Earlier this week an exploit was discovered  allowing gamers to generate codes which could be turned in for 160 MS points on the Xbox Live Marketplace. "It's only 2 dollars!" you might say. But enough people joining in on the fun has resulted in a theft of roughly 1 million dollars, and Microsoft isn't going to take it lying down.

Speaking to Kotaku earlier today Microsoft stated that they ""taken steps to invalidate the codes obtained illegitimately." Further on they added "We take safety and security very seriously and require that Xbox Live members use the service in compliance with applicable laws and specifically prohibit people from engaging in illegal activity as a part of our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct," the statement read. "Our Policy and Enforcement team is evaluating whether or not certain individuals have violated the Terms of Use for Xbox Live and will take the appropriate enforcement on an individual basis."

Which basically means two things. 1) Any codes you've used are now no longer valid, and 2) Microsoft is going to come after you. Not only has the gravy trained stopped, but microsoft is about to blow it off the tracks and into the crevasse below.  I simply cannot reiterate enough how stupid it is to try and steal things from online gaming networks. Whether it be stealing points or trying to play hacked games online, it's probably the single most idiotic thing you can try to get away with. You can't. All of your information is attached to each and every account you own...which is then connected to the console you own. If you think stealing 2 dollars is worth the risk of never getting online with your xbox again...well have at it hoss.

[Source: 1UPKotaku]

Comments

  • Avatar
    mydawghatesme
    13 years, 8 months ago

    I applaud you for the Bad Lieutenant reference.

  • Avatar
    lem
    13 years, 8 months ago

    My friend got cuaght with a torrent once, no more pirating world of go for him :D nice article

  • Avatar
    Spartann30
    13 years, 8 months ago

    wow, thats sad if you dont want to pay for 2 dollars worth of something.

  • Avatar
    AdjacentKitten
    13 years, 8 months ago

    That fake pride tends to fade away once you get your first strongly-worded letter from the FBI.

  • Avatar
    s1yfox
    13 years, 8 months ago

    "but i just wanted to play the impossible game! :'( "

    lol crime dont pay, dumbsuckers(edited version of the phrase)

  • Avatar
    SJ_1S8
    13 years, 8 months ago

    piracy and the like is pretty easy to get way with now a days, but it isnt /that/ easy.
    *hurr hurr MS will never notice me using a mainstream exploit that they can easily track*
    >_>
    <_<

    by the way MS updated and said apparently 1 million is "nowhere near the amount"
    Source:http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33450/

  • Avatar
    Marsh D Teach
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Obviously, you don't mess with Microsoft's money.

  • Avatar
    VagrantHige
    13 years, 8 months ago

    A friend of mine had torrented a bunch of old Star Wars games in college and the IP was traced to the school by Lucas Arts. He was on probation and had internet revoked from his dorm for a few months.

  • Avatar
    SonicKitsune
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Meh. I'll grind on Bing rewards stuff for my free points. I learned about that from Google.

  • Avatar
    incrediblehulk180
    13 years, 8 months ago

    yeah i am glad i dont have to worry about stuff like this

  • Avatar
    Arxidus
    13 years, 8 months ago

    I would prefer to be ninja at the games I play, not a pirate.

  • Avatar
    Malafor7
    13 years, 8 months ago

    I honestly think that the people who do these kinds of things are idiotic. They don't know what they're doing, they're committing thievery and are going to pay for it. At this point, every single one of those people could potentially be sued by Microsoft for their theft and/or be thrown in jail! They will really be lucky if Microsoft doesn't coordinate itself with local authorities and nab them for their crimes.

  • Avatar
    StrykeBlayde
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Yep, that sounds about right. $2 here, $6 here, $50 here and there, and then every one of those gains lost.

    Why do people think it's a good idea to steal stuff from an ONLINE GAMING NETWORK, when ALL OF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION is attached to your console?

  • Avatar
    Comradebearjew
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Did they really think they could get away with it?