Microsoft crack-down on "unauthorized" memory cards.
If you're like me you've got a great Xbox 360, a library of awesome titles and a neat little 3rd-party memory card to back up your favorites on. If you're like me then you probably also look forward to Microsoft's updates for the Xbox, and why not? The lastest patch will bring in some great new toys including compatibility with Facebook or Twitter, access to Zune for HD Movies 'on-demand'.
With all these treats coming on the 30th of October, why is there so much negativity about this new content? Xbox Live's spokesperson, Major Nelson, has titled his blog about the new update, "Don't use unauthorized Xbox 360 storage devices." That alone has raised some eyebrows. Many gamers are quite happy with their 3rd-party devices, such as Datel's Max Memory units (2g or 4g). At the same time, that unit does not display the new "Certified for Xbox 360" or any Xbox certification labels listed on the Compatibility Page, which will be necessary in order for consumers to access the information on any Xbox Memory Unit.
How much is a certified piece of storage hardware from microsoft? Their catalog shows $29.99 for a 512mb card, while the 3rd-party competitor cards retail for no more than $50 and can even be expanded to hold up to 16gb.
Major Nelsons' blog has reached almost 500 comments so far, as owners leave their opinions on reasonable prices or Sony allowing any USB storage device to be used with their systems, and even allow users to substitute any non-Sony brand hard drives, for example, in place of the factory model.
Does this mean your card will stop functioning on the eve of Halloween? Quite possibly. Even Amazon.com currently has zero of Datel's 4gb memory units available and no plans to restock the units; however, there is a bright side! With technology always advancing, it's a safe bet that larger capacity storage units will be produced by Microsoft. Hopefully for 'reasonable' prices and to drive down prices of the current cards.
Or I'm calling shenanigans.
Comments
Solution is simple--MS offer larger more affordable memory. $30 for 512MB is downright laughable.
Or you get do something entirely to easy and sign this petition to avoid this "feature" from being included in the update
Since you can't post links(lame) go to petitiononline and search "Halt the 360 Update"
yay! ps3 is outsellig the cheap red ring of death ps3. People made a big mistake buying a wii or 360
On the bright side this might prevent hacking issues. The UFO invincibility COD4 hack that went like wildfire through the PS3 servers for weeks. However, I'm pretty sure hackers will still find a way around this but it will make it harder for everyday gamers.
On the whole I think it is just another way for Microsoft to make more money off peripherals, forcing gamers to pay for over priced memory cards and hard drives.
LMAO!!! MS just continues to screw gamer's over. Thank Goodness I purchased my Foreman Grill(PS3) instead of the crapbox!!!
"Or you get do something entirely to easy and sign this petition to avoid this "feature" from being included in the update
Since you can't post links(lame) go to petitiononline and search "Halt the 360 Update" "
Completely useless! MS isn't going to stop an update based on a stupid online petition.
"...even users of the XNA software can test out the video games they've made with it on their Xbox."
Heh, we've been doing that for several years already! Some fact checking before publishing might help. ;)
Microsoft must have their huge profit off of everything that has the Microsoft name on it.
Don't expect competitive pricing.
Everything they make is inferior quality using the cheapest substandard components so that they can still extract their exorbitant profit.
And since they can't convince you to buy their junk they will force you to buy it.
I love my 360 but i have had 2 melt on me! and payin for xbox live when playstation have it for free really ****** me off. also playsation maybe a more expensive console but you will be payin alot more for your 360 in the long run... Im sarting to think playstaion is the way forward and microsoft is starting to slack
They didn't say the 3rd party ones won't work. They discourage using them because of situations like this where they want to release an update. MS shouldn't have to worry if their update is going to break someone else's weird card. You won't either if you get certified cards. MS isn't forcing you to buy their cards. They didn't force you to buy the 360 did they?
Does anyone else think this stinks like Lexmark's DMCA protected printer cartridges? BOO MICROSOFT! VIVA COMPETITION!
Yes, M$ attachments are too expensive. I have both consoles and the PS3 does give more flexibility overall for sure. I think if you own the hardware you should be able to do what you like with it. If your a modder oh well so be it. Cheating never pays. Micro$oft may have won this generation but I'm sure the next PS3 will not be bottlenecked by the cell... Sony has always had more 3rd party support anyways.
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