Xbox One region-locking policies are crap: here’s why

If the Xbox One’s market hasn’t been squeezed by the fact that you’ll require an internet connection wasn’t enough, Microsoft recently released a disclaimer concerning its region-locking policies. This is yet more bad news for the most part of the world.

According to Microsoft, The initial launch will only include a handful of countries. After some already frustrating restrictions of Microsoft’s next-gen console, we get hit with more bad news (well, most of us). Microsoft states that “restrictions on games usage apply” with the Xbox One and that users “require [an] account on Xbox Live in an Xbox One-supported Xbox Live country.” So, it seems that while gamers in the unmarked zones would eventually be able to get their hands on the console itself, they won’t be able to use most of the software features.

The Xbox One-supported Xbox Live list of countries is made up of 21 lucky chosen ones. While the whole of Asia (including gaming haven Japan), Africa, Eastern Europe and others are left out in the cold, cold grey.

According to the “specified geographic regions” list released by Microsoft, a massive potential gaming chunk is left out. This market would most likely be conveniently filled with the more friendly PS4. Countries excluded from the list, should now only hope to be included to get their hands on the next-gen Xbox in “late 2014.”

Fans obviously tweeted out in a manner of confusion and frustration. For example, a potential customer asked how these region restrictions would affect his gaming urges whilst traveling; Xbox simply responded stating that he’ll have to settle with the Xbox 360 instead.

@XboxSupport2 funny to see you send a huge mass of ppl to the competition. It looks the Wii U will have some company on the bottom shelf 🙂

— Gregor Ivezic (@gi4ouR) June 12, 2013

Earlier this week Microsoft also stated that fans should “stick with the Xbox 360 if [they] have zero access to the internet, that is an offline device.”

The Xbox Support service Twitter account is now being flooded with desperate announcements in an attempt to redeem its commitment to gamers.

@ElieZzzz No official info has been released regarding a region lock. There are currently speculations going around…^ML

— Xbox Support 2 (@XboxSupport2) June 14, 2013

This so-called “speculation” came after some contradicting and vague statements. Microsoft also responded stating that “while the console itself is not geographically restricted, a user’s Xbox Live account, content, apps and experiences are all tied to the country of billing and residence.” So all hardware and no software. What’s the point then?

According to Microsoft, the console gaming industry is “similar to the movie and music industry, games must meet country-specific regulatory guidelines before they are cleared for sale.” As reported by The Verge, Microsoft further stated that “[it] will continue to work with [its] partners to follow these guidelines with Xbox One.” While this lame red-tape excuse attempts to hold critics at bay, gamers are already considering moving over to greener cheaper pastures. Until then Microsoft needs to up its game and shed some light on the confusion.

Image via VentureBeat