Microsoft’s Phil Spencer confirmed: “Right now we haven’t changed the policy on MMOs and free-to-play games.” When pushed for an explanation Spencer cited “Engineering constraints, policy constraints and partner constraints in each one of these scenarios.”

These partner constraints imply that the third-party publishers are also keen for Microsoft to keep their games behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall. This doesn’t add up though as Bethesda in particular have been very vocal since last summer in wishing gamers didn’t have to pay for an Xbox Live Gold sub in addition to the monthly fees needed to play TESO in the first place.

This isn’t necessarily set in stone though as Microsoft have been U-turn specialists over the last twelve months. They have ditched many of their controversial plans such as blocking pre-owned games, always-online check-ins and more recently they finally made the Kinect a non-compulsory addition to the Xbox One. Sony will be keen to remind gamers that MMOs and free-to-play titles won’t require a PS Plus account on PS4 in the run up to TESO’s delayed release in six months, giving Microsoft plenty of time to send those tires screeching into another slick 180 spin.

How about it reader’s, do you think Microsoft are gearing up for another U-turn, or do you expect them to stick to their guns?

Source: Joystiq