Microsoft: Xbox One Game Licenses "No Different" to Today's Discs
A little bit of logical gymnastics at work, here.
Microsoft's Phil Harrison has attempted to clear up the PR confusion surrounding Xbox One's digital user permissions for the console's games, claiming that the platform's locking of game discs to one system is "no different to how discs operate today."
Er, we're not sure that's entirely accurate, Phil, but go ahead and explain the reasoning. "So, think about how you use a disc that you own of an Xbox 360 game," he said. "If I buy the disc from a store, I use that disc in my machine, I can give that disc to my son and he can play it on his 360 in his room.
"We both can't play at the same time, but the disc is the key to playing. I can go round to your house and give you that disc and you can play on that game as well." Well, it's certainly true that you can't play multiplayer with your son with today's disc operation, but what if you just wanted to let a mate borrow the game for a bit? You can do that with today's discs.
Harrison continues, though. "What we're doing with the digital permissions that we have for Xbox One is no different to that. If I am playing on that disc, which is installed to the hard drive on my Xbox One, everybody in my household who has permission to use my Xbox One can use that piece of content. I can give that piece of content to my son and he can play it on the same system."
If you want to play the game round a friend's house, though, you can - provided you use your own Gamertag. "I can come to your house and I can put the disc into your machine and I can sign in as me and we can play the game," Harrison added.
"At the end of the play session, when I take my disc home - or even if I leave it with you - if you want to continue to play that game [on your own profile] then you have to pay for it. The bits are already on your hard drive, so it's just a question of going to our [online] store and buying the game, and then it's instantly available to play.
"The bits that are on the disc, I can give to anybody else, but if we both want to play it at the same time, we both have to own it. That's no different to how discs operate today."
Much more in the Eurogamer interview, here.
Er, we're not sure that's entirely accurate, Phil, but go ahead and explain the reasoning. "So, think about how you use a disc that you own of an Xbox 360 game," he said. "If I buy the disc from a store, I use that disc in my machine, I can give that disc to my son and he can play it on his 360 in his room.
"We both can't play at the same time, but the disc is the key to playing. I can go round to your house and give you that disc and you can play on that game as well." Well, it's certainly true that you can't play multiplayer with your son with today's disc operation, but what if you just wanted to let a mate borrow the game for a bit? You can do that with today's discs.
Harrison continues, though. "What we're doing with the digital permissions that we have for Xbox One is no different to that. If I am playing on that disc, which is installed to the hard drive on my Xbox One, everybody in my household who has permission to use my Xbox One can use that piece of content. I can give that piece of content to my son and he can play it on the same system."
If you want to play the game round a friend's house, though, you can - provided you use your own Gamertag. "I can come to your house and I can put the disc into your machine and I can sign in as me and we can play the game," Harrison added.
"At the end of the play session, when I take my disc home - or even if I leave it with you - if you want to continue to play that game [on your own profile] then you have to pay for it. The bits are already on your hard drive, so it's just a question of going to our [online] store and buying the game, and then it's instantly available to play.
"The bits that are on the disc, I can give to anybody else, but if we both want to play it at the same time, we both have to own it. That's no different to how discs operate today."
Much more in the Eurogamer interview, here.
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Comments
CluckCluckStop 22 May 2013 11:23
1/4
So game discs are locked to gamer profile. Even if you did leave the disc at a friend's house, they can't play it.
That is definitely different to the current situation whereby anybody can play the game as long as they have the disc. Which is much more flexible and allows a healthy second-hand games market.
That is definitely different to the current situation whereby anybody can play the game as long as they have the disc. Which is much more flexible and allows a healthy second-hand games market.
CluckCluckStop 22 May 2013 11:28
2/4
Due to this single limitation alone, I will not be buying an xbox one.
I wonder how many others will be similarly deterred by this "feature".
I wonder how many others will be similarly deterred by this "feature".
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DrkStr 22 May 2013 12:42
3/4
Even worse, if you have an Xbox One in the lounge and one in a bedroom, you have to use the same account to play the game on both, or buy two copies.
Game in the lounge then let your kids play in their room? Two copies!
Game in the lounge then let your kids play in their room? Two copies!
bobby lee 23 May 2013 01:51
4/4
@DrkStr And i bet that second console has to be online to play the game aswell.