While Microsoft might have backtracked on their policies regarding the always-on requirement for their Xbox One video game console, this does not mean that you won’t need an internet connection at all. In fact if you are planning on getting the Xbox One, you will need to have an internet connection, at least upon firing up the console because according to Microsoft, gamers will be required to download the day one patch if they hope to use the console. While it was known that a day one patch would be required, as is usually the case with consoles, it was not known as to how extensive the update might be.
The folks at Engadget posed such a question to Microsoft’s senior director of product management, Albert Penello, and asked if the console would still work and play games with a physical game disc even if they have no internet connection on day one. According to Penello, “Nothing. You need the Day One update.” Penello went on to state, “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 there you have it, if you were thinking of getting the Xbox One, best make sure your ISP is good and ready and hope nothing goes wrong on day one itself!