Discontinuation of Xbox LIVE for Original Xbox Games: A Letter from Marc Whitten

Microsoft have finally heard the calls of beleaguered Xbox LIVE users…They're cancelling the Xbox LIVE service for the original black and green console which probably the best advancement of the service since Xbox 360 launched in 2005!

[sukru]

This is originally posted Xbox Live General Manager at http://gamerscoreblog.com/p... , and has a less controversial headline "Xbox LIVE being discontinued for Original Xbox consoles and games".

Also it's already being discussed at MajorNelson's blog as well:
http://majornelson.com/arch...

[shaunmcilroy]

Its not a controversial headline when it states:
1) It's being canceled for the original Xbox
2) I referenced BOTH in the article.

[Winter47th]

I still can't believe that they got people convinced to pay-to-play, it's like the greatest trick ever pulled. MW2/BC1 on the PS3's identical to the 360's if not better since Sony's quality testing's faster at deploying patches than Microsoft's LIVE.

I can't count how many times I got into arguements about Live vs PSN and it would end with "Xbox Live's better since it's a paid service, do YOU really think a paid service is worse than a free one HAHA noob" Actually, yeah, it is, I was able to check my twitter & facebook day 1 on my PS3 browser while Microsoft took an E3 convention to reveal the "surprise". And play COD4 free for 3 years after I purchased it while people had to renew their "Silver" 3 times just to play it.

If I were paying for Dedicated servers, that would be great, but if I can play MAG with 256 players lag-free, and I can't play a 10 player GeOW2 match properly, then you just know, it's just ain't worth it.

Some would say Buh Bat ts onlyh 50$ yuO poor guy! Even if it's 1$, the concept itself is wrong. Online's been free for over a decade, and it should be unless something really special's provided.

[darkmurder]

Meanwhile PC still has a large community of Xbox 1 games.

[kewlkat007]

Yeah Blizzard has been successful at it as well, with WOW. If you were smart and wanna build an empire, you'd jump on this trick as well....Easy money....ya say...lol

[SilentNegotiator]

But at least it will give him added pressure to get a current gen console.

[The Happy Baby]

*Cries, and runs to his room*
*slams door*

[Blaze929]

ok this is just stupid. mean to tell me I can no longer play xbox 1 games online just for nostalgia like Halo 2? stupid

[Christopher]

Standard MS policy of no support after 10 years.

[darthv72]

I have not read the article (i will after this post) but I believe what MS is doing is cutting off access to the live network for the original xbox. That doesnt mean you wont be able to play old xbox games online as you can do that through the 360. So you can still play halo2 but you need to use the 360 to do that.

Now for me, they need to make more of the older games BC with the 360 that support online that have not been updated. Otherwise this will really suck for those who have to use the original xbox to play online because the game wont play through the 360. I have a couple that are not BC with the 360 and for me to play them (online) i need to hook up my xbox.

Now I will go read the article...

edit: I just read the article...ok this sucks. No more halo 2 or crimson skies or mech warrior for me after tax day (april 15th). Oh well, I can still play them w/o multiplayer except local.

[TheSadTruth]

this is COMPLETE CRAP, and I don't even play Xbox 1 games anymore

these people shell out $5 a month for a service that does NOT PROVIDE ANY SERVERS

Halo 2 is 100% P2P, there is 0 reason to discontinue Xbox live, it costs them almost nothing to maintain, people only connect to other people. They could just remove the rankings and other things they do on their end.

Battle.net has been running for over 10 years and costs nothing, while providing FREE DEDICATED SERVERS for ladder games

this is a joke

[Darkstorn]

This is kinda sad. I loved my original Xbox to death (it was my first console - up until that point I was a PC gamer only) even though I was never able to play online (no high-speed internet :P).

RIP original Xbox.

[darthv72]

this could be a good thing. The restructuring of the network may actually lead to more dedicated servers for games. The elimination of the old P2P backbone for original xbox games will mean more resources could be poured into fixing the current infrastructure. Less lag and more higher capacity multiplayer games in the future.

Now it doesnt seem so bad (if this is true).

[vhero]

Why do people support 360 looking at the lifespan of the original Xbox compared to PS1 and PS2.... Not to mention People actually PAY to play online. They only got away with it as Sony were second with there online if they were first there would have been no way MS could have charged. However if Sony advertised the hell out of FREE online play it would really hurt MS but they don't and that's there problem.

[Qdog]

I will continue to play my xbox even after this happens. The reason I sold my 360 and went back to the original was due to reliability issues as well as my favorite games not having BC support(i.e. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Otogi: Myth of Demons, Otogi 2, Deus Ex: Invisible War, and the list goes on and on). Battlefield 2 will be affected by this, but no worries here, I still love SP. I understand Microsoft's position in this matter, and I have no problems with it, but if they really want to appeal to those that love Xbox1 games to upgrade to their current-gen offering, they need to seriously update the BC list, as I will stick with my Xbox, even without Network support, just for the games and the widescreen support without the black bars.

[pixelsword]

"Microsoft have finally heard the calls of beleaguered Xbox LIVE users…They're cancelling the Xbox LIVE service for the original black and green console which probably the best advancement of the service since Xbox 360 launched in 2005!"

Is that true? Who is calling for the end of XBL on the original XboX? Some people are poor and can't afford a new console and really enjoy gaming on the original XboX, which was BETTER THAN THE PS2, especially in the online arena (deal with it). The original XBL community was a trailblazing influence in gaming and the most important multiplayer advancement on consoles since the Dreamcast first introduced multiplayer gaming.

XBL, if you were a person, I'd thank you for showing everyone else how to do it right.

I hope I can go over my cousins house on the 15th and play on it's last day so I can give Halo a proper send-off.

[darthv72]

To answer your first question. I support any console with good games regardless of the parent companies decision making. Sega made lots of mistakes with their consoles but it didnt stop me from getting them and the various great games available for them.

I sort of see it like the 360 is MS's genesis in the sense that they couldnt make a dent with the original xbox in the empire sony had with the ps2. Sega faced similar situation with their master system against the nes. It didnt matter that the master sys was better, it didnt have the consumer response the nes did (along with game support). Sega came out with the genesis shortly after and turned lots of heads. Especially nintendo's when they saw their market share starting to decline.

Sony was dismissing the xbox brand in the same manner. Until it became a threat (with 360) to their market share. It happens in business. But simply, I support the games and if I have to buy the various systems to play them...so be it. Some people actually pass up great titles simply because they have a grudge (or whatever) against the company responsible for the system. That just seems to limiting (in my opinion).

As for paying for live, you have to figure the times then were about community based interaction. Think AOL and even compuserve before that. Communities that let people interact without wandering aimlessly through the internet. It was different times then. I can say now that peoples perception of the internet has evolved to be more self sufficient and less relying on a community based online service (like AOL).

Gaming never really had that on a console until xbox. To make it work, you obviously need the support of the members which in turn means some type of dues to be paid from time to time. By all means the first xbox community is NO WAY as robust as it is now. I can only theorize that sony chose the free way to jump start their online in a big way. If they offered the pay to play and most consumers had a 360 already then it just would have been as enticing to sign up for sony if you are already paying MS. Make sense???

I feel that at some point sony may restructure their online system to include pay to play but that isnt happening anytime soon. And by that I am referring to gigantic sized multiplayer matches that need lots of resources to maintain which cant be done without getting some $$ from the participants. Free play will continue but you may just be limited in the player count.

We really dont know the full details about sony's ideas on the future of their community. What we do know is that MS is making changes that could potentially lead to better services and increased online interaction. What that means is anybody's guess but I will continue to pay the live fee once a year because I like the service.

Nothing wrong with that (for me at least).

[LEGENDARY PELON]

Tears started to pop out of my eyes when i read this. This means no more
Halo 2

A feeling of nostalgia trip ran through my back spine while reminiscing the good old Halo 2 days

Ima going to be playing Halo 2 untill its no longer available

But cmon Microsoft dnt discontinue this service

Long Live the King: Halo 2

[multipayer]

How can you throw away features on a pay service? Live better become free now, this IS probably the beginning of their desperation for sales... FECK Halo 2 though, you have over 9000 sequels to look forward to and a much better PC version(pay to play that). What matters is how will I EVER get my 500 kill vehicle badge in conker live & reloaded now... This is unacceptable.

[SilentNegotiator]

*Pirates the PC copy of Halo 2

[Sitdown]

Ahh, what a wonderful world that you live in where every thing is in black and white....I bet you despise all Apple products as well ehh? While I agree the gap between psn and Live has greatly decreased, I can't help but feel that Live is a little more seamless as compared to psn....and for the time being, I am okay with paying the $2.50 a month for a more unified experience.

Anyhow..I am going on record right now........should by some chance/miracle the 360 sells more than the ps3 in the coming months...the reasoning that will be given to justify the sales, is that Microsoft shut down Live on the original xbox, and in turn forced original users to upgrade to a 360.

Anyhow, serious question concerning MW2..is there any difference in MW2 on the ps3 and 360...I grabbed it for $39.99 on the 360, but Wal-Mart has the hardened edition for the ps3 for only $10 more. Please give unbiased opinion and not fanboy rants...concerning online experience.

[LesterCorncrake]

to the guy ranting about how psn is better because its free bla bla.... i understand what your talking about even though it comes across as fanboyism...

i had the xbox, then a 360 and i loved live, i thought that it couldnt get any better...this was simply because i had MS tinted shades on.

MS are exceptional at brainwashing the majority of gamers with mass marketing.

in the end i decided to bite the bullet and purchased an 80GB phat... i instantly felt stupid in a way at what i had been missing out on.

the playstation is a far greater experience and i almost feel for sony a little bit because of the quality and effort they have put into this machine and yet it is actually just competeing with the xbox, it deserves to be put on a pedistal its that good.

im not a fanboy i just feel a duty to stress my points of view, most of you guys are seriously missing out.

[BattleAxe]

shaunmcilroy sucks!

[qface64]

i wasn't even aware it was even still up

[SixZeroFour]

halo 2 was still fun...so what about the original xbox games on games on demand, you can only use halo 2 for its campaign? that sucks...halo 2 was fun online, and last i remember, it was the top played original xbox game still today (before canceling xbox live for first gen xbox)

[duplissi]

no i dont think its like that, just a couple of days ago i put halo2 in just for kicks, and it downloaded the latest patch and i was able to access my current friends list. i think that all this means is that the original xbox wont be able to connect.

Edit: nvr mind i just read the article that sucks... many memories from halo 2 :(

[-MD-]

This will make way for improvements to the current Xbox Live, larger friends list capacity for example.

[SixZeroFour]

oh yea, forgot about that issue having to do with halo 2 i believe...sucks for me tho, i like to keep a tight bunch of friends and not too many randoms, so i havent filled up the 100 limit yet, lol...looks like ill be less lenient now, so i can have back up players to play with incase my friends arent on i guess

[vhero]

New servers could have done exactly the same I doubt the few thousand people still playing online with the original box would have been dragging down the network. However MS won't pump money into new servers in fact you can bet your ass this is a money saver nothing more. These servers will be closed down for good not moved to 360 infrastructure. MS are trying to make as much as they can now as they know it's not long before Sony overtake them in this race so they need to make all there money back and make an overall profit before they lose out.

[-MD-]

"MS are trying to make as much as they can now as they know it's not long before Sony overtake them in this race so they need to make all there money back and make an overall profit before they lose out."

You can't be serious.

[360 PIMP]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss

[Scotracer]

I still liked to play Halo 2 occasionally. That's a really shame but if it's in the name of progress I can't really complain too much.

[Yi-Long]

Prepare for a massive class-action suit, Microsoft! I bought Rallisport Challenge 2 and the box said ONLINE!

Ofcourse, Microsoft can prevent this multi-million dollar claim from happening, if they just finally make it possible for the 360 to play the Rallisport Challenge 2 game!

[thereapersson]

LOL

[Pain70]

that game was kickin' pgr2 was the bomb too.

[xaviertooth]

and still the PS2 is very solidly supported.

[4point7BillionLoss]

You know it's true, you yellow teeth droids

[NateNater]

No. PS2 is still supported because Sony realize that there is still tons of interest in the product and as long as there's interest, Sony will be there fulfill people's needs.

Micro$oft, however, could care less about their customers. Thats why they charge you for online, don't give you wireless in the box, make unreliable consoles, and now shut down the entire Xbox Live for original xbox games.

Great. I would be so happy to be an original xbox or xbox360 owner right now.
/s

[Tony-A]

Wow, I didn't see this coming. 6th generation looks to be sealing soon now that Original Xbox's Live is gone. Once the PS2 is discontinued, that generation can finally be put to rest.

That was one amazing gen, tho =)

[awesomeperson]

When you look at the figures the PS2 console is STILL selling, wow. For a 10 year old console.

[shaunmcilroy]

I agree. The last generation was by far a game changer, no pun intended.

[Obama]

the ps2 is still competing with the 360 neck to neck in Japan and some parts of asia imao.

[CaptainMarvelQ8]

well get to have more friends on our list?
plez some1 tell me

[dragonelite]

That was the reason they couldn't expand the friendlist limit.
The 100(?) people limit was hard coded in halo 2 they couldn't change it with a patch.

Maybe they will upgrade the infrastructure to add dedicated server for gold members and make p2p games free for silver members. I would pay $5
extra per year for that.

[Corrwin]

MS ceased production and support of the original Xbox... But they probably kept Live on the original going for as long as it made more money than was involved in maintaining it.

[DoctorXpro]

I have been praying for that.

[Shortstop]

I dismantled my Xbox a few years back after it stopped working for about the 3rd time.

[Smokzdaizm]

My launch XBOX1 purrs like a kitten sorry I can't say the same for my 4 PS2's.

[RH06]

Then you must not have a 360...Or you would have went through more then 4 LoL

[DJ]

Because it started crashing constantly. Some poor kid probably bought from the Gamestop where I traded it in (for my PS3). My PS2 was worth only half of what that Xbox was since it only played DVDs, not CDs.

[Shortstop]

Ah I guess I should have been more clear. It was a first-gen refurbished Xbox that I had. I had a PS2 at the time as well (had it before I got the Xbox), and was fed up with constantly having to send it back in to get fixed every 4 months... so I let my lil bro take it apart.

Have to admit though that if it worked properly, I usually preferred to buy the Xbox version of the games, but because it was so malfunctional, I'd buy the PS2 versions just to ensure I could play it.

[MikeTyson]

Darn, I did like playing SW Battle Front 2 with some of my friends online. Oh well. And Halo 2 was a blast online.

[Jumper09]

@madden10
No theres no reasond to take this crappy PSN over XBL ;)
Who cares that there is no more Love on the original Xbox? People can buy a 360 for 180$ a good price!

[graemi]

This is a rather sad memory //Rip Xbox =[

[DirtyLary]

I thought Halo2 was still big time. I always hear the self proclaimed Pro saying it's the better shooter of the series ATM.

[DJ]

Halo 2 is still one of the best multiplayer FPS titles out there. This news is just a damn shame, considering how many original Xbox owners are out there (i.e. same as the 360).

[HINDERIZATION]

now the 360 needs to die

[SKUD]

LOL

[Mkai28]

does this mean no more lag on a paid subcription? ps3 has no lag in games for free. xbox 360 you pay 50 dollars a year and you lag daily in gears 2. step it up $m.

[Noob]

With Halo 2 being cut from Xbox Live, they'll be able to raise friends list cap I believe. But still, wasn't this one of the reasons people were so willing to pay for Xbox Live? Ha, so much for that. I'm just happy I don't have pay to play online for PSN. XBL is looking weaker.

[Thepro318]

im sorry but patch updates download faster on LIVE than PSN try for your self if you don't believe me

[mauleriscool]

That is because Title updates have a certain limit(like 4mb) so that it will work on consoles without hard drives.

[Mikeyy]

LOL

Really dude, you think I care about that? Patches are Messages from GOD, they bring fixes to my games, I will gladly sit however long I have to, to get a patch.

I also don't mind installing, I understand the numerous advantages of Installing from PC experience. Installed = Better than any streaming.

[Condemnedman]

Yeh I've never known a server for a pc game to close!!!!

[Cajun Chicken]

"Xbox LIVE; Less reasons to pay, everyday!"

[s45gr32]

Just when I was going to say that the edge of the xbox 360 is their emulated original xbox games support. Now is gone and no one can play their original xbox games online. Yet you guys are accepting it, stop let Microsoft know that you still play original xbox games can you guys fight back instead of sitting there.

[maniacf40]

nothing new here people. the bots will never learn anyway

[The BS Police]

I will miss thee.

[maniacmayhem]

That is some bullshit right there, me and my friend still get down on some Guilty Gear X2 Reload!

Not cool at all MS!

[maniacmayhem]

I wonder if this was part of MS's big announcements for X10!

[Counter Strike]

Worst new in a while :(

R.I.P Halo 2 :(

[ShottySnipa417]

That game had the best matchmaking in the Halo series! Halo 3's will NEVER be as good! They can't take that away from us! THEY JUST CAN'T!

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Just use xbconnect to play all the old Xbox games.

[GillHarrison]

I like how all the Sony fanboys are ranting and yet the Xbox online support lasted twice as long as most games on the PS2. They cut off my service for Metal Gear Solid 3 Online and both Resident Evil Outbreaks. This is due to the fact that Sony didn't have internal servers for their PS2 games so when the game publishers didn't want to pay anymore they just cut the service. Whatever, what does this matter anyways? What PS2 games do people still play online?

[BlackTar187]

I have to. its always nice to have something to fall back on what this is gay well thats gay to. Thats a good attitude.

i still like to play SC chaos theory coop once a month with a friend sucks that i cant BUT dont they offer SCCT on the games on demand if so that means i can still play it right as long as he has the same game on demand?

[Blow Out Your Brains]

This will happen to 360 as well and there will be a lot of upset hardcore COD fans lolol in the future

[BLADE_X8]

It's Friday!! A day that I set aside for fanboy hate. (LOL)
It's amazing how many people still get on the Xbox bandwagon....I liked Halo, Gears of War 1, and Mass Effect 2, but MS is a problem in gaming.

All you new Xbox 360 owners better get ready for it again...(Just like when people finally got a Xbox for Halo 2 launch), because After Halo: Whatever, you won't see many more 360 support. I'm calling it now: E3 2010 intro of the next Xbox System to be released HOliday 2011. In 2012, 360 support will drop...ONCE AGAIN. You fools keep eating those un-inspired and non-innovational Halo, and Gears sandwiches! People hate on MAG, but if Xbox could do the SAME game, with Halo theme.....that game would be GOD. (AND EVERY HALO FAN KNOW IT.....JUST LOOK AT HOW GOOD THE MEDIOCRE HALO WARS AND ODST SALES WERE.)

[ATi_Elite]

your so right!

After Halo Reach the Xbox360 is DONE. maybe Gears 3 but DONE

New xbox announced 1st quarter 2011 on sale christmas 2011

[sovietsoldier]

ok so i payed a lot of money foe a xbox 1 game on arcade and now i wont be able to play it in multiplayer? f^ck that!

[EvilBlackCat]

Awwwwwhhh!

Like those that spend a lot of quarters in the arcade rooms aaawwwwwhhhh!!!

If you buy a game just to play his multiplayer feature no doubt you know that you need the service and another player.

PS3 Fanboys = A BAD SOAP DRAMA

[ATi_Elite]

WOW all that money wasted. Isn't it great.

[quadalupeupe]

Microsoft ran out of 360 consoles to ban to increase sales so they are going after left over xbox1 owners LOL

LOLOLOLOLOL

they see PS3 catching up in sales so they are making all Xbox1 owners buy a Xbox 360 LOLLLLLLLLLL

Awesome Microsoft, just like your Windows Operating system, make new ones and force users to upgrade by leaving features out or just all together shutting it down

[ingrando]

and it's funny that the original xbox was more reliable than the 360 lol

[espiritu604]

first ms banned alot of people for fixing thier own xbox so they have to buy a new xbox and xbox live, then they closed orginal LIVE so all the xbox originals are to transfered for the 360 by force. what next?

Sony has provided ps2 still with online, ps2 is still market shipped sold and ps2 is still out there while the xbox has been closed down live.

I trust in sony that they have a good soul, MS however is the opposite.

[TehCell]

I never played original Xbox Live. I remember all my friends talking about it every day. I was on the PS2 bandwagon, and I am proud.

[BX81]

Can someone explain to me how this will be an overall good thing for the xbox live service? Thanks for the help and as usual a bubble for your time.

[hatchimatchi]

Kind of ironic because I just bought an original xbox 2 weeks ago so I could play amped 1&2. I had been wondering if the system was compatible with LIVE. Well.....now i know, ha.

[Eizet]

good bye childhood =( my halo 2 overnighters remembrance days will be sorely missed

[AnotherGamerUser]

That all the old hold outs from the original xbox will have to buy a 360.

[Mikeyy]

I don't own any xbox's, but I heard a rumor that MS had to get rid of Xbox 1 support in order to make larger Friends lists, and Global Clan Support.

[ATi_Elite]

Microsoft does not care about gamers.
I game online for FREE and it's the best. PC gamer
So why pay for something second class

You can play PS2 games online
Actually since I have a PC i can still play HALO 2 online

[Wii360BeatsPS3]

Millions of Halo 2 fans will all be wiped out in April, there trash talking whiny voices silenced all at once, in a great victory for mankind. Now all we need is to cut off live support for Halo 3 and Modern warfare 2 to get the rest of them.