Microsoft plans to reverse DRM policy – no more always online requirement

In what might be the most visible next-gen shift in policy, Microsoft is planning to announce a reversal of it’s controversial DRM policies later today. An article on GiantBomb articulates the entire change, but the highlights of the planned change are as follows:

• No more always online requirement
• The console no longer has to check in every 24 hours
• All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360
• An Internet connection is only required when initially setting up the console
• All downloaded games will function the same when online or offline
• No additional restrictions on trading games or loaning discs
• Region locks have been dropped

This can only be described as good news for consumers who were planning to switch consoles in light of the “always-on” debacle. Still, such a shift will come with some embarrassment for the media giant; Microsoft has publicly defended it’s policies at E3 and through methods, leaving the general public only to assume that pressure from the potential loss of customers swayed Microsoft’s opinion.

More information as we get it.