Interest

Microsoft: Xbox One Will Not Restrict Used Games, Regions, Offline Games

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it has reversed course and its next game console, the Xbox One, will not have additional restrictions on used games. In addition, the system will have "no regional restrictions" and "an internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games."

Don Mattrick, President, Interactive Entertainment Business, outlined the changes:

An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.

Microsoft noted some qualifiers, similar to those for current consoles: "Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold. Also, similar to today, playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray."

Microsoft had detailed its initial plans for restrictions on used games and offline gaming last week. Shortly after, Sony announced that its upcoming PlayStation 4 console will not have additional restrictions on used games, will not require a net connection for single-player gameplay, and will not require disc-based games to go online from time to time. The PlayStation 4 will also have "no region locking."

Japanese developer Hidetaka "Swery65" Suehiro will offer D4 exclusively for Xbox One, and another Japanese developer, Grounding, is working on an Xbox One exclusive, Crimson Dragon. Other Japanese titles, such as Square Enix's Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III as well as Kojima Productions and Konami's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, will be cross-platform.