Features & News

Common sense prevails; Microsoft allows Xbox Live region switching

January 17, 2013, Author: Andy Corrigan

Microsoft’s Major Nelson has announced that they have finally decided to allow users to change their Xbox Live account region, which will be of a huge help to those of us who have had to emigrate for work or personal purposes.

Having moved from the UK to Australia in the last few years to get married and start a new life for myself, I fell foul of Microsoft’s prior policy, which basically amounted to telling paying customers to “never mind about all that content you’ve paid to own, you’ll have to start a new account and buy it all again”.

I wrote about it and butted heads with Microsoft Support over the subject a number of times, but luckily I was able to keep my account going using my English Paypal account.

This did, however, rule out the benefits of buying prepaid cards for Microsoft Points and Gold Subscriptions, and none of the on-demand TV services worked anymore, but fuck it; I didn’t lose all my paid-for content, achievements and live subscription, which thankfully will now migrate when you move your account to your new region.

“I am happy to share the news that we can now offer Xbox LIVE Account Region Migration” posted Larry Hryb on his blog. “If you have moved to a different Xbox LIVE region, you can now move your account and take your gamerscore, unlocked achievements, any Microsoft Points already in your account and any remaining time on your Gold membership.”

So, if you’re in the same boat as me, head to their migration page, read the supporting documentation and run through the short wizard. I’ve just done it myself and the process was quick and painless.

They took way too long, but props to Microsoft for finally recognising that the world is getting smaller.

(Source: Major Nelson)

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