Microsoft comments on Xbox 360 console banning
Users with illegally modified consoles get banned from Xbox LIVE.
Larry Hryb, Xbox LIVE director of programming, has confirmed that Microsoft has handed out Xbox LIVE bans to a small percentage of Xbox 360 consoles that have been illegally modified in order to play pirated games.
"In our continued effort to keep gameplay safe and secure for our community of more than 14 million members, Microsoft has taken action against a small percentage of Xbox 360 consoles that have been illegally modified in order to play pirated games," said Hryb. "You should know that modifying your Xbox 360 console is also a violation of the Xbox LIVE terms of use, will void your warranty and result in a ban from Xbox LIVE."
Hryb added: "The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive, both from manufacturers and the local companies that support them. We will continue to employ and bolster anti-piracy security measures to counter piracy in the gaming industry and improve security in the Xbox LIVE community."
It's good to see Microsoft taking action against those who feel it's OK to play pirated games.
User Comments
Ogre
tomdys@ SixthPhoenix
FantasyMeister@ SixthPhoenix
SixthPhoenix
I am writing to inform you of my problems with
dealing the the Xbox Live Support Staff. This morning, 15 November 2008, my Xbox 360 console stopped connecting to
Xbox Live. I initially thought it was a problem with
my internet connection, and spent a few hours today trying different things to get the issue
resolved. However just an hour ago, I learned that it was not an issue
with the internet connection at all, but that my Xbox
360 Console had been banned from connecting to Xbox
Live for an alleged violation of the Xbox 360 Terms of
Use.
I hereby state in the plainest language possible,
my Xbox 360 console (i bought it from Best Buy 1 year ago) has not been modified, hacked, or
tampered with in any way, and furthermore, this
console has not been used to cheat in any way on the
Xbox Live service. I have done a fair amount of
research on the internet, and apparently I am not the
only customer who has been unfairly banned.
Here is a summary of my Xbox live activity leading up to my ban notification. My last login to Xbox Live was on 10-11th November 08 to play Halo 3 and download (with legally purchased points) Metallica's latest album for GH III. I was out of town on business 11-14 Nov 08 and when i returned home and tried to login into my account on 15 Nov, I recieved notification through the network test of my console ban.
I placed a call to Xbox Live customer service twice this morning. The first Xbox Live team representative was very rude and before abruptly hanging up on me basically accused me of knowingly tampering with my Xbox 360 console. The second Xbox live rep I talked with, Lan (reference call number: ----------) and third rep, Danny (reference call #: ------------)
were both very polite and certainly acted within company
policy but they refused to explain for what reason the
console had been banned, and he also refused to
examine the console to see if Microsoft had made a
mistake in banning it.
I understand that this gentleman was simply doing his
job, however, telling a customer that there is "no
recourse" for consoles that have been banned is an
absolutely outrageous policy, as it allows no room for
error on the part of Microsoft.
I believe the situation regarding the banning of
my console to be an error on the part of
Microsoft.
I would greatly appreciate if you could assist me in
resolving this matter and having my console unbanned
from the Xbox Live network. I will gladly send my
console in to Microsoft to be examined or provide any additional requested information/details if you believe
my console has been tampered with. However, if I do not
receive assistance on this issue, I have not rule out
seeking legal action to resolve this matter. I've already submitted numerous complaints on the internet through organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and have been posting this letter on numerous xbox and consumer watch forums. Next week I plan on filing paperwork in small claims court seeking costs to replace my unjustly banned console.
Xbox 360 consoles are expensive, and I'm
not interested in shelling out another $300-$400 because Microsoft made a mistake.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my
complaint, and hope that you are able to help me
resolve this issue quickly and amicably.
Sincerely,
SixthPhoenix
pblive
I thought about using a similar method and just nicking a spare one from the Currys shop in case mine gets scratched... ;)
RecoN
However MS should tackle the sitution with backups, by providing a program on disk that allows a player to backup there games with a signature encoded for that certain console. Maybe something could be worked on that idea, but it could be possible.
xboxlive
Sense
This ban simply bans the xbox from xbox live, it doesn't brick the console as far as I know!!!
Karlius
But most of these consoles have not been chipped they have simply re-flashed their firmware on the DVD-ROM Drive making them able to read -R media for games. This is not illegal but does void your warranty as the case has been opened.
( However I have heard of a case where a person opening his console restored his warranty as he suggested it's his console and he is allowed to do as he wishes as long as he has not broken anything. This used to be the case with PC manufacturers such as dell but they too have backed down.)
As PBLive suggested its opposite most cases there are no chips or OS changes. But most of these cases are breaking the law by downloading games. I just think banning and bricking consoles is the wrong route just because they cannot re-flash the DVD-ROM devices remotely. All it will do is cause more development and mainstream the piracy. AKA. Drm
Rogue_Soul@ Karlius
Well, they 'should' only be upset for another week or so. When the NXE arrives on Nov.19th - they'll be able to install their games to the 360's HDD. Making (illegal) back-ups even more redundant.
I just feel sorry for all those people who are now going to buy second-hand consoles from retailers, consoles which have been traded in by modders/pirates and alike, only to discover they'll be inoperable for XboxLive. Tragedy.
FantasyMeister@ Karlius
Read ELSPA's take on it. Not really a good example as ELSPA are pro-gaming industry so they're bound to take this view. Nonetheless it's a view that I, as well as a recent court rulings, agree with.
pblive
Karlius
Woffls
On one hand you could backup this disk and they could let them work because it would still have matching codes. But really it will just annoy everyone else because It will destroy the second hand market and you wont be able to take games round a friends house anymore. I really hope nothing like this happens, and hopefully they can learn from EA/Ubisoft's mistakes on PC DRM.
FantasyMeister@ Karlius
Agreed with whom? Backup laws date back to the age of floppy discs which were fragile, there is absolutely no reason whatsover these days to create backups of videogame CDs which come with a 90 day warranty.
Scratched a CD? You can fix it.
Received a CD that doesn't work? Your retailer will replace it.
CD collection nuked in a house fire? You're insured.
Snapped a CD in half? Your problem.