Son of a b****

Halo 3: ODST on sale early in France, MS responds

by Richard Mitchell 

According to CVG, a handful of lucky gamers in France got their hands on a copy of Halo 3: ODST nearly a month in advance of it's September release date. It seems that some copies of the game were delivered early, and Microsoft states it is "investigating a very small breach in [its] distribution process." Furthermore, the company is looking at Live accounts with Halo 3: ODST activity and is planning to "take action against those we believe have procured copies of the game illegitimately."

Thankfully, those that were lucky enough to legally buy a copy of the game are in no danger. A Twitter update from Xbox Live's Stephen Toulouse notes that Microsoft "will not be banning legitimate customers from Xbox LIVE who play early."

Source - CVG
Source - Stepto (Twitter)

I take it then that the game is already being pirated too?

Well, it will chart next week?

Whoah, will this be available early via pirating?  Not good if so.

On the bright side, when a Halo game is released it sells hundreds of thousands to millions in it's first days..

I don't think that many have been sold, but leaked to internet is unknown..

I think it's easier for MS to keep track of pirate copies when the game isn't for sale to the masses yet..

Like say, 10 copies were sold so far, and they have 50 people playing, they just go through the lists and make examples.

Pirates are gonna get their copy sooner or later but this is playing with fire. Last time they pirated a big Microsoft game early (Gears 2) there were massive bannings on xbox live. Tears were shed...

Do people that pirate the game get access to Reach beta? I hope not...

I am French look a this video:

http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/halo-3-odst-unboxing-video/328587?playlist=featured

I don't think pirated copies of one game are going to effect the 360 any more then it already has. On the PC you might get tempted because nothing is stopping you from getting it but on the 360 you need to have it modded already. And if you have then you most likely weren't going to buy it legally anyway so nothing is lost and nothing is gained.

MS likes to push new security updates that change detection of pirated games when they release a BIG name game. The mass bannings are usually people playing pirated copies or have modded a modded Xbox that MS just identified.

Jeez why bother doing this kinda thing? they game WILL come out so theres no point... if it was Final Fantasy XIII then thats another story... but its a halo game they always come out!