Once more, the power of whining over the internet has changed the world for the better. After getting whipped and lashed by gamers and press alike, Microsoft has finally decided to drop Xbox One’s online DRM checks and games sharing restrictions.
Accordingly, internet connection is no longer required to play single player games on Xbox One. Additionally, Xbox One games will not be region-locked and there won’t be any restrictions on reselling or lending them.
It is worth noting however that each Xbox One console will have to be activated once before playing any games. Additionally, Xbox One owners will have to download a day one patch to remove the aforementioned restrictions.
This policy reversal was not without consequences. "There's a few things we won't be able to deliver as a result of this change," explained Vice President of Xbox Live Marc Whitten. "One of the things we were very excited about was 'wherever we go my games are always with me.' Now, of course your physical games won't show up that way. [However] the games you bought digitally will... Similarly, the sharing library [is something] we won't be able to deliver at launch."