Microsoft today has started a new wave of Xbox Live bannings against those who have modified their 360 DVD firmware or DVD+/-R DL discs to play copied games. According to numerous reports on Xbox-Scene's forums, the banning campaign appears to affect console modders using Toshiba-Samsung and Hitachi-LG drives with both Xtreme and even the newer iXtreme firmwares.
It remains unknown, however, if Microsoft is detecting the modified firmware or the discs. As always, Microsoft bans only console serial numbers from its online service, not Xbox Live accounts. Nevertheless, one would think that the fear of having their console bricked should be enough to keep most people off. Interestingly, the banning campaign is nicely timed with the holiday shopping season and the fact the Halo 3 map pack is due for release soon.