FAQ: X1 internet check-ins, Kinect privacy & game licensing

Via the official Xbox Wire, Microsoft has finally come out and told us more or less exactly how game licensing, connectivity requirements, and Kinect privacy will work on the Xbox One (X1). Here’s what you need to know:

Game Licensing

• Buy any game via digital (Xbox Live) or disc on the day of release.
• No disc required to play any game – everything is stored in the cloud and accessed through your login (ie play your games at your friends house on his console with your login – hourly internet check-in required for this though).
• Anyone can play games on your console (regardless of who they are logged in as).
• Up to ten members of your household can access your “shared games library” from any console at any time using their login.
• Renting and loaning of games is not possible at launch, but Microsoft is looking at introducing this later.
• You will be able to trade-in games, but this will be entirely up to the publisher and only at “participating retailers”. There are no fees charged by Microsoft for this (but publishers could).

Internet Connectivity Requirements

• Your console will “check-in” with Microsoft every 24 hours over the internet. If you can’t or don’t do this, you can’t play offline or online games.
• If you are playing on a friend’s console with your login (ie to access your games library) then the X1 must check-in over the internet every one hour.

Kinect and Privacy

• If your X1 is turned on and you are having a conversation with someone, the conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.
• When your X1 is turned off, the Kinect is only listening for the command “Xbox on” to turn the console back on. This feature can be disabled.