Microsoft will put Xbox One players on a regional leash

Nowadays, quite interesting information has appeared on the Web, indicating that Microsoft’s complex policy regarding used online authentication games is not all the pitfalls that potential Xbox One buyers are waiting for. On Xbox.com, one of the users raised the question not only about regional restrictions regarding games, but also about how the console itself works in different countries. There is an assumption that the new Xbox One console will not be able to fully work in those countries where it was not represented.

Wording such as “Requires a Xbox Live account in a country that supports Xbox One” and “Games for Xbox One can be activated and distributed only in certain geographic areas” can mean one thing - a strict framework for using Xbox One worldwide.

The message of official support for Xbox on Twitter only confirms this assumption.

For those who love to travel, Microsoft offers to play on their return home or take the Xbox 360 with them, and wait for retail stores until the console is available in a particular country. Or maybe it’s better to immediately offer them to buy a PlayStation 4, which does not put any restrictions?

Japan, which is one of the largest gaming markets, did not make the list of 21 countries that will receive Xbox One this year. Apparently, Microsoft immediately realized that it would not be able to withstand the Sony PlayStation 4. Most likely, residents of Asian countries will not be able to buy the Xbox One before the end of 2014.

Our colleagues from The Verge decided to contact Microsoft to clarify this geographical question a bit and received the following answer:

“Like the film and music industry, games must also comply with the regulatory requirements of a particular country before they go on sale. We will continue to work with our partners to follow these rules with the new Xbox One. ”

The Verge resource posed the question more acutely by asking if the Xbox One console would provide the same features in all parts of the world?

The answer was as follows:

“The Xbox One game console will be available in 21 countries in November of this year and will appear in other countries at the end of 2014. Like the film and music industry, games must meet the regulatory requirements of a particular country before they go on sale - which means that games will work in large geographic areas, like Xbox 360 games today. While the console is not limited to any geographic region, the Xbox Live account, content, applications, and interfaces are closely related to the country of residence. ”

It remains unclear how the Xbox One console can be simultaneously not limited to any geographic region and at the same time require an Xbox Live account in your country of residence. Requirements and support service statements are contradictory.

Recall a storm of emotion when Sony authorized the resale of used games and stated that there were no online connection requirements.

Microsoft, or rather Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer, in turn answered the question about changes in the DRM (protection system) policy regarding used games as follows:

“We hear the opinions of each user and see the trends that are set by developers, creators and ordinary gamers. But I don't want Microsoft to get it wrong. This is our policy and you just need to take it. ”

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/consoles/microsoft-posadit-igrokov-xbox-one-na-regionalnuyu-privyaz.html.