When Microsoft’s DRM policies for Xbox One were revealed, it was speculated by many that it was the result of an appeasement policy by Microsoft for third parties such as EA and Ubisoft, who have both been vociferously anti used games, with their Online Pass approach to limit used game sales. Well, right now, it seems like that might not exactly be the case, as an interview with EA’s COO Peter Moore reveals that EA never asked for any inbuilt DRM on any console at all.
“I can tell you that EA did not aggressively lobby for the platform holders to put some gating function in there to allow or disallow used games,” said Moore. “I am on record as being a proponent of used games. I like the ecosystem. I like the fact that it’s kept pricing at a good level for eight years. I like the fact that someone can buy a physical game and see some equity in that game. That keeps GameStop vibrant and they are a great launch and marketing partner for us.
“EA has never had a conversation, and I have been present at all of them, with all of the manufacturers, saying you must put a system in place that allows us to take a piece of the action or even stop it. Absolutely incorrect,” he reiterated, making it pretty explicit on his end that EA had never lobbied for any anti used games DRM.
If third party publishers did not ask for this DRM, was it entirely Microsoft’s own idea?
