Playing Halo 3 Early? Byebye Xbox Live...

Windle · 19 Sep 2007 at 15:51

Microsoft threatens Halo 3 gamers with LIVE ban
By Tom Orry - 19/09/2007 - 3:04pm GMT
MS confirms to Pro-G that accounts will be frozen even if you avoid online play until after official street date.

Play this and get banned from Xbox LIVEWhen contacted by Pro-G a Microsoft rep confirmed rumours that gamers who play Halo 3 early will have their LIVE accounts banned. Simply not connecting to the internet doesn't appear to be a solution either. The rep also confirmed that Microsoft is able to ban accounts based on information collected by the console which shows when the game was played. This news is sure to come as a shock to some gamers who have already started playing the final chapter in the blockbuster Halo trilogy.

This appears to suggest that games who play Halo 3 before the official street date will only avoid a ban if they never access Xbox LIVE. Microsoft is preparing an official statement on the Halo 3 banning scandal. We'll give you more on this breaking news story as we get it.

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Source: http://www.pro-g.co.uk/news/19-09-2007-6492.html

Eep!

Mr Men · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:01

I really can't believe that, much like the rumour they banned 25k users who glitched the COD4 beta

ScarySquirrel · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:02

What if, like most games, it gets delivered the day before release?

JBeck · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:02

So some random person buys Halo 3 not realising that it's been unnoficially released early and gets banned for it? It's hardly the consumers fault.

Wyrdo · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:06

I call BS, I've seen this statment on other forums. Why would MS ban customers when the shop is at fault for selling the game early? Makes no sense.

Kreeeee · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:09

JBeck said:
So some random person buys Halo 3 not realising that it's been unnoficially released early and gets banned for it? It's hardly the consumers fault.

Yep, it's ridiculous if true.

mcmad · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:12

loads of people got it today (catalogue shop) before it was pulled from their system, MS going to ban legitimate users ? that will be interesting.

Durzel · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:12

How can you buy it if its not officially released?

Emlyn_Dewar · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:13

Durzel said:
How can you buy it if its not officially released?

From shops that have made mistakes.

Kyle009 · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:13

Durzel said:
How can you buy it if its not officially released?

shops being thick

mcmad · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:14

Durzel said:
How can you buy it if its not officially released?

store pickup from the high street catalogue online shop. They have taken it off the store now.

Tobes · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:15

A catalogue store was allowing people to reserve copies then go any pick them up in store. Very stupid.

Also as pointed out. I call BS. Just like the COD4 thing.

mmj_uk · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:16

ScarySquirrel said:
What if, like most games, it gets delivered the day before release?

Well as it's 1 day before the official street date I'm guessing you'll be banned, although perhaps there will be some leeway.

I expect retailors will have been strictly told not to sell/ship early.

Zheka · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:19

i bet every pearson who bought halo3 today knew that it out next week not today.

Kyle009 · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:20

i really cant see ms banning legitamate copies.

end of the days its not the consumers fault.

mcmad · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:21

Zheka said:
i bet every pearson who bought halo3 today knew that it out next week not today.

so does that mean they should be banned ?

they have bought legit copies, whats the problem ?

Werewolf · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:22

I can't see MS doing it.

The release date is an agreement with the shops, not the customer.

Punishment for releasing a game early is levelled at the store rather than the consumer (and can include things like making sure the store only gets it's copies of future games the day before release, or the morning of release I believe).

mcmad · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:25

lot of smaller shops aren't even getting deliveries until monday / tuesday, I guess in an attempt to stop this happening.

Does this mean we can talk about halo3 gameplay now

nikebee · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:27

Durzel said:
How can you buy it if its not officially released?

Don't forget that buying from certain online Etailers often ensures that you will receive the game at least a day before release.

I preordered Fahrenheit for the PC off a competitor, and it had arrived three days before release and was completed the day before it was due to be released.

Online Etailers often ship out games to people who have preordered very early to ensure that everyone gets it by the day of release.

It's entirely possible to get your hands (legitimately) on a game before it's officially released.

Smells like BS though :-/

Alrik · 19 Sep 2007 at 16:27

I just dont see why people cant just create a seperate offline account and use that anyway? Unless they are banning the consoles and not the Live accounts.

I cant see them banning them anyway its just cutting off their nose to spite their face to be honest. I mean they need all the customers they can get not lose them.