Just a few weeks after a console reveal that could be best described as "contentious", Microsoft has elected to reverse some of the more unpopular aspects of their upcoming Xbox One.

Writing on Xbox.com in a post entitled "Your Feedback Matters", Microsoft President of Interactive Entertainment Dan Mattrick states that "Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One."

He further goes on to explain the two big changes to the console's previously announced policies:

used games will continue to function as they did on Xbox 360, and "(t)here will be no limitations to using and sharing games".
there will no longer be an internet check every 24 hours.

It's not all good news, though. The end of the online requirement means that two other previously touted features will no longer be supported. Disc-based games will require that the disc be in the tray, rather than being installed and played off the hard drive. Additionally, the so-called "family plan" will be removed; writes Mattrick, "(t)he sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold.

It remains to be seen what effect the backtracking will have on Xbox One preorders -- though, ironically, the moves come the same day as Gamestop closed preorders on the new console.