Microsoft Barring Modded Consoles from Xbox Live

November 11, 2009 By Geoff Duncan

Microsoft has started detecting modified Xbox consoles and barring them from accessing Xbox Live...and it might impact up to a million players.

Although it’s certainly not a mainstream activity, the market for modifying Xbox 360 consoles is healthy and growing. Some players modify their consoles to essentially cheat at games and unlock features and capabilities without having to arduously play their way through dozens (or hundreds) of lead-up scenarios. And, of course, other people modify their Xbox consoles to pirate games or play pirated games—actions that are patently illegal in most markets, but nonetheless supports a healthy underground economy. Some gaming an electronics shop will openly modify Xbox consoles to play pirated games, typically for about $100.

Now Microsoft is apparently starting to drop the hammer on players with modified Xbox console, announcing that it is cutting off access to its Xbox Live online gaming service to players running modified Xbox gaming systems. The company has not provided any specifics for the number of players who may be impacted, but industry reports estimate from 600,000 to 1 million players may now be barred from Xbox Live. The service boasts over 20 million members worldwide.

“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,” the company said in a statement. “The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support them.”

Microsoft is not disabling modified consoles; the systems still operate normally when not using the Xbox Live service. According to industry sources, Microsoft is blocking access on a console-by-console basis. Microsoft has not detailed how it is detecting modified consoles; some users who claim to have modified consoles still say they can get through to Xbox Live, while some members who say they haven’t modified their consoles claim to be banned.

The move comes just after the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2; pirated versions of the game were circulating even prior to the title’s official release.

Showing 14 comments

guest at 4:36pm 30th December 2010 This is just breaking my heart. All you kids out there with too much money to spend and too much time to waste, now have to figure out another way....
California man goes to court for modifying Xbox 360 at 5:22pm 30th November 2010 [...] debacle is the stance Microsoft has recently taken on hacking regarding its new Kinect. A year ago, Microsoft put modifiers on blast, and began banning worked-on machines from Xbox Live. And when a similar situation arose after [...]
dang at 10:27am 18th May 2010 Why type of mod?

Yes, if you have your Xbox Modded, you can still get banned.
Drew at 11:29pm 17th May 2010 My best friend got his xbox modded, but doesnt play on Live... and i was wondering if you use a real game disc for live on a modded xbox can you still get banned???
Greg at 12:44pm 6th December 2009 Good for MS, Its sad that people have the need to steal. If you don't have the money wait till you do. I feel better for earning the money to have bought it. You ask me MS needs to take every single one of them to court, and the courts need to award MS with a heavy fine. One that will seriously hurt the purse or wallet of that individual. I'm not talking 100 dollar fine. Atleast one more zero
jhonnyfolhas at 10:14am 26th November 2009 well people now i'l sure that MS as block my xbox360!!!!!
it's truth!!! after i was banned i can't no longer turn on my x360!!and i can tell you that isn't de RROD!!!!

F.... as.... they start what they promise....
BLOODACE 97 at 10:33pm 25th November 2009 I modded my console so that it would not overheat easily and not have the red rings but they banned me and now im bored as hell,why would they ban me for upgrading whats mine and paid by my money.I really think that microsoft is being really cheap.They put the red rings so when it happens,it will make us buy other xbox 360s
I think ill just be happy with my PS3 and not buy another xbox i had already wasted my money on 2 xbox 360s
dang at 12:43pm 14th November 2009 Unmodding it, if you could, won't matter. They block it by the serial # I believe.
andrewbeehler at 12:10pm 14th November 2009 I read a bunch of articles about this - there are tons of banned xboxes out there for sale. I checked craigslist for myself, you can get a really good deal as long as you don't mind 25% of the functionality or you have the ability to un-mod it.
jhonnyfolhas at 7:05am 14th November 2009 well one thing i can say it isn't because call of duty!! i was banned i weak before that game!!!
i truly belive it's de Halo OSDT that bring hell down!!!
Ian Bell at 12:06pm 12th November 2009 haha I love it! I have always thought that too. The smart thing to do IMO is to just not even play online, disconnect the system when playing these games. That seems like the safest bet.
scooby at 11:36am 12th November 2009 Personally, I think that this sh** happens because of idiotic people who just can't wait. It's not good enough for them to keep a low profile and just play pirated games, that are already out. No, they have to be idiots and draw attention by playing pre-released games thus affecting everyone esle. A bunch of dumb a** immature males, always causing f-ing trouble.
Ian Bell at 10:59am 12th November 2009 How did they ban you? Did you get a message or something?
geoffthom at 10:38am 12th November 2009 yea spot on had my box banned today