When Microsoft began changing anything and everything about the Xbox One, the vocal community seemed a bit split on the rapidity of the company’s response. Although plenty of people were happy that the restrictive features were being axed before launch, the fact that Microsoft was willing to abandon its vision so quickly rubbed people the wrong way. However, Lionhead's creative director, Gary Carr, doesn’t think that the Xbox maker is filled with suits simply making calls based on cash inflow. He believes the changes were a sign of a willingness to listen.
"A lot of people sometimes think that Microsoft is too far removed from what people are saying and what people want, but I don't think that's actually true,” Carr told OXM. “The fact that Microsoft turned round and changed its Xbox One online policy within a week – is that a bad thing? I think that's a great thing. I think it is listening. It turned around and admitted 'we got some things wrong; we've heard you and we've changed our policy on that.’"
Maybe we saw a glimpse of the future with online check-ins and tighter DRM, but Carr argues that Microsoft’s quick answer to its fans request shows a connection not often attributed to big businesses.
"I think it's obviously reaching for the future, and that's what Apple and all these guys want to do, but you can't always be sure when people are ready for change, or whether it's the right change," he said. "I think the fact that Microsoft turned around and changed what it showed at E3 shows that the team are not as aloof and removed as their reputation suggests."
Look for the Xbox One to launch sometime in November.
