Xbox One’s Used Game Policy & Always Online Limitations

Plenty of rumors have been circulating about Microsoft’s plans for their new console. The most controversial and strongly debated of these is now put to rest. Yes, Microsoft will limit the ability to buy, sell, and trade used games for the Xbox One. It’s another ‘yes’ to whether or not the console requires an internet connection to play games offline. Are these plans the end of the world for gamers across the country? Not necessarily. They will, however, be a deciding factor in the decision as to whether or not millions of them will continue to call Xbox their home or jump ship and join the likes of their PlayStation counterparts.

So, as far as the first issue goes, gamers will still be able to sell games back to retailers, if the publishers decide to let them, that is. “Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games,” the company says. This does not, however, limit the publishers from inciting their own fees upon consumers. Whether or not game publishers choose to go this route remains to be seen.

This used game predicament extends further to the question of whether or not consumers will be able to lend games to their friends in order to play them on their own Xbox Ones. According to Microsoft 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.” The 30 day friend restriction doesn’t sound like the end of the world, but it is sure to be incredibly annoying on the rare occasion. The one time lending limit to each friend, on the other hand, is something that gamers will not be too keen to accept kindly. How the Xbox One makes sure you meet these requirements is handled with their new always online approach.

Gamers have been raising hell over the fact that an internet connection might be required to play games, both online and off. Originally Microsoft stated that they were going to leave it up to the developers and publishers, saying that they wouldn’t interfere but wished that most of them would go that route for their products. In their most recent statement they confirmed that an internet connection would be required at least once every 24 hours. They say that this is to check to see if you have “acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend.” If your console fails to connect to the internet you will be locked out of playing any games, including all offline games. All that you will be able to do is watch live TV and play Blu-ray movies. If you’re signed in on someone else’s console, say at a friend’s house or on vacation, you will have to sign in at least once every hour.