Xbox Live gamertags just got an expiration date of five years.
Microsoft recently updated its terms of service, including a statement that the company will now delete all gamertags that remain inactive for that period of time.
"In the Microsoft Account or Skype Account section, we've added a requirement that you must sign into the Xbox Services at least once in a 5-year period to keep the Xbox gamertag associated with your Microsoft account," the new terms of service reads. "We've also added that if your account is compromised, we may be required to disable access to certain content."
That means anyone with a gamertag must actually sign in with that account every five years to keep it active. Otherwise, that account will get deleted and that gamertag will get released back out into the wild. This also means that getting a certain gamertag will now become easier for new Xbox Live users, especially with so many names already taken. Earlier this year, the company freed up 1 million old and abandoned gamer tags.
Microsoft also updated its Code of Conduct and will now prohibit any posting of "terrorist content." The company also updated its terms of service for payments and converting foreign currency, as well as addressing a few other issues, including the Rewards program, messaging apps, OneDrive integration and privacy settings.
The new terms of service go into effect on Sept. 15.
Meanwhile, Microsoft also recently dropped the price of the 500 GB Xbox One to $249. That includes the console bundled with a variety of games, including Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Quantum Break, Forza Motorsport 6, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Rare Replay.
The price drop is probably due to the release of the Xbox One S on Aug. 2. That console is a revamped smaller version of the Xbox One with better specs and a new controller. The 2 TB version of that system will retail at just under $400. It's likely that the company will eventually phase out the original Xbox One in favor of the new and more expensive system.
"Play the greatest games lineup, including Xbox 360 classics, on a 40 percent smaller console with up to a 2 TB hard drive 4K Ultra HD video, High Dynamic Range and a streamlined controller," the Xbox One site states. "Just don't let its size fool you, the Xbox One S is the most advanced Xbox ever."
