14 DAY TRIAL // Halo: Reach is one of the biggest video game launches of this fall and publisher Microsoft has taken some pretty tough measures on those who have obtained the new Spartan featuring game early and have been playing it on Xbox 360 console that are connected to the Live service.
It seems that at some point in early August a community of gamers took advantage of a glitch on the virtual marketplace that Microsoft maintains for the Xbox 360 and managed to get access to a playable version of Halo: Reach.
Then the game mad its way to file sharing sites, meaning that it can be downloaded and can be played by those who have modded their Xbox 360 in order to pirate games or for other purposes.
Microsoft is not thrilled about its highly prized video game leaking out about one month before the actual launch date and is taking action, banning those who are playing the game from all Live services.
Stephen Toulouse, who is the director of policy and enforcement for Xbox Live, posted on Twitter that, “As with all unauthorized play on Xbox Live, anyone playing any unauthorized title runs the risk of account permaban and console. Remember, legit store bought copy runs no risk of ban. Key word: UNAUTHORIZED. We have ways of knowing.”
A statement from Microsoft adds that, “Microsoft’s commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the 25 million members of the Xbox Live community remains a top priority. All consumers should know that piracy is illegal, violates the Xbox Live terms of use, and will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live.”
Halo: Reach is the final game in the Master Chief featuring series that is set to be developed by Bungie and will take the player back before the first game in the series, casting the gamer as Noble-6, the new member of a Spartan team that operates behind Covenant battle lines.