As with the not so insignificant bit about Microsoft's latest console not being able to playing its current machine's vast library of games, something else that's also fairly important was not touched upon during this afternoon's big reveal.
Wired was able to get the following info: the Xbox One will require a mandatory hardware install for all thier (retail) games. As a result, the game's disc will be tied to one's Xbox Live account and console. Which is basically what everyone has been afraid of.
On the plus side, one would no longer have to insert a game disc into the console, even if all of its information already exist on the console, as is the case with the 360.
Apparently, if there were ever a need or desire to use that same disc on someone else's account or machine, that owner would be given the option to pay a fee and install the game from the disc. Meaning, this second player would effectively own the game play it without the disc.
Obviously, this new method of accessing content changes the traditional used game market considerably. Something that Wired asked about and no answer was really given.
Essentially, when you purchase a brand new game, you are not only buying a disc that contains data, but a license to give you permission to access said ones and zeroes. Again, this is hardly a shock to anyone who has been paying attention to the rumor mills, though the part in which the original owner is the one who will be forking over the cash to install the game on someone else's console.
If someone trades their game to Gamestop or a comporable party, are they also giving up their rights to said digital rights management?
It's also not clear if different gamers who have their own profiles, but all share the same machine, will be able to access games that is already purchased by one person, as is with the case currently on the Xbox 360. A change to this current set-up would be perplexing to say the least, but Microsoft has done stranger, as today has revealed.
As feared, not only does this change in policy hinder gamers who are on tight finances… a considerable quotient of the gaming audience today relies heavily upon used games to finance their hobby… but also makes the simple act of just going over to a friend's place to play a new game you just got, both complicated and potentially costly.
