Microsoft says it is listening to negative feedback about Xbox One DRM

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Since unveiling its new console last week, Microsoft has faced a firestorm of criticism regarding the Xbox One and its rumored restrictive digital rights management requirements. According to a manager in Microsoft's Xbox division, however, the company is listening.

In a comment on his blog, Larry Hryb, director of programming for Xbox Live, said Microsoft is "fully aware of what's going on." Hryb's response was in regard to a comment that said "the entire world is watching Twitter explode" and that "the campaign for no DRM is in full swing." The comment cited a campaign started by gaming website NeoGAF on Sunday that requested Twitter users use a variety of hashtags to inform Sony and Microsoft of negative user stances on DRM issues such as a persistent Internet requirement that has yet to be clarified.

"I am also working on a few things to address it," Hryb wrote in response to the user. "I can't say much more right now. But we are listening."

Microsoft has been fuzzy about what exact requirements users will face with the Xbox One in regards to an Internet connection and how the console will handle the purchase and sale of games. In a statement on an official website, the company has said the console "does not have to be always connected, but Xbox One does require a connection to the Internet." Comments from Microsoft executives when the console was announced indicated the device would need to periodically access the Internet as a kind of verification service.

Phil Harrison, a corporate vice president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, told Kotaku the requirement may be as often as once per day, though Microsoft representatives later said that was a "potential scenario" and no specific time period requirement has been announced yet.

The backlash to Microsoft's DRM plans comes just two months after EA faced similar responses following the launch of "SimCity," which was plagued by server issues that left owners unable to connect to the Internet-required game. EA's chief executive resigned just two weeks after the game launched.

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Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-it-is-listening-to-negative-feedback-about-xbox-one-drm

Comments

"Microsoft says it is listening to negative feedback about Xbox One DRM" :: Login/Create an Account :: 88 comments

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TaigaAisakaPosted:

slapshot101 I guess they were actually listening to what we had to say but I still wonder how much of it was actually pressure from the consumers.


I guarantee a good majority of it was from negative feedback and pressure. A lot of people were going to switch consoles regarding it. I was going to switch consoles but not because of the DRM, because I was liking what I was hearing about the PS4 but in the end I'm sticking with Microsoft.

imgurPosted:

I'm glad they're listening to feedback. Its nice to know that customers have a word.

slapshot101Posted:

I guess they were actually listening to what we had to say but I still wonder how much of it was actually pressure from the consumers.

MentalistPosted:

ShadowBoltDashie
BDB
ShadowBoltDashie Wasn't that the same guy who was making fun of people on Twitter about internet connection and all that regarding the Xbox One?


Yes, that's him. I personally don't like him, changes his mind like he changes underwear.


He seemed like he didn't care at all about his customers only his paycheck. That alone almost made me not want to get the Xbox One.


I know right, he changes his mind way to many!

MentalistPosted:

Mrs_Zambies it only makes sense for them to listen to the customers


I don't get your comment? Ofcourse they listen to the customers, at the end we're the one paying them.

Mrs_ZambiesPosted:

it only makes sense for them to listen to the customers

TaigaAisakaPosted:

BDB
ShadowBoltDashie Wasn't that the same guy who was making fun of people on Twitter about internet connection and all that regarding the Xbox One?


Yes, that's him. I personally don't like him, changes his mind like he changes underwear.


He seemed like he didn't care at all about his customers only his paycheck. That alone almost made me not want to get the Xbox One.

MentalistPosted:

ShadowBoltDashie Wasn't that the same guy who was making fun of people on Twitter about internet connection and all that regarding the Xbox One?


Yes, that's him. I personally don't like him, changes his mind like he changes underwear.

TaigaAisakaPosted:

Wasn't that the same guy who was making fun of people on Twitter about internet connection and all that regarding the Xbox One?

MentalistPosted:

They only have negative feedback about the DRM :) So it's obvious it will change.