The Xbox One has had issues in the past with its DRM, until Microsoft announced that it would be overturning the same with a Day One patch on launch. However, the patch’s status is still mandatory according to senior director of product management Albert Penello, and unless you install it, you won’t be able to use your console right away (unlike with the PS4).
Speaking to Engadget, Penello stated that, “You need the day one update. Functionally, you will be able to do very little without taking the day one update. A lot of the apps come with the day one update because they wouldn’t have even been done. You’re gonna need to take this update. It’s not gonna be really an optional thing.”
So one way or another, you’ll need an internet connection – at least this one time – to use the Xbox One when it launches on November 22nd across 13 territories worldwide.