Xbox gamers, be warned! Microsoft is out blocking modified consoles from accessing their Xbox Live online service. Gamers who’ve had their Xbox 360 altered to run pirated games or to use additional hardware will find themselves locked out.

Microsoft’s reasoning behind this crack down is to stem the flow of piracy in preventing downloaded or copied games from going online. With Infinity Ward’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” launched this past Tuesday, a surge in illegally obtained copies of the game was expected.

Gamers who’ve found their consoles banned will find it pretty much impossible to circumvent, aside from purchasing a new Xbox unit and setting up a new Live account. Microsoft blacklists the console and accounts on it, and if a Gold subscription was purchased, it will not be refunded.

An estimated 1 million accounts are expected to be affected by this. Xbox Live hosts over 20 million accounts from gamers around the world.

Source: MSNBC

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