Halo 2 vs Xbox hacks
p2pnet.net News:- Xbox add-ons that let users run items not produced by Microsoft have been out there almost since Day One.
“Hackers who equip their Xboxes with mod chips and other upgrades such as bigger hard drives, have gotten the consoles to perform all sorts of unauthorized tricks, including running Linux software and serving as digital media centers,” says CNET News.
But, “Microsoft and other hardware makers have long fought against mod chips … chiefly because they abet game piracy.”
With its new Halo 2 chalking up record sales of 2.4 million units (worth $125 million) in the in the US and Canada, however, Microsoft seems to be using Halo 2 to crack down on mod chips and other Xbox hacks, says CNET, going on.
“Hundreds of Xbox owners have reported in online forums in recent days that they were banned from Xbox Live, Microsoft’s online gaming service, after trying to play ‘Halo 2′ online with a modified console.
“A Microsoft representative would not specify which additional security measures, if any, have been added to Xbox Live around the ‘Halo 2′ launch.”
But CNET points out that the Xbox Live user agreement allows Microsoft to, “retrieve information from the Xbox used to log onto Xbox Live as necessary to operate and protect the security of Xbox Live and to enforce this agreement.”
In the meanwhile, “Our much anticipated X3 Control Panel is now ready to roll of [sic] the production lines,” says Team Xecutor.
“As you can see we have now added 2 x USB ports that can piggy back onto gameports 3 & 4. The first shipment will be Black however we will be manufacturing Crystal and Green versions also. The plastic moulding process has now been perfected and the material matches the Xbox wonderfully.
“We feel this is the coolest add-on yet for the Xbox and will score many geek points with your buddies – order now in time for a Christmas delivery ! You can expect pricing to be around $60 / £35.”
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See:-
banned from Xbox Live – Is Microsoft using ‘Halo 2′ to thwart Xbox hackers?, Novembeer 12, 2004coolest add-on yet – X3 Control Panel Ready For Production
