Some of our readers may have seen the image above -- minus the "bogus," of course -- floating around the internet since yesterday. Okay, the creator of the image claims that it is an official email containing a download code for the Halo 3 beta. Let's look at why this is categorically untrue.
The first and most obvious reason is that this is still the only evidence we've seen. If the beta had truly begun in earnest, we would have received dozens of emails by now. Second, the font looks wrong. Previous Halo 3 beta emails haven't used nearly as much bold text, either. Third, the first five digits of the code include lowercase letters. Anyone familiar with Marketplace codes knows that they use only uppercase letters. Fourth, we've received beta codes from Microsoft before, and the emails give much more detailed information about redeeming the code. "Use this code at the Xbox Live Marketplace" leaves too much room for error and would lead to customer support headaches for Microsoft. No, typically the instructions tell you every single step, right down to navigating to the system blade to make sure there is enough memory. Finally, and perhaps the most telling bit, HopelessXArcher, the gamertag referenced in the image above, has no mention of the Halo 3 beta in his profile.
Sorry folks, this is about as bogus as can be. Trust us, when the Halo 3 beta really begins, it will be everything you can do to drown out the ferocious howl of Microsoft's PR department.
1. Elementary, my dear Watson.
Posted at 1:24PM on Mar 28th 2007 by Pyronite