Microsoft Apologizes, but Is It Too Late?

Realizing that consumer sentiment was turning against its Xbox One gaming console in favor ofSony's (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation 4, the software giant is scaling back on the publisher-friendly initiatives that are rubbing die-hard gamers the wrong way. *.The requirement that an Xbox One connect with Microsoft's servers at leastonce every 24 hours is toast. After a one-time system setup that registersthe console, online players can play any disc-based game without having to dealwith Mr. Softy's authoritative ways. *.Just as Sony received a rousing round of applauseafter announcing that gamers will be able to trade in, lend, resell, gift, and rent games on disc the way that they are currently able to on the PS3, Microsoft is backing away from the limitations that it was allowing publishers to take advantage of in order to curb profitless software exchanges. *.Xbox One games will also be able to play on any XboxOne console no matter where that Xbox One may be. Regional restrictions have been zapped.