Original Xbox Live To Be Discontinued
At least you'll have your friend cap raised.Published 05/02/2010 at 14:45 by Kovacs
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Launched in November 2002, Xbox Live has been one of the biggest success stories for Microsoft in this and the previous gaming generation. Nothing lasts forever, however, and for those of you out there who are still keeping the Halo 2 fight alive, come April 15th, expect everything to go dark. Xbox 1 fans will no longer be able to game online.
Microsoft spokesperson Major Nelson announced on his site:
“I wanted to let you know that on April 15, 2010 Microsoft will discontinue Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360.
Our first step in this process will be to turn off auto-renewals for those members who only use Xbox LIVE on a v1 Xbox. While I can’t comment on the specifics, this change will allow us to continue evolving the LIVE service with new features and experiences that fully harness the power of Xbox 360 and the Xbox LIVE community.
We did not make this decision lightly, but after careful consideration and review we realize that this decision will allow us unprecedented flexibility for future features.
The best is yet to come, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.”
The cessation of support for the original Xbox Live platform might be a hard pill for some to swallow, especially considering the service still sees its fair share of traffic.
If there are positives to come out of this decision, as suggested by Nelson himself above, some of the restrictions experienced by regular 360 users should now fall away. Like, the 100 friend list cap for example.
Mentioned a few times over the years, Microsoft have always intimated that the main reason the current cap is in place is due to how the original XBL hard-codes the feature. With the upcoming discontinuation in April, however, it would appear that they have no further obstacles to overcome.
Happy days for all you popular people out there. A sad day for those of you stuck in the past. Our condolences to you and yours.
Via C&VG
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
Jas-n | 05/02/2010 14:58
Folding With TSA Co-ordinator.
1218 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
I’m surprised how some game/console companies keep their servers open for. Plus, who’s still got an XBOX they still use?
Kovacs | 05/02/2010 15:03
Team TSA: Writer
1093 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
*Holds hand up*
Not online now, but it still gets used every now and again. Some great games on the original Xbox.
djdustb | 05/02/2010 15:02
Member
1308 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
Perhaps those stuck in the past should have your condolences faxed to them.
Danlord | 05/02/2010 15:02
Member
111 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2009
Apparently, many people still play Halo 2 online without waiting long for a match. On other sites people were discussing whether Microsoft are going to take a leaf out of Sony’s Book on the God of War Collection and re-master Halo 1 & 2 in a collection similar to God of War. That way Microsoft would make more money and the fans would still be pleased with the original Halo 2 but with better graphics.
Kovacs | 05/02/2010 15:15
Team TSA: Writer
1093 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
They might.
Or they might offer those who are ONLY using XBL with an Xbox1 a few free months of new XBL subscription – if they buy a 360 of course.
Danlord | 05/02/2010 15:33
Member
111 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2009
Probably both.
jimmy-google | 05/02/2010 15:07
Member
1727 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
The line “including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360″ is probably the most controversial part of what they’ve said. There will be a lot of unhappy gamers out there.
toutski | 05/02/2010 15:16
Legend
4164 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Im surprised its still going. Did they not stop making games years ago?
Kovacs | 05/02/2010 16:03
Team TSA: Writer
1093 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
Yeah, but they made so many of those games. And a LOT of them are still being used online.
toutski | 05/02/2010 16:56
Legend
4164 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
I guess it was a good revenue stream with little to no costs.
TheDeathAvenger | 05/02/2010 16:23
Member
1653 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Hope the friend list cap for the PS3 is increased in the near future, only got a few spaces left.
Deathbrin | 07/02/2010 12:47
Member
946 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Yeah, what about the PSN list?
Jumping Monks | 05/02/2010 17:24
Legend
1102 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
Well nothing lasts forever… if it still see’s a high amount of use then I find it a bit foolish for them to turn it off… but who am I to say they should keep them on… I don’t even own an Xbox!
cheekyMcB | 05/02/2010 17:30
Member
728 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Even as someone who is a Sony fan to the core I think that this is a shame especially for those who are playing via their 360s and therefore not responsible for the 100 friends cap (unless the problem is in the software coding). Some games heart and souls are online and they’re about to be gutted.
SIR-DARK-HAZE | 05/02/2010 18:04
Member
2515 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Ouch, i gues there go and buy a 360. Clever.
3shirts | 06/02/2010 09:46
Member
2486 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
While they are probably making money, I expect they are looking at the potential they COULD be making if they a) use those servers for 360 player and b) ‘Force’ those gamers out to buy a 360