In a surprise move, Microsoft announced that there will be no more DRM polices for the XboxOne. Don Mattrick, Microsoft executive, wrote in his blog that there would be no more “always online” and that their used game policy would go back to the status quo. Which means that Microsoft listened to the weeks of complaints and decided to do something about it to make the consumer happy. There were only a few dropped innovations that some will be sad to see go; we lost the ability to install the game into the hard-drive and play disc-less, the way you would be able to share your games with ten family members, and a few others that really don’t merit a mention.
However, this doesn’t seem to be too horrible of a price to pay. Now your Xbox One won’t have you on suicide watch everyday to connect online, a feature parents may have liked. You can buy used games at the store, you can loan games out, and all that was lost is not being able to play a game without the disc, and loaning games to your freeloading family [that don’t live in your home]. That seems like a pretty good trade. Gamers everywhere must be rejoicing (one of them happens to be typing the article). Microsoft didn’t take all the jokes, internet memes, and videos from Sony lightly, and they decided to go back to the drawing board and fix what was broke. Gamestop and Gamefly are praising the decision, while Sony silently shakes a little in their boots, which is a good thing. A console war is no fun if one side is seriously winning, gamers benefit more from a close race because each side is trying to out do the other, which means better games, better peripherals, better loyalty deals, etc.
What does this mean for the console wars now? Will Sony remain in the lead after this announcement? Will hard core gamers still be put out by Microsoft? This made the console war a dead heat again, Microsoft just showed the consumer that they’re listening and they gave Sony a big middle finger for all those negative ads. Sony will probably remain in the lead for a little bit longer until Microsfot starts their huge marketing campaign on the redefined Xbox One, “You wanted it, we gave it to you, the Xbox One is the One for you.” Or something much better, writing articles is different than writing an ad campaign. As for hard core gamers, they will slowly come back into the fold after some time passes. Years of Mountain Dew and Cheetos has made their memory fickle, and soon this whole DRM and used game issue with be a thing of past…until the next generation, but that’s a few years out.
This news must make a majority of gamers think, “Does Microsoft actually listen to the player?” Judging from Microsoft’s press release, they do. “Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One.” Hopefully this isn’t a huge ruse like the whole Coke, New Coke fiasco in the early 80’s. It’s just so rare that a company would change their entire business model for a product with consumer input that it makes you think. What else can we get Microsoft to do? How about letting Rare go back to Nintendo, or a Conker’s Bad Fur Day sequel? Time for some Tweet-a-thons! In all seriousness though, Microsoft has wowed us today by removing the DRM, their used games policy, and Kinect. Nope, just kidding about Kinect.
The press release also states, “You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.” It’s amazing that not only Microsoft listened to all the complaints, they did something to fix them. They showed gamers everywhere that they do care, which should give us all the warm fuzzies. So Microsoft, from Bagogames, we salute you, but don’t make us regret it.
Similar articles from around the web
