Xbox 360 mod chips due in a few weeks?

Ok, it was cute and all when Microsoft came out with their statements about how "hack-proof" the Xbox 360 was going to be, and they even admitted themselves that "sooner or later someone will work out how to circumvent security," but it seems like we're going to see some hackage sooner rather than later. SPOnG is reporting that the first mod-chips for the 360 will be available within a month, allowing the play of "backup" game copies, which, with the recently released software that allows Xbox 360 game data extraction, means that Microsoft might have some piracy on their hands before too long. Though, if it's any consolation for the boys in Redmond, SPOnG is reporting that "Microsoft's security is the best we've seen to date for a disc-system. It it weren't for the fact that DVD is used, it's likely that further development wouldn't have been worth anyone's time.” Oh the irony.

[K @ Dec 21st 2005 12:44PM]

Spong.com is not exactly known for it's accuracy...http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spong.com+story+hoax

[Brian @ Dec 21st 2005 1:03PM]

hey the comments are back... horray, but yeah dont think im gonna risk losing my warranty just to "backup" a COUPLE of games.

[Bill Clark @ Dec 21st 2005 1:08PM]

this seems to be ab exgeration of this story: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141484.html

[Kevin P. @ Dec 21st 2005 1:12PM]

I am not so sure about this. Seems wishful thinking.



[e-mail]

[Sheridan @ Dec 21st 2005 1:20PM]

Wait a year and they might be useful

[Mu Doggy @ Dec 21st 2005 1:20PM]

Or risk being banned from Xbox live... which they give you all the time to probably intice you to not hack it. I am getting two... was thinking of selling one, but now... hmmm... depends. (no i didn't buy two, one was free)

[jack @ Dec 21st 2005 2:24PM]

Don't think i will bother with mod chips, i just want to play the thing on live, not to bothered about backing up games...

[SirPumpkin @ Dec 21st 2005 2:37PM]

Hopefully you don't have to sauter. When is the next shipment of 360's coming out?

[Orwell84 @ Dec 21st 2005 2:41PM]

5...4...3...2...1 Yup there it is, Bill Gates just called it a feature.

[Gehx @ Dec 21st 2005 3:11PM]

SPOnG = BULLSHIT!!!



I smell Bullshit. A _WORKING_ chip that will allow you to run unsigned code, play backups and run linux will be awhile (dare I say if ever).

[Gehx @ Dec 21st 2005 3:18PM]

@Bill Clark



That _hack_ has been out for a couple weeks. I doubt they are confusing it w/ that. However, the .360 file is virtually the same as the xiso, so that puts us no further along in cracking the 360. Some major hardware cracks will be needed. Chk http://xbox-scene.com/ for more info.

[jeff @ Dec 21st 2005 3:34PM]

Can you please photoshop a tougher looking axe into the default picture for 360 hacks. That thing is weak.

[Google Nazi @ Dec 21st 2005 4:14PM]

xbox live is overrated. i've had it for a while and it isn't as good as it sounds. bunch of 10 year old whiners screaming their heads off with profanity >_>



As for this article i have one word for it: LOL!!!

[i @ Dec 21st 2005 5:31PM]

mannnn. i hope its true. so this will push me more into buying a xbox. but still...it wont be the same as my original xbox that has a 250 gig HDD. The games are bigger in size and it takes a laptop size SATA hard drive. those are costly and dont run as big.

[james @ Dec 21st 2005 6:10PM]

I'm with Kevin P, I'll believe it when I actually see it.

[Sully @ Dec 21st 2005 6:23PM]

It would be better if the mod chip stopped the overheating problem that the XBOXs have, rather than letting you play "backup" games. Hooray now I can void my warranty and play Perfect Dark!



....oops the 360 just reset.

[Hoss @ Dec 21st 2005 9:14PM]

smells like bullshit to me! The only way I see we can run REGULAR BACKED UP DVDs is to modify the DVD-ROM firmware to not report that it is a burnt DVD.

[Franko @ Dec 21st 2005 9:41PM]

yeaaaaaaaaaa

[Nuno @ Dec 21st 2005 11:01PM]

Most people i know just bought a xbox/ps2 because it could be moded. You can say the normal bla bla bla "it�s for backups" but you know it�s not... I think that a good console sells better if it can be moded, at least in the place where i live...

[xman @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:14AM]

Bullshit or not it someone will have a working mod chip soon enough. Who needs Xbox Live when XLink Kai is out there? Kudos to Microsoft though because I honestly thought there would have been a mod chip out already :) Now we just need a second generation where I can solder in a chip to add built-in wireless as well.

[Scott @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:28AM]

People dont understand Mods at all. If you use a modding expliot of any kind, at least on the Xbox 1, You will not automatically be banned from Xbox Live. You will only be banned from Xbox Live if you try to play it on ripped games and if you change your Hard Drive. Making the 360 have a 18GB hard drive is a modder's dream though, you can Backup like 9 or 10 games and still have XBL access.

[irfan @ Dec 22nd 2005 1:26AM]

ya they might sell more consoles when they can be modded but they dont sell more GAMES and LIVE subscriptions, which is how they make money.



they lose money on hardware, so modders buying them means: lose money on hardware + no money from live or game sales = angry M$

[brian @ Dec 22nd 2005 6:27AM]

#20.



could you have possibly commented something that would make you look even more ignorant?



ms is losing money selling 360s. hell, theyre still losing money on their original xbox system (theyre selling it for cheaper than the cost of producing it). same with sony and the ps2. the only reason why they make money is bc of the licensing of the games. imagine taking that away from them bc people are downloading and copying games into their HDs.

[PepeLePiu @ Dec 22nd 2005 11:36AM]

Where I live (not USA, but I won't say where) modchips mean games can be pirated easily... period. Nobody really cares about extra functionality if they can get their hands on the most recent games for under 15 bucks.



This said, piracy kept the console manufacturers away from our country, which made it a PAIN to get any kind of legal gaming gear. (Sure, you can get stuff that's smuggled in, but try getting any sort of warranty on that..) Only last year did microsoft begin officially selling the xbox here, and piracy has made them lose a fair wad of cash.



...(prepares himself to get massively flamed)



So, to be honest, I have to admire MS for their 'bravery' in going after our market. If the 360 makes it harder to flood the market with pirate copies of the most recent games and encourages other companies to officially start offering their stuff here, I'm backing them up. I really hope that mod chip takes a looooooooooong time to be developed.