QUOTE(toddgei @ Oct 13 2006, 12:36 PM)
OOOOR they realised that by banhammering everyone like they did with the XBox 1 that they lost millions in XBox live revenue by gamers not using it.
3. Microsoft could ban everyone, but realise that every person that they ban they are losing a live member or a potential live membership, which equates to a big loss of money. I believe that Microsoft made a huge financial mistake by banning people with the first xbox.
I think you hit the nail on the head with these points. I've been reading alot about how much money Microsoft lost, and is losing currently. I have a sneaky suspicion that they are seriously re-thinking banning people. Right now, you can only play backups by modding the dvd drive. There hasn't been anything as far as changing the dashboard, etc....yet.
I took a break from consoles from 2000-2004. Then, I picked up an Xbox (soon,I got the other 2). So, I'm not sure when the bannings began. I thought it had to do with people cheating in Halo multiplayer by using dashboard trainers, or exploits (ala Evox, etc.). Maybe someone who knows more can confirm or deny that.
Me, I'm not really worried about being banned from Live. I don't really play multiplayer that often. I use it to download new demos before the come in on an OXM disc. And I like the exclusives they have as well. I chat with a friend I made while we were camping out for our 360's at launch. But, that's about it. I can chat with my friend some other way. And, I also can play multiplayer on my gaming PC. So, it's not a big deal. I would miss Live, certainly. But, I can live without it if I have to.