Console mods find dead end at Xbox Live

Microsoft is cracking down on Xbox owners who modify their consoles.

The company is blocking modified Xbox 360 systems from connecting to its online multiplayer video game service, Xbox Live.

According to a blog posting from Microsoft's Games Global Marketing team, when owners of a modified console try to log onto the service, they will be blocked, although they will not have their accounts banned.

"We will continue to enforce this rule to ensure the integrity of our service, the protection of our partners and the benefits of our users," the blog states.

Blog community response:

"Granted, we can't really fault Xbox for trying to keep cheating between gamers on the level, but anything that so actively deincentivizes people from toying around with their own hardware is a serious bummer."
--Engadget

"It's a good thing my Xbox 360 isn't connected to the interwebs or else I'd be getting the above message. I'm not lying when I say I'd cry...a lot. It was only a matter of time before Microsoft put their foot down and punished all the hackers/modders, but it sucks all the same."
--CrunchGear

"If I were in the market for a used Xbox 360, I'd be very wary of buying one over the next few weeks."
--Kotaku