[GregA @ Nov 21st 2007 12:06PM]

Notice how the article is dripping with contempt for Microsoft for, gasp, stopping people from illegally copying games? To bad Jump-the-shark.com doesn't have a section for blogs.

[Joshua Topolsky @ Nov 21st 2007 12:21PM]

I don't think we're "dripping with contempt for Microsoft" in this post, just telling people what's out there. You might also note that copying a game doesn't necessarily mean you're stealing it -- plenty of people make backups, because plenty of discs get trashed.

[Jason Smith @ Nov 21st 2007 12:49PM]

"You might also note that copying a game doesn't necessarily mean you're stealing it -- plenty of people make backups, because plenty of discs get trashed."

Oh please. That's like saying that there are "plenty of" torrents on thepiratebay for legitimate free content as an argument to not shut them down. You're as likely to run into the mythical "I make backups but never pirate" group as you are an honest politician. Even the forum thread you source, while outwardly claiming they don't promote piracy, has dozens of reports that may as well be openly admitting it.

The real shame is that MS is only banning the console hardware, and not also banning their Live accounts and credit card billing addresses as well.

[DomZ @ Nov 21st 2007 1:03PM]

Call me crazy but I don't know one person who "backs up" their games for legitimate reasons. Video games are usually treated better than CDs or DVDs because they cost a whole lot more so your "plenty of discs get trashed" theory is absolutely ridiculous.

[JeffM @ Nov 21st 2007 1:18PM]

Hey, if I could I would! I never use any of the music CDs I buy- they go to PCM on HDD and sit in a case, I only listen to copies.

[RichardBronosky @ Nov 21st 2007 1:45PM]

Every single disc that comes into my 5 year old nephew's possession is a backup. If I can't make backups, I don't buy into a platform. My home is stocked exclusively with HD TVs, but I will keep buying DVD until I can backup BlueRay or HD-DVD. The first platform that I feel to be a worth while investment will get my dollar.

I think claiming that games endure less abuse is ridiculous! Games are for kids, kids trash optical discs. The industry knows this, and that is why they don't sell media in this form factor anymore. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DVD-RAM_FUJIFILM_Disc-removalble_Without_cartridge-locking-pin.jpg

[Brian @ Nov 21st 2007 2:20PM]

Richard, I disagree.

Video games are NOT just for kids, anymore. The average gamer is in their mid-20's, these days. (I can't imagine my parents ever dropping 400 on a console, 60 per game, and 100's on accessories)

Also, by the time a secure high-def disc format (HDCP) is as easy to "back-up" as unsecured DVD's, your nephew will be old enough to handle the real discs.

[Silverfrog @ Nov 21st 2007 2:26PM]

Re: RichardBronosky

Games are not just for kids. The average age of a gamer rises every year. Last I checked, it was 28 years old. If your brats don't know how to take care of discs, don't buy them any.

[Cleverboy @ Nov 21st 2007 4:04PM]

Hey... I just feel sorry for people that unwittingly BUY a modded X-Box 360 on eBay or buy one that specifically been "pre-banned" for you. From what I remember from previous stories about this... its the after-market that has the onus placed on it. So... if they previous owner used a "copied" disk and then got the console banned, then sold it on eBay, and the thing goes a month without connecting to XBox Live, and even then, it seems to be some "technical" issue with Microsoft (from the user perpsective). Just an effed up thing.