Console Modders Banned From Xbox Live
Microsoft has been busy this week banning users suspected of having modded (hacked) their Xbox 360 consoles. Certain Xbox 360 consoles can be modified using an unauthorized process in order to play pirated versions of games. Microsoft evidently has a system in place to detect when a modded console is logged on to the Live online service. Right now, Microsoft uses a sophisticated check to determine whether a game disc passes as the real thing by using the player's own DVD drive, and then sending that information back to the company. Certain rips of popular games -- especially early review copies -- have codes in place to tell Microsoft that the copies are unauthorized.
This round of bannings has caught a large number of pirates off guard, particularly after the widely publicized early leak of Gears of War 2. Only the console itself is banned, not the offending gamertag, so banned users are free to sign on to Live with a new (un-modified) console.
Microsoft spokesperson Major Nelson responded to the gaming community about the bannings this week, basically spelling out the terms and conditions that legally allow the company to deny service to unauthorized users.
"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. 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. 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."
[Source: NFO Hump]
