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4chan backwards-compatibility prank bricks Xbox One

A hoax set of instructions to make the Xbox One backwards compatible originates from 4chan and reportedly kills the console.

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Michelle Starr
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A hoax set of instructions to make the Xbox One backwards compatible originates from 4chan and reportedly kills the console.

(Credit: Microsoft)

4chan is up to its tricks again — this time taking advantage of an Xbox One feature. Built into the console is the ability to turn it into a developer kit, a feature designed to help independent developers create their games. Earlier this month, YouTuber GameTuts discovered how this could be done, but there is a caveat: at this point in time, you need to be a Microsoft-approved developer to access it. Entering an unauthorised Sandbox ID will brick your Xbox One.

It is this vulnerability that 4chan has exploited (the thread has since 404ed), as well as gamers' strong desire for backwards compatibility, which the Xbox One most certainly does not have. One forum user created a set of instructions based on GameTuts' video, with the added bonus of a Sandbox ID that will send your Xbox One into a boot loop.

After GameTuts released his video, Microsoft strongly advised consumers to stay away from Developer Settings, offering a solution just in case anyone had managed to mess up their console: "Changing the settings in this menu is only intended for developers for Xbox One, and this alone does not turn the console into a development kit. We strongly advise consumers against changing these settings as it could result in their Xbox One becoming unusable. Customers who have put their consoles into this developer setting can revert by restoring factory defaults under Settings/System, select Restore Factory Defaults."

The instructions are below. We are providing them for informational purposes only. Please do not follow them.

Do not do this! (Credit: 4chan)

Xbox's Larry Hryb, AKA Major Nelson, confirmed in a tweet that there is no way to make your Xbox One backwards compatible.

Of course, like 4chan's waterproof iPhone prank from earlier this year, we have been unable to find any confirmed reports that anyone has done this — but it certainly seems more plausible than software that allows you to dunk your phone in the bath without harm.