360 Hacked To Play Backups

xorkid writes "Microsoft Corps ' unhackable' Xbox 360 console has been hacked. It is now possible to play copied games from recordable DVD DL discs without any soldering or hardware modification. The ingenious hack involves replacing the original 360 DVD firmware with a modified version that authenticates recorded DVD DL discs as original game discs. The hack does not require any modification devices but it requires a 1:1 copy of an original signed disc from the same region as the console. So it does not allow booting of unsigned code, yet. No Linux on the 360 for now, but its a start. There are rumours that there is an as-of-yet unreleased version that allows booting of unsigned code."

Re:But does it run linux...

[Oldsmobile]

Tux Racer! Oh joy!

What a great way to spend 300 bucks.

Coming soon in Xbox720

[voice_of_all_reason]

Me: "Xbox, report."

Xbox: (sounding suspiciously like Majel Barrett) "Working... Verifying disc integrity with Microsoft servers."

Me: Um, hey. How about you open up the tray and let me have that back?"

Xbox: "I'm sorry, Dave. I can't do that."

(cue blaring klaxons, pan to to the horrified expression on my face as MS agents repelling through the windows with drawn MP40s)

An iceberg?

[the dark hero]

Hah! Nonsense. This ship is unsinkable!

The Linux Game

[Nom du Keyboard]

Why hasn't anyone ever invented The Linux Game? Create a signed game, pay royalities to the game console provider, scream MONOPOLY at the top of your lungs if the refuse you, and have a running Linux OS on the game console. Might be a best seller.

Re:will this hurt game development?

[timster]

Flamebait? It's totally true. Nobody is going to pay $600 for a PS3... it only costs $599!

Let The Banning And Bricking Begin!

[blueZhift]

By now it really isn't any surprise that a given console is hacked to play so called "backup" games. I think the interesting thing is that with each new generation, this process is becoming more complex, meaning that the average Joe/Jane who tries these hacks is more likely to totally disable (ie "brick") the console. And many of those who do successfully implement the hack are likely to be banned from the not so optional anymore online services associated with the console. Oddly enough, in the end this probably sells a few more consoles in the form of replacements. Oh and let's not forget those vandals who'll publish fake hacks with the intent of bricking as many consoles as possible, which happened to the PSP a few months back!

That's a terrible analogy...

[Anonymous Coward]

their security is SOARING, like the Hindenburg

Re:Future-Proof?

[Anonymous Coward]

then it doesn't serve much purpose for me.

Somebody "in the know" please provide some insight!

Yes, quick! Get this guy his info so he can decide whether to start pirating games or not! Please, it is important that he's able to steal! Won't someone help this poor disavantaged gamer!?