Both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One will require day-one patches as both Sony and Microsoft attempt to make their next-generation consoles perform as well as they’d like on launch day. The PlayStation 4 can be downloaded in the background, allowing owners of the next-gen console to use the system, but this isn’t exactly the same case over in Microsoft’s camp.
Microsoft senior director of product management Albert Panello spoke with Engadget recently in regards to the Xbox One. One topic that came up during the discussion is whether or not Xbox One owners can use their console prior to installing the day one patch. “Functionally, you will be able to do very little without taking the day one update,” he said. Engadget followed up by asking what exactly can people do with their Xbox One out of the box. “Nothing. You need the Day One update.”
The reason for this seems to be much of what is being installed are critical applications that previously wouldn’t have been done in time to be made available with the Xbox One on launch day. “You’re gonna need to take this update. It’s not gonna be really an optional thing,” Panello added. Hopefully Microsoft’s servers will be able to keep up with demand as that 300MB update isn’t exactly a small amount of data.