It turns out that Microsoft not only has the power to ban you from Xbox Live permanently, but it can also turn your Xbox One console in to a useless brick, as the beta testers behind the Gears of War Remastered leak have found out.
This week, videos showing off the latest internal build of Microsoft's unannounced Gears of War remake were leaked on to the web. These videos originated from testers working for VMC, a third-party agency hired by Microsoft. Obviously neither company was particularly happy when the leaks hit the web. The leakers were quickly found and have been banned from VMC's beta testing program. Additionally, Microsoft has taken matters in to its own hands, removing access to their consoles entirely.
Microsoft also permanently disabled their 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.
(Score: 2) by ticho on Saturday May 16 2015, @11:40AM
Wait, wasn't one of the main marketing points of Xbox One that it needs the Internet (and therefore, I'm assuming, your Live account) to function? The argument at that time which provoked lot of rage (and laughter) was that if you want to play offline, stay with Xbox 360.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 16 2015, @04:18PM
So technically they are correct. The offline capabilities are unaltered.
(Score: 3, Funny) by kaszz on Saturday May 16 2015, @07:49PM
Like "stop breathing then you won't run out of oxygen!" ;-)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 16 2015, @10:25PM
I'm pretty sure they backpedaled on that after how major the negative reaction was online.