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Xbox: Modding, Modd Chips, Xbox Games And Legal Issues
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Published: September 28, 2007
New video game consoles arrive on the market annually, touting more advanced technology, more realistic games, and graphics which seem to jump right off the screen. With the advent of each new system comes the throng of gamers waiting in line for the overpriced gaming console. The Xbox gaming console was widely received by excited fans who had the $400 dollars to shell out for the system.
However for some gamers, the exorbitant amounts of money spent on the system would not end there. Gamers are spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars to modify their Xbox. Modding the Xbox is a way to personalize the console, and in most cases, permanently reconfigure the internal workings of the system itself.
In essence, mods are used as a way to override or bypass the built-in hardware, software and security mechanisms for Xbox. Gamers are able to change graphics, add features and distort visuals. More importantly perhaps, modifying the system permits gamers to cheat with ease and play pirated Xbox games. There are different types of this practice, as well as various methods of achievement.
There are two distinct ways to mod the Xbox: soft mods and hard mods. Soft mods generally use software to augment the hard drive. This can be achieved through adding files or programs into the hard drive, thus, changing the system's Basic Input Output System or BIOS. Hard mods are changes to anything else in the system, or permanent, physical mods to the hardware. Painting the console, attaching a mod chip, or soldering connections are considered hard mods.
There are four methods used to mod the Xbox. Gamers can install mod chips, which circumnavigate the original BIOS with a modified version to avoid security mechanisms. Mod chips are small, electronic devices that bypass the inherent protection blueprint of the system. The mod chips are the most common way to augment the Xbox, due to the wide array of options for change and the success rate of modification.
TSOP flashing is a method of modification which uses a hacked BIOS to 'flash' the original storage chip which saves game data, also known as the TSOP. This method has a very small chance of actually changing the system and is generally considered unreliable. Because it is rather complicated and is typically unsuccessful, TSOP flashing is rarely used.
Hot swap is another practice used for modifying the Xbox console. This method utilizes a computer to change the internal workings of the gaming console. By syncing the computer to the Xbox, soft mod files can be downloaded onto the console's hard drive. Disassembly of the console is required for this type of mod. Despite the extra work, it is the most common mod among those interested in playing pirated games.
Although an Xbox mod may seem to be a safe and effective way to personalize the console, there are repercussions. Any modding immediately voids Microsoft's warranty for the system. When spending $400 on a gaming console which may falter or break, nullifying the warranty may not be the best idea. Also, certain modifications made to the system will prevent access to Xbox Live, the online gaming community. There is a loop hole; there are certain soft mods which seem to still allow connection to Xbox Live.
Besides direct prohibitions from Microsoft, mods also raise legal issues. Since mods are most commonly sought for playing pirated Xbox games, this touches upon copyright infringement. Copyright laws do not permit the use of stolen, bootleg or pirated Xbox games. It also affects the manufacturers' profits, which indirectly causes the price of already expensive Xbox games to rise.
However, when dealing with what is illegal and permissible, there is a fine line. Mod chips themselves are not illegal, but when utilized to play pirated games, legal issues are abound. Although these legal issues are important, chances are gamers will not be caught, unless they are selling modded consoles or the copyrighting infringement is profound. To be sure not the break the law, gamers should stick to modding the Xbox through face plates, vinyl decals, case mods or any other superficial changes to the console.
Despite legal ramifications, many gamers are still opting to mod the Xbox. Although the graphics and technology for Xbox are state of the art, some gamers still strive to make it even better. Regardless of legal issues, gamers be wary; if the modded Xbox happens to malfunction, not only is the $400 for the system lost, but all the money invested in modding was just an exercise in futility.
Sources:
"Modding the Xbox." Wikipedia. 25 Sept. 2007. 25 Sept. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Modding_the_Xbox .
"EEPROM." Wikipedia. 22 Sept. 2007.25 Sept. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEPROM.
Rybka, Jason. "Modchips-What Are They and Should You Use One?" About.com: Video Game Strategies. 2007. About, Inc. 25 Sept. 2007. http://vgstrategies.about.com/od/faqglossary/a/mod chips.htm.
Bryan Edge-Salois, P. "Modding Your Xbox 360." Especially For Techies. April 2006. Smart Computing. 25 Sept. 2007. http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.as p?article=articles/archive/r1003/79r03/79r03.asp.
In essence, mods are used as a way to override or bypass the built-in hardware, software and security mechanisms for Xbox. Gamers are able to change graphics, add features and distort visuals. More importantly perhaps, modifying the system permits gamers to cheat with ease and play pirated Xbox games. There are different types of this practice, as well as various methods of achievement.
There are two distinct ways to mod the Xbox: soft mods and hard mods. Soft mods generally use software to augment the hard drive. This can be achieved through adding files or programs into the hard drive, thus, changing the system's Basic Input Output System or BIOS. Hard mods are changes to anything else in the system, or permanent, physical mods to the hardware. Painting the console, attaching a mod chip, or soldering connections are considered hard mods.
There are four methods used to mod the Xbox. Gamers can install mod chips, which circumnavigate the original BIOS with a modified version to avoid security mechanisms. Mod chips are small, electronic devices that bypass the inherent protection blueprint of the system. The mod chips are the most common way to augment the Xbox, due to the wide array of options for change and the success rate of modification.
TSOP flashing is a method of modification which uses a hacked BIOS to 'flash' the original storage chip which saves game data, also known as the TSOP. This method has a very small chance of actually changing the system and is generally considered unreliable. Because it is rather complicated and is typically unsuccessful, TSOP flashing is rarely used.
Hot swap is another practice used for modifying the Xbox console. This method utilizes a computer to change the internal workings of the gaming console. By syncing the computer to the Xbox, soft mod files can be downloaded onto the console's hard drive. Disassembly of the console is required for this type of mod. Despite the extra work, it is the most common mod among those interested in playing pirated games.
Although an Xbox mod may seem to be a safe and effective way to personalize the console, there are repercussions. Any modding immediately voids Microsoft's warranty for the system. When spending $400 on a gaming console which may falter or break, nullifying the warranty may not be the best idea. Also, certain modifications made to the system will prevent access to Xbox Live, the online gaming community. There is a loop hole; there are certain soft mods which seem to still allow connection to Xbox Live.
Besides direct prohibitions from Microsoft, mods also raise legal issues. Since mods are most commonly sought for playing pirated Xbox games, this touches upon copyright infringement. Copyright laws do not permit the use of stolen, bootleg or pirated Xbox games. It also affects the manufacturers' profits, which indirectly causes the price of already expensive Xbox games to rise.
However, when dealing with what is illegal and permissible, there is a fine line. Mod chips themselves are not illegal, but when utilized to play pirated games, legal issues are abound. Although these legal issues are important, chances are gamers will not be caught, unless they are selling modded consoles or the copyrighting infringement is profound. To be sure not the break the law, gamers should stick to modding the Xbox through face plates, vinyl decals, case mods or any other superficial changes to the console.
Despite legal ramifications, many gamers are still opting to mod the Xbox. Although the graphics and technology for Xbox are state of the art, some gamers still strive to make it even better. Regardless of legal issues, gamers be wary; if the modded Xbox happens to malfunction, not only is the $400 for the system lost, but all the money invested in modding was just an exercise in futility.
Sources:
"Modding the Xbox." Wikipedia. 25 Sept. 2007. 25 Sept. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Modding_the_Xbox .
"EEPROM." Wikipedia. 22 Sept. 2007.25 Sept. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEPROM.
Rybka, Jason. "Modchips-What Are They and Should You Use One?" About.com: Video Game Strategies. 2007. About, Inc. 25 Sept. 2007. http://vgstrategies.about.com/od/faqglossary/a/mod chips.htm.
Bryan Edge-Salois, P. "Modding Your Xbox 360." Especially For Techies. April 2006. Smart Computing. 25 Sept. 2007. http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.as p?article=articles/archive/r1003/79r03/79r03.asp.
