Microsoft Reverses Xbox One DRM Policies and Region Locking

WELP.

On the Xbox Wire blog today, Microsoft's President of Interactive Business, Don Mattrick, announced that the upcoming Xbox One console would no longer contain any of it's controversial DRM policies or region locking.  Instead of one online check-in every 24 hours, owners now only need to connect once to the Internet when doing the initial registration. Furthermore, games will work, "...just as [it] does today with Xbox 360," where you can trade-in, borrow and lend to friends and so forth.

In the post, Mattrick also states that, "Xbox One games will be playable on any Xbox One console -  there will be no regional restrictions." The turnaround comes from Mattrick and his team listening to feedback from the Xbox community. Quote,

"You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world."

There's a myriad of other reasons as to why this turnaround occurred. There's been reports of PlayStation 4 selling more pre-orders than the One. There's also the news that the original DRM policies alienated military stationed overseas. Hell, some folks have mentioned Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, when Fallon had Mark Cerny from Sony on to show the console. There was a round of applause when Fallon stated that the PS4 would allow trade-ins and so forth, thus possibly rocketing Microsoft's then restrictions into the mainstream. There are a lot of reasons why this is happening.

But let's be honest here - this is a good thing. The previous alienation that came from past restrictions is gone, and way more folks can enjoy the console as is. I still don't enjoy the necessity for a one time registration with the internet, but it's the lesser of two evils.

It'll be interesting to see just how this will play up later on in the year. Thing is, gamers remember when a corporation screws up, and how badly. And the fact that this seemed like such a quick turnaround - you can't blame some people for thinking that Microsoft lied when they went on about how those restrictions were needed. So as far as sales go, this may help them out when the One comes out in November. Everyone will be watching this holiday to see who comes out on top.

Source [Xbox Wire]


                                                                                         

New Smash Bros. To Hit 2014, 3DS Version Confirmed! Also, Mega Man

Nintendo's E3 Direct today had a big slew of upcoming releases for the Wii U, with a new Mario Kart and Donkey Kong announced, along with new info about Bayonetta 2 (eeee!) 

The host, Nintendo of America President Satoru Iwata, also divulged on the upcoming Smash Bros., one for Wii U and 3DS (that was unexpected). The end of the trailer also showed off Mega Man! He'll be coming from the classic series with robot master powers in tow.

The flashy trailer showed off a 2014 release date. Get hype, and look for the entire Nintendo Direct here if you missed the live stream.

Current PS Plus memberships carry over to PS4; members get free DriveClub

If you're a current member of a PlayStation Plus account, and are interested in picking up the new console, worry not. It will all transfer over, according to Sony CEO Jack Tretton. He mentioned that the integration between both PlayStations and the Vita will remain, and that PS Plus members will get a copy of DriveClub: PS Plus Edition at launch. Also available will be indies Don't Starve, Outlast, and Secret Poncho. All in all, a pretty sweet deal.

PS4 Priced at $399

At the Sony E3 conference, the PlayStation 4's price was announced, and it sits at a slightly pricey, yet reasonable $399 US dollars and Pounds for the British folk. With a lack of unnecessary used games blockage and no need for authentication - heck. In my opinion, Sony just won E3.

PS4 Will Not Impose Restrictions on Used Games, Will Not Need to Check in Online

"When a gamer buys a disc, they have a right to use that game however they want..." I'm paraphrasing, but that's what Jack Tretton, SCEA CEO announced today. Additionally, he also said that games will not need to check in every 24 hours, and will not need any sort of authentication. Thank the gods, people. 

The cheers that rose from the crowd when he announced this should be an indication that folks won't stand for crappy business models. I wonder how Microsoft is going to respond to this.

!!! - The Elder Scrolls Online Announced for PS4

Well, that was unexpected.

A new trailer for the upcoming MMO, The Elder Scrolls Online, was revealed at Sony's E3 conference. A release date of Spring 2014 was shown, and it was additionally announced that the game's first open beta would hit the new console first. Neat.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII to Become FFXV, Kingdom Hearts 3 FINALLY Announced

Tetsuya Nomura, current lead designer of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, made a brief video appearance at Sony's E3 Conference today to announce that the oft-delayed Final Fantasy Versus XIII was now to become Final Fantasy XV, thus (maybe) dropping it from the Fabula Nova Crystallis series altogether.

Additionally, the designer FINALLY, FINALLY, announced Kingdom Hearts 3. Not a side story or prequel, folks. The real actual deal.

FF XV is set for both PlayStations. No word on if that would apply to Kingdom Hearts 3

Transistor Announced for PS4

Amir Rao and Greg Kasavin of Supergiant Games announced that their upcoming title, Transistor. will hit the PlayStation 4 in 2014. To celebrate, they've shown off...the exact same trailer that's already been made available. Hm.

Well, they never said it was an exclusive. Get hype.

The Order: 1866 Revealed

Shuhei Yoshida, the CEO of Sony Worldwide Studios, announced a new title from Sony Santa Monica and Ready At Dawn Studios. The Order: 1866, looks to be shooter set in a Sherlockian era that features some interesting weaponry and foggy monster hunting. Neat. No release date was announced.

PS4 Design Revealed

At the Sony's E3 conference, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Andrew House, revealed the final design of the PlayStation 4 to the world. The boxy setup should provide some fond memories of the PlayStation 2, which was a damn good console back in the day. Graphics were awful at times, but still.

God of War 1&2 HD, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2 Announced for PS Vita

At the Sony E3 press conference, it was revealed that a bevy of titles would be hitting Sony's portable device in the coming months, with a total of 85 games set to hit stores. Of those announced were high definition re-releases of God of War 1 and 2, and Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2.  Batman: Arkham Origins was also announced.

Also announced were Vita versions of Telltale's The Walking Dead, set to release in a bundle this year. The next chapter in the series, 400 Days is also set to drop for the platform.

Didn't Hear the Crimson Dragon Trailer? Have a Fresh One Here

If there's one thing that bugs me, it's a lack of equality. I can understand that somethings take precedence over the other, but other...things - blow me away.

Case in point - Microsoft's E3 show had a couple audio issues: one for the Battlefield 4 gameplay demo, one for the Crimson Dragon trailer. The CD trailer lacked audio throughout, with some in the crowd not feeling the technical issues. But, the show keeps on truckin'. When we get to Battlefield 4, again, audio issues. What happens? RESTART THAT MOTHER!

Yeesh.

Anyway, here's the Crimson Dragon trailer, which does everything to bring back fond memories of Panzer Dragoon Orta and is my most anticipated game for the One, with Sunset Overdrive a close second.

Ryse: Son of Rome Announced, Comes with Free Quicktime Events

Ryse: Son of Rome was one of the first games announced at the Microsoft's E3 press show today, and it came with some pretty stellar looking gameplay. Powered by developer Crytek's CRYengine (somebody get a tissue), the game follows a Roman commander that directs his men across a hectic battlefield, while getting into the brawl himself.

The action and all is neat, and I'm digging the dynamic control the commander has over his men, but can we drop the quicktime events? I can't say too much because I've yet to play the game, but surely there's a greater level of satisfaction to be had in a kill that doesn't involve a tired feature.

Ryse: Son of Rome is another Xbox One exclusive.

New Halo Title Announced, Coming 2014

343 Industries' Bonnie Ross was onstage at Microsoft's E3 press show to announce a new entry in the Halo series. The trailer above had me thinking of Bungie's Destiny, because tattered cloaks and deserts, but it came back to Halo when a giant Forerunner ship showed up from the underground, it's wind blowing back Master Chief's hood to reveal the ol' Spartan.

There was no number attached to the Halo logo at the end, so no word on where this title will end up in the series. However, Chief was carrying Cortana's chip with him, so it should fall after the events of Halo 4.

Insomniac Games to bring Sunset Overdrive to Xbox One

Oh man, do I want this now.

Among the many titles revealed during Microsoft's E3 conference, you have to admit that this was the most colorful out of the others (besides Killer Instinct). Revealed by Insomniac's Ted Price, Sunset Overdrive takes place in a "growing world," that's influenced by the players and can have new content added to it on a daily basis. It looks to be set in a town overrun by mutants, where some sweet looking parkour is used to move around. While the main character in the trailer did his work with a basic rifle, another used a gun that fired vinyl records. The main even caught a boost from another character that let a shotgun he grabbed launch an energized blast. Sweet.

It's cartoony goodness, and I love cartoony goodness. News outlets are saying that this title is exclusive to the One.

Xbox One To Drop This November, Priced at $499

The President of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer, dropped an official release date for the new console, post an accidental (maybe) reveal from Rare before the conference. The Xbox One will be available in stores November, and will be priced at $499 US and Euros.

The screen above Spencer also mentioned a "Day One Edition," but unless I'm as deaf as I am blind without glasses, he didn't mention what that meant. We'll probably hear more as the Expo goes on, but in the meantime...$500. Yeesh

Microsoft at E3 - Killer Instinct Returns, is an Xbox One Exclusive

Killer Instinct is back, and it looks...well...hm. The brief trailer shown at the Microsoft press conference shows off a lot of motion blur and the return of the Ultra combos, alongside stalwarts Jago and Sabrewulf.

A later live gameplay demo does better, showing off some fast-paced gameplay, and more motion blur to highlight the hard hits. It's a lot less dark than it's predecessors, with some eye-catching colors painting the screen. 

It all...it..I don't know. It all feels a bit overdone. I know the originals had the highlight of flashy combos and outlandish characters, but this feels like more of a fan's interpretation than an actual reboot. We'll see as the game comes closer to release, but bear in mind that it is an Xbox One exclusive.

New Xbox 360 Revealed, Available Today - New Live Incentives Announced

E3 has officially jumped off, starting with Microsoft's press conference. Yusef Medhi has revealed that on top of, "hundreds of  new titles coming to the Xbox 360," in the coming months, a new version of the console, designed after the upcoming Xbox One, is available in stores now.

Medhi also announced a free game incentive program for Xbox Live members. Starting from July through the release of the One, members will receive two free games a month, which are, "...yours to keep," according to Medhi.

Diablo III Hits Consoles September 3

The formerly PC-exclusive Diablo 3 was recently announced for the PlayStation 3 and 4 at the big press reveal of the 4. That said, Blizzard never said that the game wouldn't be coming to the 360 as well, and now we've got confirmation.

The game will feature a new control scheme designed for consoles, as well as both local (eeee!!) and online co-op play. Additionally, the Real Money Auction House has been removed from the game entirely.

Look for both titles to drop September 3rd.

Hoo Boy: Xbox One Games Must Be Verified Online Every 24 Hours

Microsoft has finally laid down what will be its policies on online requirements for the upcoming console, as well as how it will handle used games.

It isn't pretty.

In its post about connectivity, the company states that the console will not need a constant online connection in order to work. It is designed to, however, quote - 

" ...verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection. "

Continuing...

"...you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies."  

For used games, the company has stated that DRM will be up to the publishers. In short, there are no fees for handing them off to friends, but those friends will have had to be on your friends list for at least 30 days, and each game can only be given to them once.

Microsoft Studios will allow gamers to trade in used games at participating retailers, and, "Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners."

I...I can't...just, wow. So, in a nutshell, we have little control over ownership of the games we buy for the system. This can't be real. At all.

Sources: [Connected, Licensing]