Setbacks
- In 2000, the site started to be a target of continuous crack attacks. Crackers, script kiddies for the most part, targeted the Zone software. In 2004, the worst crack attack occurred through the use of social engineering, giving the intruders access to the administrator tools. The intruders used their new-found tools to ban players and other site volunteers.
- After the dot-com boom, web sites claimed difficulties managing their finances. MSN Games changed its market strategy and left the retail market to focus solely on free and premium games, a decision that finally culminated in their decision to retire support for CD-ROM games and lobbies on June 19, 2006.
- As a free site, the Zone was the subject of extensive benign neglect by Microsoft. Users identified a myriad of serious problems with the site (for example, one player demonstrated an ability to actually manipulate the dice in backgammon), but MSN would wait years or never address these vulnerabilities.
- Specialized programs, including the Fighter Ace and Allegiance teams disbanded during the Zone's transition to the Member Plus program, due primarily to the planned retirement of their associated games.
Read more about this topic: MSN Games