Certain games cannot be played offline due to Xbox Series X DRM

Microsoft’s DRM policy on the Xbox Series X is already proving troublesome for backwards compatible titles and games purchased digitally.

The issue was first shared by YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer who broke down how difficult the Xbox Series X’s DRM policy is making it to play certain games on the system. They first broke down how physical games are being impacted by the DRM policy, specifically backwards compatible titles. MVG explains the system reads physical Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One games as a physical license and the games need to be downloaded to the system. However, if the user is not connected to Xbox Live or has their system set as their “home console,” they will be unable to play the game.

Digital rights management has been an ongoing point of contention between console makers and gamers as stricter policies became more common over the last decade. Stricter DRM stances by Microsoft and Sony coincided with an increasing digital marketplace and streaming options like Xbox Game Pass growing in popularity, but can also handcuff console owners abilities to enjoy their games. This appears to be the case with the Xbox Series X after one YouTuber found how the system’s DRM policy restricted the ability to play games.

News Summary:

• Certain games cannot be played offline due to Xbox Series X DRM
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