I've been reading stuff about the xbox being allegedly 'hacked' with some chip or something, but how are the games backed up in the first place?

no-one knows yet some are speculating the following:

1) Serial Cable to PC (similar to dreamcast)
2) BBA Connection to PC (similar to dreamcast)
3) Connecting XBOX DVD Unit to PC and creating a program to read the new file system

all of the above are possible in my opinion - you can already get programs to transfer images from a the dreamcast to your PC via a Serial Cable and BBA connection (so why not for the X-Box) and there are also programs that let you view different file systems on a PC (so a bit of tweaking and hey-presto you can read the X-Box's so called FAT-X file system and off load the files)

Who cares how their backed up!!! They are released by the groups and then sold to you guys through traders on the board!

hey-presto, You have a backup!

Yeah, really who cares how there backed up...but I know when the chip comes out I'm going to be burning like theres no tommorrow b/c I have access to a couple of games.

Could be like the DC, only certain groups could do it with a special machine.

yeah, I heard that same saying handyguy in different forums.

So it's not a case of just copying then.....they have to rip in in a similar way to Dreamcast games......

Im more for number 3, i do believe its the most probable, or the dev kits' drive at least.

well, it is speculated that there is an app to read the games with a standard dvd drive, though i have yet to see this app. it is fact that the xbox dvd drive connected pc will read the disk after the appropriate unlock sequence for the game in the drive is run. xboxhacker has alot of info.

grrr, cant wait for the chip, there will be a server app written for the xbox, then we can just grab the files we want directly from our orignals ;) . the xbox is going to be the hands down greatest console within the next few months. not only that have you looked at the solder points LOL my 8 yr old could install it.

hummm seems i started babbling on your post, sorry. i am just so excited things are gonna get very intresting in the near future........ think about it, if its on your pc it can be "somewhat easily" ported to xbox. now thats something to think about ;)

well as soon as ppl learn or figure out the xbox dev kit then we will able to make games but until then you have to dl them...i guess