Exclusive: Microsoft reacts to first Xbox mod-chip
Will the industry ever be safe from pirates?
To the dismay of all those reliant upon the games industry for income, a new mod-chip has been made available, this time for Xbox.
Known as the Extender, the new chip promises to work with all Xbox units, play any DVD, play homebrewed software, games from any region and, most worrying of all, play back-up games. That’s copied, pirated software to you and me.
We spoke exclusively to Paul Fox, head of Xbox UK Home and Retail division about the problem. “Well first of all, I would be dubious as to the reliability and safety of any such product,” Fox said. “If a unit is created with the intent of enabling theft, should you trust the unit in the first place? I certainly wouldn’t.”
When quizzed over Microsoft’s stance towards the issue we were told, “At this point in time we are not ready to disclose our policy on dealing with this, it’s still too early. I can tell you that we will fiercely fight to protect the intellectual properties of both Microsoft and our third-party partners. We welcome Sony’s work in the field and will doubtless be working with all platform manufacturers, Sony and Nintendo, to make sure we do not see the fire and damaging piracy of yesteryear.”
Remember this: Chipping your console invalidates the warranty. If it then breaks, due to using unreliable and improperly tested add-ons, you’re on your own. Also, if you stop buying games at retail and transfer your spending to the pirate at the car boot sale, there will no longer be enough revenue to fund new games.
Developers and publishers, especially developers, pour years of their lives into making great games for your enjoyment. The quality of gaming you enjoy at present will be diluted if piracy is allowed to flourish.
Known as the Extender, the new chip promises to work with all Xbox units, play any DVD, play homebrewed software, games from any region and, most worrying of all, play back-up games. That’s copied, pirated software to you and me.
We spoke exclusively to Paul Fox, head of Xbox UK Home and Retail division about the problem. “Well first of all, I would be dubious as to the reliability and safety of any such product,” Fox said. “If a unit is created with the intent of enabling theft, should you trust the unit in the first place? I certainly wouldn’t.”
When quizzed over Microsoft’s stance towards the issue we were told, “At this point in time we are not ready to disclose our policy on dealing with this, it’s still too early. I can tell you that we will fiercely fight to protect the intellectual properties of both Microsoft and our third-party partners. We welcome Sony’s work in the field and will doubtless be working with all platform manufacturers, Sony and Nintendo, to make sure we do not see the fire and damaging piracy of yesteryear.”
Remember this: Chipping your console invalidates the warranty. If it then breaks, due to using unreliable and improperly tested add-ons, you’re on your own. Also, if you stop buying games at retail and transfer your spending to the pirate at the car boot sale, there will no longer be enough revenue to fund new games.
Developers and publishers, especially developers, pour years of their lives into making great games for your enjoyment. The quality of gaming you enjoy at present will be diluted if piracy is allowed to flourish.
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