Microsoft Corp. has responded to a possible class-action lawsuit over banning up to one million Xbox 360 consoles from accessing its online gaming service, arguing the company is well within its rights to ban users from Xbox Live.
U.S. law firm Abington IP recently announced on its website that it's considering filing a class-action lawsuit over Microsoft's worldwide crackdown on modified Xbox 360 consoles by booting them from the Xbox Live online network. The firm is asking those interested in joining the suit to contact them.
Microsoft "conveniently" waited until after the launch of two of Xbox 360's biggest holiday titles before banning up to one million consoles from accessing its online gaming service, the firm argued.
A spokesperson from Microsoft reacted to the possible lawsuit on Friday. "Piracy is illegal and modifying an Xbox 360 is a violation of the Xbox Live Terms of Use. Microsoft is well within its legal rights to ban these users from Xbox Live."
The number of bans has not been released by Microsoft, but some media reports suggest between 600,000 and one million consoles were banned.
The law firm is asking Xbox Live subscribers who were not refunded for the time left on their subscription to participate in the possible class action.
A 12-month subscription to the service, which allows players to access the online marketplace and play online with other subscribers, costs about $60. More than 20 million people are members of Xbox Live.
"Although modification of Xbox consoles is ‘arguably' against the terms of use for Xbox/Xbox Live, Microsoft conveniently timed the Xbox console ban to coincide with the release of the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game and less than two months after the release of the very popular Halo: ODST game," argued Abington IP, which specializes in consumer class action lawsuits
Abington IP said the timing might have resulted in more Xbox Live subscription revenues for Microsoft than it would have generated had the console bans taken place before the releases. The firm also argued sales of Modern Warfare 2 -- which launched Nov. 10 and set a new sales record by grossing about $550-million over the first five days of sales -- would have been hampered by the bans. Both Halo: ODST and Modern Warfare 2 have very popular multiplayer modes.
"As an aside, piracy is a legitimate concern for Microsoft and other content producers," said Abington IP. "However . . . Microsoft has chosen to use one of the most indiscriminate ‘weapons' in its arsenal in an effort to combat piracy."
Square Enix Europe, the new owner of publisher Eidos, this week announced that it will release Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days for Xbox 360, PS3 and the PC in 2010.
Developed by IO Interactive, the crime shooter will be set in the Shanghai underworld. IO Interactive developed the prior installment, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, in addition to Hitman.
"Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days" will include new Fragile Alliance modes, expanding on the multiplayer mode from the first game where players had to work together but at any moment could go rogue and steal loot from teammates
"Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days" is being developed by IO Interactive, the Danish studio behind the first title, and will be released unded the Eidos brand.
A potential Class Action Lawsuit at Abington IP against Microsoft following the recent spate of Xbox Live bannings has appeared. Abington IP are encouraging banned users to take part.
An investigation is currently being conducted regarding business practices of Microsoft with respect to its recent cancellation of certain modified Xbox consoles for use with Xbox Live.
As has been reported widely in the media, tens of thousands of Xbox owners have had their modified Xbox consoles banned from Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live. Although modification of Xbox consoles is against the terms of use for Xbox/Xbox Live, Microsoft "conveniently" timed the Xbox console ban to occur just after the release of the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game and less than two months after the release of the very popular Halo 3: ODST game. This "convenient" timing may have resulted in more Xbox Live subscription revenues for Microsoft than it would have generated had these Xbox console bans taken place at some time before the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Halo 3: ODST. Additionally, sales of both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (published by Activision) and Halo 3: ODST (published by Microsoft Game Studios) would likely have been greatly diminished had the Xbox console ban occurred prior to the release of these games.
If you are an Xbox Live subscriber, had your modified Xbox console banned from Xbox Live, were not refunded a prorated sum for the time left on your subscription, and would like to participate in a class action against Microsoft, please submit your information below.
With the latest batch of new LIVE Features now available, we're kicking off a few FREE LIVE Weekends so that Silver members can get a free trial of all the Xbox LIVE features.
During the free LIVE Weekends, all Xbox LIVE Silver members can enjoy: online multiplayer, Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM, Netflix, Sky Player, Halo Waypoint and 1 v 100 (Some features are only available in specific regions)
Here is the schedule of when the freeness starts for Silver Members:
For all Xbox LIVE regions except those in Europe, Xbox LIVE Silver members will have free access from November 20th from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT until November 23rd from 12n ET /9a PT /17:00 GMT
For All European Xbox LIVE regions, Xbox LIVE Silver member will have free access from November 25th from 17:00 GMT until November 30th at 17:00 GMT
For all the latest xbox 360 news, gaming info and much much more be sure to check back to our homepage or install our FREE 360-HQ Toolbar which will keep you up-to-date automatically.
TVGB: "During Modern Warfare 2's launch event in the UK, the voice actor for the game's Ghost character, Craig Fairbrass, mentioned that "they" - presumably Infinity Ward - are considering a game solely for Ghost."
I did in the last game a voice for a character called Gaz and in this game I'm now voicing a guy called Ghost, who now just got a spin-off comic of his own and they're talking about another little game to go with it Fairbrass said at the event (videos on Live), so, I'm quite excited about it. Its grown and grown and grown".
When asked about what is it about the character that is getting people excited, he said,I don't know. It's the whole thing I suppose of not knowing who he is. He is like the head of the SAS and I'm just so thrilled to be a part of it, I mean it just gets bigger and bigger each year". News-Source: thatvideogameblog.com
Intensafire is the worlds Fastest Most Effective Xbox 360 Controller Mod. No Soldering - No Wiring - No Drilling - 5 MINUTE INSTALL
What does it do?
The IntensaFIRE modifies XBOX 360 controllers, allowing them to control 5-mode sleeper settings, and use customizable user programmable modes. It uses the existing Sync button to toggle. Advanced modifiers can use the included button as well. It also enables "dual rapid-fire" - usable in all XBOX 360 games, including gamer favourites: Left 4 Dead, the Call of Duty series, the Halo series, the Gears of War series, and Street Fighter.
Mode 1 - COD 4 mode (Capped limit) (Now Supports MW2 !)
Mode 2 - Dual Rapid Fire Halo 3 "LED 3 and LED 4 Both Will Light Up
Mode 3 - COD WAW Jun 11 Patch Fast No Cap (Now Supports MW2 !)
Mode 4 - COD WAW Slow " Save Bullet , GOW 1 & 2, HALO ODST, COD4
Mode 5 - Self Edit Mode " speed range 0- 255" (Mode 18 - Now Supports MW2 !)
How is this better?
5-mode sleeper mod kits exist. Dual rapid-fire mod kits exist. The IntensaFIRE mod kit has both. There are controllers on the market, prefabricated, that do what the IntensaFIRE offers, each controller going for well over $100. The IntensaFIRE is an extremely simple to install mod kit, taking no more than 3 minutes to install with minimal tools. Other mod kits require soldering, drilling, wiring, and deconstruction of your controllers. The IntensaFIRE requires connections to only a few existing points on the controller board. No soldering is required, conductive glue is included to attach IntensaFIRE flex board to the controller.
Features:
Dual rapid-fire
5-mode sleeper
Easy 3-minute installation
No soldering or wires required
Can be used in all XBOX 360 games
Mode button for advanced modification
Easy installation with video instructions
Customizable user-programmable modes
Works in all wireless controllers (BOTH CG & Matrix) !
Does not require a more powerful battery
Includes LEDs
Includes screwdriver and conductive glue for quick installation, no additional tools required.
A new MX vs ATV: Reflex Demo is now available for download from the Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo weighs in at 814mb and allows you to choose from an ATV or MX.
Lean your rider to take tighter turns and higher jumps as you power your bike independently. Avoid catastrophic wrecks with separate controls for the rider and vehicle. Dual controls let you tear it up with death-defying tricks and high-flying freestyle action. Fight for traction while you dig up the track to force the competition to carve new race lines. Grip tight and hang on, you're in control!
Game Features
Rider Reflex: Experience total control of both rider and bike with new Rider Reflex.
The sickest tricks: Get big air and push the limits of freestyle.
Leave your mark: Dig up the terrain as the track changes with every lap.
Vehicles: Customize and tune the fiercest MX bikes and ATVs. Choose from a variety of vehicles including sport buggies, sport trucks and UTVs.
Multiplayer: Challenge your friends with up to 12-player online action!
Just to add salt to the wounds i got the word that yet another top shelf game has been leaked to the torrents, if you are thinking why is Microsoft so hell bent for banning then you can see that all there top games are getting outed far ahead of there release date and that takes a big toll on there income boys and girls.
VGarabia reports: We are getting used to the fact that pirates do play most of the games (if not all) before their official release dates. Today, it seems that Ubisoft upcoming action-adventure is the newest victim.
Just to help all the gamers out there that wait till the real release date VGarabia also reported: It seems that Youtube is removing any leaked videos related to Assassin’s Creed 2. While we don’t encourage pirating games, the game is available on numerous torrent sites. I have to mention this in order to prove that the game is actually leaked.
To show that the wave of ban hammer hits have little to no effect on piracy and the demand for games before there release date it looks like one more major title has been leaked and im sure downloaded at a insane rate.
Nextgen reported in few words "The Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead 2 has been leaked to torrent sites a week before the official release date".
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 blasted past $US300 million in sales on its opening day, blowing away even Hollywood films to become the highest-grossing entertainment launch ever.
MW2 sold 4.7 million copies and racked up $US310 million in sales in the United States and Britain alone when the eagerly-anticipated title from Infinity Ward made its worldwide debut on Tuesday.
The videogame even bested Batman film The Dark Knight, which holds the record for the top opening weekend ever by taking in $US158.4 million in July 2008.
"The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of videogames as an entertainment medium," said publisher Activision's chief executive Mike Griffith.
MW2 is the sixth title in the Call Of Duty franchise, which has won a devoted following since the first version was released in 2003.
Reviewers have praised MW2 for its game play options and vivid graphics.
Players can fight alone or one another, whether they are using the same console or in separate locations and connected via the internet.
"Fire it up on a new LCD or plasma HDTV and it's all but guaranteed to make the neighbours' jaws drop," said Scott Steinberg of videogame and gadget website Digital Trends.
"It's designed to be as much of a breathlessly cinematic experience as simple run-n-gun outing," he added.
In Australia, the game is rated for people aged 15 or older and it has stirred a bit of controversy for depicting realistically brutal terrorist encounters.
Players join a global military task force taking on ultranationalist Russian terrorists in order to save the world. Settings include Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Brazil.
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Bungie's popular first-person shooter makes its debut on the Xbox 360 with Halo 3.
