Microsoft surprised by 'how negative' reaction was to Xbox One DRM

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Microsoft's director of product planning Albert Penello says the firm expected controversy over its original always-online Xbox One pitch, but was surprised by "how negative" the reaction was.

"If I had to go back and wish that I could rewind time and redo one thing, that would be the one thing," he told Rev3Games, admitting flaws in the firm's messaging.

"I think with time, people have understood what we were trying to do, and in fact I'm sure you've seen it with the fans. They were saying, 'God, I wish some of this stuff would come back'," he said, likely in reference to the axed Family Sharing plan that would have allowed gamers to share all their games, digital or retail, with friends.

"People got in their minds that what we were trying to do was evil or anti-customer when, in fact, we were looking at what Steam does, we were looking at what iOS is going, we were looking where the customers were going and saying 'I think we can actually give you a better all-digital experience."

"So was I surprised that people had a reaction to it? No. I mean, we knew it was going to be a controversial decision. Was I surprised how negative the reaction was going to be? Yes," said Penello.

"We were surprised at how vocal it was, we were surprised at the reaction and the assumptions that people had about what we were trying to do. So we did the famous '180'."

But Penello insists that an all-digital future is imminent. "Nobody debates there's going to be a world, whether it's this gen, or next-gen, that discs are going to go away, it's gone away in just about every medium," he said.

"I think if anything we thought it was going to happen sooner than the customer. We took a hard stance on it.

"I hope that in some point in the future some of those cool features - some of the Family Sharing, the household sharing stuff, the games are always with you - we want to bring that stuff back."

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/428147/ms-surprised-by-how-negative-reaction-was-to-xbox-one-drm/

Comments

"Microsoft surprised by 'how negative' reaction was to Xbox One DRM" :: Login/Create an Account :: 128 comments

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-SkillzPosted:

I don't understand how they are surprised by it

MortarPosted:

I think that it is good that Microsoft took a moment to listen to the Xbox community and adjust things more so to their liking. It shows that Microsoft don't just work on their own, but they work with the community.

MentalistPosted:

McCutchen The changes they made were better.


I agree, I might get the X1 once it get's a bit cheaper.

MentalistPosted:

I'm glad they changed the DRM, I didn't like it at all!

PlusnetPosted:

The changes they made were better.

KatsumiPosted:

Raci
Impossibility the changes made the console better

I agree with you 100%... I love the changes


I personally prefer the Xbox One as it is now than the way it was before. It felt a little too 'restrictive' back then

neboPosted:

Raci
Impossibility the changes made the console better

I agree with you 100%... I love the changes


I knew they would change too, especially because everyone hated the former changes

RaciPosted:

Impossibility the changes made the console better

I agree with you 100%... I love the changes

Dr-JPosted:

Osbourne
M249
Raci I'm happy that they made the changes


I think everyone will be happier now they've sorted it out


Yeah, it keeps getting better, now I may even consider buying the X One.

You should have a while ago Vaas. Xbox will always have the better experience for online.

ImpossibilityPosted:

the changes made the console better