Guess some of that old DRM remains?
[Update: Microsoft issued a statement, saying: “To be clear, if a console is suspended from Xbox Live for a violation of the Terms of Use, it can still be used offline. Microsoft enforcement action does not result in a console becoming unusable. Suspensions for both consoles and accounts are determined by looking at a number of factors. To avoid enforcement action including suspension from the service, users should follow the Xbox Live Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.”]
Kotaku’s Jason Schreierrecently obtained an internal email fromVMC, a contracting company that offers video game testing services, regarding the recentGears of Warremasterleaks. The email mostly contains information regarding the origins of the leak (Snapchat was involved) and a reminder to the remaining testers to adhere to their respective NDAs. However, one paragraph details Microsoft’s response to the leak.
Microsoft also permanently disabled [the leakers’] Xbox LIVE accounts (as well as other suspected accounts present on their Xbox One kits) and temporarily blocked all of their Xbox One privileges – meaning that for a period of time which Microsoft decides on depending on the severity of the offense, their Xbox One is entirely unusable.
This comes as a surprise, as Microsoft apparently relinquished the ability to control local consoles when itdropped the Xbox One’s DRMbefore launch. Now we know Microsoft has the power to completely deactivate a console for whatever reason it sees fit.
