Microsoft felt the full force of angry customers and fans after it announced restrictions on used games and online checks in the new Xbox One. Microsoft has now listened to the "feedback" from the Xbox fans and removed the restrictions.

Microsoft does an Xbox 180
After the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 unveilings it was pretty clear that future buyers were much more eager to get their hands on the PS4; in part because of Microsoft’s restrictions. Microsoft now reverses its decision based on the criticism.


Microsoft reverses its restrictions on used games and daily internet checks

First of all, Microsoft removes restriction on used games. You can now bring your games to friends, sell them or use them in which way you want. It will work just like on Xbox 360. This applies only to disc-based games. Games purchased online cannot be sold. Microsoft has also removed region restrictions on games.

In addition, Microsoft also drops the controversial internet check every 24 hours that would previously render single-player games unplayable if the Xbox One had no connection to the internet. No internet checks are implemented now.

Cloud features being removed
Microsoft’ reversal also means that some of the new cloud initiatives in Xbox One are dropped.

Under the old terms, you could share a game with up to 10 family members via the cloud. This is no longer possible. It is not possible to play games on discs without the disc in the console, either. The changes also mean that you cannot access your games from friends’ houses via the cloud – but you can obviously still bring your disc.

Microsoft is clearly responding to Sony’s strategy for PlayStation 4 but the core question is if Microsoft has waited too long? Microsoft has already built up significant badwill towards the Xbox One, and even though some of the most criticized restrictions have been removed, Microsoft also take away some of the promising cloud features of the Xbox One.

What do you think? Has Microsoft made the right choice?

- Source: Microsoft