Tax day usually brings with it a sense of anticipation, fear, and (for some) a mad dash to the nearest post office. But come April 15th, those looking to enjoy some classic Xbox Live action will soon discover their time playing original Xbox games on their Live accounts has come to an end. That's right, Microsoft is officially shutting down online play for games still playable via the original Xbox Live service, which include the original Xbox console and those downloaded through Xbox Originals on the Xbox 360.
Keep reading for more sad details on the end of online Halo 2, and a special message from Microsoft about the impending closure.
Led by the still-popular Halo 2, Microsoft's continued support of original Xbox games (or Xbox Originals, as they've come to be known) has often been cited as a reason for the relatively low 'Friends' cap for the recent console, topping out at 'just' 100 online Xbox Live Friends.
In a statement issued by Microsoft's Marc Whitten, the company pledges to:
"continue to evolve the service with features and experiences that harness the full power of Xbox 360. To reach our aspiration, we need to make changes to the service that are incompatible with our original Xbox v1 games. We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities. We view you as a partner in this process."
Whether Microsoft will re-introduce original Xbox games to the Xbox Live service at some later date remains to be seen, but since 2005 its been clear the future of the Xbox Brand lay with the Xbox 360, which Microsoft hopes will soon include an ever-evolving Live network and Project Natal. Whether the decision to finally shutter online multiplayer for older titles has more to do with rectifying service issues, or simply helping direct existing cash-flow towards new (and presumably, more profitable) endeavors will be little comfort for those hooked on their classics. But all good things must come to an end, and come April 15th we'll all say our sad goodbyes to (a version) of a service that truly helped change everything.
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