Mod-chip law sees Microsoft Australia exit? Thread

n stunning news, it would appear that Microsoft is eyeing the worthiness of the Australian gaming region following the court case of a man from Sydney acquitted of wrongdoing, in the country’s ongoing highest-profile mod-chip case to date.

Slow sales in the region compound the problem that, at present, the Australian Consumers’ Association believe that mod-chip installation is favourable to gamers, as it enables consoles to play software from other geographic regions.

“Given the way the economic model works, and that is a subsidy followed, essentially, by fees for every piece of software sold, our licence framework has to do that," stated Steve Ballmer. "If there are aspects that are not allowed, it would encourage us to require a change in the legal framework. Otherwise, it wouldn't make economic sense.”

Although this is far from an ultimatum, it does indicate that Microsoft will withdraw its Xbox from regions where it does not garner the protection necessary to conduct business.

Given that Microsoft has made agreements with the authorities in China, Korea and Taiwan, traditionally seen as unworkable regions due to endemic piracy issues, to fail to secure would be seen as a huge blow.

In other news, this week has seen Sony declare that the Australian console war has ended, announcing that it expects an installed userbase of over 700,000 before the year end.

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X-Box doesn't sell much over here in Australia because no-one likes it. Out of all the people I know, only 2 have X-Boxes. Most have either PS2's or GC's.

I disagree, Xbox is number 2 in aussie land and sold very well over Crimbo :o

azz0r has the right idea, i beileve the xbox is highly underrated people are just scared when they hear the words microsoft combined with any other word.

as for the modchip thing, i dont see a problem with it. seeing as i own a modchip for my ps2 and ps1, i would count dreamcast but it can already play imports and such on its own. microsoft is to uptight about its security thats all.

all ppl have to do is buy an xbox from the states, and then just buy all of their games and get them shipped overseas

Australians see X-Box and think hmmm a new console... Then they do a little research and find that it's a Bill Gates Production and the consider, buying themselves a Mac and a PS2...