Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
arstechnica.com
Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
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Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#2I had a feeling this would happen. It was either that or just let the competition walk away with a huge percentage of their customers without a fight. Seems like the obvious decision.
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#3I had a feeling this would happen. It was either that or just let the competition walk away with a huge percentage of their customers without a fight. Seems like the obvious decision.
I was actually not expecting a complete reversal, just a loosening of restrictions (something like 2 week check-ins, like Steam does).
Both of the new machines (Xbox One, PS4) still allow third party publisher DRM (such as EA's 'Project Five Dollar') though, and if the console market moves towards digital distribution the way the PC market has, the used games point might be moot.
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#4It's not clear to me what the change will be, or how it will be an actual win for consumers. The region locking being dropped would definitely be a win for the minority of potential customers outside of the privileged regions, but the fact is that the DRM scheme that they proposed, while never explained very well, was probably better than leaving how one-time-use-codes should work to manufacturers (EA Online Passes spring to mind)
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#5I always thought they should have applied all the new DRM features to digital downloads only. In that context, sharing and selling does look consumer friendly and if they make it convenient consumers will move away from physical media.
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#6Here's a statement from MS http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update (may need a refresh or two to load) looks like they are removing the feature of being able to play a game without the disc in the tray, which pretty much was the root of all these drm issues IMO
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#7Up next, Kinect...
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#8Up next, Kinect...
Actually I am excited about the new Kinect for personal hacks. According to MS, you will be able to turn off the Kinect, if not, its nothing some tape can't fix.
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#9I'm actually annoyed with these changes; they have reverted back to the Xbox 360 way of doings things;
* Disk must be in the drive to play
* Share games by lending the disk.
The previous scheme, while it would not be befinical to some due to the 24 hour requirement, did allow for some exciting new ideas (which we've got used to with Steam);
* Access my games anywhere without needing a disk
* Share the game with my family who live away from me
Re: Microsoft reverses controversial game licensing policies
#10Here's a statement from MS http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update (may need a refresh or two to load) looks like they are removing the feature of being able to play a game without the disc in the tray, which pretty much was the root of all these drm issues IMO
There's a tradeoff between discless play and used games; allowing both leads to massive piracy (in somebody's mind). It looks like MS has gone from one extreme to the other.