Yesterday, Microsoft revealed the extent to which the draconian DRM and restrictions on the upcoming Xbox One would apply. Not only is the console going to completely block and restrict software usage that is unintended by Microsoft, but it will also be locked at the hardware level, with the console simply not working in countries that Microsoft does not officially support, thereby effectively putting an end to game importing.
One major omission from Microsoft’s list of supported countries was Poland. Poland is a major gaming market, and moreover, some of the more major gaming developers in recent times are Polish. This includes CD Projekt Red, the developers of the seminal Witcher series of games, who were, in fact, on stage during Microsoft’s presser this E3 to showcase their upcoming Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Now, in response to the news that Xbox One will not be supported in Japan, they have issued an official response.
Speaking to GameInformer, Marcin Iwinski, co-founder and joint CEO of CD Projekt Red said, “I was just in a restaurant and saw the list,” Iwinski told us. “I was surprised, and I really hope that it isn’t final. I think Polish gamers will speak out loud. From my perspective, it’s a sad situation.”
So there you have it. Apparently it’s okay to make games for the Xbox One in Poland, but it’s not okay to play Xbox One games in Poland.