Microsoft Backs Down on Xbox One Always On Internet

Yesterday Microsoft announced, that they were making some changes to the XBOX One. These new changes are what we wanted to hear, and they were relating to the always on Internet, and the process of trading, reselling, borrowing games from each-other. Microsoft has now backed down on their earlier statements, and while this helps them does this hurt SONY, and their main focus of the product. Let's explore the changes, and contemplate why it is they did this change.



Always On Internet
Microsoft before and during E3 stood by the idea of having an always on internet connection. However, they now have stated that " "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." This announcement was terrific for gamers, but lets see how the developers will respond. Before Microsoft announced this change, they contacted various developers, but we have not heard any public response from them as of now. The interesting thing, is that Microsoft was so confident in the idea, but the root of this change might be SONY. During E3 SONY almost mocked the Xbox One for requiring an always on internet. After which SONY had a huge boost in support by gamers, and for good reason. Now Microsoft has changed to accommodate those gamers who sided with SONY. 

Trading, Selling, Borrowing Games
Microsoft also made it clear that selling used games or buying them would be very difficult and nearly impossible to trade the games between friends. However,Microsoft has back tracked those earlier comments and has now announced that "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." Now we will be able to do everything like the Xbox 360. The reason for this, is Microsoft has realized that people do buy a lot of Used Games. This is going to bring in more revenue, in theory because now they have attracted a larger market.

Summary
Now that Microsoft has backed down those earlier comments, and we have the right to trade our games and use them without internet access what will they do next. If Microsoft continues their old stunts they will insult the other product and end up out selling them using their heavily aggressive advertising strategies. What of the game developers? What about the DMCA? Will any of them give us an announcement? As it looks right now, we will not receive any major announcements.