Exploits dead, Linux dead, pirated games 'deader'. Microsoft is patching up everything regarding their Xbox 360, so if you're a total gamer and can't rest until you play the newest titles, forget about your old console because you're probably going to get a new one. Microsoft's patching will be more of an update that will leave you looking with tears in your eyes at the pirated discs you probably own by the dozens.

The update will be included in all the games that are published after February 20. How about that Mr. Pirate Gamer? So long with the good time of evil laughter after burning your own copy of the latest game. News.com says that the update corrects a problem with a tamper protection mechanism on the Xbox 360. In an e-mailed statement, a company representative said that "Microsoft has worked with the party that reported this issue and has already distributed a fix across our distribution methods, both online and offline."

The Xbox's flaws were discovered in November and demonstrated at a hacker conference in December, which Microsoft fixed in January. According to the anonymous hacker that discovered it, this is the way it is done, or better yet, could have been done: "Together with a method to inject data into non-privileged memory areas, this vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access to an Xbox 360 to run arbitrary code such as alternative operating systems with full privileges and full hardware access."

It doesn't say much to those who actually don't spend 24 hours in front of the screen, but that's pretty much it. Microsoft's fixing this issue will surely create tons of disappointment, but it's not that kind of fans the company is interested in satisfying.