Net video confirms Xbox 360 hack

Coder pledges not to release modified firmware

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

20th March 2006 10:55 GMT

A video has been posted on the web that appears to confirm claims that the Xbox 360's anti-hack security system has been... er... hacked. The video shows a console with its lid off playing a copy of a game.

Claiming they're more interested in hacking than piracy, the collaborative effort led by an individual known only by the handle TheSpecialist, hacked the player's DVD drive firmware to play DVD±R discs - rather than reject them, as is usually the case. TheSpecialist claimed he has made bootable copies of Xbox 360 games using the modified code. The video purporting to show this happening can be seen here.

TheSpecialist said the modified firmware, which is believed not to bypass discs' region encoding, would not be made public. Others have tried, however, and it may only be a short while before someone does. Microsoft will then presumably issue an update via its Xbox Live online service to repair the damage. ®