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Microsoft vs. Modded Xboxes
hikeran writes "The Register has an article about how Xbox live service is now apparently banning Xboxes that have been mod chipped. Basically it seems this is one of the many uses of those unique id's used in Microsoft's software. Next up bannings for using foul language on Xbox live service?? Be careful what you say.. you may be playing with an Xbox Live admin..."
Just disable your mod chip before you use Live. Some people have been reporting that it works fine for them. Be careful though - if you forget to disable it before logging in, your box will be banned permanently.
I think this is good on the side that hopefully it will keep out rogue players that want to write their own code, or hack a game for cheats.
Although it is bad because I have a mod chip. Although I have played online with it, turned off of course.
I am sure they will continue to try and fight it, but like everything good luck on fighting piracy/modding, if it uses 1010010's then its hackable.
People with "unmodded" machines are being wrongfully banned as well. Happened to me when I hooked up my xbox live kit.
.[[erax0r]].
You'd think, getting caught once or twice at it. . .
This depends on the game, and the level of 'trust' the server has in the clients.
;)
In the good 'ol days, the clients replicated to everyone what they were doing, and everyone trusted them implicitly. (Yes I did jump 200ft in the air, honest.)
Later with the server being the authority for much of the game state (a la Unreal) it made it harder to implement obvious hacks (such as your character running faster, taking no damge when told, etc). Hacks still abounded though in the form of wallhacks (see players though walls), and aimbots (autoaim)... these things being client-side of course and impossible for the server to know about.
Decent games these days, such as UT2003 which has built in anti-cheat from the CSHP guy keeps mucho things on the server. Many effects and such are replicated to the client to be simulated proxys and actors such as an enemy player are only replicated if they are relevant (ie: the player should be able to see it). This works well against wallhacks, as the client only is told where an enemy is if it should be able to see it.
Unfortunately we have a situation similar to copy protection, there is allways going to be ways to work around... at least now its not as simple as dumping the unrealscript sdk and modifying some variables.
Still the more objects that the server has authority on the better. Your hacked client interface might tell you that you have 900 rockets left, but the server knows better
those who control the past, control the future. those who control the present, control the past.
i agree that microsoft can do whatever they wish with their service.
:)
yet i keep reading a common theme here in this thread, "good it'll keep the cheaters off".
i've been investigating modding my xbox this past week, and i have to say, i haven't seen one single "cheat" implimented into any game yet. and i really don't think that's the point! i think i shall still mod my xbox for reasons like:
backing up games
giving my xbox ftp functionality
patching the dashboard so it will display it in progressive scan
playing homebrew games and software like mame, quake2 (port), etc.
so you say that i lose out on xbox live? we'll figure a way around it
R.I.P.
With every X-Box purchase, MS helpfully provides chips containing both the encryption keys and the instructions for using them.
Use as much encryption as you want, it won't help much when you are giving the key to the attacker.
I have a modified XBox. It's great for things like streaming movies to the TV. I was on the Live beta and got caught in the first ban on Nov. 12th playing legit games. I figured it was coming... Anyone with sense saw it coming...
I just bought a second XBox to play on Live and it's well worth it. I'm glad I won't be messing with cheaters. I'm sure chipped boxes will eventually get on, but most likely they'll be with the chips disabled. I suggest anyone that has a modified XBox be VERY careful. It's easy to target modified HDs.
For those bitching that they spent $50 and can't use it, read the EULA. It says plainly that you can't use a modified XBox on the service. Once it is modified they say it will NOT be considered normal if you remove it. Too bad. My only complaint is I wish MS would have come out right off and said "Yes, we banned modchips." or at least had the XBox give a better error than "XBox Live Not Found.". That just makes it look like a connection problem.... It ends up causing their support too many issues.
Look at THAT
A non-governmental entity can impose any restriction on speech that they want to at their private functions/on their private property/on their private gaming network
Write this on the back of your hand so you don't lose it
BTW, IAAL
utter rubbish
That's a very different case. Someone who gets their XBox modded isn't causing inherent damage to the system. The XBox works just fine, but Microsoft is choosing to punish people for taking that action. That makes the issue much less clear-cut, and given the motives behind the people at Microsoft for instituting this policy, i would place the blame more on their heads.
This Space Intentionally Left Blank
On the internet: http://www.xbox.com/LIVE/connect/legal-coc.htm
Xbox Live uses a 'warning system' where users can submit feedback on an abusive user (or good) with prepared comments like "Poor gameplay," "Harassing/Lewdness," "Good attitude," "Great session." After enough (and it takes quite a bit) complaints, your voice usage is banned for a month or so. When it returns and you continue, you will be be banned from the entire system for a month or so. After that, your account may be permanently bad. But believe me--no one's going to be banned for bad language.