Aug
Microsoft Bans Halo: Reach Downloaders
Written by Scrooby on 25th August, 2010 with 1 Comment
Tags: Bungie, Halo, Halo: Reach, Microsoft, Xbox 360
In less than 3 weeks, gamers all round the world will be able to get their hands on the latest, and final, Halo game developed by Bungie. Halo: Reach is expected to be one of the biggest releases of the year on the Xbox 360, however, some gamers were able to download the game illegally earlier this month.
The game was reportedly leaked after the game was made available to journalists from Microsoft’s online store. It was then spread across the internet to sites like The Pirate Bay and then downloaded hundreds of times by pirate gamers (not the eye patch, parrot fetish ones).
Well now Microsoft are putting their weighty boot down and tracking down anyone playing the game on an Xbox Live connected Xbox 360 console. These gamers are then receiving a stern email from the computing giant informing them that “your Xbox LIVE account privileges have been permanently suspended due to illegitimate prerelease title play.” Microsoft haven’t announced whether the bans are tied to Xbox Live accounts or the actual console itself.
Stephen Toulouse, the Directory of Policy at Xbox Live, commented on the bans on his Twitter page by saying:
“as with all unauthorized play on Xbox LIVE, anyone playing any unauthorized title runs the risk of account permaban and console.”
He then followed with another Tweet saying:
“remember, legit store bought copy runs no risk of ban. Key word: UNAUTHORIZED. We have ways of knowing.”
So, if you’re one of the hundreds of gamers that got hold of the big hit game and played it over Xbox Live, you might just get an email in your inbox soon.
This certainly isn’t the first time that Microsoft has taken action against gamers who play pirated games. In 2009, thousands of Xbox Live gamers had their accounts bans because they modified their consoles to play pirated games which they download from the internet.
Microsoft have even got into the Guinness Book of World Records (gamers edition that is) for one of their Xbox Live bans. Back in 2007, a gamer going by the gamertag of | Scar | was able to download a copy of Halo 3 Epsilon, a version of the game that was used for testing by Microsoft and Bungie. He was able to get it onto his console and play it while connected to Xbox Live, bad move.
Microsoft caught onto the illegal game playing and sharply banned his Xbox Live account until 31/12/9999. Ouch.
About the Author
Discussion
One Response to Microsoft Bans Halo: Reach Downloaders
Leave a Reply
Recent Video Game News
Video Game Categories
Video Game Review Authors
Latest from Twitter
- Pesky break line giving me JSON grief.
Tuesday, 17th January 2012 Reply - Just has a fantastic meal at Miller & Carters in Lancing.
Saturday, 14th January 2012 Reply - Nice one Carphone Warehouse, I upgrade my contract, they give me a new sim, but it's a not a micro sim, despite saying I had an iPhone 4.
Tuesday, 10th January 2012 Reply - They've also managed to replicate the transitions from the console beautifully.
Monday, 9th January 2012 Reply
So finally Microsoft took a strict action about this piracy. I think it is an appropriate step taken.I have no problem with any company banning people for using stolen content on their services. Piracy is a crime and it should be stopped. Imagine the loss Microsoft must have to bear because of this piracy. This is unacceptable.