ps4, no dedicated servers and faulty service. IE new update bricking consoles. I think MS acknolwdges they wont win asian or europe market and is somewhat fine destroying in the US. however their god awful marketing might end up with them losing US market as well. tough to say

[JeffGUNZ]

I agree with your stance on MS is clearly targeting their biggest markets, but I still feel like they will do well in their big market countries all throughout Europe, like England for say. I feel as if MS isn't looking at the next 2-3 years, rather the entire generation.

[green]

"Here’s how the game buying process is going to work: Go to shop. Buy disc. Insert disc in console. Game installs and links to your Xbox Live account. Throw disc away forever."

I think this is a cool feature that Microsoft has implimented. The DRM is there to ensure you still own the game and you can share game with your friends.

But why can't Microsoft make it like this? Buy game, install it on xbox One. If system tries to connect to internet to authenticate disk and fails, it prompts user to insert game disk back into system for verification. No interenet also means no accessing of saves on the cloud and no game sharing.

This in my opinion will be ideal for people that do not have any interent access.

[Yo Mama]

They can't and won't do that because they need to be the one who verifys everything. If they leave it up to the system to check, with no online functionality, it would be way easier to hack/mod the system and stay offline and enjoy free games forever. They must control everything!!!

[UNGR]

Considering how big of a problem piracy, and hacking was on the 360 I don't blame them for wanting DRM. This particular method? Could have thought of something a little better. But piracy and hacking was rampant, try playing a game more than 2 years old, or any Call of Duty, or other big title 6 months after release. It'll be full of hacker guaranteed. Piracy is rampant on the 360, and PC due to the absolute ease of pirating the damn game. Sony didn't do DRM just because they don't need it, they didn't experience the piracy, and hacking on the scale of the 360, couldn't even hold a candle. The PS3 with it's architecture was fantastic hacker deterrent, and great cock block for video game piracy. Now that they have simplistic architecture they'll get to see it first hand. Granted the things will sell like candy covered cocaine so I doubt the sales on games being pirated would be effected much.

[JokesOnYou]

Yo Mama I agree without the online check its a simple mod and you could play forever offline for free, or basicly with unlimited amount of friends who all could group up, buy 1 game then install the game on unlimited consoles. So of course they have to control it, not doing so would be financial suicide.

[moparful99]

@jokes so riddle me this genius how is it that it wasnt a problem for sony on the ps3? In fact sony has a higher software attach rate across the board. Just read an article how Sony sold over a million more software units over the course of this past fiscal year.. If DRM was so crucial to the survival of the industry then why is it that Microsoft is the only company implementing? One word. Control.

[Death]

Hit me a link for the software attach rates. Is this platform specific or does it cover PS2 and PSP/Vita games? Does it accoount for downloads too? Would love the info. Thanks.

[ExCest]

@moparful99

Answer: the Jtag. Has anyone thought of that as a reason that there's DRM? People may use steam as an example of "good" DRM with offline functionality but their DRM isn't the most effective there is. It's beyond easy to pirate a steam game.

There's no need to be a captain of conspiracy.

[Kingthrash360]

PR rampage.....no saving this....especially when it looks as tho even the vp doesn't jnow wtf he's talking about.

[Unicron]

How many times do they need to "explain" it now?

[FunAndGun]

Until it puts you under a hypnotic trance....

DRM is good, DRM is good, DRM is good......

say it enough and it will become your reality.

[thebudgetgamer]

Nanananana leader.

[ziggurcat]

"How many times do they need to "explain" it now?"

repeat something often enough...

[shaenoide]

In conclusion :

It's still shitty as hell.

[TheHybrid]

Perfectly reasonable and clear explanation. I challenge anyone to dispute any of the facts in this article :)

[psyxon]

you can't dispute anything about these "facts" because M$ designed the console this way. the author sums it up better than M$ could in one simple sentence.

"If you’re one of the minority in the Western world who doesn’t have an Internet connection that is even a tiny bit stable, and lack any cellphone signal for tethering…I hate to say it, but sucks to be you. "

a few things stand out to me.
1) "western world" - M$ made it very evident the X1 was meant for Americans, even if it's being sold in other places, it was designed around Americans. the difference is the PS4 was designed around gamers from all over the world.

2) "sucks to be you" - this is M$'s stance in 4 simple words. if you happen to be someone that is incapable of meeting the xbox one's requirements for gaming, well, you're fucked. sorry!

now, as to your point about disputing these "facts" - there is no reason to. none of us have to argue against M$'s design decision, we just simply won't buy their console. and it's perfectly okay for those of you who are interested in buying it to do so. just don't point fingers at us for disagreeing with their design and expressing our discontent with it.

[moparful99]

Amen influxity

[Death]

If you have the online to bitch about the console design, you have the online needed to do a verification every 24 hours.

"Western world". Really, you think that high speed internet is an American thing? I know most people think of everywhere outside the U.S. as being "third world", but that is far from the reality.

"Sucks to be you". Yeah, they said that about dial up gaming and free online too. Sony agrees. Why is this going to be different?

Microsoft designed their console to be a "connected" system. It's catering to the 50 million Live subscribers around the world. They hope that the other 30% of Xbox 360 owners connect. It's up to gamers to make an informed decision on if the pros outweigh the cons. If you are a current 360 owner, read the article and make an informed decision. The BS running around on n4g should not be the deciding factor.

[creatchee]

@influxity

"just don't point fingers at us for disagreeing with their design and expressing our discontent with it."

If you don't plan on buying it, why continually express your discontent with it? Because seriously, that's what N4G is right now - a bunch of people who have no intent (and never had any intent) of buying an Xbox One, yet "express their discontent" about it in every single thread that pertains to it.

When a movie is announced that I don't want to see and will not see, I don't spend the months leading up to its release whining and complaining about it. Why is it that video games have to be different for some people?

[JokesOnYou]

^^^^This.

Personally I think it exposes insecurity on their part, I'm a gamer but I know I want a X1, then perhaps later on a ps4 but given my preference I'm not really concerned about what sonys doing, watched their E3 presentation on gametrailers and dont take it as a diss but I'm just uninterested in ps4, I come here on my cell phone to soak up every bit of X1 news, so I think its easy to see that ps fans have more doubts about their preference, they need to downplay xbox to reassure themselves they have something better, normal folks just gravitate to what they like.

[morganfell]

PS4 fans do not need to downplay the Xbone. All they have to do is report the news and MS does the damage themselves.

You also need a history lesson Jokes. With all of the time you spent in articles attacking the PS3 for years you are simply being hypocritical, or self descriptive, with your analysis of why PS4 fans are taking well deserved jabs at a company that is damaging the freedom of gamers.

There was a time when I merely disagreed with your comments but at least I could respect them. I can't do that when you are supporting a company that is doing so much to reduce the rights of gamers. And I just do not mean normal voicing of opinions. Your remarks have jumped in volume some 50%.

Considering the current climate of news if there is anyone feeling desperate it is the MS fans. They are trying to put on a brave face but their actions tell the real story.

[JokesOnYou]

Morgan you can label me what you want but my actions speak louder than words, sure I did the tit for tat in the past but all I do now is support what I like, its you that follow what you hate. Playing the noble citizen here to look out for our rights is laughable coming from you trying to lecture me. Yeah sure, except you have a long history of 360/microsoft hate= you and sonyfanboys are here to bash anything xbox and nothing more, you know that, they know that, nobodys fooled about your intentions.

Naturally my participation has increased with the reveal of new xbox hardware because NO shiii I'm a huge xbox fan and I like to know everything I can about my purchase....why are you a well known sonyfanboy in yet another X1 thread? Consumer Rights? lol, stop the politics, just more "talking points" BS. You want to talk about desperate...Who's more desperate a guy who's excited about something and spends his time supporting why he likes it or a hater who follows something being negative over and over again? Yep, you're desperate and insecure.

[moparful99]

@Jokes morgan blasted you for your blatant hypocrisy yet your response is to say well thats how I was like your previous transgressions are forgiven.. For years it was hell to be a ps3 gamer because "noble" gamers such as yourself prowled articles flaming and inciting.. Now that the favor is being returned the flavor is sour and you are attempting to distance yourself from it. Im sorry but your fanboy flag waves higher and brighter then just about anyone on here. Even though you attempt to mask it by feigned civility, yet when someone calls you out you that civility is no more. You become that very "fanboy" you look down your proud nose at. Your last paragraph reads like your bio.

[morganfell]

Thank you jokes but no thank you. I do not need your permision to label things and people what they prove time and again to be.

Once more you cannot recognize your own actions. The number of times you have been in a PS thread and on the attack and now suddenly you find supporters of another platform in your thread troublesome. And a history lesson for you. You began this business of entering PS threads so unless you own stock in Keenex it is no time to start burning through the tissues. Tsk tsk. People in glass houses...

At least I do not have to pretend some feigned disinterest to be unaware of the names of Xbox titles. It lessens you in that if it is an act then it is done poorly and if it is true then it reveals you to be less than knowledgeable concerning the PS4 you love to attack. There is little so ironic as those that attempt to besmirch something of which they possess no knowledge.

For a very long time I avoided entering MS pure threads. But now with the MS unveiling and their push for new policies across our hobby it isn't just about what will affect MS supporters but rather all gamers.

Peter Moore laid it on the table with the reveal that DRM was not EA's idea. That leaves one company holding the responsible bag - your Microsoft. That in and of itself is reason for any gamer on any platform to take issue and take up arms in open revolt about such rights destructive policies.

It is about consumer rights and calling such discussions BS only serves to demonstrate that you cannot justify changes in Redmond's policies. No one in their right mind desires less freedom over that which they purchased. Attempting (and failing) to label such discussions as "politics" or "talking points" is a poor attempt to cloud the very real issue facing not only gamers but purchasers of all media worldwide.

No, we will pay attention to the man behind the curtain and not have our liberites infringed upon. There is not one feature that MS has discussed that requires their Draconion DRM and limitation policies in order to function. You may like others to think and decide for you but this growing wave of PS4 supporters have a mind of their own.

[psyxon]

lol. everything in his fail article has been known for at least a week. thanks for "explaining" nothing to me. another waste of time read.

[Toolster]

Here's a radical idea, now stick with me cause my idea is kinda far out there,

How about you go to a shop and buy a game on a disc (with me so far) then when you want to play round a friends you (now this is where I might lose you) you take the disc with you!!!! And when finished you take the disc home again!! That way company's would now only one person is playing that particular game

What ya think radical or what :)

[matgrowcott]

How about you leave your disk safe at home, and just play the game anyway? Hell, that way your friends can keep on playing even after you've gone, and you can join them from home later.

Or are we still somehow saying that this isn't a good feature?

[Megaplaynate]

To do that your friend would have to use your account or be one of your "family" members, and even then he wouldn't be able to play cause you can't have the same game being played at the same time by 2 accounts.

[matgrowcott]

I could sit here and point out why you're wrong, or I could just post the proof.

Because, you know, 5 disagrees and 1 comment about a feature that has long been established as part of a system people are STILL commenting on negatively says nothing about the rage surrounding it being unsubstantiated or anything.

Definition of family (as if this needed to be expained, you very literal people):

http://www.nowgamer.com/new...

“It’s not ten different people all playing the game concurrently, but when you think about a real usage scenario, and we thought about it around a family, and I know certain people will create a family group of people that aren’t all part of the same family, and I do think that’s an advantage, and people will use that," Spencer explained.

"I saw it on NeoGAF instantly, the Xbox Family creation threads, where people said 'Hey be a part of my family.' No birth certificates will need to be sent in! I do think that’s an advantage of the ecosystem that we have.”

Confirmation from Microsoft of the feature:

http://news.xbox.com/2013/0...

"Xbox One will enable new forms of access for families. Up to ten members of your family can log in and play from your shared games library on any Xbox One. Just like today, a family member can play your copy of Forza Motorsport at a friend’s house. Only now, they will see not just Forza, but all of your shared games. You can always play your games, and any one of your family members can be playing from your shared library at a given time."

This is also why they're claiming the 24 hour check-in is a big deal, which I figure is fair enough considering it#s possible that you can split a game 10 ways with permission from MS.

[Toolster]

This isn't a good feature and only Xbox die hards are claiming it is

[moparful99]

You could share digital games on ps3 with 5 ps3's without DRM.. But now all of a sudden its a brilliant move because Microsoft tells you that its cool.. That sums up the xbox crowd.. Blind loyalists..

[matgrowcott]

No, it was always a cool feature. It remains a cool feature. It'd be a cool feature regardless of which platform it was on.

[BitbyDeath]

"If you think this 24 hour requirement is a problem…get over it"

Adam Orth is that you?

Should rename the article to Xbox One's DRM Poorly Explained

[GreenRanger]

'talkingship.com'

I bet that's not a Navy ship that's talking.

[GamePeace]

No need for explanatians. I've understood their policy very well, the new Model of Xbox trademarks is a "Business Model".

[lgn15]

I think people are just riding a huge fanboy wave started by some sony fans a while ago. It has gotten out of control considering DRM policies aren't even that bad. I'v been gaming for 20 years and I honestly almost never lend games to anyone because if a good game comes out they will usually buy it themselves. I myself have only ever borrowed the game Morrowind and Oblivion from my cousin. DRM policies will hardly affect me... And think about the money that game industries will be making. With this extra money we might see better and more frequent games which is a plus for us gamers.

[BitbyDeath]

It's not about you, it is about the industry as a whole being dragged down.

[lgn15]

How so? Don't try to tell me you are seriously apathetic towards game stop because they won't be able to sell used Xbox One games. Don't forget they can still sell, oh yah, every other type of used game. Microsoft made a smart decision and because of them pleasing game developers they have more exclusives to show for it. It seem like a great trade off if there ever was one.

[BitbyDeath]

How so?

1. Businesses who rely on money to rent out games will potentially close, meaning thousands if not millions of people could lose their jobs around the world.

2. Throw in the gamestop/eb/gametraders etc stores that could potentially be thrown under the bus as they won't be able to make money from used games. So more job losses around the world if not total closures.

3. All your games will come with an expiry date as they rely on a server to talk back. Not to mention indivudal games can also be shutdown by the quick change of some code.

4. Not everyone has the internet so millions will not be able to play games.

5. It is just not needed. It does more damage than good. How can you not see it?

[psyxon]

@lgn15 here, a list of exclusives for both consoles. just a heads up, i didn't include games that are also available on last (this) gen consoles. so if a ps4/x1 game is also available on 360 or ps3, i didn't include it. feel free to msg me if i left any out for either console. that goes for Vita as well, if a ps4 game is also available on Vita, i didn't include it.

CE = console exclusive. - i don't personally like using this term, but the community seems to, so i included them.

X1:
Below
Crimson Dragon
D4
Dead Rising 3
Forza Motorsport 5
Halo Sequel
Killer Instinct
Kinect Sports Rivals (Kinect)
Powerstar Golf
Quantum Break
Rabbids Invasion (Kinect)
RYSE: Son of Rome
Sunset Overdrive

X1CE:
Project Spark (Kinect/SG)
TitanFall
Zumba Fitness World Party (Kinect)

PS4:
Basement Crawl
Deep Down
DriveClub
Galak-Z
inFamous: Second Son
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Knack
Secret Ponchos
The Order: 1886
Tiny Brains

PS4CE:
Super Motherload
Blacklight: Retribution
Daylight
Don't Starve
Mercenary Kings
Octodad: Deadliest Catch
Outlast
Planetside 2
Primal Carnage: Genesis
Project Heart and Soul
Ray's The Dead
Transistor
Warframe
War Thunder

[MonChiChi]

Where have you been the past few weeks? hype from fanboys, Hype from devs and everyone. So don't try to twist it that some fans made this happen. Truth is MS made it happen.

[Typical-Guy]

So in other words my Xbox One is DVD/Blu Ray player without internet connection. You're telling me that if I don't sign-in in 24 hours, I can't play GAMES which is the whole concept of video game console.

[SonyPS4]

As long as we have DRM like this we won't be able to have nice things. Yes it's a big deal.

[pedrof93]

OMG FAIL !
APARENTLY AFTER YOU REGISTER AND INSTALL THE GAME INTO YOUR CONSOLE YOU CAN THROW IT AWAY ! NO CD NEEDED TO PLAY !

SO TELL ME, WHY SHOULD I BOTHER GETTING A RETAIL COPY THEN ? WHY ?

WHY ?

[shuuwai]

DRM+EA+Simcity

EPIC FAIL!!

F DRM, F EA, F any companies that uses DRM.

Yes, MS use all that colours that world has to offer, yet the painting, the message is the same. We as gamers are not stupid too believe in your lies.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Buy the retail copy so you can trade in the game when you no longer want to play it. With Xbox you can have the benefits of a downloaded game, no disc needed, and the benefit of a disc copy, ability to trade game in for cash or credit.

Funny how many people still don't realize Xbox can play used games, PS now requires multiplayer paywall, and that Destiny, Diablo 3, FF15, and KH3 are not PS exclusive.

Not calling anything out there, but those are the arguments I've had with people in Gamestop stores that shows MS needs to get a better message out and people in general are idiots.

[pedrof93]

"Funny how many people still don't realize Xbox can play used games."

It can't, you serious at this point ?
You were trying to say that if I get an X1 game on disc, install it, then I just can sell the copy and I will still be able to play the game?

What ?

OR

Maybe you are trying to say that I can play a used game that haven't been played/registered yet. But that isn't really a used game is it ?

I'm not going to bother answering any of your other arguments, because at this point PS4 is ahead in everything, X1 may have more exclusives announced for now , but only because some were just teasers. And it will take time to them to came out. While PS4 ones will all be here within a year.

4>1

[LoveOfTheGame]

You play the game, decide to trade it in, take it to the store, they unregister it to you, and can resell it.

Did I go slow enough for you there?

[Hueynewton2012]

How many of these DRM articles are going to be released? Attempting to manipulate consumers via deception is just going make it worse. Fuck off Microsoft, i will keep my Xbox 360 but i will never purchased Live or your over priced accessories again. If my 360 dies, i will buy another one from my local mom and pop vid game store. Which mean.... "You get nothing, You lose, Good day Sir!!!!!

[thebudgetgamer]

Five.

[psyxon]

"The second thing you need to know is that Microsoft has implemented a shared library. All of your Xbox One games are available for download on any X1 console you log into. Go to your friend’s house, login, and you can download and play all of your games (disc free, of course). "

who the hell wants to go to their friend's house and download a 15GB game when i could just use a disc? this "discless" future is seemingly unavailing.

"In the same way that with a disc only one person can be playing at a time, in our all digital future only one person can access the game library at a time (some conflicting reports are saying two people can play at once, but those are both unclear and irrelevant to this discussion)."

how in any way is this better than the system we have now? by this example, it would seem M$ is imposing a very unnecessary form of DRM to push a new way to access games that isn't even an improvement over what we have now.

[BattleTorn]

That's one thing the article actually got wrong; it's just log-in, and play.

They have said, that when you installs games there is a copy to your HD, and the cloud. To play your games at a friends house it's just log-in, and play.

http://news.xbox.com/2013/0...
(second bullet-point on the page)

Also corrects what the author said about "throwing out" the discs after install. I don't know about that

[psyxon]

So what you're saying is the games in their shared library is streamed to the X1? The 2nd bullet doesn't clarify that at all, all it says is a copy of your game is stored on the cloud. It says nothing about how you access that game, though. It just says you can.

[SilentGuard]

I didn't know we were all clamoring for a digital only future without disks. I prefer a physical copy that comes in a box with artwork I can place on a shelf as part of a collection I can see and hold., especially if it comes with a decent manual. Rockstar anyone? I know this isn't a discussion about manuals, but as a side note they offer value as a physical entity and for complicated games like Oblivion I find them usefull. Going all digital has its benefits and I'm not against it if it shows in the price. Without the manufacturing, packaging, and shipping involved the digital versions of games should be cheaper. It remains to be seen if cheaper prices actually pan out on Xbox One for digital downloads, but if the current Games on Demand model is any indication don't hold your breath.

[ghostgaming]

Ok - I understand that part of the policy - like many, I prefer the actual disc - however, this still doesn't explain the used gaming market clearly - that is what I am completely confused about, not to mention the actual rental market.

[JitterbugTS]

I'm still baffled how so many people are jumping to the defense of the used game industry. From what I've heard, MS wants to offer games cheaper online similar to Steam (I'll believe it when I see it, but that's the rumor). If that truly is the case, then I'm all for it. I can't fathom why anyone would want to continue to support a used game market that pays next to nothing for our games, and then sells them for a ridiculously huge profit. Now the entire gaming industry seems to be screaming and crying that they want the used game market to survive and thrive! ??? Why are so many people so in love with getting ripped off?

[lgn15]

Sorry, but complaints from sony fans about the DRM policies are obvious attempts at revenge rooted from the deep frustration of being an underdog for a generation. It's clear by how they don't think with logic but only continue to follow the band wagon while calling any Xbox fans "sheeple" (note the obvious irony). I'm tired of this outcry from people who only see the surface of things and can't see the strategic outcome of Microsoft's descision. Sure, Gamestop won't be able to sell used Xbox One games, but I'll be damned if it causes them to go out of busniess like many say. They have survived without selling them so far, havn't they (because they haven't even existed, so it's no loss of sales, it's not really screwing anyone, but the average sony fan doesn't want you to know this, it's glossed over in their facade of "objectivity"). By doing this Microsoft has pleased the game developers, thus creating a better gaming experience for it's gamers. This is evident in who has more exclusives :).

Not only that but many of the sony fans that started this wave of Xbox hate hate to admit that the loss of trading games with your friends is so unimportant that it's not even worth mentioning.... I'm just waiting this out until November (alot can change in 5 months) when people start to see the truth and stop swallowing all the further-propelled bullshit that is published because it runs a popular article. For know I applaud the laughable attempt at Sony fans to get an edge against a multi billion dollar corporation, yah, keep trying guys. Interesting how they latch on to anything that they can twist to be remotely negative while completely ignoring the that they now have to pay to play online, something they used to have us believe was such a big edge over the 360.

[stuna1]

I'll just say I disagree with basically your whole post! 1) The outcry isn't just from sony fanboys as so many try to vehemently proclaim! If there are those who want to start giving up their civil liberties , be my guest, but stop acting like Microsoft is doing everyone a favor! From their standpoint we are ants under their boots.

2) Your mention of there not being Xbox1 game sales to hurt the market, but common sense dictates that that's only half of the equation! Because once the Xbox1 does hit the market, it only logical that games must be sold for the console, but with no resale of used Xbox1 games after the initial sale, just how wouldn't that hurt the market!?

As a father of 4 my children benefit from me giving them games I no longer want, as do I.

I've giving my nephews a couple of my games, explain to me why I need some type of middleman to complete my transaction? The disc was after all purchased by me.

I also have a Xbox 360 in my household, so as the man of said household I dictate what is in it, so no hate involved! It's a known fact that Microsoft is not the most ethical of companies way before now! It's just that now they believe that their SH#T doesn't stink! Especially after their come-uppance of this gen with popularity and market shares.

[Gamer Muzz]

Really?
I've been an Xbox fan and supporter for the last 12 years. The original Xbox was an amazing machine and I've played just about every Multiplat game this gen on the 360. I have 7 years on XBL gold, a modest gamer score of 40K, and have been vocal about my distaste for the PS3 from day one.
Please tell me that my hate for the Xbox One are "attempts at revenge"
Nope, that's just not the case here. The simple fact is, I've never felt so alienated by a company that I've supported, in all my life.

Also, you obviously have no understanding at all of how the retail video game industry works or how used games with the X1 will work.
"Authorized" Stores like gamestop WILL be able to sell them, so your whole spiel is as meaningless as it was completely wrong.
But that's not even the problem with the X1. The problem is that X1 games require authentication every 24 hours and that if you want to trade or sell them to anyone other than an authorized dealer, you can only do it if that person has been on your friends list for 30+ days. THEN after one trade, that game can no longer be traded!
Most importantly, someday when the X1 platform is dropped, those consoles will eventually no longer be able to sign in. MS will not support that forever. and when that day comes, EVERY SINGE GAME that was ever made for it will stop working as they will no longer be able to validate!
Sounds like you're the fanboy here, Defending absolutely anything to support your favorite company, even if you don't know how it works or what it means for the industry.

[SilentGuard]

I'm glad to see comeone considers the future a bit and how when the console is no longer supported the games will be gone and the console will be worthless. We will see this in a few years when the 360 is no longer supported and all the Arcade games for it can't be downloaded or played anymore. Unless they offer backwards compatibility on the next console the same will happen with the One. As a side note, if the One and original Xbox are both based on x86 architecture why can't the One at least be backwards compatible with original Xbox?

[Evil_Ryu]

Ryan Mccaffry said it best xbox will drag you into the future and out of the stone age even if your kicking and screaming like child

[swerve121]

And he couldnt have said it better

[PirateThom]

So many marketers and shills on N4G these days. I hope you realise how awful this console is when Live gets hacked and you can't access your games for days. It will happen.

[greedybear88]

Yep it's gonna happen. Meanwhile all the PS4 owners will continue playing games :)

[Double_O_Revan]

A good rule of thumb: if it takes a dozen sites to explain your policies, then your policies are f***ed!

[Gamer Muzz]

This article does nothing to make me think The X1 is any better. in fact it only makes me all the more angry.
As a supporter of the Xbox brand for the last 12 years, I can say I've never been more disappointed in a company as I am with MS right now.

Also, if anyone here thinks that MS will allow X1 owners to share 100% of their games with 10 people each, you're stark raving mad.
Think about it folks, That would mean if 100,000 copies of Dead Rising 3 sold, then potentially, another 1,000,000 people could play the whole game for free!
Come on. LOL that's not even the least bit realistic! That would be detrimental to developers and publishers! There will be limitations on how much your "circle of friends" can actually play.

[swerve121]

Thats why everyone cant play it at the same time. Most gamers hate waiting so they buy it anyway. I think this will only help for older games when people are done playing them

[Gamer Muzz]

It would work out well for people who want to play another persons games while they're at work.
Hell, if this is the case, I'd buy the system used (so I would not be supporting a sale of it) and just have people add me to their circle of friends. then I could play all the games I want for free. LOL
I don't think it's going to be that easy. There will be strict limitations that keep people from doing this. I wouldn't be surprised if MS put time limits on it or a limitation on how many times you could play each individual game from someone else's console.
I don't imagine for a second they would let people have free reign with this, Nor would developers/publishers support it.

[BLAKHOODe]

So, who will be the SUCKER among your shared "Family" that spends all his money buying the games, so that his "Family" can have their way with them, never buying any to share with him?

People use and abuse one another all the time. This won't be any different.

[safsaan]

really? you are making something negative out of nothing. obviously you will chose amongst your friends who will buy the game like a disc friends buy together but in this case at least two friends can play single player at the same time.

[swerve121]

There aiming for the future. Long as they add in some kind of trade in feature it will be easier on people. This this will make internet companies get off there asses and get internet in areas where its not available when people really start complaing.

[Welcome2Die]

They've said enough about the DRM crap. I dont want it and I wont support anyone that does it.

[safsaan]

people should not give a shit what others are doing. just enjoy what you are doing.

[FanOfRootBeer]

Evidently, Microsoft defines DRM as follows:

Doesn't
Really
Matter

[generalthadeape]

Awesome!!!

[blacktiger]

People are so so dumb! If this guy saying something about DRM is necessary, then what makes you think Microsoft will allow ten people to share same game, regardless you can't play at once.

Let me make it clear the disadvantage of Shared Game!

Friend#1 buys Halo game, and plays the game, next day Friend#2 don't have to wait till Friend#1 finish the game, because he can just download it and share it :)
Friend#1 & Friend#2 can now finish about the same time.

Disc base convince Friend#2 to buy because Friend#1 will never share until he finish. We all know that's the true because if you lend you'll never get it back until he finishes it! lol!!!

So if this whole MS is anti consumer and DRM is necessary crap what makes you think Shared up to not 2 BUT TEN ???

That's going to destroy the insdustry faster the piracy I bet! Because this time it's actually legal! lol!

[HurtfulTimez]

Well after reading this article after probab;y another 50 or so articles on xbox drm im still unsure what the hells going off - ive heard so many different things from microsoft themselves and other sources that i am completely confused about it all.

THIS is what has been created by microsoft for being so stupid and implementing all these 'features' they should of just kept it on the same policy as x360 ps3 and ps4 simple - like it was and should be.

[Tzuno]

Don't try to make us change our minds. You fk'ed up Microsoft and you still hold in this thing. Maybe sales will hurt you like a train.

[RadioPlaystation]

They still didn't explain why they used their DRM at their E3 booth.....

[generalthadeape]

Microsoft needs to save their breath-- no one cares anymore about Xbox One's DRM policy explanation because we've already pre-ordered PS4s!

Most of us figured out it is better to stay away from it altogether than to wade through the craziness that is in Microsoft's head.

That's my take on the situation & I'm glad I bypassed it completely by buying Sony's console instead.

[AutoCad]

makes sense to me..
day one baby

[sovkhan]

We all know this, and for me this is not acceptable, end of the story...
But this rises two questions :
Given the fixed drive is 500 gigs ( and you can't change it )and Blueray is 50 gigs what happens once my drive is full?
Del/reinstall/del/reinstall process...
Second question : If i'm supposed to download a shared game in a friend's house in order to play it, a +20 mb is needed
at least, do you all have a +20 mb connection???
I don't. And it is a major problem in rural areas.

[bcrazy18]

You know what Microsoft should do for their DRM problem to fix a lot of issues people have with it is this. if and only if you trade a game in.. The gamertag should be provided and only that person will have to check in so the game can be removed or made not playable but if you haven't traded in a game or whatever, you shouldn't have to check in. Your thoughts?

[ziggurcat]

did orth write this article?

[zugdar]

Explain what happens when MS pulls the plug on their servers 10-15 years from now. I can still experience two decades of games until they are destroyed or the systems burn out.

[badkolo]

after reading elites post i realized just how much in denial sony fans are, the more i think about it the more outdated the ps4 is looking, camera will never be truly supported like the kinect so thats a useless accesory for the ps4 that will be pushed but we know were that will land, no one here likes camera so they wont bvuy it for their ps4 so thats a dead gimmick on the ps3, no 4k, no sharing , sad for them.

[HurtfulTimez]

really? well i like the camara on ps4 and i will be getting it just like i got a ps3 camara which is funny as i had a cam for ps3 but never bothered with kinect for my 360, - as for sharing erm sony already made a video explaining how people share on ps4...

and outdated?? yh ddr3 is great compared to Gddr5 isnt it?... Remote Play - i will be able to play every ps4 title away from home on my psvita and guess what i will be able to change my hdd myself unlike xb1...

i think you are in denial pal.

I feel sorry for YOU.

[krazeecain]

The pro-MS people are slowly starting to emerge now that the anti-DRM frenzy has calmed down a bit. I'm actually glad that there are articles explaining the other side, but that still doesn't mean MS's policy is a good thing.

MS has claimed that there are some benefits to their game distribution and network system, and that could potentially be true. But the fact is, this system puts more power into MS's hands. Seeing the benefits of this system requires a certain amount of faith and trust in MS, and requires them to do the right thing and offer lower prices across the board. But there's no promise they'll do such a thing.

Even if MS does lower the prices a bit, is this what we want? Is it worth it? I think not. DRM is an awful thing, and it shouldn't exist at all. The only reason we accept the DRM we already have is because it was introduced so slowly, and forcefully. Now I as a PC gamer am stuck with heavily restricted software, and there's very little I can do about it. This is one thing consoles can still avoid, and it's something that I admire about them. You can still do whatever you want with a console game, it's your physical possession. I can't do anything with the games in my steam library.

[badkolo]

yes we want this and bad, like i said above the more i look at it the more i see the x1 is the better console all around. but ill enjoy my ps3.5

[guerojose]

Does iTunes force your iPod to connect daily, or your music won't play?

[badkolo]

no but steam verify's your system so that has drm, they wish they could apply drm for music, no drm killed the industry cause all the music thieves

[guerojose]

So, Steam forces a daily check or your games stop working?

[Gaming4Ever]

xbone lol!

[Shankapatomas]

Was this not a clear and well written article? Man people these days are so paranoid. Judge me as you will but i agree with what this article had to say. EVERYONE JUST CALM DOWN

[guerojose]

I cant imagine publishers are going to be happy about the potential for 90% lost sales. Seems to me this "family" concept was hurriedly announced before they'd thought it thru, and I expect they'll walk it back soon.

[guerojose]

Ha ha, called it :)

[geekspodcast]

What Microsoft is doing with the Xbox One may look good on the surface for consumers at large, but for those with a very specific focus on gaming and collecting those games it's tough to swallow.

[Godlovesgamers]

"Xbox One's DRM Explained" You don't want it, buy a PS4.

[SilverCrow]

" You can’t have your cake and eat it, folks. "

Sorry, I can do whatever I want with my cake.

[Darkspade]

Ok so now when you go to your Friends house sign in you'll have to re download the game to his xbox.. instead of just putting in a Disc and playing.. these are Consoles not PC's..

The Reason people buy Consoles over PC is the fact that they are simpler.. you buy the game it works.. now MS is adding all these Rules and pushing people to the PS4 or PCs.. and only one person can Access the account at once???? So now my son can't be on my account. to many restrictions and hoops to jump through.. I've been Xbox from Day 1. 10 years Xbox Live.. I'll be moving to the PS4

[jeenyus]

So basically this loser is saying #dealwithit again.
I'm on a 100Mbps+ connection and can't give a rats behind on Xbox One and I prefer the 360 over PS3 anyday.

This time they f'd up, ain't no loser gonna be able to defend it w/o looking stupid.

[guerojose]

Wait for it... here it comes...
Xbox 180

[A-laughing-horse]

Xbox will reverse their drm. You heard it here first..

[TenorCleft1]

This probably is a fake site, but until you get to the opinion splurge at the bottom, it is actually completely honest about XB1's policy. It's irritating the way it literally begs you to believe it's an actual opinion piece though.

[wickedthumbz]

They can preach all they want about why DRM is good. The fact remains that a totally digital future is not ever going to happen!! The majority of gamers like to go to their Game shops (whatever it may be) and they like to talk with other Gamers! How many of you guys have ever been to a midnight release? I know I go to alot of them! And I love talking with people and meeting new people to add to my friends list.

I also like to talk about upcoming titles as well, not with just my friends and other gamers, but the people in the store who some have actually played the titles beforehand due to the conventions they go to. Dragons Dogma is one of my favorite games! I heard nothing about it! I went to my Gamestop to pick up a different game, and after talking to the clerk I walked out with Dragons Dogma. And I took off for a entire week from work just to play it. That wouldn't have happened in a digital age. And I would have missed out on an amazing title.

Also, after I finish a game I put it on my shelf as a trophy of games that I completed! So having the physical disc is something that won't change for me. For 2 years Sony has been offering Day One digital downloads and for 2 years the prices have stayed the same. MS keeps saying it will drive the prices down, because they care about the consumers money. But yet their console is the most expensive of the competitors, and their digital content is the same price as physical. So where's the cuts?? It's just a way to keep MS making more money than they deserve. When they come out with some worth while exclusive games then they will get my hard earned $$$ Until then Eff you MS!! Eff you!!!

[AlphaJunk]

Not sure why DRM is bad - at least on XBone, you can share a game with up to ten friends and simultaneously play it it as well; I'd like to see that accomplished with a physical disc and even more so if friends live out of state - fear of progress has always been the average person's weakness.

[kingPoS]

Who doesn't miss the OG game cartridge, it was much more simple back then.

[THC CELL]

Lol this is what will happen ms will get sales n re introduce drm