Via MacheteBetty and the Xbox Product Team.
Summary
On April 15, 2010 Microsoft will discontinue Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360, and will turn off auto-renewals for those members immediately. Over its seven year history, Xbox LIVE has evolved from a multiplayer gaming service to an industry-leading entertainment network offering the best in games, movies, music, social connections and more. This change will allow us to continue that evolution with new features and experiences that fully harness the power of Xbox 360 and the global Xbox LIVE community of more than 20 million members. The best is yet to come, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.
Q&A
Q: Why are you discontinuing Xbox LIVE service for the original Xbox?
A: This change will allow us to continue the evolution of Xbox LIVE, delivering features and experiences that fully harness the power of Xbox 360 and the global Xbox LIVE community of more than 20 million members. The best is yet to come, and we look forward to sharing more details in the near future.
Q: What new features? When will these features launch?
A: We don't have any specific features or timing to announce right now, but we look forward to sharing more details in the future.
Q: When will you be cutting off service?
A: Xbox LIVE support for original Xbox consoles and games will end on April 15, 2010. We will turn off auto-renewals for those memberships immediately.
Q: How many people are still using the service – how big a population does this impact?
A: We don't have specific numbers to share.
Q: Is this a global discontinuation?
A: Yes.
Q: Isn't this really just to get customers to upgrade to an Xbox 360?
A: Absolutely not, this is about providing the most benefit to the full Xbox LIVE community.
Q: Does this impact games that are running on an Xbox 360, or just the original Xbox?
A: Xbox LIVE support will end for original Xbox 1 consoles and games, including Xbox 1 games playable on Xbox 360.
Q: If customers have questions, who can they contact?
A: As always, if customers have any questions about Xbox LIVE they can head to www.xbox.com/support, call (Xbox Support in your region), or tweet to us @XboxSupport.
Q: Does this have anything to do with Project Natal?
A: While we haven't announced the full details of how "Project Natal" will complement Xbox LIVE, the fully immersive experience, which includes full-body, voice, intuitive and social play, will add a new dimension to social gaming and entertainment on Xbox 360.
Q: Is it true that supporting original Xbox consoles has been responsible for the 100 friends cap? Is it safe to say that will be lifted?
A: We're always listening to user feedback and looking at new ways to enhance the service, and expanding the friends limit is something we're investigating. We don't have any specifics to announce right now, but we look forward to sharing more details in the future.
Q: Don't you think this is a huge blow to the "Halo 2" community?
A: "Halo 2" redefined the multiplayer gaming experience on a console, and we're incredibly grateful to the Halo community for their continued support of the franchise. We are committed to continued LIVE support of popular experiences such as "Halo 3," "Halo Wars," and "Halo 3: ODST" on Xbox 360. We're also moving quickly towards the future of the franchise with the "Halo: Reach" beta on Xbox LIVE just around the corner.
Q: Are you doing anything special for the people affected?
A: Over the coming months we will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change. We view the community as a partner in this process.
Q: What if I already paid for a year of Gold membership?
A: We will provide a pro-rated refund of the amount paid.
Q: Does this mean you plan to shut down Xbox LIVE for Xbox 360 users as well?
A: Absolutely not. Our focus now is continuing the evolution of Xbox LIVE with new features specifically for the Xbox 360 community.
Some of the b.s. corporate PR answers were kind of funny, like "We don't have specific numbers to share". :P
I love the shameless plug for Project Natal for no apparent reason.
It is nice to know they are officially going to provide refunds for those affected.
I am surprise it wasnt discontinued years ago. Thanks for the official FAQ AmbassaNeato
That last question is quite possibly the most retarded question in gaming history, moron ;D
Quote from: GamerMan316 on February 11, 2010, 08:58:36 AM
That last question is quite possibly the most retarded question in gaming history, moron ;D
lol I know, I thought that too. I reckon Failed sent that one in ;)
Quote from: TaraJayne on February 11, 2010, 10:32:13 AM
Quote from: GamerMan316 on February 11, 2010, 08:58:36 AM
That last question is quite possibly the most retarded question in gaming history, moron ;D
lol I know, I thought that too. I reckon Failed sent that one in ;)
yeh me not know good questions ...
I'd have asked if they think they should keep the top 5 servers open (Halo 2, counterstrike etc). Although the expense outweighs profit and they obviously want to increase future game online numbers by culling the older games it'd be a great show for the community to keep the 5 biggest servers open.
Who wants to play Halo 2 before they go?
if i can find my disc ....
Quote from: TaraJayne on February 11, 2010, 10:49:37 AM
Who wants to play Halo 2 before they go?
Don't have it so thats me out :)
Quote from: TaraJayne on February 11, 2010, 10:49:37 AM
Who wants to play Halo 2 before they go?
I do.
I also heard they have temporariliy made Original Xbox DLC available again. I'm going to confirm that when I return home later today. I need to stockpile my Halo 2 maps for my new 250GB Hard Drive.
A few eagle-eyed observers noticed that DLC for original Xbox games has already been removed ahead of Microsoft's big shutdown date.
Microsoft has already stated that it will be shutting down Xbox Live support for original Xbox titles in April, so when the DLC for original Xbox games disappeared, most presumed it was an early indicator of that move.
However, Microsoft says it was a mistake and that Xbox owners will be able to buy content until the shutdown date. Not that there is much DLC to buy on original Xbox, of course. But if you did have your eye on some, for whatever reason, best make your move now.
Quote from: nCogNeato on February 11, 2010, 02:26:36 PM
I also heard they have temporariliy made Original Xbox DLC available again. I'm going to confirm that when I return home later today. I need to stockpile my Halo 2 maps for my new 250GB Hard Drive.
Confirmed. I redownloaded my Halo 2 map packs. ;D
I have halo 2-never played it past the first 5 minutes! Never played online so that would be fun!
How annoying I cant find it now. I can find Halo but not Halo 2 >:(
Does Halo 1 still play online? I have that.
Quote from: sambo on February 13, 2010, 02:37:41 PM
Does Halo 1 still play online? I have that.
I don't think Halo 1 is online-compatible. But I could be wrong.