Microsoft is investigating a problem with expiring email addresses that is causing some Xbox Live users to abandon their Gamertags and start fresh, losing any progress they've accumulated over the past few years.
It seems that certain Windows Live ID email addresses that you need to have in order to set up an Xbox Live Gold account are set to expiring after a certain period of inactivity on the users part. once the email addresses expire and are deleted, taking any Gamertag associated with the account with them, even if the user has updated their Live account with a new email address in the interim.
GamesIndustry.biz looked to Microsoft for comment on the issue, receiving the following response:
"We are investigating this issue and don't have any further comment to make right now. Any consumer with any issues regarding their Xbox 360 or Xbox Live account should visit xbox.com/support or call their country's customer support number."
Until such a time as the issue is fixed, we suggest you take a moment to log into your Hotmail account every once in awhile, just in case.
Xbox Live accounts hit by email expiry blunder [GamesIndustry.biz]