Xbox One Supports Used Game Reselling Says Microsoft

Microsoft has issued an official statement regarding the Xbox One and used games. Microsoft says it is responding to online speculation which is both inaccurate and/or incomplete. Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, Xbox Live’s “Major Nelson”, made this statement on his blog about Xbox One and used games:

Over the past few days, we have been reading comments and message boards following the Xbox One announcement. There are a few questions regarding used games. I wanted to clarify and provide this official statement:

The ability to trade in and resell games is important to Gamers and to Xbox. Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games. Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future.

Previous speculation had suggested retailers would have to sign up to Microsoft’s “Azure” cloud system to be allowed to sell used games. Gamers could then trade their used games to retailers to get money for these games and after trade-in they would be deleted from their Xbox Live accounts, hence the need for an internet connection every 24 hours. Retailers will reportedly have the flexibility to sell the game for whatever price they like but they will required to give a percentage of the sale to Microsoft and the game publisher. Xbox One owners that buy these used games could then also have to pay an activation fee to register it to their account. Many people are rightly unhappy about this speculation because it suggests Microsoft will essentially try and monetise the used game industry. This will certainly drive used game prices up, lower the amount game retailers make and therefore lower the amount game retailers can give you for your used games.

However, from what Larry Hryb says in the above statement, this previous speculation could be inaccurate or incomplete. Stay tuned as we will keep you posted on any updates on used games and the Xbox One made by Microsoft.

Image Courtesy of Forbes