Xbox modder becomes a fugitive, one-armed man stays out of it
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Aug 8th 2006 at 7:45PM }
Jason Jones, the upstanding proprietor of one ACME Game Store, thought he was experiencing just another day in the booming, illegally modded Xbox retail market (and not the coyote-pandering dynamite and rocket shoes market, as you may have incorrectly anticipated). Little did he know that his latest customer, one with suspiciously long arms, had unseen motives that eventually led to the law knocking on the door. An undercover investigator for the Entertainment Software Association (they have those?) made sure that Mr. Jones and his accomplice, Jonathan Bryant, were rightly punished for selling chipped Xbox consoles, each one loaded with over 50 pirated games and selling for between $225 and $500. In addition to being slapped with a fine of $2,648 by the ESA, Mr. Jones will be equipped with an electronic bracelet and confined to his home. Should he attempt to leave, the bracelet will let out a high-pitched yelp and large men with guns will promptly arrive and shove him back into his room.
A third modder, Pei "Patrick" Cai, evaded this horrendous fate by becoming a full-fledged fugitive. It's not nearly as dramatic as being on the run for murder, but police have nevertheless been advised to keep an eye out for a shifty looking fellow with a chip on his solder. (OOF!)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
exy @ Aug 8th 2006 7:51PM
You sir, are the wittiest man on Earth. I believe I will die from laughter now.
Richard @ Aug 8th 2006 8:07PM
Serves those C$%^CKS^&^ERS right, about time someone started taking them down!
cringer8 @ Aug 8th 2006 8:24PM
Those who can't create, criticize. I'm looking at you, exy.
Back on topic, everyone knows when they get into pirating, that there's always a chance you'll get caught. These guys shouldn’t have been surprised at all. At least the ESA didn't trump up the charges. That fine seems awfully light.
Boy, I would have liked to have known about Acme Game Store *before* the bust. Sounds like some sweet packages they were slapping together.
Semen Ranger @ Aug 8th 2006 8:29PM
This is the best article in a long time. It was written so well, I laughted the whole way through it.
Abuzar @ Aug 8th 2006 8:30PM
I don't believe exy was criticizing, I think he meant it in a good way, or MAYBE you were being sarcastic.
exy @ Aug 8th 2006 8:40PM
=(, I wasn't being sarcastic though!~ I actually burst out laughing at work, and my manager gave me that, "Damn interns," look.
Knowing quite a few modders myself, it's hard to believe that a $2700 fine is going to weigh too heavy on their souls, or pockets. One in particular I've met has stated an amount over $10,000 liquid income over the Christmas season. Now, on the other hand, being confined to home with an electronic bracelet... could be rough.
Good thing he's got his XBox and 50+ games to keep him occupied =D
cringer8 @ Aug 8th 2006 8:43PM
No sir, Abuzar
Exy's comment was the sarcastic one. "Wittiest man on Earth...die from laughter..."
Clearly he was being mean. To use sarcasm on a blog, you usually need to resort to extremes to get it across. At least, that's how I read it..correct me if I'm wrong, exy.
cringer8 @ Aug 8th 2006 8:45PM
Oooohhhh....whoops...
Sorry everyone (especially exy). The pessimist in me is showing. I always assume the worst in people.
(cowers away with tail between legs)
Nerdtacular @ Aug 8th 2006 9:39PM
They TOTALLY had it coming to them, but...
Anyone ever been to the ACME game store before all this went down? It was actually a really sweet spot...catering to the uber hipster, hollywood, celebutante scene. Whatever the hell that means. But still cool for commonfolk. The set-up and displays were really unique.
(this is the store next to where the'I-Am-8-Bit' art exhibit was at, btw)
I kind of hope these guys can make a comeback.
SonicRift @ Aug 8th 2006 10:05PM
"Oof" indeed. That stung. Like swallowing a bee covered in hydrogen peroxide. I loved it.
lordroba @ Aug 8th 2006 10:38PM
Lol, a $2,648 fine. That's nothing. And confined to his home, no biggy. This guy can just sit in his basement, continue installing the chips, and sell the modded xbox's on ebay.
jadenguy @ Aug 9th 2006 12:49AM
confining me to my house and work just means i get free jewelry to live the life i already lead. also, the esa was just totally taking a cut of his action. that number isn't round, so they probably did the math! also, it's just an xbox. even moore said nobody cares about the xbox!
Marty @ Aug 9th 2006 7:38AM
The reason the fine was so low was probably because it was XBOX... if it was 360, the guy would have probably be shot, a weapon put in his hand, and the ESA would have called it self defense!!
MrTroy @ Aug 9th 2006 2:15PM
Soooooo he sells 8 more and gets his money back. Everyone is happy. :)