Microsoft remotely bricks Gear of War leaker's Xbox One console

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Microsoft will undoubtedly announce a remake for the original "Gears of War" soon, thanks to information leaked online by some users testing the game. Unfortunately for those exact people, however, they won't be able to use their Xbox One consoles for a temporary period of time, as Microsoft has made them "entirely unusable."

According to an email obtained by Kotaku, Microsoft and VMC Games, a company that provides testing services with contractors, sent messages to users who leaked information about the upcoming remake informing them that they are banned from Xbox Live and their consoles are now unusable. The relevant passage from the email, which was sent by VMC, is as follows:


Now, new wording is about to reach the community regarding this particular event. The nature of the leak having had occurred through Xbox One, actually also went against the Microsoft EULA, which is agreed upon when creating an Xbox LIVE account, or any other type of Microsoft account. This being said, as per that agreement with the testers in fault, Microsoft also permanently disabled their Xbox LIVE accounts (as well as other suspected accounts present on their Xbox One kits) and temporarily blocked all of their Xbox One privileges – meaning that for a period of time which Microsoft decides on depending on the severity of the offense, their Xbox One is entirely unusable.

In the previous console generation, Microsoft was known for banning the accounts and online capabilities of hackers and cheaters, though it wasn't capable of making a console "entirely unusable." Kotaku claims that the leakers in question stated their Xbox One consoles are their personal versions and not debug or development consoles.

The revelation that Microsoft can essentially press a button to brick a console comes after the company received a public evisceration when it revealed its original digital rights policies for Xbox One, which included an Internet connection requirement for verifying games. The company later changed the policies following the immense backlash.


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Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-is-forcing-leakers-xbox-one-consoles-to-become-entirely-unusable

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"Microsoft remotely bricks Gear of War leaker's Xbox One console" :: Login/Create an Account :: 59 comments

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MPAAPosted:

Fission How pathetic, this basically says that you have essentially 'borrowed' the console from them, the fact that they can press a button and your console becomes a paperweight is a bit stupid. Admittedly they did go against EULA but that still doesn't really give Microsoft the authority to brick the console. A console ban should have been applied. Microsoft really do like to think they are God's of the digital world. When people buy any piece of technology they should be able to do anything they want to it, Microsoft has let the power go to their heads. All the clips show is what people already expected the game to be like, just on the xbox one. This is stupid. Well done Microsoft!



Does the PS4 have such a system? if not, then I can see bus loads of people migrating over to the 'blue' side.

FissionPosted:

How pathetic, this basically says that you have essentially 'borrowed' the console from them, the fact that they can press a button and your console becomes a paperweight is a bit stupid. Admittedly they did go against EULA but that still doesn't really give Microsoft the authority to brick the console. A console ban should have been applied. Microsoft really do like to think they are God's of the digital world. When people buy any piece of technology they should be able to do anything they want to it, Microsoft has let the power go to their heads. All the clips show is what people already expected the game to be like, just on the xbox one. This is stupid. Well done Microsoft!

DomixinPosted:

Completely over the top. Someone leaks their game a little bit before they wanted to announce it and they brick their console? Bullshit. Glad I switched to PS4 and stopped giving my money to Microsoft.

VauxhallPosted:

Bit far but thats what happens i guess

GeekwadPosted:

They should change their name from Microsoft to Micromanage.

I spent $500 for this piece, that doesn't even work right half the time because Microsoft decided to put it's WORST os on what could have been the BEST console. Sure it's against EULA regulations but do they have to go to such extremities? I mean bricking a console is ridiculous, but adding onto it they banned the testers Xbox One and Profile too??

$500 (console) + $50 (gold) + $x (game fees) = One expensive brick

FeetPosted:

I think it's wrong they can do that tbh may make people go to ps4

KatsumiChanPosted:

XGN_Jr
RyujiTakasu
Boar Not going to lie, to me that seems like a bit of a large step to take.


Yes, especially since Microsoft just showed everyone that the consumer does not "own" the product. Microsoft can ban, and disable any Xbox One they so choose. Which means you do not own your own console, your "bought" it from them but it's still theirs to control.


Agree. They should be doing this


Wait what? You agree to having Microsoft being able to brick your console whenever they want?
HUH?

XBL-ABPosted:

XGN_Jr
RyujiTakasu
Boar Not going to lie, to me that seems like a bit of a large step to take.


Yes, especially since Microsoft just showed everyone that the consumer does not "own" the product. Microsoft can ban, and disable any Xbox One they so choose. Which means you do not own your own console, your "bought" it from them but it's still theirs to control.


Agree. They should be doing this


No, they should not.
They should console ban the console.
Not freakin break it.

gotwarnickPosted:

Gears Of War was leaked last month, its for the 10 year anniversary(most likey its just makes since) Now, the footage is new obviously. They should only have the game at the gaming places they work at like their studios and such, so that nobody can take it home and possibly leak it. I'm excited for the game and cant wait

DankStorm-Posted:

Wow I never know what bricking a console was until now this is so stupid ;-;


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