Will the Xbox One Take Used Games? The Answer Is More Complicated Than You Might Think

Microsoft unveiled the new Xbox One Tuesday, in part one of a two-part presentation of the console. With its new home screen, Snap Mode and TV capabilities, the One is sure to change the gaming world. However, there seems to be a bit of an issue when it comes to the new Xbox and an important piece of the videogame industry—used games. So will the Xbox One allow the installation of used games? According to PCMag.com, the answer is more complicated than one might think.

One of the features of the Xbox One is its ability to receive a gaming CD and have the CD installed to the hard drive. According to an interview Microsoft VP Phil Harrison did with Wired, after this process takes place the disk is no longer needed.

This makes it seem like a particular game is locked onto a person’s account once they instal that game onto their Xbox One. Thus the question “If I buy a used game and its already linked to someone else’s account, wouldn’t it be impossible for me to install the used game on my account?” Many felt Microsoft was working against the consumer.

Once Microsoft learned of the chatter surrounding used games they released this statement:

We know there is some confusion around used games on Xbox One and wanted to provide a bit of clarification on exactly what we've confirmed today. While there have been many potential scenarios discussed, today we have only confirmed that we designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail. Beyond that, we have not confirmed any specific scenarios. Another piece of clarification around playing games at a friend's house -- should you choose to play your game at your friend's house, there is no fee to play that game while you are signed in to your profile.

Executive Editor David Carnoy from CNET, points out Microsoft never actually says the Xbox One will take used games.

“And take note of the wording. Nowhere does Microsoft say that the Xbox One will play used games. Rather, the company says, ‘We designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail,’” he writes.

Also the words “trade in and resell” imply new games going out of your possession. The statement doesn’t say the Xbox one was designed for the consumer to buy the games that are resold or traded in.

Game publishers are not fans of the used-games industry and it’s pretty easy to see why. According to Carnoy, it bothers publishers that a gamer can walk into Gamestop (the leader in the used games) buy a game, beat it in less than seven days, and return under Gamestop’s return policy. (Gamestop allows you to buy a used game and return it in less than seven days unless you break it or immensely damage it. You are not allowed a refund on opened new games.) Thus the publisher makes no money off of that purchase.

Sony claimed it would allow used games on its PlayStation 4 but it is not clear how Sony’s new console will mesh with the secondhand gaming market.

So, can used games be installed on the Xbox One? Until Microsoft provides a more clear answer it looks like the only option will be to buy a console, pop in a game, and see what happens. Both Sony and Microsoft will reveal more about their consoles (Sony is expected to show the actual PlayStation 4) at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, E3, on June 10.