GTR's Gaming Corner #003: Xbox One Policy changes

The internet's rage-o-meter at max ^

So big news about the Xbox One:

And why you can probably thank these guys for it:

Jay Johnson of Gamasutra.com

Microsoft announced today that connection is no longer needed every 24 hrs. No more DRM and no used game restrictions. However you do need a one time internet connection to set up the system. But after that you are free to do with it as you will.

So yeah, a total about face on that. Here is the quote from Giant Bomb:

"What does this mean?

• No more always online requirement
• The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours
• All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360
• An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console
• All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline
• No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs
• Region locks have been dropped"

Now, as for why you should thank Navy Times and dude in the green Polo? Consider the fact that Jay Johnson probably put out the most absolutely scathing article in response to the XboxOne. Navy Times basically posted an article about the article (pretty meta) and added some scathing testimonials. When you look at their complaints, it's pretty clear why no one living in a barracks, on deployment, working overseas, or being at sea would ever even purchase the system.

By the way, the Navy Times article's name is "New Xbox 'a sin against all service members' : Microsoft says troops should use old gear instead"  [emphasis added] Daymn, that's harsh... 

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030

Note that Mr. Johnson's title is a bit less aggressive
 http://gamasutra.com/blogs/JayJohnson/20130611...
 
The complains ranged around several key points:

• The 24 hour check makes the whole thing a giant brick for anyone at sea, since critical communications are saved for... ya know... military stuff.
• Region locks mean that if your in move to a foreign country (like thousands of Marines just did to Australia, or the huge numbers of servicemen & women that go to Italy, Germany, UK, Kuwait, ect), then you can sawed off on buying games in those countries
• The XboxOne was completely dropping out of foreign countries in the Pacific, which is now a major theater and contains places like (again) Japan, Okinawa, and Kuwait
• The Always On Microphone was a security concern. Some people have commented to say that that's a little bit far fetched. 
•  Saunter Hoof here. Let me tell y'all something. I'm familiar with data security. I can promise you that in Afghanistan, yes indeed, both foreign governments and enemy agents do in fact listen to our communication. Sure, it might not actually record stuff, but our adversaries are quite adept at making harmless things dangerous. I wouldn't be surprised that Kinnect would probably get declared to be a legit security risk, that I would not be surprised means that Xbox Ones could get banned in imminent danger areas, not saying they would, I'm saying it wouldn't surprise me.
• "Microsoft: Sucks to be you"     Again, that one is from the Navy Times, but yeah... They really couldn't have had a worse PR performance, including some real gems you should check out on the links.

But avast! I believe that someone might have made a difference by making some things known. Individual initiative gents. After all, that's how we got started anyway.



SEMPER FILLY