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Xbox One Game Sharing feature is still coming

Xbox One Game sharing is still coming, although is seemingly being kept under wraps for now. As an optional feature, this looks like being a positive for the console, and consumers who are willing to play ball.

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Majin-vegeta4652d ago

Wait didn't they say this wasn't possible anymore due to the DRM reversal or some crap like that??

darkequitus4652d ago

No, for disc based stuff the share stuff is gone, not download only.

AngelicIceDiamond4652d ago

I remember reading somewhere also that MS still sees a digital future with X1 and even hinted that Game sharing will make a return. it seems they've hinted at it again here as well.

“We didn’t reverse that.” Phil also added: “If you’re a digital customer and you’re comfortable with that, you should invest in being a digital customer on Xbox One, because those advantages will be coming, some at launch and some later.”

So yes Gamesharing shall make a return. And quite honestly I wanna be there for that.

JokesOnYou4652d ago

Oh thank the Gaming Gods...I just want to share with both my nephews!

ShadesMoolah4652d ago (Edited 4652d ago )

Yeah, it's not possible for disc-based games due to not being required to be online anymore. However, for games purchased digitally, it's certainly possible. The concern with discs was that you could install it, give it to a neighbour or friend, and everyone can share it - Microsoft would not know who owns the disc, hence the original restrictions. For digital purchases though that problem does not exist.

I would expect it to be a feature for Gold members as well. Let's say I add you to my Share Group of 10 friends and I go offline, that's fine because Microsoft already knows when my subscription ends regardless of whether I am online or not, you however, you would have to be online to access my Shared Library. So my other 9 select friends might see you playing Dead Rising 3 from my Shared Library, they can not play that game until you finish, but they can play other games in my Library that no-one else is yet playing.

Minato-Namikaze4652d ago

I can't see Many 3rd parties agreeing to this. Essentially 10 people can play 1 copy of a game? Can they also play online together to?

admiralvic4652d ago

@ Minato-Namikaze

It use to work fairly similar on the PSN, but Sony lowered it from 5 to 2. You can still do it with up to 4 people, so it doesn't seem like it was that problematic or else they would have removed / done more sooner.

pivotplease4652d ago

Yeah they always need restrictions or game sales would plummet. One of those restrictions was not allowing two people to play the same game at the same time I believe? You can probably only play shared games while you're online. I feel like this would be mostly useless since people would want to play their game when it comes out and everyone would usually want to play online together too. It will be about as useful as when you could download your games onto a friend's system this gen. Not really a noteworthy feature and I'm not sure why it keeps getting brought up like it equals free games or something.

torchic4652d ago

@Minato

I agree. no way in hell are publishers dividing their sales numbers by 9.

Grown Folks Talk4652d ago

Only one person could play at a time, just like with a disc. The only difference is not being tied to your local area for sharing. It's buy 1, get 10 free. If you want to play together, you have to buy your own copy. If it's a single player game you really get into, you have to buy your own copy so you don't have to hope 1 of 9 other people aren't playing something when you want to play it.

redwin4652d ago

I believe that playing what your friend has is as playing a demo, but the sharing is what got me excited. I hope we can keep that .

Grown Folks Talk4652d ago

Meant to say NOT buy 1, get 10 free. Oops.

rainslacker4651d ago

As much as this would be a great feature if it worked as cleanly as stated, it's really hard to imagine that publishers would go for full access to a friends list's library's worth of games.

While many on here may be willing to support the developers of their favorite games, I doubt anyone on here can honestly say that they believe the mass majority of game players out there are quite so altruistic.

With how much publishers say they hate used games, this just seems counter-productive. There has to be some catch, and I would personally like to know what that catch is.

If it's up to the publisher, then don't expect it to be a major thing, unless those publishers push F2P models onto regular games like EA appears intent on doing.

If it works the say everyone assumes, and there is no catch except being behind Gold, then it would be an amazing feature.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4651d ago
BattleTorn4652d ago (Edited 4652d ago )

No they did not specifically ever say that. When they did the reversal they said 'this isn't like we taking our toys, and leaving' we can't do family sharing as expected but the feature may come back, in the future ... Or something along those lines.

OC_MurphysLaw4652d ago

Yeah... I am sure this will be coming back in a digital only form but I would be willing to look at other avenues if they kept the current format as an option.

MasterCornholio4652d ago (Edited 4652d ago )

Another 180?

Nah it cant be true they said that without DRM they cant implement the family plan.

Grown Folks Talk4652d ago

They can't implement it for discs, they can still do it for digital purchases.

OC_MurphysLaw4652d ago

Just a thought, but what if they created an optional choice when installing that would let the disc work as originally planned...had a 24 hr check, let you play from the HDD with out the disc, let you share with friends? Not sure it could work as I think about it but could be an interesting idea. The key is make it something you OPT into as opposed to being forced on you.

Grown Folks Talk4652d ago

I figured they might have an opt in instead of dropping things period. During initial setup, opt in or out of the original policies. Give maybe a one time switch to the other, but once you go back to your 1st choice, that's it.

rainslacker4651d ago

It's possible Dlacy, however it means that you never know if the disc you're buying is free to sell/trade. On top of that, it would mean that you would still have to connect to the internet to verify your games upon insertion. Looking at a simple way to abuse this system, One person who's connected could install the game and render the disc useless, give it to a friend who is never connected who can now play it freely. Because of this, some sort of verification would be required.

I say just let MS have the best of both worlds. Digital and physical. Let the people who like the benefits of one make their choice. If one becomes more beneficial over the long term, MS will eventually get what it wants and not piss off a huge group of gamers while doing it. They may even be seen as forerunners into the future of DD, which would be good for them.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4651d ago
NextGen24Gamer4652d ago

This is exactly why I haven't pre-ordered one game for the xbox one. Me & just about all of my family and friends are going ALL DIGITAL for the xbox one. On Day One I have a $400 dollar budget for game downloads.

While a good amount of gamers didn't like the all digital future that MS had in mind, I believe that there are millions who do want it. Once people see the benefits of going all digital, it will become more poplular.

1. Game sharing without using the disc
2. Snapping to games without having to get up and change the game disc
3. Game discs being unreadable or broke
4. Developers actually receiving money for every disc sold, no money taken off the top from stores, thus keeping them in business to make more great games!

Realistically it won't be another 5 years before I believe it will become a standard, but there will be millions who jump in to the digital future at the xbox ones launch.

I honestly believe that is the reason for low xbox one game pre orders.

STANK084652d ago (Edited 4652d ago )

@Elite24Gamer Amem my brother, Amen. Microsoft really needs to shed light on this feature. The pro's fairly outweighs the cons.

Campy da Camper4652d ago

I've been embracing all digital lately as well...for the games I really want to own, anyway. There are still times though I find a game that was OK but not 60 bucks OK. Those I'll still rent.

What has really sold me though, especially for next gen was seeing how fast you can launch into a mp game from the dashboard. Plus less wear on the disc reader is really making me want to go all digital.Im Blessed with good internet speeds so I understand DD is not for everyone.

HugoDrax4651d ago

My approach next gen as well. I have my XB1 day one pre ordered at GameStop, and I plan on going all digital. For example, I have been frustrated with having to swap disc 1/disc 2 for Splinter Cell Blacklist lol. One minute I'm playing a mission on disc1, then I play another mission and have to insert disc2.

I also became really fond of games on demand during MS Xbox live summer sale. I can switch between AC3 and Bulletstorm with ease, it's just very convenient and I want to embrace the digital approach next gen for XB1. As for my PS4 day one console, I'll purchase my games at retail and online.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4651d ago
GarrusVakarian4652d ago

Good stuff for people who want all of their games digitally.

humbleopinion4652d ago

Still not good enough:
The magic behind the original vision was that you could buy your game physically in any shop and still enjoy the benefits of digital sharing. So even if Amazon is throwing a 10$ daily deal for an Xbox game, or if you get a 2 for 25 deal from Walmart or something - it will still be added to your digital library and you could share it.

But now it's only if you buy the game directly from the Xbox marketplace, where ridiculous 75% discounts are far and few between. If the whole ecosystem was working this way we would see healthy competition between physical and digital. Now (thanks to the fake screams and tears of the internet idiots) it's separate markets.

GarrusVakarian4652d ago

Well the "original vision" didn't quite sit right with gamers, and i know i would definitely prefer to have a physical copy of a game, to trade, sell and borrow as i please.

humbleopinion4651d ago

The original vision sat pretty well with gamers and Steam is a living proof: Buy anywhere, own a digital copy locked to your account. And just like the original vision Steam also requires periodical logins.

The result? Around 60 Million happy Steam costumers not able to sell the physical copy of their game - but enjoying countless other benefits of the digital world. The people who objected the vision where either misinformed (Microsofts epic fail marketing) or trolling.

Hicken4651d ago

Steam is NOT console gaming. If you can't figure out the differences between the two, you shouldn't be in charge of enough money to buy a console.

humbleopinion4650d ago

Well... the Steambox is a console, but your argument is invalid regardless.

Steam is a content distribution network - exactly like Xbox live. Microsoft's vision was that every Xbox live game on the Xbox one will be attached to the service, which is exactly like the vision Valve put with Steam and how every steamworks game on the PC is attached to the service.

Doesn't matter if you bought it in a store or online - you get the exact same digital benefits (with MS this was extended to family sharing). And if someone doesn't like that, there's always the competition be it GOG on the PC or PS4 on the console market (not for exclusive games though). And steam proved that most people like it, given the proper service and catalog.

And if you can't figure that simple fact out, not to mention can't reply without derailing the conversation to personal attacks - you shouldn't be in charge of enough money to type on a keyboard, let alone connect to the internet.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4650d ago
AceBlazer134652d ago

So basically reintroducing what we do on PlayStation(not sure about 360) today.

Bundi4652d ago

You can share digital games with up to 10 people on ps3? I didn't know that. /s

Minato-Namikaze4652d ago

Used to be up to 5 people Its now 2. But both can play at the same time even online together.

admiralvic4652d ago

@ Minato-Namikaze

Actually, it's 4.

AceBlazer134652d ago

Cause I'm sure devs love Microsoft so much there gonna dent their sales for them.

OC_MurphysLaw4652d ago

@AceBlazer13 they did it for Sony so it stands to reason they aren't gonna throw a fit for MS.

rainslacker4651d ago

It was 5, but people abused the system so it went down to 2. If people think this won't get abused they're being pretty short-sighted. I can think of several ways this can be abused if it's unfettered access to an entire game library. I wouldn't doubt that when that abuse starts, there will be restrictions put in place. It's already been proven that publishers will demand it, just like they did with Sony.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4651d ago
EmptySkyForm4652d ago

Who cares, remember it was a fact that you can only share a 1 hour demo, not the full game. It's funny how Microsoft only talks about features not games. Sony is left and right saying (so and so) is developing PS4 titles. But if Microsoft changes it to full game share then it's great.

4logpc4652d ago

Microsoft has said the one hour demo rumor was false.

4652d ago
AceBlazer134652d ago

Microsoft said a lot of things and look how they turned out.I wouldn't hold them to anything.

CynicalKelly4652d ago

That isn't a fact.. It's a flat out lie.

The sharing was for full games. Look up your facts.

Bundi4652d ago (Edited 4652d ago )

Lol really? Because MS has actually revealed more games than Sony have. It's easy to say so and so is working on a game, it is another thing entirely to actually reveal said games, which ms has done more of.

Also, I'll pay you good money to show me a link confirming it was a demo sharing and not full game as you claim to be fact.

Microsoft have gone full on games games games since E3, Sony seem to be focusing on showcasing cheap to make indie games and already available PC ports of free to play games

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60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

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twistedvoxel.com
-Foxtrot23d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle23d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7723d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments

40°

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Let Jango Fett Loose

LucasArts gave Jango Fett his own game in 2002, and it pulled Star Wars into a much dirtier, rougher, and more interesting corner of the galaxy.

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swtorstrategies.com
Relientk7728d ago

I remember playing this back in the day on PS2. What a sick game!

270°

We Are Xbox

Dear team,

Xbox has always been different.

We started with a simple idea. Games should bring people together through shared experiences. That led to the first Xbox in 2001, Xbox Live in 2002, and new ways to connect, from friends lists and achievements to parties and play across devices. Today, Xbox reaches over 500 million players around the world, with some of the most important franchises in entertainment.

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news.xbox.com
29d ago Replies(15)
Outside_ofthe_Box29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

If they go back to exclusive games it at least shows that they are finally getting it. They would be turning down immediate money for something that will potentially workout in the long term.

Only issue is they've already opened Pandora's box. A lot of their base has moved to PC or jumped to PS. So will be a long road to get back on track.

We have been saying this from day one exclusives are a must if you are going to be selling hardware look at Nintendo and Sony before Jim Ryan. That's the proven formula. You had some that were deluded and blinded by loyalty accepting that multiplat was the future and that MS was merely getting ahead of where the industry was headed, but at least they can finally see the light and agree with what everyone has been saying for a decade+

pwnmaster300029d ago

True, blame it on the rabid fanboys. MS can do no wrong and spinner this multiplatform move. While the actual fans moved on.

I feel like with the new Xbox coming they are hoping to bring back those old fans and then if it goes well. Bring back exclusives.

If the new console is performing like series x and one. Naw they staying multiplatform.

darthv7228d ago

Actual fans dont move on... they can add to their hobby while waiting for the next new release. If you believe what you typed then I guess PS fans moved on too.... you know, since its been a Sahara for 1st party games this gen.

S2Killinit28d ago

The fans didn’t tell them to go multilat. MS was forced to after the 82 billion they spent to destroy gaming. Then, while xbox fans cheered, MS realized they can’t justify the price tag by selling through xbox only, so they went multiplat and in the process began to downplay console gaming.

29d ago Replies(4)
CrashMania29d ago

I think it's too late, xbox sales were diving even before ABK, they got even worse since then even long before the full multiplatform push. I'd be surprised if they even went back to timed exclusivity at this point, Helix is basically a PC and is going to be expensive, they already struggle to sell cheaper xbox consoles, it will be low volume and they'll have a very small 'console' base to sell to, which has already been conditioned to just play via gamepass anyway.

S2Killinit28d ago

They will do what they always do, they will promise the world at the beginning of next GEN and then failed to deliver all generation long. But there will always be some gamers who will buy into their promises.

ocelot0728d ago

Absolutely agree, Do people genuinely believe Microsoft are now going to go. Hang on how's about we go back to 2020. Then GP was stagnating, Games sold where awful because of GP. Outsold by Playstation by a landslide.

They have sold 5m of Forza I believe on PS5. Spite it being a old game. I think Starfield is going to sell well in the end. Halo is deffinetly going to sell well as is Fable and Forza Horizon 6.

I think at best (for Xbox fans). Single player titles like Clockwork will have a timed exclusivity. Multiplayer centric games like Forza, E Day will release day and date on all platforms.

Or all games will release on all platforms day and date. But maybe Xbox and Windows Store copies will have exclusive bonuses. Or may even get timed exclusive dlc like Fallout and Elder Scrolls and COD use to do.

I think they will treat Xbox players like the premium customers or at least act the way. But will serve just the Playstation and Switch 2 customers as well.

Neonridr28d ago

I don't see them removing PC from the equation. Considering MS has a heavy enough investment in the PC market, it would be foolish to abandon them. I could see them taking away games from PlayStation or ensuring they are timed exclusives at the very least. Say what you will but if Call of Duty ends up becoming a timed exclusive to Xbox machines, that would hurt PlayStation, don't pretend like those games don't sell millions.

Outside_ofthe_Box28d ago

They would lose out on a lot of CoD sales tho. Doesn't PS make up most of the sales?

Neonridr28d ago

@Outside - possibly, but it might push people to want Xbox hardware so they can play with their buddies day one.

Who knows.

S2Killinit28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

it would but remember doing that can splinter the COD fan base and in the process damage the call of duty brand which is probably the only franchise in that $82 billion purchase that in anyway gets even close to delivering what Microsoft thought they bought. If Microsoft fudges around too much with the COD franchise, you might even see a competitor franchise show up on the scene and that would be a catastrophe after the huge debt that Microsoft put itself into with the ABK purchase.

But Its almost guaranteed that Microsoft will want to do something drastic at the beginning of the next generation as they always do. We will see.

Pyrofire9528d ago

Their lifeline of solely the Xbox consoles is dry. Good-Great games on a 1st party scale can't be made at a loss so willingly - sent to the Xbox to only sell limited copies.
They invested billions scooping up studios and need to start making returns.
Sucks that nearly every company is publicly traded and have to be so shareholder biased but that's how it is.
Their words are strong but it'll take time to see what their actions accomplish. Lowering the cost of Game Pass and taking CoD off of it was a good clear start.

darthv7228d ago

More like, allot of their base just played game pass. So now they need to encourage them to start buying again.

S2Killinit28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

A lot of their base left for greener (bluer?) pastures.

--Onilink--28d ago

What exactly is the long term goal with exclusives though?

Because for the most part, the hardware side of things has never been the most profitable, even sometimes being subsidized for a period before breaking even. And that’s before the hardware component nightmare we currently live in.

The whole point of exclusives was to get more people to buy your console in order to have a bigger install base, which meant even bigger software sales.

But if their ports to PS5 are selling (for the most part it seems) quite well, then other than negating the cut Sony takes there, unless you are REALLY increasing your software sales on your own console, it probably doesn’t make that much of a difference?

Honestly I don’t even understand Sony’s decision to scale back on it for PC unless they weren’t even recouping the port expenses. They released ports when the hardware sales never really dropped, and now that all consoles will undoubtedly take a noticeable drop in sales due to the ridiculous prices, that’s when they decide they don’t want to sell to a larger install base to more easily recoup dev costs… it’s just weird

Outside_ofthe_Box28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

I agree. I mean once they went multiplat, in theory there should be no going back especially when you have games that have sold really well on other platforms.

Microsoft are the ones that announced that they are reevaluating. So I'm just guessing on what their end goal is. Right now Xbox as a hardware is not a must buy for anyone but fans of the brand because their games can be played elsewhere. Going exclusive would solve this, but you lose out on a ton of money instantly which has always been what the company does not want to do so not really sure what their "reevaluating exclusives" means unless they are pulling a Phil Spencer and are just saying what people want to hear and will continue to do what they are currently doing.

darthv7228d ago

Their ports to PS5 are selling because Sony's output has been so dry... the fans are thirsty, and MS is the oasis.

SIdepocket28d ago

Unfortunately, the studios they buy wither under their leadership.

mcstorm28d ago

Microsoft still has a name with Xbox the issue is the casual games are not looking at the console because its not the same console their friends have. Look at that poll on how many users upgraded from xbox 365 to one and then the X. Part of Microsoft's downfall was thinking that the Wii was the market they had to be in when really it was the core market. If you get the core gamers you then get the market to. As I posted a few minuets ago on another post Microsoft putting exclusives on PS this gen could bold well if they hit next gen with all our games are staying exclusive from this new gen. They will then get gamers wanting Halo, Forza Gears but this is also where Microsoft fell over with the xbox one and X in terms of they did not have may quality 1st party games affter they fell into the Gears, Forza and Halo cycle. If they can get some old IPs back to bring back the old core gamers as well as fresh ips to bring in new gamers things could improve next gen. But as I said in my last post its all if buts and maybes at the moment. No one knows if the next home consoles will be to expensive that people move to pc as we are now seeing or look at the stem deck as a cheepier alternitive.

DarXyde28d ago

"Only issue is they've already opened Pandora's box."

That's very optimistic. It's not the only issue, far from it. There is a serious rupture between Microsoft generally and the public caused by their weird Game Pass price fluctuations, taking down physical game space in stores, and being the first to go nuts on hardware price hikes that they themselves played a big part in.

They're also charging beyond a premium for Helix which is just vile at a time when the economy is in shambles.

The company itself is really not doing itself any favors with the approach they're taking Windows. Even France is looking to ditch Windows in favor of Linux.

But the most offensive thing is this AI push. They're doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down on the very technology they're using to replace a considerable proportion of their workforce... And the slap in the face is how they bake copilot into everything when nobody likes it—they couldn't even make Bing stick, so why on earth are they trying so hard? You know it's bad when people would rather use ChatGPT than Copilot which is killing their OS. But aside from their snatching up of farmland to build data centers (and reduce the agriculture capacity of whichever country allows them to build them), they made an AI-generated gamer gurl that loves AI the head of Xbox.

Even if we grant them the full benefit of the doubt, it hardly matters what Xbox wants to do if Nadella says no, and that includes exclusive games. Microsoft's relationship with Xbox is the opposite of Sony's relationship with PlayStation—Microsoft pulls the reins of Xbox, but Sony damn near went under for the PS3.

Tanktopmaster9228d ago (Edited 28d ago )

“If they go back to exclusive games it at least shows that they are finally getting it.”

Great strategy, especially after Forza selling 5 million on PlayStation and sea of thieves selling at least another million (2 million) for example. In March 2026, Xbox consoles sales ratio vs PS was 10:1.

In addition to that, with Gamepass, which unequivocally cuts out chunks of sales (Cannibalizing revenue from 1st month sales especially).

I’m sure going exclusive again after releasing everything on Ps5 is going to work out great for business.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 28d ago
maximusprime_29d ago

Despite all of that, it's clear that Microsoft's Xbox division is broken beyond repair.

29d ago
BeHunted29d ago

PlayStation is currently draining money on flop after flop. It's Sony that needs to re-evaluate their strategy

28d ago
CrashMania28d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Wonder how much money was lost on perfect dark, hellbalde 2, 300 million lost revenue
by putting cod on gamepass. The recent Jason schrier news that Xbox has cancelled dozens of projects, spent 70 billion just to see Xbox sales further collapse and gamepass see little growth.

The fact is this has been PlayStation's most profitable generation and they are making loads of money and selling plenty of consoles and games. While MS won't give you any sales figures or profit numbers for Xbox, says it all really.

S2Killinit28d ago

Sony PlayStation has deservedly dominated xbox. Facts

Tanktopmaster9228d ago (Edited 28d ago )

Ok tween.

Xbox series SX got outsold 10:1 last month. lol.

28d ago
+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 28d ago
shadowT29d ago

"Our presence on PC isn’t strong enough."

Fishy Fingers29d ago

It isnt. But I dont think they mean in 'games', rather, footprint.

They own the OS but as far as gaming is concerned, Steam dominate. I imagine the VAST majority of people who use the Xbox app/launcher are PC gamepass subs. No ones buying their 3rd party PC games through Xbox PC.

badz14928d ago

and many gamers prefer SteamOS for gaming over Windows too. If only Valve would be more uncompromising to the anti-cheat makers that locked out non-windows players, more pc gamers would have moved onto SteamOS by now and not looking back to Windows. overall, Win11 is a terrible, bloated, unoptimized OS which is not what many people want

ocelot0728d ago

Agreed and I think that's where they are going to focus on more. I think cheaper games on Windows/Xbox store (MS IP) compared to Steam and Epic and maybe even compared to PSN store as well.

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