IGN noticed scuttlebutt about bannings in technical feedback forums and asked Microsoft about it. A spokesperson confirmed they banzored some modded consoles. Said the spokesperson to IGN:

"We have taken action against a small percentage of consoles that have been modified to play pirated game discs. In line with our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community, we are suspending these modded consoles from Xbox LIVE."

Microsoft wouldn't say exactly when the action was taken, although IGN speculates that, from the chatter, it's been happening over the past week.

Microsoft Performs Mass Xbox Console Banning [IGN via Hot Blooded Gaming] [Image from KnowYourMeme]

The Microsoft chief of police Stephen Toulouse has said that his enforcement team is inspecting early play and applying permabans only to those with illegitimately obtained early copies of either game. Those who got their copy because a retailer broke street date are safe, Stepto says.

"Don't worry folks, anyone who bought a copy early is ok. In general, if you got a receipt, play away. These are illegit copies we're hitting," Toulouse tweeted around 4:15 pm. U.S. Pacific Time.

Reader SK sent us that screengrab and basically admitted he visited a bootlegger with a Forza 3 copy. After getting his 360 modded, he played it for 5 days before getting banz0red.

"I called another friend who went in on wednesday to pick up a copy and get his box done too, and he also received a ban for the same reason," says SK. However, SK says the permaban is account only, not console specific. "I made a new XBL account and was back up and running (minus playing f3, of course) within an hour."

Others swear innocence and false bannings. Whatever the cause, it's affecting a larger group than normal. We're attempting to learn more from the folks at Microsoft about the current rash of Xbox Live bannings and who is affected.

XBOX LIVE - Fail what?? [Xbox Forums]
Just Got Banned? (post Here), ONLY POST IF BANNED [Xbox Scene Forums]

A UAE national said he was one of the people who was shocked to discover that the game was distributed in commercial areas, including the Central Souq, Al Rolla and sports shops in Nuammiya. "I knew that it was banned, but many of my friends were able to buy pirated copies from Dh5 to Dh10. I was shocked to see how much it contradicted Islamic values," said Khalid Bin Deemas, adding that it was dangerous as the video game was popular among children.

All concerned government departments are instructed to prohibit the sale of God of War and games like it, confiscating copies when they are found.

It's interesting to see how games are received in other countries. In the United States, the killing of ancient Greek gods is hardly a reason to try and get a game, though I am surprised the topless women and sex scenes didn't have people picketing in droves.

It's also refreshing to see that the mainstream media is the same no matter what beat they cover, as evidenced by the way the article was closed.

Have you noticed increased bad behaviour in a child that could be attributed to violent video games? Tell us about it. Are there enough regulations to check the sale of video games to minors?

Crackdown against banned videogame [Gulfnews]

This week, they were able to argue to a judge that "game had been approved for release on a misinterpretation of the law." The judge accepted the argument and awarded the BBFC the right to fight the game's release in the British High Court.

This seems like an awful lot of trouble to go to for a game that (to me anyway) doesn't seem any more violent than most of the other M rated titles out there. Couple that with the fact the BBFC recently approved (with no cuts) the ultra violent film Eastern Promises with the excuse that "...it was up to adults to decide what they wanted to watch and that movie-goers were free to look away from the screen", and it makes their continued rallies against Manhunt 2 seem rather flimsy and hypocritical. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out as it will more than likely have a long standing effect on how games are rated and dealt with in the UK and possibly across Europe.

Manhunt 2 to face court challenge [BBC News]
[Thanks, DBP]

The BBFC was today given permission to judicially review the decision by the Video Appeals Committee to overturn the Board's rejection of the video game Manhunt 2. The Board has also been granted a stay on the classification of the game. It is expected that the case will be heard in January.

The Board of Film Censors (BFC) said in a statement on Friday evening that it will selectively use games ratings to 'enable highly anticipated games to be launched in Singapore' until it puts in place a games classification system in January.

The claim to be using the game as an example of the effectiveness of the upcoming games rating system for the games industry and the public at large, but we know better. Come on MDA, it's natural to have these feelings. It's part of growing up. A beautiful thing.

MDA lifts ban on game with same-sex love scene [The Straits Times via GameAxis]
Thanks Tan!

Europe's Justice Commissioner, Franco Frattini, was so disturbed by Rule of Rose that he's contacted all of the European government leaders to put a stop to games that he feels "display and even glorify violence, sometimes extreme violence."

"Games where you are supposed to shoot down ordinary people walking on the streets or where you have to bully children at schools are other examples of obscene and perverse games.

I've played Rule of Rose and there is no doubt that it is both obscene and perverse (In the best possible way, in my opinion). Live rats being shoved in the faces of young girls, children tied up in sacks while insects, spiders and snakes are dropped in with them, it was truly disturbing. But, the game also carries an "M" rating in the United States and an 16+ rating in parts of Europe, making it impossible for minors to purchase it in the first place. Nevertheless, Mr Frattini has called for a closer look at how games are rated and distributed to minors at the upcoming Home Affairs ministers meeting on Dec. 5.

I was surprised that Jack Thompson didn't latch on to this one when it came out, but he was obviously so entrenched in unsuccessfully trying to ban Bully that it slipped under his radar. It will be interesting to see if he tries to pick this one up and run with it as well. Flynn De Marco

Torturing this child is a game too far, says appalled EU boss [The Times]
[Thanks to Lesley for The Times cover pic]

A couple of teenagers in Ontario Canada have started a petition to get Rockstar's Bully banned from store shelves. Katie Neu, 14, and 17 year old Robert Frenette met after he discovered the girl had written a book on bullying. Bonding over their personal experiences being picked on, the two decided to join forces against a common foe - a video game neither of them have played.

Neu, who admits she hasn't played the game, said she has seen reviews and the game's website and heard from Frenette, who played the game online, about its content. "From what I've heard, it's was extremely graphic and violent and not appropriate," she said.

That's correct, Frenette played the non-online game online, and Neu read several reviews and surfed a website. Junior Jack Thompsons in the making there.

Having received the support of many parents, written letters to government leaders, and set up an online petition, experts in bullying agree that they are now at least 150% more fun to push around than before. Michael Fahey

Area teen fights for ban on Bully video game [The Record, via GamePolitics]

Say it ain't so! One of the teams that handles tools for Xbox Live sits across the hall from Microsoft's Major "Larry" Nelson and banned the guy for funsies. Major Nelson writes:

Unbeknownst to me, they decided to test some of their tools giving Major Nelson a voice ban, resulting in the screen shot above. They let me suffer for a few hours before quietly removing the ban. I'll get even with them, don't worry.

Like continuing to refer to yourself in the third-person around the office? Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Major Nelson]

Many account closures come as the direct result of tips reported to our GMs in game or emailed to hacks@blizzard.com by legitimate World of Warcraft players. If you suspect that a World of Warcraft player is using an illegal third-party program to farm gold or items, or is otherwise violating our Terms of Use, please report the suspected infraction via one of the means listed above. All reports will be investigated, and those that prove false will not result in corrective action.

The ensuing discussion on their forums is particularly amusing and underscores a long-standing truism: when it comes to MMORPGs, as far as some people are concerned there's no such thing as good news.

World of Warcraft Accounts Closed [World of Warcraft]

Atari's Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure was refused a rating from the Australian version of the U.S.'s ESRB. The Office of Film & Literature Classification granted Contents a 15+ rating back in November, but now that they've had time to think about it - they've decided the game promotes crime via graffiti. Sheesh, it's tough down under.

Ecko Getting Banned [Eurogamer]

On their site, Blizzard announced that they've "permanently closed" 18,000 accounts that were caught cheating, abusing game mechanics, botting for gold and generally breaking Blizzard's laws. By the numbers, that's a hundred or so people removed from each server — which isn't too bad. Too bad last night in Azshara I ran across the same gold farmer I've been seeing for months.

WoW Accounts Closed [World of Warcraft Homepage]

There's a supposedly "banned" Xbox 360 ad doing the Internet rounds at the moment. Apparently, the edgy ad hasn't been banned by anyone, but instead hasn't been yet aired by gun-shy Microsoft due to possible controversy it could cause. The company has every reason to be weary. Three years ago, an Xbox advert was banned from British TV. The Independent Television Commission, having the power to ban unsuitable television spots, reported receiving a whopping 136-complaints (and what's the population of the UK again?) about the commercial. The ad portrayed a baby being born before fast-forwarding through adult life and slamming into the grave. In their ruling, the ITC said, "The man's screams throughout his life's journey suggested a traumatic experience, which, together with the remind that life is short, made the final scene more shocking." Msoft pulled the ad in Britain, but continued to play it in the country's cinemas. "The ad was supposed to symbolize that life is short and life is precious," replied a Microserf. Crecente just told me that this ad didn't offend him at all. And well, you know what they say, if it don't offend Crecente, then there's no need for British do-gooders to get their knickers in a bind.

Watch the ad here.

More Info Here [Wired News]
Full Story Here [ZD Net UK]

A Bard College student just sent word that the banned Msoft ad currently making the internet rounds is a big ol' rip off of a year-old short film made by a Bard comedy troupe. Titled "Gym Class," the clip got tons of online play, and it looks like a Microserf has seen it (and copied the crap outta it). Jump in and judge fer yerself.

Watch It Here [Old English] Thanks Scott!