No excuse. Xbox One has to launch worldwide

July 1, 2013

By Nick Tricome

At the conclusion of Microsoft's E3 press conference it was announced that Xbox One would launch this November in 21 countries across the globe, rather than having a worldwide release.

A big reason why the new console will see a limited release around the world is because of Microsoft's original online strategy, where the console would have to connect to the internet at least every 24 hours.

A week later, after much feedback, Microsoft put their online strategy on the back burner, yet the 21 country launch is still in place.

It probably is too late to get the Xbox One out to the entire world by the 2013 holiday, but at the very least, Microsoft has to get their new console launched worldwide as soon as possible.


Some places have better internet access than others, and for a console that was originally going to rely on an internet connection, it makes sense to release it i the most well connected areas possible. But that doesn't matter anymore.

Now that an internet connection is no longer a requirement, anyone in the world can play an Xbox One, so there is no reason for Microsoft to keep their fans-let's say in Poland for- waiting possibly well into 2014 before they can get the chance to play the new Forza or Dead Rising.

Speaking of Poland.

CD Projekt Red, the developers of the upcoming next-gen title The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, are based in Poland, and Poland isn't one of the 21 countries the Xbox One will be launching in.

This is common sense and something Microsoft has to make sure happens before The Witcher 3 launches. If a Polish developer is making a game for your console, you absolutely have to make it possible for them to be able to play their game in their own country.

Same goes for Japan too, as Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III to the Xbox One as well.

Although the original Xbox and Xbox 360 never found great success in the far east, Microsoft should at least make some effort to show that the Playstation 4 isn't Japan's only option for two very anticipated JRPGs.

Fans made it very clear that a required internet connection isn't a good idea in more ways than one, and Microsoft took made a wise choice in taking it away.

But the online barrier that was originally keeping the Xbox One away from the world outside the planned 21 countries is gone.

There is no excuse now. Anyone, no matter what part of the world a person lives in, should be a able to buy and play an Xbox One.

(Image from GameZone.com)