If Xbox One Flops, Will Microsoft Remove the DRM and Daily Connection Requirement?

Many consumers think that if they complain enough, Microsoft MSFT will remove the anti-piracy and anti-used game measures that have infuriated so many people. Others believe that if they join together and vote with their wallets by not buying an Xbox One until Microsoft announces a change, the company will eventually cave and eliminate its new forms of DRM (digital rights management). Michael Pachter, the Managing Director of Equity Research at Wedbush Securities, is not convinced that Microsoft will make any such changes to its new console. "I'm not sure they can since they made it possible to write the disc to the hard drive and to play without the disc," Pachter told Benzinga. "DRM is to ensure the same disc isn't copied to two hard drives." If Pachter is correct, consumers will have one very tough decision to make in 2014. They can either choose to accept Xbox One for what it is and play the next Halo or rebel against these measures and do without this highly anticipated first-person shooter. Thus far, Sony's SNE PlayStation 4 has led the pack of next-gen pre-orders. Numerous GameStop employees from multiple locations have informed Benzinga that the retailer has been given fewer Xbox One units to pre-order than Sony has provided for PlayStation 4. Is this a reflection of the anticipated demand or Microsoft's inability to manufacture enough units at launch? Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ