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Microsoft Bans Substantial Number of Live Accounts for Using Modified 360's
by Garnett Lee, Nov 11, 2009 6:27pm PSTInformationWeek reports that Microsoft held a major fall housecleaning on Xbox LIVE this week banning as many as 1 million accounts. The story explains that this action targeted users who had been detected using modified Xbox 360 hardware. InformationWeek cites an official statement that Shacknews has been unable to confirm with Microsoft as saying, "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"
While he did not comment directly on the report, Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb gave Shacknews a brief response. "We don't release numbers, but we are actively taking action to protect the service all the time," he said. Shacknews also received a similar sounding official statement from Microsoft that said:
While we don't comment on specific numbers, we have taken action against consoles that have been modified and were used to play pirated game discs. In line with our commitment to combat piracy, and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community, we are banning these modded consoles from Xbox LIVE.
While not specifically mentioned, this move conspicuously coincides with the launch of Modern Warfare 2. Given the game's heavy online component and already reported piracy issues some connection seems a likely conclusion.
Comments
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/sarcasm
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You're doing it for more money. That's it. Just be honest and I'll respect you more.
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Modding 360s has been around since forever... it is not new. The 360 selling less than the PS3 is.
I imagine Microsoft did some market research and found out that a lot of people were selling their 360s to buy a PS3. Banning consoles is a pretty good way of killing the resale market, forcing prospective 360 buyers into going retail. It also boosts their numbers when these modders go legit.
Or, I guess, ~3 years after the fact they just decided randomly to do something about it.
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/sarcasm
They just advertised to the whole world that you can hack a 360.
Think of the used console sales now :/
How many people out their are going to buy a bricked console :(
Not the best way of dealing with piracy imo
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Next I be we'll hear how CODMW2 sold twice as many copies as GTA IV in some regions.
Where's the Shacknews staff? Playing CODMW2?
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Doesn't the Xbox 360 have a 30M large installed base, give or take a couple million? That suggests that a good number more than one owner in thirty is running a hacked console and capable of pirating.
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