News: There will be no used game fees, day one digital access if you wish to purchase your games through Xbox Live, your friends can play your games and mor
XBox One was revealed to the world back on May 21 during a hardware reveal that was held on Microsoft’s campus in Redmond. Since then there has been a lot of misinformation all over the internet with one person’s “source” claiming something different than another person’s “source.” Clearly Microsoft dropped the ball in this aspect and really should have had only one person speaking to the press so that there wasn’t the chance of mixed messages.
Well, earlier today, Microsoft tried to clear some of the misconceptions floating around the internet. They didn’t completely answer everything but it is better than what we had before today.
“Buy the way you want—disc or digital—on the same day: You’ll be able to buy disc-based games at traditional retailers or online through Xbox Live, on day of release. Discs will continue to be a great way to install your games quickly.”
This is pretty self explanatory. You will obviously still be able to purchase games at your favorite game store or if you want to remain completely digital you can purchase them on day one from Xbox Live as well.
“Access your entire games library from any Xbox One—no discs required: After signing in and installing, you can play any of your games from any Xbox One because a digital copy of your game is stored on your console and in the cloud. So, for example, while you are logged in at your friend’s house, you can play your games.”
This one should give people some hope about how games will be handled with Xbox One. After initially signing in and installing a game on your system you can play a digital copy of your game on any Xbox One console. If you have a friend that wants to check out Halo 5 then you can simply sign on to your profile on his console and show it to him right then and there. You will no longer have to transport the physical disc itself to your friend’s place.
“Share access to your games with everyone inside your home: Your friends and family, your guests and acquaintances get unlimited access to all of your games. Anyone can play your games on your console--regardless of whether you are logged in or their relationship to you.”
Anyone who was worried siblings or other family members having to pay a fee to play a game on their profile on Xbox One can now rest easy. Whether it is your younger brother or your son, they will be able to use their profile to play the new Halo title just like you can on your profile.
“Give your family access to your entire games library anytime, anywhere: 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 one is one of the most interesting quotes. I take it to mean that if I add my brother’s profile on to my Xbox One then he can play my games wherever he is whether he is at home or 2,000 miles away on vacation. It should be interesting to see how Microsoft does this exactly. I can also see adding close friends as “family members” and allowing them to try out the games that I have elected to share. Clearly there will be some restrictions that we don’t know about. For example, I doubt my friend and I could play Destiny at the same time. Of course this is all speculation right now and we’ll have to see what happens over the next few months.
“Trade-in and resell your disc-based games: Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.”
Gamers who were afraid they wouldn’t be able to sell back their used games can rest easy. According to what is said above you will be able to sell your games back to “participating retailers”. Clearly places like Gamestop will be participating in this as they make a good chunk of their money on used game sales. We’ll have to wait and see if it really is that easy but hopefully if someone wants to trade in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag on Xbox One then they will be able to do so.
“Give your games to friends: Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”
This statement is definitely left open to interpretation. You can give your disc-based games to your friends provided you meet those two requirements. The 30 day requirement doesn’t bother me but the fact that you can only give a game once is a bit concerning. What exactly does this mean? Does this mean that when I give it to friend number one then they will have a license to play the game but then will have to deactivate said license so I can give it to another friend to try? Or does it mean only one friend, forever? Hopefully that isn’t the case as I have personal experience letting friends borrow games to see if they like it and if they do then they almost always go and buy a copy for themselves. That is how I got one of my best friends into Assassin’s Creed. I brought over the original game and let him play for a bit. He loved it and not only went out and bought his own copy but has bought every Assassin’s Creed game since and beaten every one. It has become one of his favorite franchises. Hopefully that opportunity won’t get taken away from us with Xbox One or PS4.
“In our role as a game publisher, Microsoft Studios will enable you to give your games to friends or trade in your Xbox One games at participating retailers. Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners.”
So, apparently, Microsoft won’t block the sale of used games, however, they leave the door open if someone like EA wants to do that. There will also be no used game feeds instituted by Microsoft, again leaving it up to the third party companies. The loaning or renting games not being available at launch is concerning as well and, hopefully, that will be changed over the course of the next few months.
Well, there you have it. What do you think about these clarifications from Microsoft? Clearly we still don’t know everything about Xbox One and it is still way too early to cast final judgment but did these statements do anything to alleviate your concerns? Tell us your thoughts about Xbox One below and, please, keep it civil.
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