Xbox One: Microsoft Releases Policy on Used Games, Always Online, and Privacy; What is the Price of this New Approach?

In the weeks leading up to E3, Microsoft's Xbox One has sparked concern over the eradication of used games, the limitations of the console's "always online" connectivity, and potential security problems related to the new Kinect. In response to a firestorm of rumors and bad press, the Redmond-based company has published a three-part explanation of its revised policy on Xbox Wire. 

Microsoft insists that "because every Xbox One owner has a broadband connection," Xbox One users will be able to store and play all their games in cloud storage and play on any Xbox One device. However, this leads to some restrictions on how long the console will allow for offline play, with some games not allowing offline play at all:

"While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to 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. With Xbox One 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."

Some good news is that Microsoft will allow used games to be sold with no addition fee. In addition, users can give games to their friends their disc-based games to put into their own cloud storage:

"Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once."

Take notice of the key phrasing "game publishers can enable you," as some big players in the industry may choose to disable this capability. Despite this caveat, each player will be able to share their games library with "up to ten members of [their] family," who can access content from any Xbox One. Microsoft does not specify what qualifies as a "family member." Can friends be included in this family circle? Only time will tell. 

Lastly, Microsoft reveals their ground rules for the Xbox One and privacy, stating that the user is in control of how much information the Xbox One gathers:

"By design, you will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you're simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded."

While Microsoft's press release has clarified several burning questions about the system, the company's open-ended answers have spurred new ones. With the ball thrown in publishers' courts, we may see a wide range of offerings at launch as companies attempt to find their bearings in a new ecosystem.