Microsoft today announced it will end Xbox Live support for the original Xbox game console, as the service will officially be dropped on April 15th.
The company's first step will be to shut off auto-renewals for all Xbox Live members who use the online gaming service with the version 1 Xbox.
"I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly, but after careful consideration, it is clear this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community," said Marc Whitten, Xbox Live General Manager, in a blog post.
Whitten also credited the strength of Xbox Live in comparison to the Halo video games, as Halo 2 expecially "had an amazing run on Live."
Some Xbox Live gamers are upset that Halo 2, Star Wars: Battlefront, Rainbow Six, Counterstrike, and several other games will lose support in mid-April.
The Xbox Live community now has more than 23 million users worldwide, with online game support, streaming Netflix, downloads, and other interactive content. Microsoft is relying heavily on Xbox Live to help draw consumers away from purchasing a Sony PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii.
I've expected Microsoft to make an announcement like this for a few months, but was unsure when it would occur. Several bloggers I chatted with late last year said it would be sometime this summer, but Microsoft decided to push the cancellation date up.
I understand that some gamers will be upset that they won't be able to play some of their favorite games online any more -- but if this helps Microsoft enhance Xbox Live even further, then I am all for it.
