NEWS - Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Some Gamers Asked To Change Their Gamertags
For those members that received the email informing them that they need to change their gamer tag within the next 10-days, we now have a revised compensation plan. In addition to receiving the game that was mentioned in the email, you will also receive a free, one year subscription to Xbox Live for being so understanding about this change. Effective immediately when you call support (1-8004MYXBOX) and they confirm that you are on the list of affected gamertags, the support agent will ask you for some information to ensure your account information is current and within 6-weeks (or so) you'll receive the game and a free 12-month subscription code (in separate mailings) that you can then use when your current subscription expires. Note: The agent can't add the free 12-months to your account while you are on the phone.Once they gathers the required information, you will be sent the card in the mail and you can then use that code when your account expires for your free year of Xbox Live. Since the affected members have subscriptions that run out at various times, this is the most efficient way to ensure that members get the entire 12-months free. Action Necessary for those that received the email informing them that their gamertag must be changed: You must call to confirm you are on the list and your address is correct, and to let support know you'd like to participate in this offer! This is one thing that is worth a free 5 minute phone call to make sure you are all set and can get your free year of Xbox Live If you don't call, you will not get the free game and the free year of Xbox Live Note: The agents are being informed of this change now, so if you call within the next few hours they may not be aware of this late breaking development yet…so I'd call tomorrow once the information has been distributed to all the agents. You are finding out about this before the agents...so don't run and call the moment I post this and expect them to know Thanks for being understanding. Apparently the problem stems from some Gamertags being to similar (Racer X and RacerX)for example. Apparently it is causing internal confusion within the Live service for stats and other features. Microsoft is offering anyone who has to change a free copy of Project Gotham Racing 2, and a free years subscription to XBL. According to Major Nelson the number of people who are being asked to change is extremely small.Source: http://www.xbox.com