No more original Xbox games over Xbox Live.

[ProjectPat2280]

I dont know how many of you will be bothered by this news, but im sure there are some Halo 2 fans that might be a bit upset over this.

Microsoft announced tonight that online play for original Xbox consoles and titles - including those played on an Xbox 360 - over its Xbox Live service will soon be discontinued.

Xbox Live's Marc Whitten has provided a little more background, writing:

Dear Xbox LIVE Members,


On April 15 we will discontinue the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox v1 games playable on Xbox 360 and Xbox Originals. I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly, but after careful consideration, it is clear this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox LIVE community.


Seven years ago we laid out our vision for the connected console when we launched Xbox LIVE. We believed then that the power of the Internet to connect people would revolutionize living room entertainment. It started with amazing multiplayer games, and we've since seen that bet pay off again and again with the launches of Xbox 360, Marketplace, Netflix and powerful social features like Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. None of this would have been possible without the success of LIVE as a multiplayer gaming network.


There's no greater example of the power of the Xbox LIVE community than the "Halo" franchise. "Halo 2" has had an amazing run on LIVE, with a dedicated community more than five years after launch and well into the next generation of consoles. It has fundamentally changed the way we play video games. And while it's difficult to see that run come to an end, the "Halo" franchise continues to act as the benchmark for multiplayer gaming in this generation, with "Halo 3," "Halo 3: ODST" and soon "Halo: Reach" on Xbox 360.


Your Xbox LIVE community has grown to 23 million strong. And as we look down the road, we'll continue to evolve the service with features and experiences that harness the full power of Xbox 360. To reach our aspiration, we need to make changes to the service that are incompatible with our original Xbox v1 games. We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities. We view you as a partner in this process.


We'll share more details soon, but in the meantime I want to assure you that the best is yet to come for Xbox LIVE.I believe we'll look back on 2010 as a landmark year in gaming and home entertainment, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in store with "Project Natal" and LIVE. The LIVE community is the driving force behind everything we do, and it's because of the community that ground-breaking experiences on Xbox continue to be possible.
See you on LIVE,


Marc Whitten


http://kotaku.com/5464818/microsoft-no-more-original-xbox-games-over-xbox-live

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[Benstamania]

Meh...welcome to 2010.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Haha yea, its about time to make the upgrade.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Sad, but understandable. Things can't go on forever after all.

 

[Coca Cola Duracell Franklin.]

Microsoft is planning to overhaul Xbox Live and can't sacrifice its best business plan (in the Xbox brand) to be nerfed for the sake of working around technical artifacts of old, original Xbox Live technology.

 

[Batman713]

Yea it sorta sucks but we get compensation (or at least the people who logged some good hours playing Xbox games):

On April 15, 2010, we will discontinue the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox games playable on Xbox v1 and Xbox 360. In our continuing efforts to evolve the service, we need to make changes to the LIVE service that are not compatible with original Xbox v1 games.

What does this change mean for you? • It does not affect your ability to play original Xbox v1 games offline, but does remove LIVE connectivity and support for online multiplayer, leader boards, and other online features of these games. • We realize that you are an avid Halo 2 fan. Unfortunately, with this change, you will not be able to play Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE going forward. • Although it is difficult to say goodbye to Halo 2, the Halo franchise continues as the benchmark for multiplayer gaming in this generation with Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and soon Halo: Reach. On the Xbox 360, you will continue to have access to the LIVE service where you can enjoy hundreds of other LIVE-enabled games.

When will this change take effect? • April 15, 2010.

What is Xbox LIVE doing for me? • To thank you for being a loyal Xbox LIVE customer, we are giving you a free, three-month LIVE Gold membership and 400 Microsoft Points for you to use as you choose on Xbox LIVE. • In addition, because you've been so loyal to Halo, we are inviting you to participate in the exclusive Halo: Reach Beta.

How do I get these offers? • You will receive a token for 400 MS points. Check your Xbox LIVE account messages on the console. These points can be used for 365 days after you activate your token. • We are extending your Gold membership by three months automatically. The extension will be directly reflected in your LIVE account. • Finally, as the beta gets closer, you will receive an e-mail containing the code granting you access to the exclusive Halo: Reach Beta.

Thank you for being a loyal Xbox LIVE member. Please visit xbox.com/support if you have any questions or for more information.
The Xbox LIVE Team

Check your inboxes. I just got this e-mail.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Wow. Nice. So did u actually have to log a lot of hours on the orig Live service? Or is it a matter of how long you've been on Live?