136: Team Xecuter

136: Team Xecuter

Aug 1, 2023 1h 25m

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Episode Description

Team Xecuter was a group involved with making and selling modchips for video game systems. They often made mods that allowed the video game system to rip games or play pirated games. It was a crowd favorite in the modding scene. Until it all fell apart. The story of what happened to Team Xecuter must be heard to believe.

This episode features Gary Bowser. You can find more about Gary here:

https://twitter.com/Bowser_GaryOPA

https://garyopa.com/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/garyopa-restarting-his-life?utm_location=darknetdiaries

Sponsors

Support for this show comes from Axonius. The Axonius solution correlates asset data from your existing IT and security solutions to provide an always up-to-date inventory of all devices, users, cloud instances, and SaaS apps, so you can easily identify coverage gaps and automate response actions. Axonius gives IT and security teams the confidence to control complexity by mitigating threats, navigating risk, decreasing incidents, and informing business-level strategy — all while eliminating manual, repetitive tasks. Visit axonius.com/darknet to learn more and try it free.

Support for this show comes from Thinkst Canary. Their canaries attract malicious actors in your network and then send you an alert if someone tries to access them. Great early warning system for knowing when someone is snooping around where they shouldn’t be. Check them out at https://canary.tools.

Support for this show comes from ThreatLocker. ThreatLocker has built-in endpoint security solutions that strengthen your infrastructure from the ground up with a zero trust posture. ThreatLocker’s Allowlisting gives you a more secure approach to blocking exploits of known and unknown vulnerabilities. ThreatLocker provides zero trust control at the kernel level. Learn more at www.threatlocker.com.

Sources

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/10/27/ringleader-pleads-guilty-in-phone-fraud/56e551bb-a727-43e8-a3ca-1c1f4cf6ef82/

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao/legacy/2010/10/12/usab4304.pdf

https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-to-appeal-not-guilty-judgement-of-flash-cart-sellers-7

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-pounces-on-global-piracy-outfit

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-members-notorious-videogame-piracy-group-team-xecuter-custody

https://medium.com/swlh/watch-paint-dry-how-i-got-a-game-on-the-steam-store-without-anyone-from-valve-ever-looking-at-it-2e476858c753#.z05q2nykc

https://www.lemonde.fr/police-justice/article/2022/05/27/voler-des-societes-qui-font-des-milliards-qu-est-ce-que-j-en-ai-a-faire-max-louarn-c-ur-de-hackeur_6127821_1653578.html

https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/20/21579392/nintendo-big-house-super-smash-bros-melee-tournament-slippi-cease-desist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7VwtOrwceo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sNIE5anpik

AI-Generated Summary

The Rise of Team Xecuter

This section kicks off by diving into the story of Team Xecuter, a group that emerged in the modding community, specializing in the creation and sale of mod chips for video game systems. The podcast outlines how these mod chips allowed users to play pirated games and even rip games from consoles, gaining a huge following in the gaming scene. The introduction of Steam, a platform for purchasing games, highlights the difference between legitimate game sales and the potentially sketchy realm of unregulated game downloads, setting the stage for the eventual clash with major companies like Nintendo.

Gary Bowser's Journey

The podcast features an interview with Gary Bowser, one of the key figures linked to Team Xecuter. Gary shares his history with video game systems and how his earlier experiences in the 80s with Texas Instruments led him to the modern world of console hacking. His story illustrates the transitions in technology and gaming culture, as well as the evolving challenges of piracy in the digital age, including his arrest and the legal repercussions he faced.

Legal Battles and Consequences

As the narrative unfolds, discussions delve into Gary and Team Xecuter’s legal battles with Nintendo and other companies. The episode unpacks the various charges brought against Gary, including counts of wire fraud and money laundering, and highlights Nintendo's aggressive stance against piracy. Legal strategies and rulings are explained, showcasing how the rules governing digital rights and copyright impact both companies and individuals involved in modding.

The Dark Side of Gaming Culture

The podcast dives into the murky waters of piracy in gaming through the story of Gary and Team Xecuter. The conflict between innovation and legal boundaries is explored, raising questions about the spirit versus the letter of the law, particularly in relation to open-source software and consumer rights. The narratives reflect on how major gaming companies, like Nintendo, manage their reputations and the lengths they will go to protect their intellectual property.

The Current Landscape of Gaming and Hacking

As the series wraps up, it reflects on Gary's life after prison, hinting at his future and aspirations amidst the ongoing conflicts of gaming legislation and hacking culture. The discussion highlights the struggles of returning to normalcy after incarceration while still grappling with the implications of his past actions. There’s a critical comparison made between the motivations of modders and the harsh realities imposed by legal frameworks.