Before the cries of "OLD" start filling the comment threads, yes, we knew that Halo 3 was leaked several days ago. We chose not to propagate the story, but it seems to be reaching critical mass now, so there's no point in ignoring it. And before you ask, no, we're not telling you how to get it. The game data, which clocks in at about 6 gigabytes, is being shared and downloaded on a number of file sharing sites. According to gamesindustry.biz, the file has already been downloaded in the thousands. Of course, the file is only playable on modded Xboxen, which means that online multiplayer will likely incur a hefty swing of the Microsoft Banhammer. Considering that multiplayer and online co-op are more or less the heart and soul of Halo 3, downloading an illegal copy seems a little on the lonely side, thrilling though it may be to put one over on The Man. At any rate, the leak is sure to be an upsetting, if not unexpected, blow to MS and Bungie.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-21-2007 @ 11:37AM
nerrrrrrd said...
this was expected.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:38AM
Intentless said...
One of the things I was looking for was playing without the fear of mods. Apparently that seems to be something I now do need to worry about... If they can get online with a modded box which I had heard was impossible that means they can get on with modded boxes that contain aimbots and bull... curses...
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:38AM
Mike said...
Was it the damn French again?
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:38AM
Tim said...
This is how my Xbox 1 was banned. I downloaded Halo 2 early, played some campaign (offline only.)
Come pre-launch day I put in Links to play around online before I go pick up my preorder, console was mysteriously banned. Didn't go online with the chip. I feel that it was the Halo curse.
This is why I didn't mod my 360. I need Live.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:38AM
Titty Pink said...
Well they can't kill off everyone, so some sort of sequel will have to come forth. What kills me is that people say that the leaked ending was a fake. Well if it was, why did M$ try so hard to remove all copies from Youtube? They should have leaked a fake ending, just for this purpose. I saw it, and it wasn't really epic, fairly predictable. I mean its a cash cow, they'd be dumb to kill it off so soon...
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:38AM
Arm said...
Hear no evil, see no evil.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:39AM
Tim said...
Oh and I went a returned my preorder that night. It was a sad day.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:39AM
NoVA said...
unexpected? what? Every game leaks like this prior to street date! I had my Halo 3 mid-day Wednesday, and there is no ban in sight.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:40AM
Falkinator said...
The pirates will still be online. MS hasn't been banning (maybe not even detecting) those running the latest DVD firmware mods. Oh well, I can wait 3.6 days, sure would be cool if they could ban all those people.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:40AM
BrianM said...
Just like every other game
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:41AM
Tony said...
Same with even games that don't get much attention. For awhile I know even Persona 3 had thousands of sharers. It's a lot more rampant than I would have normally thought.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:42AM
Titty Pink said...
I don't know about needing Live, especially for Halo. XB Connect had better games, and more options. For instance, if I wanted a TS game no radar with 15 people I could search for that on those terms, not being thrown into random shit just to be ranked. Plus, my buds could come over and we could all play online...together...for free. Can't beat that with a bat. If you download video and use the marketplace often, sure, but if it's just for Halo there are better options...
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:43AM
xenocidic said...
how are they going to differentiate a modded console playing H3 online between someone who bought it from a retailer who broke the street date?
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:43AM
NoVA said...
rampant? theres 110 people on xbox live in halo 3. Thousands downloaded? Ok, lets assume 5 thousand did. Half of them are probably morons and won't get it to work. so lets say 2500 people get this early? How many pre-ordered again? This is a minute issue, blown up because its Halo 3.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:45AM
Richard Mitchell said...
"unexpected? what? Every game leaks like this prior to street date! I had my Halo 3 mid-day Wednesday, and there is no ban in sight."
You might want to read the article again...
"if *not* unexpected"
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:46AM
TORO said...
I don't care as long as there are no cheaters on Live (wishful thinking at best)
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:46AM
Justin W said...
This was expected. I have friends with modded boxes that play online regularly. Even though they are my friends, i hope they get banned. I think alot of people that downloaded it will get banned when they try to go online.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:51AM
ericdrum said...
I hope they catch gonorrhea and die.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 11:55AM
Tony said...
@14 - I'm talking about strictly in terms of game piracy here. Several thousand people trying to download any random game (and not just Halo 3, regardless of how well it will sell overall -- we all know that number is going to increase when it comes out as it is) is pretty damn "rampant". I mean, take this number and multiply it by all the other games out there. It's a lot and probably a lot more than the average person realizes, in addition to the traditional channels of just selling back-ups at stands and seedy stores.
That's what's "rampant" about. Beyond which, I somehow doubt the "I couldn't get it to work!!!" argument is going to hold up in any court if someone was charged with pirating copyrighted material.
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 12:08PM
NoVA said...
"You might want to read the article again..."
If not unexpected...this implies it was most likely not expected, but assuredly a blow.
Reply