As I have been quite vocal about, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 downloadable content DRM is rubbish. When I replaced my Xbox 360 with a 360 Elite a couple of months ago, I lost the ability to play my games offline. What made it worse, was that before I bought a new console, I rang tech support to ask if I could transfer everything over and still play games offline – and was told yes. Naturally, they’d lied to me and having laid out ¬¨¬£260 for a new console I was then told I was stuffed.
So I’ve spent the last two months going round and round in circles, ringing support, ringing complaints, emailing… even writing a letter (on paper and everything) and posting it to head of Microsoft UK. Still no fix for me, or acceptance they got me into this situation. I have ¬¨¬£400 worth of games I don’t have full use of, and it’s all Microsoft’s fault as they gave me bad advice.
But there may be light at the end of this tunnel! Today, it was revealed that Microsoft are making changes to their DRM system:
I can tell you that the team will be releasing a new digital rights management (DRM) tool next month that will allow you to better consolidate your licenses for downloaded content to a single Xbox and allow you the freedom to be able to play your content both online and offline.
Finally! I’d like to think that my persistence has played a small part in them deciding to do this. If it actually happens, I’ll be very happy indeed. I feel I’ve had a little victory!
Here’s the interview where this was revealed (along with other Xbox related stuff):
