Uh-oh.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/14 ... 10539.html

Pirated version of Halo 2 widely available online
Microsoft's biggest Xbox release for 2004 has been leaked to the Internet; surfaces on file-sharing sites. Company stands by official November 9 release date.

Late last night, 27 days before its officially scheduled retail release, a complete version of Microsoft's upcoming first-person shooter Halo 2 was leaked to the Internet. The pirated release, a PAL version of the game with French-language dialogue, is currently making its way around various Usenet newsgroups and peer-to-peer networks.

In a statement that Microsoft is sending only to media outlets that request comment, it admits the game "has been posted to various newsgroups and web sites."

While Microsoft says it is "currently investigating the source of this leak with the appropriate authorities," there has been no word on precisely where or how the game originally surfaced at this time, although Microsoft says it is actively tracing the leak. "Microsoft takes the integrity of its intellectual property extremely seriously, and we are aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act."

It should be noted that players who download the game illegally could face a maximum penalty of $100,000 per instance for copyright violations. "We consider downloading this code or making it available for others to download as theft," the statement continues.

Reaction to the leak from developer Bungie, whose employees have spent most of the past three years developing Halo 2, was understandably more visceral. "We think this really sucks," read a staffer's post on the company's official Web site. "Aside from years of hard work being stolen from us, we've gone to great lengths to ensure that the details of the Halo 2 campaign remain a mystery."

"Microsoft," the post says, "is currently engaged in a full-scale investigation" to come down hard on "those foolish enough to partake in this piracy."

Another message, this one directed at the members of the bungie.net forums, warned of dire, sweeping consequences that would befall any member who posted screens stolen from the leaked game, or hinted that he or she had the game, or knew where to get it. "A link… on the forums will get you banned permanently [from the forums]." Worse, users whose GamerTag user name is listed in their user profile "risk having your Xbox Live account's ability to play Halo 2 crippled…We are NOT kidding around here."

"There's no doubt in my mind that Microsoft has people tracking down whoever was responsible for this," wrote the Bungie-appointed moderator on the forum. "I hope whoever it was thought that leaking the game was worth his job."

Halo 2, which continues the adventures of Master Chief with an all-new single-player adventure, as well as Xbox Live support for Internet-based multiplayer, is scheduled to hit retail shelves on November 9--a date that Microsoft says "remains unaffected."

By Staff -- GameSpot
POSTED: 10/14/04 01:23 AM PST

oh well it doesn't concern me too much. I'm still getting the game. I can't believe it's only a few weeks away!!!

It's the French version anyway. Blech!

Apparently GTA: San Andreas leaked as well. Whoop!

Halo 2 will rule like no other.

Does anyone want to come over and mod my damn Xbox so I can get a head start on Halo 2? I have jolly ranchers, and a stuffed cat for you.

Yep. As long as I can avoid any huge spoilers I'll be a happy gamer.



Stoopid Frenchies!

j.

I told my boss that i wanted to work the midnight release of Halo 2, and if i did, i should have all of Tuesday off (i have no classes on those days so ic an play halo 2 ALLL day), he said he'd think about it...oh i'll hate him so much if he makes me work that day.

3 more weeks!

i have my copy pre-ordered, and my brother wants to go pick it up that day, go to his one class, and play it all day while i sit at work....now it's time to decide how much of a nice brother i'd like to be come november 9th....

Modding an xbox is the easiest and cheapest console to mod. You only have to goop on 2 big globs of solder and rent 007 AUF. You'd be surprised how hard it is to screw this one up. You should mod it, at the very least for playing all the EMUs on a tv instead of on your computer

I have no idea what the fuck you guys are talking about.

OXM has given Halo 2 a 9.7, the highest rating the magazine has ever awarded.



j.

they're charging an insane fine for anyone who is caught downloading the leak. Just wait for the goddamn release, damn geeks.

i know it's only like 2 weeks away. i've waiting for years i can wait for a few weeks.

zang!

Which reminds me, I need to get ready for work.

that was a little jules.

please don't make me hurt you.

As for Halo 2. The manager of the Game Stop I work at is anticipating a large crowd considering we've reserved a metric assload of copies and the store is opening at midnight.

you'd never hurt me.

I reserved my copy at best buy more than a month ago.

Mine's waiting for me at EB. Midnight opening, here I come!

j.

Didnt the HALO explode at the end of the first game? Is there another HALO? Does this game take place before the first one?