I'd rather they ban all the racists and other jackasses that populate Xbox Live. I don't play co-op games but my wife and some friends do and they are routinely harrassed by these idiots.
--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Omari Confer <clockwork...@...> wrote: > > Tough love. > > On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 5:24 PM, Mr. Worf <hellomahog...@...> wrote: > > > > > > > > > http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm > > > > > > Microsoft is serious about stamping out Xbox > > modding<http://www.dailytech.com/Xbox+360s+Firmware+Hacked/article1263.htm>. > > Modding involves using hardware or software hacks to circumvent the > > protection technology on a video game > > console<http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm#>. > > Modding has some morally ambiguous uses -- such as installing an alternative > > OS, or playing games/DVDs from outside your zone (both practices are > > technically illegal according to some sources and/or violate you EULA). > > However, one less morally ambiguous cause for modding is to allow pirated > > games to play just like legally purchased discs. > > > > The console makers, including > > Microsoft<http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm#>, > > have pushed for international legislation banning modding, which they say is > > driving piracy. The results were showcased in the recent arrest of a Cal > > State student by federal agents. The student had been making and selling > > modded Xboxes, a crime that could earn him 10 years in > > prison<http://www.dailytech.com/Xbox+Modding+Could+Earn+Cal+State+Student+10+Years+of+Hard+Prison+Time/article15896.htm>according > > to authorities. > > > > While Microsoft obviously cannot pursue that kind of legal action against > > every owner of a modded Xbox, it has just taken a sweeping step to try to > > punish those who mod. It has just issued a large set of bans disconnecting, > > according to <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8354166.stm> *BBC News > > *, over 600,000 Xbox 360 users from Xbox Live, the company's popular online > > gaming > > service<http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm#>. > > With approximately 20 million current Xbox Live subscribers, this represents > > as much as a 3 percent cut to Microsoft's total online gaming population. > > > > A statement released from Microsoft reiterated that modding "violates" the > > console's "terms of use" and that the result will be terminated service. > > Writes the company, "All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and > > that modifying their Xbox 360 > > console<http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm#>to > > play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their > > warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live. The health of the video game > > business<http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Bans+600000+Xbox+Live+Users+For+Modding/article16795.htm#>depends > > on customers paying for the genuine products and services they > > receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support > > them." > > > > Banned users can play games offline as if nothing happened. However, when > > they try to log into their Xbox Live account, they now receive a message > > stating, "Your console has been banned from Xbox." > > > > Microsoft was tight lipped about how many users were cut off from the > > popular gaming service or how it identified them. A spokesperson merely > > commented, "We do not reveal specifics, but can say that all consoles have > > been verified to have violated the terms of use." > > > > Recently, Microsoft has been working hard to keep a tighter grip on its > > Xbox revenue stream, following in the example of Apple, Inc. and others. > > Its new update reportedly will lock out third party storage > > solutions<http://www.dailytech.com/PS3+Wins+a+Month+Microsoft+Plans+to+Lock+Out+ThirdParty+Xbox+Storage/article16557.htm>from > > the console. Third party storage typically retails for much less that > > Microsoft's offerings. By locking out its competitors, Microsoft likely is > > hoping to tack on more earnings to its already substantial stream from the > > Xbox. > > ------------------------------ > > > > > > -- > > Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! > > Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ > > > > > > > > > > -- > clockworkman blog > http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com > STRING THEORY > http://stringtheory.podbean.com > Netflix Friends > http://www.netflix.com/BeMyFriend/P5Vr384ukvNnY78xUJOT >
