Well, it’s finally said and done, and Microsoft has decided to support the publisher over the gamer by forcing always online policies and DRM on the gamer depending on the publisher. Microsoft’s silver lining in all of this is that these standards are all subject to change at Microsoft’s discretion meaning it could possibly get better or even get dropped from the Xbox One, or it could get worse much worse if they succeed (I’d say the latter is the safer bet regardless).
So I for one am championing Sony’s PlayStation 4 as the de-facto console for core gamers. To each and everyone of you and everyone I know, PLEASE buy the PlayStation 4 instead of the Xbox One to prevent these policies from becoming the next-gen standard for all consoles. I know it’s hard to accept change for many people this is one fear you should swallow, and prevent Microsoft and game publishers who greatest concern is making more money from monopolizing games and consumer rights. That being said I also know some people are uninformed, biased fans, or flat out refuse to buy anything else so to you I provide you with a step by step plan to still enjoy your preferred console of choice, but also prevent Microsoft from taking advantage of you, and the industry.
Step 1. Buy your Xbox One used. Unless Microsoft implements their DRM into the console’s hardware as well then buying used consoles will be the best way to get your Xbox fix while preventing Microsoft from benefitting massively off of your loss of consumer rights. As with used games (at least how they were) Microsoft will only make a sale off the initial console purchase, and once your buy the console second hand they get nothing, but you still get to enjoy your games. That’s a win for you, a win for the industry, and a win for consumers around the world.
Step 2. Inform everyone in your gaming circle. You jumping on board to prevent this is great. You and 5 other people is even better. Now if those 5 other people tell 5 other people, and so on it becomes a much bigger defense against these policies. A few people with loud voices aren’t enough, but millions refusing to give away is a great starts.
Step 3. Gather a trusted group of friends and sign up for an Xbox Live Family Account. The family plan is a significantly better deal for end users. Currently it support up to 4 members per plan, which means that you and 3 other friends can pay a low price of $25 each for access to XBL per year vs. $60 per person ($100 vs. $240). Once again you get to enjoy the service you’re use to as well as prevent Microsoft from further leeching your bank account.
Keep in mind. Share games with your 10 family members, if it works. Now according to Microsoft you will be able to share your games on your console with up to 10 family members. I want to say take advantage of this, but looking at all the attempts to prevent used games there’s no reason to believe this feature won’t be so overly specific it’s impossible to take advantage of like we hope. It seems more like up to 10 members with accounts on your personal Xbox One can play as long as their profile is on the console, or up to 10 Xbox One’s can download your games as long as their on the same IP address. Before counting on this there needs to be more information from Microsoft, but considering how dodgy they’ve been lately don’t expect a straight answer anytime soon.
Unfortunately that’s all you can do for now to aid the cause, if you still want to buy and Xbox console. Buying the console used will resurge the used business model (for better or worse in some cases), and prevent Microsoft from making billions, especially when you add in the loss from XBL family plans vs. Individual accounts. More importantly Microsoft and publishers will see the data of XBL users compared to their new consoles sold and profits, and maybe this may force Microsoft and all publishers to change their policies/outlook on how to control/manage/and dictate all game content or continue to suffer loss revenue. Once again please do what you can to help the cause, I’m sure that no matter how much of a fan you are, you’re aware of wrong and this is wrong.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
I'll survive it by getting a PS4 and possibly a Wii U. #endgame.
I have an important question to ask! Wouldn't it be logical to think that with this DRM crap in place, that they would also have control over the used sales of the XBone! From the sound of things, your profile will be tethered to the XBone.
How else would the they know you were using your profile on someone else's XBone? Which in turn means the DRM restrictions are alot worse than people realise! This console is not good for gaming at all! For those who think it is, be my guest buy one! I'll bet my bottom dollar, in the long run you'll regret it.