Halo 2 has sprung a leak - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Reese · 10-14-2004, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Halo 2 leaked onto the internet
Screenshot from Halo 2
Halo 2 is expected to sell millions of copies
Microsoft has said it is trying to track down the people behind a pirated copy of the forthcoming Halo 2 game.

A version of the eagerly awaited Xbox game has appeared on net piracy sites and newsgroups, almost a month before making it into the shops.

In a statement, Microsoft said it was investigating the leak, adding that it was "aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act".

Halo 2 is due to go on sale worldwide in the second week of November.

DVD file

At the start of the week, the game's makers Bungie Studios said work on the title was complete and the game was ready to go into production.

We consider downloading this code or making it available for others to download as theft
Microsoft statement
The sequel is expected to be one of the best-selling games of the year.

The original title, Halo: Combat Evolved won universal acclaim when it was released in 2001, going on to sell more than four million copies.

Halo 2 is set to hit in the shops at the start of November. But its release has been overshadowed by the release of a pirated version of the game on the net.

The copy in circulation is a European version of the game on DVD, which is almost three gigabytes in size.

'Illegal act'

Microsoft, which owns Bungie, has reacted to the act of piracy by promising firm action.

Screenshot from Halo 2
Halo2 is one of the big games coming for the Xbox
"We consider downloading this code or making it available for others to download as theft," said the company in a statement.

"We are currently investigating the source of this leak with the appropriate authorities.

"Microsoft takes the integrity of its intellectual property extremely seriously, and we are aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act."

It added that the piracy would not affect the release of Halo 2

Experts say the leak is unlikely to have an impact on sales of the game.

"Whilst the leak happened, Microsoft have acted quickly to shut it down," James Ashton, publisher of the Official Xbox Magazine told BBC News Online.

"Without illegally modifying your Xbox console there would be no way to make this leaked code play due to the consoles in-built security.

"Even with the modification you would not be able to take Halo 2 online, which, having played it, is a major feature of the title."

Halo is not the first high profile games to have fallen victim to piracy online.

In August, a copy of Doom 3 was leaked online ahead of its release and downloaded by thousands of people.

And last year, key parts of the code behind still unreleased PC game, Half-Life 2, made their way onto the net.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3743110.stm

So, What effect do you think this will have on the release? Will they delay it a year like Half-life 2 or will they get it out on schedule?

Destrox · 10-14-2004, 10:32 PM

Halflife 2 was never ready back then anyways, so yeah... not going into that.

I was one of those folks who simply wasnt overly impressed with Halo, it was just another FPS that happened to make big on a console. (Which is the worst place a FPS can ever go imho)

Bungie/MS will surely recover. If they intend to buy the game, they'll get it still. Just those who never planned on buying it get it a little early, oh well.

omega2K4 · 10-14-2004, 11:55 PM

Yes, but Half-Life 2 wasn't finished when it was leaked. Its not like anyone actually cares about the shitty french version of the game anyways. The date is set in stone, November 9, 2004, it isn't going to change.

mandal · 10-15-2004, 12:02 AM

I'm a big fan of Halo 2 and I have to say that the leak will most likely NOT hurt Microsoft or Bungie much. If any of you have played HALO, it's all about the online action and the biggest thing going for HALO 2 is XBOX LIVE. Super fast online gaming at all ends of the hour. Since the pirated versions must be played while a mod chip is activiated it cannot be used on XBOX LIVE since XBOX live will detect the modchip and reflash it and ban you from XBOX lvie. I have a friend who got it tonight and is playing, but he is still buying the game simply because you need to have the actual copy of the game to play on LIVE. I could also easily get it from him, but I am going to preorder the game this weekend.

omega2K4 · 10-15-2004, 12:06 AM

It might already be too late to preorder the game, FYI. Might want to call around and check first.

Hite Reporter · 10-15-2004, 04:13 AM

It has already been announced that tere will be no delay. Like Omega said, It is the French version, requires the european TV standard and a Modded X-box.

Basically this is a non issue. (Not that the French don't count.... Well.....)

John

bltzkriegmcanon · 10-15-2004, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hite Reporter

It has already been announced that tere will be no delay. Like Omega said, It is the French version, requires the european TV standard and a Modded X-box.

Basically this is a non issue. (Not that the French don't count.... Well.....)

John

Oooh, le ownage. That's entirely true. I mean, how many Xbox owners have added modchips to their systems and actually have a European standard TV? It seems rather unlikely that even 1% of owners meet both those standards.

xepherys · 10-15-2004, 07:56 AM

* It won't affect release date

* It won't affect sales numbers

* How in God's name is Halo "just another FPS" and how does the platform matter? Sure, your opinion, I jsut don't understand it. Frankly, I'd normally agree with you, but Halo is much better on Xbox than PC. It's just one of those flukes.

sblime42 · 10-15-2004, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bltzkriegmcanon

Oooh, le ownage. That's entirely true. I mean, how many Xbox owners have added modchips to their systems and actually have a European standard TV? It seems rather unlikely that even 1% of owners meet both those standards.

Actually, many TVs can play PAL games. Also, modded xboxes allow you to switch your xbox into PAL mode, which would be the obvious workaround for this. So, you'd be surprise at how many people can actually play this. To be completely honest, I want to get it, just to get a taste of the gameplay. I fully intend to buy the retail version when it comes out solely because of the xbox live component.

cheeterbo · 10-15-2004, 10:42 AM

i have a modded xbox, i found the copy to download just now while reading this thread, but i am not going to. mostly because i do not want any possibility of being shut out on xbox live and, i am going to buy it anyway. xepherys is correct in saying that halo was not your average fps...especially when in multiplayer. now, with xboxlive, this title is going to rock everything else away....rockaway, rockaway, rockaway.

mandal · 10-15-2004, 03:50 PM

cheeterbo, you won't get locked out for downloading the game. You'll get locked out if you try to sign on XBOX Live with a Modded box not for downloading the game. Not sure if you know the details of a modded box, but if you don't have a chip with the external switches, you either A) Can't go on XBOX LIVE, or B) have to get rid of the mod chip.

sblime42. I still intend to buy the game too, but I want a taste of the game asap. So i'm gonna buy the game and get the pirate. Doesn't hurt to get to play first

lastly, I really hope that it's not too late. I know it's been a long time, but never had money. Hoping that EBX still has preorders, they are giving out the game november 9th 12:00am!

xepherys · 10-15-2004, 08:55 PM

FYI-

There is an English version floating around as well. Same spiel, but not in freaky-deaky French.

Mr. Munchy · 10-16-2004, 01:06 AM

This is really kind of sad, I hope the storyline doesn't get out...

/Yes, I'm a halo fanboy-extreme. If by any chance you're like me, then you probably know what http://www.ilovebees.com/ is really about and you've probably already been to the new http://www.halo2.com/ site (and maybe you've even translated some of the crap on there).

/Oh right, and just a warning, do not post anything about this on the Bungie forums -- people have been banned for just mentioning this.

skaterpunk · 10-16-2004, 07:39 AM

I don't have a box, yet... but once I get the cash I am planning on getting one. This game is one of those titles that is a must buy even if you pirated it earlier. Its all about the multiplayer. SP will prolly be good as well, but ya know what I am sayin.

NavySEAL · 10-16-2004, 09:16 AM

I'm thinking of pre-ordering halo 2 today at fry's. Anyway, the people that try and play halo 2 online with a mod chip, they will just get there account suspended.

mandal · 10-16-2004, 04:24 PM

unless.. they can turn off their chip. Pretty much all the new mod chips have switches so they are relatively safe. I have two boxes, just got one today for 60 bucks with a fatty controller. I'm going to wait to make sure turning of the chip allows me to play online before modding the second one. If worse comes to worse I'll have one for online play and one for other.

O yeah, earlier someone mentioned it might be too late to preorder. Just to let you all know it's not. I was worried to, but went to electro boutique today and preordered the limited edition. 60$ after tax... expensive game.

xepherys · 10-16-2004, 07:29 PM

yes, but if they turn the chip off, the games won't run because they don't have a bootloader. And you can readily get the standard edition still at most Gamestop locations.

mandal · 10-17-2004, 07:25 PM

yah that was the point of my first post. That the leak won't hurt MS or Bungie much because everyone will still buy the game in order to go online. Getting the pirate only allows you to play sys link, XB connect and gamespy.

jamessh1 · 10-17-2004, 08:43 PM

i wonder if the US version gets leaked if they will push up the release of the game. It is seemingly finished (my gf's brother has played multi-player at a friends, the campaign mode is full of french), so i can't see why they wouldnt bump up the release if people in North America get their hands on the finished copy early. lots of CD's have been bumped due to leakage on the net, maybe games will follow suit.

crossova · 10-18-2004, 08:34 AM

i was hoping that they would push the release date up to combat the leaked version. *wishful thinking*

dbc · 10-18-2004, 05:43 PM

It will still sell very well. Most xbox users don't have mods.

cheeterbo · 10-19-2004, 12:20 PM

[QUOTE=mandal]cheeterbo, you won't get locked out for downloading the game. You'll get locked out if you try to sign on XBOX Live with a Modded box not for downloading the game. Not sure if you know the details of a modded box, but if you don't have a chip with the external switches, you either A) Can't go on XBOX LIVE, or B) have to get rid of the mod chip.

QUOTE]

thanx mandal. wasn't totally sure about that, but to be sure, i have two xbox's, one upstairs (not modded and online), and one downstairs (mod, not online) for the kids. i'll try to convert and burn download tonight!!

moonstrucksoul · 10-19-2004, 02:30 PM

delaying it would be counter-productive to fighting piracy. release it sooner, and people won't be as tempted to pirate it.

10-14-2004, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Destrox Metal and Rock 4 Life Location: Phoenix	Halflife 2 was never ready back then anyways, so yeah... not going into that. I was one of those folks who simply wasnt overly impressed with Halo, it was just another FPS that happened to make big on a console. (Which is the worst place a FPS can ever go imho) Bungie/MS will surely recover. If they intend to buy the game, they'll get it still. Just those who never planned on buying it get it a little early, oh well. __________________ You bore me.... next.

10-14-2004, 11:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
omega2K4 Natalie Portman is sexy. Location: The Outer Rim	Yes, but Half-Life 2 wasn't finished when it was leaked. Its not like anyone actually cares about the shitty french version of the game anyways. The date is set in stone, November 9, 2004, it isn't going to change. __________________ "While the State exists there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State." - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin "Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form."- Karl Marx

10-15-2004, 12:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
omega2K4 Natalie Portman is sexy. Location: The Outer Rim	It might already be too late to preorder the game, FYI. Might want to call around and check first. __________________ "While the State exists there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State." - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin "Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form."- Karl Marx

10-16-2004, 07:39 AM	#14 (permalink)
skaterpunk The Ultimate Badass Location: Tampa	I don't have a box, yet... but once I get the cash I am planning on getting one. This game is one of those titles that is a must buy even if you pirated it earlier. Its all about the multiplayer. SP will prolly be good as well, but ya know what I am sayin. __________________ "The laws that keep us safe, these same laws condemn us to boredom. Without access to true chaos, we'll never have true peace. Unless everything can get worse, it won't get any better. This is all the stuff the Mommy used to tell him. She used to say, "The only frontier you have left is the world of intangibles. Everything else is sewn up too tight." Caged inside too many laws. By intangibles, she meant the Internet, movies, music, stories, art, rumors, computer programs, anything that isn't real. Virtual realities. Make-believe stuff. The culture. The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because it's only the intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die."

10-19-2004, 02:30 PM	#23 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	delaying it would be counter-productive to fighting piracy. release it sooner, and people won't be as tempted to pirate it. __________________ no signature required

10-15-2004, 12:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
mandal Crazy	I'm a big fan of Halo 2 and I have to say that the leak will most likely NOT hurt Microsoft or Bungie much. If any of you have played HALO, it's all about the online action and the biggest thing going for HALO 2 is XBOX LIVE. Super fast online gaming at all ends of the hour. Since the pirated versions must be played while a mod chip is activiated it cannot be used on XBOX LIVE since XBOX live will detect the modchip and reflash it and ban you from XBOX lvie. I have a friend who got it tonight and is playing, but he is still buying the game simply because you need to have the actual copy of the game to play on LIVE. I could also easily get it from him, but I am going to preorder the game this weekend.

10-15-2004, 04:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hite Reporter Upright	It has already been announced that tere will be no delay. Like Omega said, It is the French version, requires the european TV standard and a Modded X-box. Basically this is a non issue. (Not that the French don't count.... Well.....) John

10-15-2004, 07:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	* It won't affect release date * It won't affect sales numbers * How in God's name is Halo "just another FPS" and how does the platform matter? Sure, your opinion, I jsut don't understand it. Frankly, I'd normally agree with you, but Halo is much better on Xbox than PC. It's just one of those flukes.

10-15-2004, 10:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
cheeterbo Crazy Location: newyork	i have a modded xbox, i found the copy to download just now while reading this thread, but i am not going to. mostly because i do not want any possibility of being shut out on xbox live and, i am going to buy it anyway. xepherys is correct in saying that halo was not your average fps...especially when in multiplayer. now, with xboxlive, this title is going to rock everything else away....rockaway, rockaway, rockaway.

10-15-2004, 03:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
mandal Crazy	cheeterbo, you won't get locked out for downloading the game. You'll get locked out if you try to sign on XBOX Live with a Modded box not for downloading the game. Not sure if you know the details of a modded box, but if you don't have a chip with the external switches, you either A) Can't go on XBOX LIVE, or B) have to get rid of the mod chip. sblime42. I still intend to buy the game too, but I want a taste of the game asap. So i'm gonna buy the game and get the pirate. Doesn't hurt to get to play first lastly, I really hope that it's not too late. I know it's been a long time, but never had money. Hoping that EBX still has preorders, they are giving out the game november 9th 12:00am!

10-15-2004, 08:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	FYI- There is an English version floating around as well. Same spiel, but not in freaky-deaky French.

10-16-2004, 01:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mr. Munchy Upright	This is really kind of sad, I hope the storyline doesn't get out... /Yes, I'm a halo fanboy-extreme. If by any chance you're like me, then you probably know what http://www.ilovebees.com/ is really about and you've probably already been to the new http://www.halo2.com/ site (and maybe you've even translated some of the crap on there). /Oh right, and just a warning, do not post anything about this on the Bungie forums -- people have been banned for just mentioning this.

10-16-2004, 09:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
NavySEAL Crazy Location: U.S.	I'm thinking of pre-ordering halo 2 today at fry's. Anyway, the people that try and play halo 2 online with a mod chip, they will just get there account suspended.

10-16-2004, 04:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
mandal Crazy	unless.. they can turn off their chip. Pretty much all the new mod chips have switches so they are relatively safe. I have two boxes, just got one today for 60 bucks with a fatty controller. I'm going to wait to make sure turning of the chip allows me to play online before modding the second one. If worse comes to worse I'll have one for online play and one for other. O yeah, earlier someone mentioned it might be too late to preorder. Just to let you all know it's not. I was worried to, but went to electro boutique today and preordered the limited edition. 60$ after tax... expensive game.

10-16-2004, 07:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	yes, but if they turn the chip off, the games won't run because they don't have a bootloader. And you can readily get the standard edition still at most Gamestop locations.

10-17-2004, 07:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
mandal Crazy	yah that was the point of my first post. That the leak won't hurt MS or Bungie much because everyone will still buy the game in order to go online. Getting the pirate only allows you to play sys link, XB connect and gamespy.

10-17-2004, 08:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
jamessh1 Crazy	i wonder if the US version gets leaked if they will push up the release of the game. It is seemingly finished (my gf's brother has played multi-player at a friends, the campaign mode is full of french), so i can't see why they wouldnt bump up the release if people in North America get their hands on the finished copy early. lots of CD's have been bumped due to leakage on the net, maybe games will follow suit.

10-18-2004, 08:34 AM	#20 (permalink)
crossova Psycho Location: new york	i was hoping that they would push the release date up to combat the leaked version. wishful thinking

10-18-2004, 05:43 PM	#21 (permalink)
dbc Tilted	It will still sell very well. Most xbox users don't have mods.

10-19-2004, 12:20 PM	#22 (permalink)
cheeterbo Crazy Location: newyork	[QUOTE=mandal]cheeterbo, you won't get locked out for downloading the game. You'll get locked out if you try to sign on XBOX Live with a Modded box not for downloading the game. Not sure if you know the details of a modded box, but if you don't have a chip with the external switches, you either A) Can't go on XBOX LIVE, or B) have to get rid of the mod chip. QUOTE] thanx mandal. wasn't totally sure about that, but to be sure, i have two xbox's, one upstairs (not modded and online), and one downstairs (mod, not online) for the kids. i'll try to convert and burn download tonight!!