Re-release of unused (but taken gamertags)

Haakon-92F16488-0433-4129-A257-1EE45547E267 · Dec 26, 2015

Have you ever wondered if you could get your hands on a cool original Gamertag? Well sadly as of now that is impossible. BUT, it can change. Recently I tried to obtain a V1 Gamertag (A V1 Gamertag is a account that has not moved over to the Xbox One/360
from the original Xbox or has been inactive). but to my dismay it was already in use (of course it was). I did some poking around and was able to find out that the gamertag was indeed taken, but had been inactive for a number of years. I could tell this because
the account has 0 gamer score 0 achievements and has been in use for 13 years. It also has a default xbox gamerpicture and colour (which has been defaulted by Microsoft).

I am aware that the only way I will EVER get this gamertag is if Xbox decides to reset it. And to make matters worse in 2011 Xbox tried to reset all the 7+ letter Gamertags and people claimed them and were selling them on other forums. This made
them stop. I am also aware of the possibility of this happening again.

I find it very frustrating to see a gamertag sit idle for years knowing that there will never be an option to obtain it. Even if it was once in use. I am aware that Microsoft sees the value in withholding those gamertags because there is a chance
(however small it may be) of those users returning to the service. However, I also hope Microsoft sees the value in its customers who still pay for the online service, and how much it means to truly be your original self in the community.

I know it is a lot to ask (and a lot to read SORRY!) but I hope that Microsoft and the XBL Team really take my offer seriously.

Thanks!

:)

Smwutches · Dec 26, 2015

Unreleased OG Gamertags still?

They did release unused gamertags, but if the tags are in use in other services as well, they can't release them.

EggsBoxJuan · Dec 26, 2015

buying of an old not-in-use gamertag

Hi,

You can't buy unused gamertags I'm afraid. You will have to wait until Microsoft release the unused gamertag which they do occasionally. It could be years though.

Daft Badger · Dec 26, 2015

They recycled all unused gamertags a while back,not just the ones with 7+ letters.

How do you know the tag you want is not in use?

Gamertags are used on other services,not just xbox live so you have no way to know whether the tag is in use or not.

I suspect that if Microsoft do recycle any tags again they wont announce it due to what happened last time.

Daft Badger

They recycled all unused gamertags a while back,not just the ones with 7+ letters.

How do you know the tag you want is not in use?

Gamertags are used on other services,not just xbox live so you have no way to know whether the tag is in use or not.

I suspect that if Microsoft do recycle any tags again they wont announce it due to what happened last time.

Arbitrage Allen

Every once and awhile, Microsoft will re-release unused/banned Gamertags that have been dormant for x amount of years. Only then could you acquire the Gamertag.

Best,

Allen

Daft Badger

After what happened last time they released a bunch of unused gamertags I very much doubt they will announce it if they do it again.

Chances are your old tag has been released & someone has already taken it.

Daft Badger

The last time unused gamertags were released people snapped them up to sell them so the chances of gamertags being released again are extremly slim.

Like Sara said,tags are used on other services,not just xbox live so if it says the tag is taken then there's nothing you can do.

EggsBoxJuan

Hi,

You can't buy unused gamertags I'm afraid. You will have to wait until Microsoft release the unused gamertag which they do occasionally. It could be years though.

Re-release of unused (but taken gamertags)