Microsoft has done a pretty much full reversal on the DRM and online check-in requirements:
http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
Reverting to same model for used games as Xbox 360
Does away with online check-in requirement
As with PS4, new console will no longer be region locked
Also doing away with those few new online features that didn't sound worthless on their own such as family/friend sharing of games - even Live! purchases
Downloaded games no longer require an active connection to play unless they require it specifically (such as an MMO)
My guess is the public outcry didn't phase them all that much, but the PS4 outselling them in pre-orders did at least a little bit. The thing I suspect really got them worried enough to scrap this entire thing was the public reaction of publishers. Nearly all of them have denied knowing anything about it in advance, claimed that it was entirely microsoft's idea and that they had no input, and that they had no idea what to say in response to it. Even Ubisoft's CEO was publicly talking about how used games were good for the games industry and effectively that they didn't know what to do with MSFT's DRM on the Xbox One yet.
Whether true or not, that sort of reaction from the publishers is what I think finally made them realize that this new model wasn't going to do them much good and that they might have been a little slow in seeing it as toxic to their message.
http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
Reverting to same model for used games as Xbox 360
Does away with online check-in requirement
As with PS4, new console will no longer be region locked
Also doing away with those few new online features that didn't sound worthless on their own such as family/friend sharing of games - even Live! purchases
Downloaded games no longer require an active connection to play unless they require it specifically (such as an MMO)
My guess is the public outcry didn't phase them all that much, but the PS4 outselling them in pre-orders did at least a little bit. The thing I suspect really got them worried enough to scrap this entire thing was the public reaction of publishers. Nearly all of them have denied knowing anything about it in advance, claimed that it was entirely microsoft's idea and that they had no input, and that they had no idea what to say in response to it. Even Ubisoft's CEO was publicly talking about how used games were good for the games industry and effectively that they didn't know what to do with MSFT's DRM on the Xbox One yet.
Whether true or not, that sort of reaction from the publishers is what I think finally made them realize that this new model wasn't going to do them much good and that they might have been a little slow in seeing it as toxic to their message.
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