Pete_LeGrant February 20, 2009 Xbox 360 123 views Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

Looks like some people have had problems with their XBL gamertags. Major Nelson set the record straight today, writing:

I want to take a moment to talk about Windows LIVE ID’s and Gamertags. Recently,
there have been a few stories about Gamertags becoming
unrecoverable. I want to set the record straight, and let you know what
is going on, and what we’re doing about it.

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.

If anyone should have an issue regarding their Xbox 360 or Xbox LIVE account should visit xbox.com/support so we can assist you.

In other words, either:

(1) keep your gamertag going on some console or other

OR

(2) sign in to Xbox.com every so often.

I’m betting that most people will not experience this problem, as they probably leave gamertags “lying around”….