Recently Microsoft sort of quietly announced its policies on licensing and connectivity for the Xbox One after industry members like developers, publishers and media had been wondering just how exactly the console maker would be handling its platform in the next generation which will start this holiday season.
Microsoft has made some rather ambitious decisions as it will require Xbox One owners to connect to the Internet every 24 hours. Failing to do this will have the consequence that users will not be able to play any games whatsoever – even if you own the disc or are playing a single player experience.
The other major gripes some people are having with the new console from the Xbox team is the licensing of new, used and rental games. Right now it is still a bit unclear if companies like GameFly or Red Box will be able to continue to provide game rentals as used copies have to be authenticated every time it passes from user to user. Our understanding is that only ‘participating retailers’ like GameStop will be able to facilitate the used games market but again that leaves rental companies in the dry – potentially at least.
If you want to share games between friends you have to be an Xbox LIVE ‘friend’ for at least 30 days in order to pass a license to a friend which also may be something consumers will reject. Many other questions haven’t even been addressed and with mere days before E3 2013, this leaves Microsoft and its fans in major limbo. On top of this the company has cancelled all media interviews for the first time ever.
Why is this important to Sony?
Sony had its PlayStation 4 reveal event in February and came out guns blazing with the PS4 being pitched as the ultimate ‘video game machine’ that caters to developers and gamers alike. As of now the PlayStation 4 is looking like the next generation darling as Sony has kept quiet about licensing, always on, and required internet connections as well as used games.
In many ways Sony has set itself up for glory at its E3 press conference as it also goes last on June 10th and after Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft and others. The big question is how influential will publishers like EA, Ubisoft or Activision be on Sony with regards to the DRM they seem to have imposed on Microsoft and its console.
The Xbox One will not require publishers to enforce fees or restrictions on the used games market but they can, if they chose to, many of us know what this means, there will be some sort of barrier to the used games market with the dawn of the new consoles. Can Sony circumvent some of these DRM and always on questions or will they undergo the same pitfall scenario?
June 10th will be the day we find out just how Sony’s console stacks up with the Xbox One. Many of the members of the games press as well as gamers would like to see a continuation of what they are used to and avoid an artificially complicated landscape.
Do you think the PS4 will and up looking the same as the Xbox One with regards to its policies or will it continue to stay the next-gen darling that it currently is?
