Xbox 360 Kinect Dashboard Update Has New Anti-Piracy Measures
Microsoft has apparently included a new anti-piracy measure with the new Kinect Dashboard update for Xbox 360 which locks “backup” games from playing on Xbox Live and (for the first time) prevents “backup” games from loading.
Hackers refer to the new checks as “AP 2.5” and while details are scarce about how it actually works, the current thinking is that specific challenges to the DVD drive’s firmware are embedded into the security sectors on the game disc.
If the correct responses don’t come back from the firmware, the console is flagged for banning on Xbox Live and the game refuses to load with a “dirty disc” error.
Original copies of the game continue to work fine, even once the console is flagged.
source Eurogamer (via StrategyInformer)
Nov 4th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
what about offline?? will it disable the drive for offline use as well?? i have never been on Live and never plan to so is it safe??
Nov 10th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
I also need the answer to this question. I haven’t updated yet.
So I’m waiting for an answer. Is it blocking games offline also?
Nov 10th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@h2dude69
Yes, Fable 3 is blocked offline with the latest Kinect Dashboard update. More @ http://www.gamersworldbd.com/2010/11/dont-play-fable-3-on-your-modded-xbox-360-with-kinect-dashboard-update.html
Nov 11th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
@The Gaming Wiz/Mushfiqur Rahman
Thanks for that. So what do you suggest, should I update to the Kinect dash or not?
It if very surprising that they put the new Anti-piracy thing in Fable 3 but not in Call Of Duty Black Ops. I doesn’t make sense.
Nov 12th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
lucky i didnt update! 🙂
Nov 12th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
@h2dude69
If you play 100% original games, then yes, get the dashboard update. I got the update and had no problems on the 360 that I solely use to play original/genuine games. If you plan on playing “backup” games, then I suggest holding on till a new mod-chip is released.
You know that Fable 3 is published by MS, so they can put anything in it they want. We can expect to see more games in the future having this AP 2.5 anti-piracy measure. But know that not all Xbox 360s support the AP 2.5 checks. Really older models and those with specific DVD drives (I forget which) don’t support the AP 2.5 check. Plus, there has been reliability issues with these checks, resulting in some false positives.
Nov 13th, 2010 at 8:00 am
@The Gaming Wiz/Mushfiqur Rahman
Thanks for the info. I guess I’ll wait. I don’t play originals on my 360. I buy originals only for the PS3.
And the drives that don’t support Ap 2.5 are the older samsung and Hitachi drives. Unfortunately I have a Jasper 360 with a Liteon drive. 😥