First off, I truly hope this blog is noticed by a moderator here at Gamespot and they put it on the front page. Maybe then a moderator from Microsoft will notice it and take action. If not one of them, hopefully someone from a developr (EA, Epic, Sega, Capcom, etc.) will take note.
Like most users to this site who have an Xbox 360, my console has not been modded. I buy games off the shelf at local retailers at full price new, reduced price used. When a game is first released, I pick it up at the retailer just like most of us.
At this point, you might be wondering, "How does Microsoft encourage piracy?" Given their extensive experience in software and hardware, you would think they would be at the frontlines on the battle against software piracy. I believe it's reasonable to expect that everyone who has Xbox Live, myself included, understands that if a Microsoft moderator checks your account and finds...questionable material your account can be suspended or banned, and even your console can be banned from Xbox Live. A short time ago they made a seemingly definitive statement by banning gamercards who have used illegitimate means to gain gamerscore (StripclubDJ is the most famous ban). It would seem that since then Microsoft as stopped checking.
Case in point. I know three users who have modded consoles and use pirated games (gamertags shall remain anonymous). Two of them do not play games on Live before they are available at retail. The other basically is flipping the bird to Xbox moderators while they turn and walk away. This user began playing Gears of War 2 three weeks before release (at this time the game hasn't been released). Within one week this person beat the game up to Hardcore difficulty. I filed approximately 15-20 complaints on this individual for system tampering. I later reported this directly to the figurehead of Xbox Live, Major Nelson. In my message I identified the gamertag and identified the violations of a modded console and pirated software (specifically Gears 2). In the week that has passed since I reported the gamertag, this person is still playing on Live everyday.
Let me ask, what is the point of being anti-piracy, having a code of conduct, moderators, and a complaint system if there are people like this on Xbox Live everyday? Isn't Microsoft supporting piracy by being inactive toward pirates? Does this make the code of conduct and complaint system a joke? Microsoft, you clearly wanted your Xbox Live userbase to take you seriously with regard to conduct. This shows how little mind you pay to piracy. Step it up.
