That question is the same one that has plagued the Internet since the end of E3 last week, and, as expected, has created quite the amount of controversy. Some feel that Sony put on the strongest show, wile others believe that Nintendo won by not showing up at all. Many people all agreed on one thing, though; Microsoft? Definitely not on top.
Well, actually, I suppose that WAS the common belief. The controversy over lending games, a required Internet connection, and renting and trading games was a huge con for the Xbox One. People felt restricted, to say the least. Experts were already dooming the system to fail.
And then, today came along.
In an interesting and completely unexpected turn of events, Microsoft announced today that it will essentially be reversing all of the policies it once held so close to it's heart. That's right. All of those restrictions? Gone.
The Xbox One no longer requires an Internet connection to function. After the system is set up and connected to Internet once, it never needs to connect again, and all of your games will be fully playable offline.
The Xbox One, in my opinion, seems to be better suited to an Internet connection. And at the moment, it remains unclear if the system will still allow for the option to run off of external servers or not. What will happen to the whole "integrated network" that was one Microsoft's grand vision?
Games no longer need to be installed; disc-based games will require a disk to play. Better yet, you can share, trade in, or repurchase used games and not have to worry about paying the full MSRP, as was the previous plan.
In other words, your Xbox One will function just like your Xbox 360. Oh, and it's going to be region free! Game importers rejoice!
Sony should watch out, now. Because what once made the system so appealing is now being implemented in their direct competition.
I still believe Nintendo will be able to hold their own though, and shouldn't worry about being in the same league as Sony and Microsoft. As I've stated before, It will eventually become a haven for first-party staples like Mario and Zelda, and will remain the only place to find them. While I don't believe that there are enough quality third party offerings to sustain the system, if the system gains more momentum, then others are likely to jump on board.
It's anyone's game now. Pun not intended, by the way.
-journey
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