Xbox Confirms New DRM Update Now Lets Xbox One Discs Be Playable Offline

Despite the fact that it was only discovered recently, this Xbox update is a very welcome addition.

Since 2013, the Xbox console platform has been monitored for its digital rights management standards. This process determines whether Xbox titles fall under specific digital rights protocols or whether the user truly owns the digital property.

DRM Is a Hassle for Some

According to Windows Central, online checks are performed on iOS, Android, Windows, and Xbox platforms to ensure you own the license to the content you're accessing.

DRM is regarded as one of the disadvantages of non-physical game copies. Before users can play their newly purchased game, gamers must first download the configuration from Microsoft, a series of online digital rights checks. In a discrete update, Xbox removed the DRM in some areas, allowing some users full offline play.

With Xbox One and Xbox Series S and X owners having required online DRMs, making consoles show a "this game isn't ready" for some time now, this update removes a lot of hang time in Xbox gaming.

As per The Gamer, Xbox employs DRM, a technology that aims to control what users do with digital content in order to prevent users from illegally copying or sharing downloaded games. This procedure essentially necessitates that players remain online at all times. A major outage last May even hindered some players from playing owned games offline because of this protocol.

New DRM Update Now Lets Xbox One Discs be Playable Offline

A recent update to the console now allows players to play their own Xbox One discs without the hassle of routine DRM configurations. This information is based on a confirmed tweet by Eden Marie, an Xbox lead engineer.

"Yes, this is true since the 2206 update. We examined data since Series X|S launch and determined the online compatibility check isn't needed in the vast majority of cases for Xbox One discs," Marie confirms. As stated by the engineering lead, some games may need to be updated first to ensure a better gaming experience, so this is not available for all Xbox titles. The 2206 update went into effect last summer, but Xbox users are only now becoming aware of the significant changes.

This entails that many "Xbox One," "Xbox One/Xbox Series X," "Xbox Series X/Xbox One," and "Xbox Series X" games can now be played offline, based on an Engadget report. Without updates, you can't play Xbox 360 or original Xbox games, though, as the data can't be used directly.

This update was well received by the Xbox gaming community, with some users stating that it, along with the recent Xbox UI and feature overhaul, is a great update for the future.

Obviously, players must still go online to receive the most recent game updates and to download current versions of the game, as well as the expansion and data packs that come with it. Despite the fact that it was only discovered recently, this Xbox update is a very welcome addition.

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