XBox Live gamers beware

[JAS]

Just seen this on the news about people who modify their consoles getting cut off by Microsoft. Not that I'm suggesting anyone on here would ever do anything like that...but forewarned etc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8354166.stm
(full article)

Thousands of gamers may have been cut off from Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live for modifying their consoles to play pirated games.

Online reports suggest that as many as 600,000 gamers may have been affected.

Regards
JAS

[Psyber]

Just seen this on the news about people who modify their consoles getting cut off by Microsoft. Not that I'm suggesting anyone on here would ever do anything like that...but forewarned etc
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8354166.stm (full article)

Thousands of gamers may have been cut off from Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live for modifying their consoles to play pirated games.
Online reports suggest that as many as 600,000 gamers may have been affected.

Regards
JAS

How can Microsoft tell which ones have been modified without using spyware illegally, or by hiding the "consent" so well in the fine print people don't notice it...
I notice on the updates site you now have to allow their anti-piracy/legitimate software checking installation first before you can get anything else.
[Mind you it is not hard to fix it so as to get past that checking process - not that I would know first hand, of course...]
I notice too I have to "kill" IE again after each update these days, and they have recently amended the site so you can only get in with IE - about 6 weeks ago I could access it with Opera.

[JAS]

Just seen this on the news about people who modify their consoles getting cut off by Microsoft. Not that I'm suggesting anyone on here would ever do anything like that...but forewarned etc
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8354166.stm (full article)

Thousands of gamers may have been cut off from Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live for modifying their consoles to play pirated games.
Online reports suggest that as many as 600,000 gamers may have been affected.

Regards
JAS

How can Microsoft tell which ones have been modified without using spyware illegally, or by hiding the "consent" so well in the fine print people don't notice it...
I notice on the updates site you now have to allow their anti-piracy/legitimate software checking installation first before you can get anything else.
[Mind you it is not hard to fix it so as to get past that checking process - not that I would know first hand, of course...]
I notice too I have to "kill" IE again after each update these days, and they have recently amended the site so you can only get in with IE - about 6 weeks ago I could access it with Opera.

Don't own any game consoles so absolutely no idea how it all works but I know a fair few on here have consoles so just giving people the heads-up.

...and the lastest on this is that if you DO get cut off then it's permanent...to play again you'll have to buy a new console...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8356621.stm
(link to full article)

Thousands of Xbox 360 owners who have been cut off from Microsoft's Xbox Live service will have to buy a new console if they want to play online again.

Microsoft told BBC News that banned machines will be permanently barred and "unable to connect to Xbox Live".

A message displayed on affected consoles said there was "no recourse for terms of use violations".

Microsoft has barred as many as 1m gamers from Xbox live for modifying their consoles to play pirated games.

Regards
JAS

[Westsider]

To modify xbox's they flash the dvd drive. When you play a game online Microsoft are periodically checking the software the dvd drive is running. If it isn't correct you get banned and your xbox is bricked.

I was going to get mine modded, but I heard the rumour of a huge wave of bans so I didn't get it done.

[Psyber]

To modify xbox's they flash the dvd drive. When you play a game online Microsoft are periodically checking the software the dvd drive is running. If it isn't correct you get banned and your xbox is bricked.
I was going to get mine modded, but I heard the rumour of a huge wave of bans so I didn't get it done.

So, presumably part of what you consent to in signing on is that you won't protect your system from external access and interference with a hardware or software firewall?
I'm surprised anyone would agree to that...
And, it is one thing to ban you from a site they own but to actually damage your property by "bricking" it - how can they get away with that?
Presumably, your giving them permission to is written into the EULA too??
It would be dubious even under US law I would expect - class action anyone?
[I decided not to get into Tivo because of similar policies...]

[Westsider]

I dunno, but thats what they do.

What is someone going to do, admit they participate in the piracy of games (and probably other things) while they try to take Microsoft to court? Doubt it.

[JAS]

Would this be the part in the terms of agreement that you'd be referring to Psyber?

I doubt very much if many people would read through that far though. That's for use in the UK and tbh I really can't be a**ed to look at other countries after getting that far down the page...just click 'International' in the top left corner if you want to see if Australia is the same.

Regards
JAS

http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/live/legal/xboxComTOU.htm

16. Service Operation and Equipment.

The Service may only be accessed with an original Xbox, an Xbox 360 console, a personal computer, or other device authorized by us,or by logging into your account via Xbox.com. You agree that you are using only authorized software and hardware to access the Service, that your software and hardware have not been modified in any unauthorized way (e.g., through unauthorized repairs, unauthorized upgrades, or unauthorized downloads), and that we have the right to send data, applications or other content to any software or hardware that you are using to access the Service for the express purpose of detecting an unauthorized modification. Any attempt to disassemble, decompile, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, modify, further sublicense, distribute, or use for other purposes the Service, any game, application, or other content available or accessible through the Service, or any hardware or software associated with the Service or with an original Xbox or Xbox 360 console is strictly prohibited and may result in cancellation of your account and/or your ability to access the Service, and the pursuit of other legal remedies by Microsoft. Microsoft may take any legal action it deems appropriate against users who violate Microsoft's systems or network security,this contract or any additional terms incorporated or referenced in this contract, and such users may also incur criminal or civil liability.

[dedja]

JAS, you're quite right.

Microsoft are quite within their legal rights to do what they have done.

Whether that's morally or ethically the correct behaviour for a Corporate citizen is another matter ... for what it's worth I think it's a bastard thing to do.

Remember they're only affecting those who have illegally modified their XBox.

Anyway, so now you know.

Thanks for the warning JAS.

[Wedgie]

Im actually on Microsofts side with this one but have people "illegally" modified their Xbox or justbeen "unauthorised" in modifiyin their Xbox? I would have thought the latter?
Surely its not against the law to play around with a machine you've bought?

[dedja]

It's really a bit of both Wedgie. The modifications are certainly unauthorised but there are clear statements in the Terms of Use which emphasise their legal standing.

Most if not all of this is pure bluff and there is probably no chance of legal action, but the irony is, as JAS has highlighted, that most people don't read the T&Cs anyway.

So really the message is that if you modify your XBox, don't expect any support from Microsoft and you really can't complain when they try to stop you using their XBox services.

Luckily Nintendo don't have the same attitude.

Pick the person with a Wii and Playstation and not an XBox!

[JAS]

Im actually on Microsofts side with this one but have people "illegally" modified their Xbox or justbeen "unauthorised" in modifiyin their Xbox? I would have thought the latter?
Surely its not against the law to play around with a machine you've bought?

You'd think that it would be the same as it is for almost anything you buy these days and that messing around with it could negate any repair guarantee/warrenty but not necessarily be illegal. Or does it involve something like tampering their actual programming code type stuff which could be illegal I guess and maybe even seen as hacking...sorry don't know the technical terminology for it all.

Regards
JAS

[Psyber]

Terminating access to the service makes sense and is obviously something they can legally do, having spelled out the terms of service, as they own the service.
Going beyond that and turning your property into a "brick" is what concerns me - even if it is in the EULA - I'm surprised that they get away with that.

[Johno6]

my mate got done last week..
he's spewin

[The Sleeping Giant]

Luckily Nintendo don't have the same attitude.

Only because Nintendo are 5 years behind with their console.

[smac]

Yeah, let's have a pissing contest about which console is better.

Or we could just let people use what they enjoy using and discuss the topic.

[The Sleeping Giant]

When you own all 3, you can make an informed opinion, can't you?

Seems that most of the comments are being made by people who don't own and aren't members of XBOX Live.

Anyway, modded XBOX consoles are being banned, but XBOX Live accounts attached to banned consoles are still available. Win, win for Microsoft. People have to replace modded console, and are still being charged Live subscription. All done just in time for the release of Call of Duty:MW2.

[Wedgie]

I don't think it is a pissing contest, I think it's a fair discussion on the technology in various machines which is a good discussion for the IT forum and not one that should be insulted.
I agree with TSG and I'm pretty confident Nintendo would too, it's pretty common knowledge that as far as machines go Nintendo were miles behind but they played it smart and instead of trying to compete with he technology they created a niche in the market that is very popular and turned out to be a genius decision from Nintendo.
Personally I prefer the Wii to the PS3 or Xbox as I do my serious game playing on he PC but have never really been a hard core console gamer. There's a lot more technology in the new Diablo but Ill still continue to enjoy Pacman more!

[smac]

Still off topic though aren't we?

[Wedgie]

Still off topic though aren't we?

Talking about gaming consoles in a thread warning users of gaming consoles? I wouldn't think so.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Personally I prefer the Wii to the PS3 or Xbox as I do my serious game playing on he PC but have never really been a hard core console gamer. There's a lot more technology in the new Diablo but Ill still continue to enjoy Pacman more!

Your a hardcore gamer Wedgie. Anyone who has reached level 649, and killed the Lizard Queen in Leroy Jenkin's quest party is hardcore.

Wii has the casual gamer market locked up. PC is still the king for the hardcore gamer. Although I prefer to call them World of Warcraft portals.

Just for smac

p.s. be careful with modding ANY of your consoles.