Should I submit this to BBSpot or something? I know it's not refined, but I wrote this when I was very sleepy and unable to do anything that made sense... if you have any suggestion, please post!
I've edited Windows Activation stuff to look like an Xbox Activation, pic will be up shortly (yeah right, procrastinator)
Daniel Wang wrote: Microsoft Introduces Xbox Product Activation
REDMOND – Software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced a new anti-piracy technology, Xbox Product Activation, to be available on behalf of vendors for it’s popular game console, the Xbox.
Similar to the activation system found in the company’s flagship product, Windows XP, Product Activation prevents counterfeit copies of games to be played on more than the allowed number of console. The activation technology locks game Product IDs to console serial numbers and prevents the disc from being used on unauthorized systems. The Xbox will not require user input of “CD-Keys”, however; each disc will have it’s own unique ID (GUID) encoded right onto the disc.
“The new wave of widespread internet connectivity in our consoles has provided us a unprecedented tool in fighting piracy. It’s technically impossible to prevent an exact copy of a disc, but we now control that at the console level, giving us a price advantage over competitors like Sony who have not yet implemented DRM” says Microsoft spokesperson Steven Maxwell, who points out that pirated copies of console games allegedly costs the industry billions of dollars a year.
Upon purchasing a game, the Xbox game console will allow the game to be played while the console attempts to connect to the clearinghouse computers in Redmond for authorization. Once activated, a license seat (said to be 5 consoles) is deducted.
Alternative activation options include toll-free modem and phone numbers.
Recent documents release indicate the system include a “home/roaming license system” that is “tolerant of console changes and borrowing friends”.
Since consoles are more difficult to crack/modify than computers, vendors are confident Activation will greatly curb losses from counterfeit games. According to company representatives, this could be the basis for significantly lower prices, or even a new licensing model. Rumors of time-locked and controller-locked games are yet unconfirmed.
“I like the prospect of cheaper games, but the possibility of vendors being able to lock out content and make me pay extra, that’s a disincentive, and what’s so good about that?” asks Andy, a 17 year old game enthusiast, in an interview. The possibility of cheaper games – and more control over license usage, has brought so far mixed responses in the gamer/DRM community.
The activation technology is scheduled to debut with future releases of games from Rare, Microsoft’s recent acquisition, with other vendors such as Bungie and Squaresoft/ENIX quickly signing up for the service. Activation-locked copies of Halo and Kingdom Hearts are dated to hit shelves later this month.
Microsoft stock was up 2 points in afternoon trading today.