The Xbox One will have several different options for helping users share the content that they buy digitally. In a new Xbox Wire post, Microsoft chief product officer Marc Whitten revealed that content bought digitally on the Xbox One, including digital copies of games, can be shared with any user on the Xbox One, even if they are not the registered owner of the device:
"Everyone in your home can share digital games with each other. Your Xbox One can become your virtual game library filled with digital games that different people in the home bought. Anyone can pick any digital game on your Xbox One, sign in with their own gamertag and play - even if the owner is not signed in. Like physical media, you can also play many digitally downloaded games without being online, although experiences will be best when connected to the internet and Xbox Live. Finally, when you purchase a digital game, you can start playing even before the entire game downloads."
In addition, the Xbox One will allow users to use their content on any Xbox One, provided that they sign in to their Xbox Live Gold account. Any users using the home Xbox One will still be able to use the content as well. Whitten also discussed the so-called Home Gold feature, which will enable the whole family to take advantage of one member's subscription to Xbox Live Gold and enjoy the benefits such as online gaming, game DVR, Skype, and other apps:
"If you're an Xbox Live Gold member, an unlimited number of people can enjoy many benefits of Xbox Live Gold while they are using your Home Xbox One console. Friends and family will simply create their own account and gamertag and be able to enjoy Xbox Live online multiplayer gaming and access to entertainment apps. Friends coming over to play? No problem. They can log in with their own gamertag and play online multiplayer. Even if you sign off, your friends and family can enjoy multiplayer gaming while they are playing on your Home Xbox One console."
This feature will be one of the highlights of the Xbox One, as it makes the console more friendly to households with multiple users. Now only one person has to have Xbox Live Gold for everyone else to take advantage of the benefits of having a subscription. For families with multiple siblings wishing to have their own accounts, this will save money and make things much more convenient for those wishing to share games.