Major Nelson clears up some Gamertag and Windows Live ID issues

  • By SarjuS, GameSpot
  • Posted Feb 20, 2009 11:22 am PT

Good ol' Major Nelson has a public service announcement up regarding Microsoft's Windows Live ID and Gamertag dormancy/cancellation policies. The post reads like a problem off of the LSAT - lots of contingencies, and interrelated account policies that sound confusing. Here's the...

Good ol' Major Nelson has a public service announcement up regarding Microsoft's Windows Live ID and Gamertag dormancy/cancellation policies. The post reads like a problem off of the LSAT - lots of contingencies, and interrelated account policies that sound confusing. Here's the original text:

What happens:

In the rare case that you DO NOT sign in to Xbox.com or another website that uses Windows LIVE ID (like Hotmail) it is possible that your Windows LIVE ID expires (goes dormant.) An Xbox LIVE Gamertag is unrecoverable from the system only when the associated Windows Live ID has become dormant and the Gamertag has been deleted from all Xbox 360 consoles.

Members with dormant Windows Live IDs can continue to enjoy the benefits of their Xbox LIVE Gamertags on their Xbox 360 consoles, including earning Achievements; however, they will not be able to use their expired Windows Live IDs for activities such as account management on Xbox.com.

It is important to note that an Xbox LIVE Gamertag is unrecoverable from the system only when the associated Windows Live ID has become dormant and the Gamertag has been deleted from all Xbox 360 consoles.

What you can do to prevent having any problems:

We recommend that people log into their Windows Live ID on Xbox.com or Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web at least once every four months.

What we're doing:

We are actively working on an update that will allow you to link your Gamertag to a new Windows Live ID if one becomes dormant.

Our translation - Your Xbox Live Gamertag is safe unless you delete it from your console. Don't worry about logging in every month or so to keep it active. Nothing will happen to it. The Windows Live ID, on the other hand, suffers from the Hotmail affliction. Use it or lose it. Log in at least once every four months to keep Microsoft happy. In the case that you've tied your Windows Live ID to your Gamertag and let the Windows Live ID go dormant, you won't be able to do any online account management or tie your Gamertag to a new Windows Live ID. Microsoft is addressing that last bit as we speak. That should be it, unless we missed a point in there. Carry on.

11 Comments

  • beymod

    Posted Jun 6, 2009 5:37 am PT

    thanks...

    http://www.beymod.com.tr

  • XxRaidouxX

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 8:39 pm PT

    ratavaquera that is a lie! I have a PS3 with all of those games and I still play my Xbox360 more. To each his own is the case.

  • ratavaquera

    Posted Mar 27, 2009 1:36 pm PT

    "datniccah187 Posted Feb 21, 2009 7:53 pm GMT

    how could anyone go four months without playing on xbox live"

    that happens when you have a PS3 with Killzone 2 and Resistance 2... mgs4 , lbp also.

    GT: Apple Taco (GTA IV, L4D)
    PSN: Apple_Taco (K2, CoD4, R2,LBP, F3)

  • soulcold

    Posted Feb 27, 2009 3:50 am PT

    How do these People saying its 'complicated' even play games without asking their mom_ What do we do now?

  • NoEbay

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 8:49 am PT

    a few days ago i actually contacted microsoft with a problem just like this, glad to hear they are finally fixing it. Xbox live has been around for a long time, i've forgotten when email is assosiated with my account let alone it's obviously gone dormant. Once they get this fixed all they have to do is make is possible to change the country connected to the account and i'm good to go. I moved from the us to canada and i can't buy points or download stuff

  • MikeyLeroi

    Posted Feb 22, 2009 3:10 pm PT

    What if I changed the Windows Live ID tied to my gamertag? Can I let the old ID go dormant without anything happening to my gamertag?

  • datniccah187

    Posted Feb 21, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    how could anyone go four months without playing on xbox live

  • robx360

    Posted Feb 21, 2009 12:24 pm PT

    I think this is a non issue for most. First why would you delete your profile. Second if your online chances are you have a hotmail account and a pc nearby. Finally if you lose your internet you can still play offline. Your right diablo they are making it more complex than it is.

  • diablo_del_bano

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 7:10 pm PT

    Well, Microsoft has always been good at making things more complex than is really needed. I mean, the manual for DOS was about as thick as your average Collegiate Dictionary.

  • coruscant

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 5:56 pm PT

    How needlessly complicated...

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