Rumor: Xbox Live users barred for using CoD4 exploit [update]

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 6th 2007 at 12:57PM }

Citing an "internal Microsoft source," Xbox-Scene reports that 23,000 eager Xbox Live users have been banned from the service for 24 hours following the use of a Call of Duty 4 beta exploit. It seems some of the 100,000 valid participants in the online warfare trial were able to sign in with their accounts on a different system (likely belonging to a friend, colleague or mistress) and download the beta again. The second console would then be able to partake in the beta, even when using an alternate gamertag.

The source claims that Microsoft has since resolved the issue and temporarily booted those who answered the Call of Duty, even when it didn't ask for them specifically. Though the goal of a beta is to test networking and gameplay amongst a large number of players, allowing thousands of uninvited guests would likely have a deleterious effect on a controlled environment. The remarkably worthless advice we have to offer those who just can't wait to join the World War Now fray is to, well, wait. But just until November 5th.

Update: Major Nelson says Microsoft didn't ban any users, but notes that partaking in beta account shenanigans "could very well" violate Xbox Live's terms of service and result in a ban.

Tags: Activision, CallofDuty, CallofDuty4, CoD4, FPS, InfinityWard

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

konajinx @ Sep 6th 2007 1:04PM

Yeah! Take that, you kooky bastids.

I actually haven't played the beta but once so far last week. Perhaps I should groove on it some more.

mr mobius @ Sep 6th 2007 1:12PM

Its Microsoft's own fault if they left that bug open.

Bloo @ Sep 6th 2007 1:39PM

Yep! And gun sellers are responsible for murders!

Dan @ Sep 6th 2007 2:15PM

Yup... nobody is ever responsible for their own actions!!

killploki @ Sep 6th 2007 3:53PM

i agree it is their fault. And why are people getting suspensions for something as innocent as playing in a 'free' beta test. I could understand if people found a way to get full live games for free etc, because then you are stealing, but playing in a free beta doesnt seem too serious.

mr mobius @ Sep 6th 2007 4:01PM

So you now compare playing a freee beta against the wishes of a huge corporation to murdering a person? That is just a brilliantly logical comparison.

Microsoft released something that was free to get, so people of course want to play it. If the thing is able to be moved between consoles, then yes it is Microsoft's fault for leaving open a bug. Therefore they should take responsibility for the action and remove the beta from the non allowed consoles.

I guess this is one place where Wii has the idea where each wii has its personal number, so numbers can't be transferred between Wiis. This mightn't work too well though I guess with the constant threat of RROD just round the corner...

I guess thats why you refer to murders and guns, its because as a 360 owner you feel like you are constantly hunted down and threatened like a criminal by the RROD.

Vidikron @ Sep 6th 2007 4:15PM

Yeah, MS is a fault for leaving that back door open, but the people taking advantage also knew they weren't supposed to be doing that. If I leave my door unlocked you aren't allowed to just walk in uninvited, right? And in that scenario who is going to get in trouble? Yup, the trespasser.

Either way, a 24hr suspension is VERY lenient. It's hardly worth even debating this if that's all the trouble those people are going to get into.

Oozer @ Sep 6th 2007 1:13PM

Apparently some people were able to pull the same stunt for the Halo 3 Epsilon. They've been banned permanently though. I believe the end date was 12/31/9999.

As for the CoD4 beta, I need to play it more. I've only played a couple matches so far.

Mr. P @ Sep 6th 2007 1:19PM

24-hour ban? That sounds like a godsend compared to what I'm going through in the repair process. If the Xbox 360 didn't have those inherent design flaws I wouldn't have had to buy the PS3. The next step is actually selling off the 360 if this ever happens again.

Ska Oreo @ Sep 6th 2007 2:15PM

Wow. Mentioning RROD in a thread that has nothing to do with it. It always amazes me.

Matt B @ Sep 6th 2007 2:21PM

But always posting your Sony hatred is OK, huh ska?

Jake @ Sep 6th 2007 2:22PM

With your creativity, I bet you could bring up the RRoD in every single Xbox 360 thread.

And if you have a PS3, selling the 360 for fear of another 2-6 weeks without it is retarded. You will always be without it if you sell it. And you won't have as good of games to play. Der da der.

colin @ Sep 6th 2007 6:20PM

a carlos mencia joke?

really?

Jacki Boi @ Sep 6th 2007 1:25PM

why didnt i think of this

GRANTED @ Sep 6th 2007 1:25PM

warhawk does both

GRANTED @ Sep 6th 2007 1:26PM

whoops wrong thread. see you in the waggle forum

felkdogg @ Sep 6th 2007 1:35PM

What good is my Mistress for now if she can't get me into Call of Duty Betas?

Word of the street. @ Sep 6th 2007 1:38PM

Vegeta what does the scanner say about the ban?!.

IS OVER NINE THOUSAND!.

hvnlysoldr @ Sep 6th 2007 1:52PM

Vegeta, What does the SCOUTER say about the ban level?

IT"S OVER NINE THOUSAND!

Word of the street. @ Sep 6th 2007 1:57PM

WHAT NINE THOUSAND!.

Bloo @ Sep 6th 2007 1:41PM

Remember when you were banned on Joystiq before? That was awesome!

Bloo @ Sep 6th 2007 1:42PM

This *was* a reply to Mr. P

Derrick @ Sep 6th 2007 1:52PM

A bunch of the British people I've seen playing have said that this is how they were able to get in.

u know its me @ Sep 6th 2007 2:06PM

i hope i don't get banned for using a back door i deleted the account glad i did now

x silence x @ Sep 6th 2007 2:10PM

So ya, I did this for a couple friends. I just called them and they still have access to XBL. Honestly, I think this ban is a joke. Sure my friends "cheated" to get in the beta. But what about the REAL cheaters?!? I've seen much more destructive behavior on XBL and those real cheaters are still playing. Bullshit IMO.

So far this ban is just a rumor. I'll update you all if they get a ban message.

Jake @ Sep 6th 2007 2:25PM

A 24 hour ban from Live is the definition of a slap on the wrist.

Neebs @ Sep 6th 2007 2:41PM

Yes, but how much more than do they deserve?

Scott @ Sep 6th 2007 3:47PM

In truth they might as well open it up to EVERYBODY about.....oh I don't know.....September 26 or 27 seems like a good guess....

BananaBoat @ Sep 6th 2007 3:57PM

Good! It's likely these scamming douchebags caused all the server congestion that led to the DGS errors day in and day out (combined with all the Europeans and Canadians that snuck their way in. They should be banned too). Then again, it would be pretty hilarious if someone RROD'd, then went to a friends house to play on his 360, only to be told that he was banned due to multiple 360's downloading the Beta rofl.

James @ Sep 6th 2007 3:58PM

The Halo 3 people were banned for good because they were using a copied version of Crackdown to play the Halo 3 beta. That was just stupid. The 24 hour ban was a harsh wake up call but it definitely shows MS mean business. They should watch out though because it could be considered damaging to XBOX Live's reputation.

HB96st @ Sep 6th 2007 4:09PM

I'm just amazed at the speed of Mr.P's comments fade out....WOW!!

mr mobius @ Sep 6th 2007 4:34PM

24 hours is lenient and fair enough. I didn't see that part of the article and assumed they were banned permanently or at least for a few months.

Brandon @ Sep 6th 2007 7:07PM

The Major has just confirmed via post on his blog that accounts were NOT banned for this, but COULD be in the future.

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/09/06/xbox-live-bans-and-you.aspx

Tbone4690 @ Sep 6th 2007 8:14PM

I did this for someone with the Halo 3 beta, nothing happened to me. It was a pain though. Well I guess they really want to keep this beta under control so they don't blow out their servers.

Ant @ Sep 9th 2007 1:24AM

Thats the exact reason. The Online Betas are mainly to test stress on there servers on a controlled basis. The wanna see how the servers will react when 5000 people are shooting at the same time, but when its exploited and 50,000 are shooting when the server it runs on is designed for 5000-10000, The run into problems and the game may even get some bad rep, and hardware may even be damaged.