unforum

[Mukaikubo]

Theoretically that could mean that all the neat stuff like videos were stripped out of it, leaving just the gameplay.

[Mukaikubo]

Additionally, I move that anyone discussing the leaked copy or using plot points from the leaked copy to solve a puzzle be banned, immediately, no questions asked.

[Avatrix]

For a news article on the issue, see here

[Anton P. Nym]

Let me tell you, when that news was confirmed I, uh, felt in touch with my inner Thin Kinkle. DAMN, but people just don't think.

-- Steve's opposed to software piracy. So is Microsoft; please report all links for pirated material to piracySPLATmicrosoft.com so that the Flaming Ninjas may wreak their havoc on the evil-doers.

[ElViento]

Gutted. I feel for the guys who planned things to be just so, this game being one of the plans, and have it all culminate on Nov 9th.

I read on Slashdot and The Register that it's just the Single Player part of the game that's been leaked, none of the Xbox Live multiplayer. How it's possible to strip that out of a prepackaged DVD is beyond me, but it kinda screams "Review Copy" to me. I'd say some French reviewer (it's a french localised copy floating about if reports are true) put it out there.

My whole point of this sad tale.. I hope they *don't* release early and ruin this whole ILB story in the process... Yeah, Halo 2 will be a good game and all, but I'm getting just as much enjoyment out of ILB.

/resumes lurking
/doh, hit the correct smiley this time...

[Dreadnort]

i hope i didnt sound like i was going to do this just pointing out there are sites and not hard to find. dont ask me for the links because a smack on the nose often offends..

i have sent the link to MS

[BeeNetter]

From Starcraft to DooM3, I don't think there's ever been a heavily anticipated game that hasn't been leaked before its release.

At least no one stole the Source code and forced a 1 year delay.

[Alzheimers]

As sad as it is, is anyone suprised that it happened? I mean, it's only the most anticipated game of the year (HL2 was the most anticipated game of last year, it's just coming out this year). I've got my preorder in, and I know a lot of other people who won't bother with it either. However, there are people who will always look to cheat the system, and as much as we hate it there's no use crying or screaming or starting flamewars that this will hurt 'the programmers'. But that's not the worst of it.

My main concern is the response and backlash from the Corps. It's not that I condone the behavior of these thieves, but I'm desperately afraid of the cure will be worse than the disease. Already we have games that can't work in everyone's PC, or disable programs you legitemately install. We have operating systems that require you to phone home every time you change your hardware, just so that the company can make sure you're not stealing .00001% of their yearly profits. What's next, that each copy will be biometrically tied to us, so we need to activate out consoles with a thumbprint identification before we can turn it on?

And what's going to be the target of the corporation's wrath, you ask? In this case, it's going to be USENET, BITTORRENT, and IRC. Three out-of-the-mainstream networks that corporations will try to convince law makers are nothing but havens for pirates and thieves. You'll hear the words "Terrorists" and "Child Pr0n" before this is over, too.

It's a tough world we live in. No matter which side you stand for, this much is certain: you're going to get screwed.

[Vilnius]

It's pirates like these who ruin the experience for everyone else. I'm heavily against game piracy, and to see cheap people take advantage of this is a shame on Halo fans, and the gaming community in general. This is one of the reasons games can get delayed. A few idiots kill it for the rest of us just so they can get a hard-on before everyone else and brag to their friends about it.

They think that because it's a big company that pirating a game won't hurt them that much. WRONG. For one thing, it's a very serious crime, and also, when everyone participates, it will hurt the company. Just because Microsoft is publishing the game doesn't mean that only they will be hurt by it. Bungie put in all the work to make they game, and they'll be hurt, too. How would you feel if two years work was flushed down the toilet because some moron leaked your game, and even more morons downloaded it? Not too happy, I presume. Would you want to keep making games for fans that don't care about the well being of your company? I sure as hell wouldn't.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't the end of Bungie or anything, but it is sad that people will pirate games like this. True Halo fans will want to buy the game on November 9th and share the experience with everyone else. If you got the game early, then you wouldn't be able to talk to anyone about it. I know that one of things I look forward to most is talking about the plot and playing online with you guys.

Out of all the big games in the industry, Halo probably has the most hardcore fans out there. These fans won't sink to the level of pirating Halo 2, and if they do, they weren't really Halo fans in the first place.

[LordSaryon]

You know, I cant stand this. I have waited (im)pateinetly for a long time now. I know the rest of us here probably have as well (unless your solely here for the ARG). I can't see why someone would do this.

I mean, what credit do you get for it? Whats the advantage of releasing it? Do you get paid for it? No. I mean, they face serious jail time if they get caught. What would push someone to do this?

I don't see how anyone could pirate a game like Halo2 this early in the game. I mean we all know it will be pirated AFTER it goes on sale, but cant these @$$holes wait until it comes out?

I for one would love to see em thrown in jail with Bubba, and laugh as they share some "quality" time.

Just my $.02

[Avatrix]

I know someone who used to be in "the scene". Big time--it was his life. He helped run groups on IRC, coordinated regions, cracks, distribution, etc. For him (and others in his group), they fell into their own world--he lost touch with reality, and warez was everything. A lot of the others in the group seemed the same way. For them, everything was about getting the group recognition. And they get recognition by being the first to release a piece of software.

Now, this guy got "out" years ago. In part he got some sense talked into him, and also, he said the scene changed. At one point, it was really about distributing information, they had a twisted sense of ethics that they were empowering people with "freedom of information" (digital information). But then new groups formed, that used stolen credit cards to reward their members with computer hardware and the like. That got the Feds much more involved, even with the small scale groups. I don't know if that's still happening, but I can understand the motivations behind these groups. It's WRONG, and they're frequently out of touch with reality. But they do have motivations driving them.

I don't condone piracy, and though I think many of us have probably downloaded a few mp3's in our time, I do make a point of buying music, games, and movies. I already paid for my copy of Halo 2. I'm going to pick it up. There are 750,000+ pre-orders for Halo 2, I believe, and there will still be plenty of sales--I'm not worried about Bungie going under. And as far as the leaked copy goes: it's in French, it's PAL, and it has no multiplayer (from the things I've read). I think spoilers on the net might be the biggest issue to result from the leak, rather than many people pirating this copy. The real pirates are going to copy it later, anyway, once the game has launched.

[farva]

If you are a dirty pirate who downloads this game, keep the spoiler talk either

A: confined to e-mail and private messages
or
B: Keep it in one thread only

I'll be damned if I have this game spoiled for me less than a month out by some scumbag thief.

[fugitivesoldier]

bungie.net is already getting reports that people have critical info about the source of the leak.

They're trying to locate and shut down the source ASAP.

[thunderclap8]

unfortunately with the nature of piracy on the internet, cutting off the source won't stem the flow. Its out there now and nothing can be done.

I just don't understand why someone would do this. Its odd, I've pirated a few things in my time I shamefully admit, but I would never EVER consider doing that with Halo 2. Bungie has my loyalty somehow.

I really hope MS doesn't move up the release date either. I don't want ILB cut short in any way, shape or form.

The first one who spoils anything for me, in French or not, your ID gets forwarded to Durga.

[Lutzie]