Banned 360 pirates call and threaten to kill Xbox Live policy director

[Zeus]

As you may know, MS has started a new wave of 360 bans and this has angered many pirates. So much so that the pirates actually made threatening calls to the director of Xbox Live's policy enforcement. Resultingly, the respective individual (Stephen Toulouse) stepped into an IRC channel where the problem seemed to start from and pleaded that the threatening calls to him and his family should stop.

You can read the full transcript over at <a href="http://burn360.net/xbox360/pirates-pass-threats-stephen-toulouse/" target="_blank">Burn360.net</a>. And it definitely looks like this is legitimate because Stephen Toulouse' Twitter contains the word 'cheesecake' as he was asked to post this on his page as proof it really is him.

[CoBrA2168]

Now that is just sad. I was banned, I'm not gonna kill someone over it. It was my own damn fault.

[crypysmoker]

Sad pathetic little soiled brats.
Oh, you banned me for me doing somethign im not supposed to and using pirated software that I didnt pay for... Im gona kill you.


Will be great when the FBI shows at the guys house and tosses his ass into jail where they should let then entire enforcment team beat him with their avatar lightsabers.

God I hate you damn stupid ass kids

[BandBros]

he always mocks the underground community, and then when he feels the heat and the upcoming gang anal ****, he starts begging them to stop. What a coward.

[CharmedonWB]

You geeks need to get a damn life--murder someone over a console ban? You modify your console--you get banned for it and now you want to whine about it? MS has every right to ban modified consoles. I have no gripes with piracy, but I do have an issue when you decide that somehow you are entitled to it.

[DjoeN]

Plain stupid,

If you modify your console and pirate, you know you gonna get banned someday.
Play it fair, if ur banned, it's ur own fault! you wanna play live and use live stuff, don't modify the console or play pirated games.

It's only hurting everybody else and themselfs!

[BandBros]

they no longer just ban from Live, they also disable HDD installs in your own Xbox 360 console, corrupt saves and Arcade games

[lostn]

Did MS ban a member of al-Qaeda?

[tech3475]

Did MS ban a member of al-Qaeda?

either that or a red neck who watches Fox news.

[Stonington]

either that or a red neck who watches Fox news.

That or one of those NE Wiggers with his hat on sideways w/ all the tags on it and his jeans falling off his knees. pfft.

[cinten99]

either that or a red neck who watches Fox news.


Like a Fox news viewer could even afford an Xbox on their food stamps and welfare.

[gui1e]

you can feel the hate for m$ at the moment, alot of people feel that the ability to play pirate disks out weighed the low value of DLC, poor console reliability and steep accessory costs. Now that M$ has banned them and screwed up their HDD's you can feel the hate and rage in the forums.

Death threats are definately way over the top!

[BandBros]

either that or a red neck who watches Fox news.

Fox red necks are too stupid to know how to pirate

[stonemonkey]

besides the retardedness of this all, and no doubt the fbi will knock at his door.....


how does the ban affect your HDD??? I do not see how it prevents game installs, and goes in and corrupts save files. I understand the Live games downloaded. Can someone clarify this?

[CharmedonWB]

You guys need to stop with the racist commentary.

[ShadowDweller]

Sad pathetic little soiled brats.
Oh, you banned me for me doing somethign im not supposed to and using pirated software that I didnt pay for... Im gona kill you.


Will be great when the FBI shows at the guys house and tosses his ass into jail where they should let then entire enforcment team beat him with their avatar lightsabers.

God I hate you damn stupid ass kids

I also hate ignorant people, you assume that this person didn't make legal backups which they are entitled to by law, depending on which country they live in?

Not everyone downloads and pirates games.... personally i back up my disks and play them online as per the laws of my country, microsoft have removed my legal right and are also contravening this right in their TOS.

Also, the FBI may not have jurisdiction in his/her hometown ( lets not assume ones real gender either? :) )


As for the death threats, that is a little much..

Besides, Death is too much of an easy way out for this guy. ;)



Plain stupid,

If you modify your console and pirate, you know you gonna get banned someday.
Play it fair, if ur banned, it's ur own fault! you wanna play live and use live stuff, don't modify the console or play pirated games.

It's only hurting everybody else and themselfs!

Please read above, lets not assume things yes? i can do what i like with a console i own, i can use it as a door stop and set fire to it, if i so desire, and as i said, i am legally permitted to make backups of my software, so i will do so

[xsam34]

WOW how many people did get banned. Last week three of my friends got banned and i posted that we called MS claiming our system wasn't modded and if they don't unban us we switching to PS3 as a joke to see if they actually do it. Now people are calling in threats, that is just stupid. Really if you modded your system you know the risks and MS just protecting itself. Check out that video when Hitler got banned from xbox live.

[crypysmoker]

I also hate ignorant people, you assume that this person didn't make legal backups which they are entitled to by law, depending on which country they live in?

Not everyone downloads and pirates games.... personally i back up my disks and play them online as per the laws of my country, microsoft have removed my legal right and are also contravening this right in their TOS.

Also, the FBI may not have jurisdiction in his/her hometown ( lets not assume ones real gender either? :) )


As for the death threats, that is a little much..

Besides, Death is too much of an easy way out for this guy. ;)




Please read above, lets not assume things yes? i can do what i like with a console i own, i can use it as a door stop and set fire to it, if i so desire, and as i said, i am legally permitted to make backups of my software, so i will do so

There are maybe what 6 countries that are legally alloed to have backups. and even then its a grey area. In the US we are not. Also, what noone eseems to realize is that when you buy a 360 YOU DO NOT OWN ANYTHING BUT THE ELECTRONIC PARTS. You are only licensed to use the software in the way that MS sees fit.
Modifying the firmware is not in the "mabies" of the terms for any country.
And about 2% of people who say they back up their own games actually do.

Plus.. if people were ripping their own games as much as people like to try and say.... what is the need for ABGX? if you ripped the game yourself, why would you want it to match someone elses through DMI, PFI and SS sectors?

[danight]

sad, very sad....

Id say ... it was not him and was probably FBI scouting for info :eek: or anyone dumb enough to admit to doing it.

But Its good it stopped for him...dude is just trying to make a living and support his wife and dog... If all those people had the chance to have his job, they would have took it also and did the same thing and banned people.

[grapeape]

WOW how many people did get banned. Last week three of my friends got banned and i posted that we called MS claiming our system wasn't modded and if they don't unban us we switching to PS3 as a joke to see if they actually do it. Now people are calling in threats, that is just stupid. Really if you modded your system you know the risks and MS just protecting itself. Check out that video when Hitler got banned from xbox live.

I dunno but check out the amount of cheap 360's on craigslist this past week...a few mention being banned consoles but most are just people trying to rip off the unknowing.

[ShadowDweller]

when you buy a 360 YOU DO NOT OWN ANYTHING BUT THE ELECTRONIC PARTS

This is also not true, and not enforceable in my country, in fact most countries..

When you purchase an item you do not need to sign any document granting you a license, you can also bypass the legal obligation of agreeing to any such license prompt on the console or live by claiming that a minor under the age of whatever pressed the i accept button, therefore the agreement is null and void.

All of this is a grey area, its about as grey as patents, not many stand up in court.

[supersonic125]

You guys need to stop with the racist commentary.

rednecks are not a "race"

[ShadowDweller]

rednecks are not a "race"

They are to a redneck

[ThreeDog]

Too far, i hope he presses charges over this.

If you flash your drive just accept you've agreed to Microsoft's terms to use Xbox Live and expect a ban in the future at any time, If you feel this violates a law in your country don't sign up for live.

[ShadowDweller]

Too far, i hope he presses charges over this.

If you flash your drive just accept you've agreed to Microsoft's terms to use Xbox Live and expect a ban in the future at any time, If you feel this violates a law in your country don't sign up for live.

Thats not how it works, you purchase an xbox to use its advertised features.. which includes live, this does not in any way affect the law in which the service is offered.

[legendofphil]

besides the retardedness of this all, and no doubt the fbi will knock at his door.....


how does the ban affect your HDD??? I do not see how it prevents game installs, and goes in and corrupts save files. I understand the Live games downloaded. Can someone clarify this?

Its easy, MS put in a kill switch into the Dashboard software. You need the latest version of the Dashboard to connect to LIVE and so they can update it with a kill switch at any time. If you play offline you don't have this problem, mainly because MS can't see what your doing.

[CharmedonWB]

rednecks are not a "race"
Right, perhaps not explicitly but I am pretty sure when you use the term redneck, the conjured image is not that of a black, asian, hispanic, etc. person now is it? The race is therefore implied. Whether you believe it falls under the umbrella of racist or not, it is a disgusting stereotype and there is no place for that here.

Anyway, why don't we just stay on topic!

[Xenogears V]

My God, all this, only for a video game...world is a sh*t.:(

[SecurityGuy]

That or one of those NE Wiggers with his hat on sideways w/ all the tags on it and his jeans falling off his knees. pfft.


LOL now that is funny right there, I don't care who you are.

[Riffy]

First off what happened to the day of just shaving there cat or something, murder is a bit extreme even if this did make me break out laughing at the office. The fact they got him to act as if being blackmailed, you boys should know that only means they will come down even harder, not unban us.

Second of all how the hell did they find his phone numbers or any of that ****, and again if you got his address why not just sign him up for a ton of junk mail and porn ads, again stuff we used to do. You kids take stuff way to far for a prank. I mean why not just steal his lawn gnome and then send him pictures and a ransom note for it, at least have some fun with it. But honestly if they feel that there is a real risk of assault over this, they will come down on us like the wrath of a very pissed off god, trust me this isn't something you can honestly expect them to go gee they are pissed we should un do the bans.
You kids need to accept this will forever be a game to us and them, they catch us we find another way and back and forth, that is the great game of modding. Now if they made banned consoles explode or burn your house down then I maybe for more extreme answers but big deal, go buy a new one and get on with it and if you can't then go get a fucking job.

[nestortoy@hotma]

I think its time to buy a PS3... Im pretty sure Microsoft will soon start to brick the Modded Xbox 360.

[DKing]

I fully support them banning modified consoles from the Live service. I think disabling certain features though goes a bit far. However not nearly in the kill someone kind of way. At worst someone has to go spend $200 on a new console. Not exactly a hardship that one can't overcome.

[faceless]

calling his house is a ***** move. i hope whoever did it gets arrested.

[danight]

no one does that... if they wanted to they could... but 1 brick of a non mod console and we are talking huge lawsuit. Thats why that will never happen.

Facts is hackers have worked side by side with microsoft before. They have helped microsoft fix exploits.

Dont be surprised to see the person who made these calls arrested...
also dont be surprised to see more consoles banned right before mw2 launchs (thats expected).

Nothing at all has changed except some kids wanna be jerks and took it to a whole new level of stupid.

People will still mod consoles, phones, portables, apps, windows, etc etc etc etc.

But being banned from live is a expected price to pay for modding. but if being banned from live is a good reason to buy a ps3, then buy all means buy 1, but no one made people mod their console to risk getting banned. That was a choice made.

its like driving over the speed limit and getting a speeding ticket... yeah it sucks and pisses everyone off. But if you followed the speed limit it would have never happened.

[xergal]

The sad little children want to go out, get a job and buy games like the rest of us. Little tossers need a kicking.

[p1nky]

banning from live is one thing, disabling the hdd install quite another. i'd be quite interested how a law suit against m$ over this would (or maybe will) end.

about the death threats: well i think death threats are less of a torture than having to listen to the noise a 360 dvd drive makes when not being able to install games to hdd.

[QrafTee]

The loud ones will get caught and thrown in jail. The quiet ones... now those are the ones he should worry about.

[kneehighspy]

Right, perhaps not explicitly but I am pretty sure when you use the term redneck, the conjured image is not that of a black, asian, hispanic, etc. person now is it? The race is therefore implied. Whether you believe it falls under the umbrella of racist or not, it is a disgusting stereotype and there is no place for that here.

Anyway, why don't we just stay on topic!


they can't stay on topic because it seems the board is filled with middle schoolers with access to a computer lab. it's sad when people can't stay on topic or have to start a slur campaign against certain demographics.

[taiki]

Thats not how it works, you purchase an xbox to use its advertised features.. which includes live, this does not in any way affect the law in which the service is offered.

They advertise you *can* use Live, they don't advertise free, unfettered access with no regards to their rules, terms of service and EULA.

Basically,

"You broke the rules. You stole fizzy lifting drinks! ... You lose! Good day sir!"

[FearEvil]

Hey it doesn't always have to be murder. Who knows what can happen to one of his pets when they are out of his sight? All it takes is a little meat laced with arsenic slipped to his pet while he is not watching it very closely. He needs to be careful, there is nothing he can do to protect his family or pets 24/7.

[iLLNESS]

banning from live is one thing, disabling the hdd install quite another. i'd be quite interested how a law suit against m$ over this would (or maybe will) end.

about the death threats: well i think death threats are less of a torture than having to listen to the noise a 360 dvd drive makes when not being able to install games to hdd.

a lawsuit? whoever takes m$ to court over that is a fucking idiot and could likely end up in jail
m$ busted people for illegally modifying and circumventing a copy protection.. m$ removes a feature as a slap on the wrist and bans you from xbox live. big deal. its better then going to jail

hahahaa

[kama]

If you flash your drive just accept you've agreed to Microsoft's terms to use Xbox Live and expect a ban in the future at any time, If you feel this violates a law in your country don't sign up for live.
Most ppl could live with being banned from Live, it's the crippling of hardware that sucks. What's their next ban wave going to do, destroy the boot?

On a side note, no one is going to buy a second hand Xbox 360 anymore, the risk of it being/getting banned/crippled is just too high.

[DEDDOA]

There are some idiots about, seems people ae way too adicted to online gaming.

Happy days for me tho, swaped my unmodded elite from the bedroom with my neighbours banned elite, now i have every DLC track for Rockband and Guitar hero for free (My neighbour has more money than sense in that respect and I never play online with with that console so no big deal), he has an unbanned console and has downloaded all his DLC onto my old console and transfered the licences. He is off to buy another 360 to use off line for his copies and is using the other for his music games and any other game that justifies the price tag. So for me at least, this ban wave was a real bonus, I should threaten to send this fella a thankyou card :)

[DEDDOA]

Most ppl could live with being banned from Live, it's the crippling of hardware that sucks. What's their next ban wave going to do, destroy the boot?

On a side note, no one is going to buy a second hand Xbox 360 anymore, the risk of it being/getting banned/crippled is just too high.

I doubt any ban will stop you playing games ont he console, afterall MS still want there to be a chance that if you just stick with the banned machine, that you may buy some games and line there pocket at some point.

[DEDDOA]

banning from live is one thing, disabling the hdd install quite another. i'd be quite interested how a law suit against m$ over this would (or maybe will) end.

about the death threats: well i think death threats are less of a torture than having to listen to the noise a 360 dvd drive makes when not being able to install games to hdd.

They did the same with the first wave of bans, tho they had less to disable. Originally you could download videos and possibly demo's and just take your HDD to another console and play them, you could also play Xvid's offline. the first ban wave removed all that (or I should say the firmware update before the banwave did, likley much as happened this time around).

Basically MS are just leaving you with the default console features and preventing you from doing anything on a console they know is hacked and transfering it to another console. Lets be honest tho, the only people this genuinely affects are those with XBL addictions. Even the whole "I was only using legit backups of my own games" lot haven't a leg to stand on as this is not somthing you can do on a PS3 so why should you think you have the right to do it on a 360, maybe they should take Sony to court for not allowing backups :).

Simple fact is, if you want to have a hacked 360 with all the features you have to accept that XBL is not going to be one of them, which is no great loss. Look ont he bright side tho, with all these banned 360 now, there are bound to be hackers working to get around this so you never know, this may help the XBMC 360 cause :)

[sirxlaughs]

I think its time to buy a PS3... Im pretty sure Microsoft will soon start to brick the Modded Xbox 360.

Much like Nintendo tried with the Wii. If you don't like the risk, don't mod the system. You won't mod the PS3, so don't mod your 360. I really don't understand the logic of some people. Since I can't steal that one, I'll buy the other one. What?

[phreaker47]

Much like Nintendo tried with the Wii. If you don't like the risk, don't mod the system. You won't mod the PS3, so don't mod your 360. I really don't understand the logic of some people. Since I can't steal that one, I'll buy the other one. What?

It's sour grapes, basically.

[dsav]

lol u piss off enough people somethin like this is bound to happen.

not to mention the whole disable hd installs thing either.

just throwing more salt in the wound.

[PaRaNoID81]

some people take this way to seriously.... but hey, there are lunatics out there killed over losing a game so if the wrong person gets banned, hey who knows? They'll have a nice funeral for him and get someone else and now it will be his problem.... M$ doesn't care one way or the other, its not him making the rules. Talk to the share holders :) thats me!

[NeoNight]

Their probably pissed that not only did their console get banned but it also gave them the red ring of death :/.

[DarkSeTT]

Did MS ban a member of al-Qaeda?

LOL!!!! You never know, maybe!