[terramex]

Xbox One connects to MS server only once, on initial setup and then it can run disc games offline. Not sure about digital downloads.

[rkangel]

In the video he talks specifically about the following use case:

"User goes to Walmart, buys console and game. Drives to cabin with no internet. Sets up console and plays game".

Clearly the original design goal didn't require an initial phone home. That may have changed.

[reificator]

I don't buy disc games and I was playing games offline during the weird lull in the middle of a vacation.