Microsoft is confirming today that its upcoming Xbox One console will need to connect to the internet every 24 hours for games to work. "Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection," says a statement from the software maker. Microsoft explains that Xbox One accounts can be used on other consoles to access digital libraries, but that an hourly internet check will be required in that particular case. Live TV, Blu-ray, and DVD movies will work without a connection check every 24 hours.


On the subject of used games, Microsoft says "game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers," and that the company "does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games." However, publishers can opt in or out of game resales and are free to set up transfer fees with retailers. Games can also be given to friends via their discs. There are no fees associated with the transfer, but you can only pass them to friends who have been on your Xbox list for at least 30 days and each game can only be transfered once. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but Microsoft says it's exploring this as a possibility for the future.

Once a game has been purchased via disc or Xbox Live, everyone who uses it on one particular console will get access to the game. Up to ten members of a family can also log in and play from the shared games library on an Xbox One on an entirely different console.

Finally, Microsoft is also addressing some privacy concerns with Kinect. The sensor will only listen to a single voice command when the Xbox One console is turned off, simply "Xbox on." Microsoft says you can also turn this feature off if need be. The software maker says that any conversations in a living room while the Xbox One is on will not be recorded or uploaded."