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Streamlined Xbox Live region-switching now available
Swapping regions on Xbox Live should be smoother now that Microsoft has flipped the switch on its new migration account page. Spotted as a pilot program earlier this month, the account migration page is a streamlined process for Xbox Live users to swap accounts from one Xbox Live-serviced part of the world to another.Migration through the system will allow users to retain their gamerscore, those hard-earned Achievements, Microsoft Points, remaining time on their Gold membership and their profile. What won't move is access to region specific apps, subscriptions and some content that is blocked in the other location due to "legal obligations or regional restrictions."Microsoft notes: "Before you change your region, make sure you've downloaded any purchased content you want to keep, like movies or music. Content purchases aren't refundable." Switching between regions can only be done once every three months.
Xbox Live region-switching being streamlined this month
Microsoft is in the process of making account migration across regions a little less painful. Neowin reported early today the company is testing a pilot program that will allow users to transfer their gamertag, Achievements, Microsoft Points and time left on Live accounts with ease. Microsoft has confirmed to us this will occur in mid-January."As of Friday, December 14, Xbox customer support will no longer manually migrate an Xbox Live account from one region to another," Microsoft informed us this afternoon. "The conclusion of this pilot program is in preparation for the release of an automated tool which will be available in mid-January on Xbox.com."One significant caveat for travelers is that region switching can only be done once every three months. This may be a problem for those who wander the world on business, but if you're swapping between the summer home in the Hamptons and the chateau in Chamonix, you'll be all set.Other provisos: some services are region locked, like IPTV, Xbox Music Subscriptions, along with the Hulu and Netflix.
