Exploit Leads to Thousands of Xbox One Users Downloading Watch Dogs 2 for Free.

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Thousands of Xbox One users have been able to download a free digital copy of Watch Dogs 2: Deluxe Edition from the Microsoft Store today, after a redemption code intended for a single use only became indefinitely reusable.

The promo code – which has now been expired – began appearing on social media earlier today, before it was later picked up on by several notable deals sites across the world. Naturally, the code soon spread like wildfire, with users keen to take advantage of what was ostensibly an act of holiday generosity on the part of Ubisoft.

However, with the true nature of the promotional code now becoming clear, it may not be good news for the users who took advantage of the glitch. Xbox Live’s terms of service states that “attempts to illegitimately acquire or use redemption codes, sharing or distributing account credentials, fraudulent transferring of content licenses, using glitches for financial gain, or other attempts to defraud Microsoft or support agents” are strictly forbidden, and may lead to users’ accounts being banned.

In this case, it seems unlikely that Microsoft would punish those customers who may have innocently redeemed the code believing it to be a genuine promotion, with users instead simply likely to have their access to Watch Dogs 2 revoked.

It’s worth noting that there’s also a precedent for cases such as these. Back in June, the company handed out $10 gift vouchers in the way of an apology – but not before revoking all licenses – after Fallout 4 and all of its expansions temporarily showed up for free via the Microsoft Store.​