What timing. The Halo 3 beta was just launched out to a pool of overly-excited fans, with a chunk of them undoubtedly using a modded Xbox. Unfortunately for them, Microsoft is cracking the whip and denying consoles with modded firmware access to Live. This means that they aren’t able to play the most anticipated game of the year with others online.
Any Xbox that has been detected to have modified firmware will be banned from connecting to live. For those who liked to play their games multi-player with others online, this isn’t a good day for them. For those who don’t care and would rather play games by themselves on their modded console, this is no big deal. The image below shows the message some users are receiving:
Generally, the comments around the web tend to be positive and people are happy that Microsoft is taking the steps to cut them off. It’s another way for Microsoft to help curb piracy, and a big way to help eliminate unfair play online.
In part of a statement from Microsoft, they said that “This is an important part of our efforts to try and maintain a fair gaming environment for the large majority of gamers that play by the rules.”Those who have accounts that are found to have a modified system will still have access to Live, they just won’t be able to do it from their console.
Clearly Microsoft can do whatever they want with Live, but do you think they were right in doing this?
Source: Xbox 360 Fanboy
Yes, I think MS is totally within its rights. I totally believe in personal freedom and just like you and I have the choice to crack software, steal stuff and hack mod our XBox systems (if we are really willing to accept the consequences) MS has the right to choose who can access their services and who cannot. I can imagine a lot of people going into MS bashing mode again for this, but then – that is their right. It just won’t change anything.
The MS bashing is definitely out there, I just came across a bit of it a few minutes ago reading around the blogosphere on this topic.
I think Microsoft did what they had to do. They need to support the investment they have with the game companies, so this makes sense.
I don’t know about this. Many hack consoles just to unlock them for media purposes. I understand, though that game mods can ruin online gaming. Is there any way for those who have modded their consoles to reset the firmware (undo hacks) and play online games? Otherwise, users are left with a crippled console which I don’t think anyone should be stuck with.
I guess it’s their fault if they’re left with a crippled console though, wouldn’t you say?
I think there should be some way for people to clean their console and be allowed back into online play. Hacks are often just for media potential rather than gaming mods. I think it’s like DRM. If you’re paying for the items, you should be able to do what you want with them. I don’t think people deserve what they paid good money for to be crippled without warning.
From what I’ve read Microsoft never allows these people back in. However, I know that with the original Xbox Microsoft was practically forced by Xbox owners to start banning people with modded Xbox’s because they were able to cheat during the online gameplay. I’m not sure if that is the case with the Xbox 360 though.
XBOX (1) Live was also blocked from hackers?
I believe they did the right thing. They are protecting the best interests of the Live community.
If anyone mods their Xbox, they have no right whatsoever to whine about not being able to access the Live service, AND they should be stuck with their modded box. If they are so inclined that they must play on the Live service, then they can go out and buy a new non modded Xbox.
Yep, they mostly checked to see what size hard drives users had in the Xbox because at that time it was common for people to be installing 200GB hard drives.
Um…you can play on live modded all day long right now. If you were stupid and didnt use stealthed disks, then you deserve to be banned. With the timing attack just realized, things will be interesting in oh say, two weeks lol.