Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Microsoft Pwns Xbox Modders

Microsoft has decided to crack down on Xbox modders by cutting off access to Xbox Live online services to players running modded Xbox consoles. This move could potentially affect anywhere between 600,000 and 1 million players.

According to the report originally posted by InformationWeek, Microsoft has banned as many as a million players from Xbox Live for altering their consoles by physically attaching extra chips or other hardware to play pirated games.

Despite the fact that it is illegal and against the TOS the company can actually can do little to prevent users modifying their machines. Blocking users from features such as the Xbox Live online services is about the only recourse MS has to discourage users from modding their systems.

"All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live," Microsoft said in a statement. "The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support them."

Microsoft said its "commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of the Xbox Live community remains a top priority." I personally don't see that this move will affect the safety or security of gameplay in anyway, however its understandable that they want to cut down on piracy.

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