Microsoft threatens Halo 3 gamers with LIVE ban

When contacted by Pro-G a Microsoft rep confirmed rumours that gamers who play Halo 3 early will have their LIVE accounts banned. Simply not connecting to the internet doesn't appear to be a solution either. The rep also confirmed that Microsoft is able to ban accounts based on information collected by the console which shows when the game was played. This news is sure to come as a shock to some gamers who have already started playing the final chapter in the blockbuster Halo trilogy.

[AliC]

Thats kind of harsh isn't it?

[uxo22]

I think it is a bit harsh to ban the live account. You paid 60 bucks like everyone else. Instead of jumping on the consumer, MS should be putting their foot in the A$$ of the jerk merchants that are selling it early.

The problem with gamers in this type of situation is their inability to keep their mouths close. People will beat the game by not sleeping until they do, then they want to create a blog to post end game spoilers and other things to ruin it for the masses.

This is probably why MS is threatening to ban their accounts.

[fjtorres]

MS is, and always has been deadly serious about the terms of use clauses for the console, LIVE, and the games.
Games sold before release are sold in violation of the retailer's contract (and could be easily be counterfeit or pirated) so putting a damper on the consumer side in addition to fining the retailer is quite reasonable.
Remember, you never actually *buy* software, movies, music, etc; all you "buy" is a license that grants you the right to access the content on the disk. This license has strings attached, regardless of whether you're "buying" from MS, Sony, or whoever.
So, legally, they are in the right.
Morally and ethically, the vast majority of would-be buyers who don't have access to illegally-released copies won't mind.
And PR-wise they win both ways; with free exposure in the media from the "controversy" and from the fans who will be waiting til the 25th.
They have nothing to lose and quite a bit to gain, especially by pointing out that Live is *not* a free-fire zone; there are rules and there are consequences to violating the rules.
That point is very much worth making at every chance.
Some customers you simply don't want on your network.

[rubarb23]

it is kinda harsh. a good idea would be to freeze the accounts until 9/25/07 but permanently? that's hard core man. i think the stores should get it up the ass from MS, why should gamers be punished? if a hot item is released sooner than expected who in their right mind wouldn't buy it?

[secret]

Like Ninja Giaden 2, with graphics like these, it hints that the xbox360 has maxed out graphically.

You should be concerned that this is a third / fourth gen title that is very (very) important like a new release of Mario and Ninja Gaiden. There should've been a breakthrough in graphical power, righ?

A) By the way, DVD isn't really hi-def despite talks about 720p / 1080p or else we wouldn't need HD-DVD or Bluray.

B) By the way, xbots will have spent the most money by the end of this generation for these reasons:
1) Internet fees of almost $400 to $500
2) Upgrading consoles for defective reasons
3) Buying a standalone bluray player (most likely a PS3) and / or an HD-DVD add on because the xbox360 lacks those
4) Buying a Wii because of motion sensing and eye toy that are lacking
5) Probably upgrading to the xbox720, adding another $400 to $600 because in a few years, the PS3 will put on its turbo boost and the xbox360 can't keep up anymore so it will release a new console prematurely to compete
6) all the number of games and movies and accessories purchased

Whether you like to believe it or not, that's the most money ever spent by people who brag about saving money.

C) By the way, micorosft is responsible for the crime of not only releasing fualty hardware, but also for restricting high quality graphics in this gen's games. Look at Halo or Ninja Gaiden 2 for example. Microsoft is a car that maxes out at 60mph. Not wanting to lose the race, the company rigged the laws so that all cars must not go beyond 60mph and unethically placed several roadblocks in front of the PS3 and other cars, even though the brooding PS3 lamborghinni knows it can burn rubber at 200mph or even 600 mph. Because of Microsoft, you not only get faulty hardware at a high price that can only play games, because of them, ALL gamers will have to settle for sub-par graphics this generation until we unleash the PS3. No one can tolerate unethical behavior forever. The cops are coming. The PS3 will be free, beginning with Grand Turismo 5 and Final Fantasy VIII and MGS4 and Killzone 2.

No one will tolerate Microsoft's 60mph law forever....

[Skynetone]

id only settle if they bought me a ps3

[P4KY B]

But I wouldn't risk it.

If I had a copy I would take it to a friends house and use his 360 :-)

[Lex Luthor]

Cruel guy.

[Mighty Boom]

D*ck

[EZCheez]

How can you do this to a customer? This is as if it's their fault stores broke the street date of the game.

You just can't do this to people.

[hydrog]

Sure they can, LIVE is MS's network/infrastucture! They can do as they wish with it.

I personally think this is great.. hold both parties responsible, that'll solve the street break scandals in a heartbeat!

[Moac]

in the end its not the stores fault its the individuals that buys it. I hope this is true and all of them get baned for life. =) GO MS.

This awesome news for gamers. =) ban the vermin.

[EZCheez]

@Hydrog- You must not have read the whole story because it also says they will ban people who have played the single player campaign as well. And admit it. The only reason you think it's great is because you don't have it yet. I'm sure you would be speaking differently if you actually had a copy of it.

@Moac- It's not the store's fault? You do know retailers get fined for breaking street dates don't you? What do you think they should do with those fines? Divide the payment between the people who bought the game? Come on, please.

Both of you are obviously Americans that don't have a copy of the game and won't until the 25th. That's why you're saying this. It's just jealosy and you probably feel better now knowing someone is going to be punished for having already played a game you waited years to play.

[Moac]

What i meant was that the Stores aren't the ones that have the most responsibility or that they are the ones that are to be burnished because u cant punish the entire chain for the actions of the 1 store nor is it possible to punish a single store within the "chain".

[i Shank u]

@EzCheez - yo im american too, but i dont think the same as them, don't generalize us "americans", or we'll invade your country too :P
@ Moac - are you serious about it being impossible to punish one store within a chain? thats ridiculous bro, thats what happens when street dates are broken. the individual stores and employees are punished

point is, when an xbox live customer is banned in this situation, they are being banned even tho they are breaking NOT ONE RULE. the stores, on the other hand, are breaking SEVERAL RULES AND LAWS.
Also, the stores are the more easily controlled factor; there are thousands of stores, versus MILLIONS of customers. if i walked into circuit city tomorrow, and by some fluke they happened to have Halo 3 out on the shelves for sale, there's no question i'd buy it. and then if i got banned later on that day for playing it, MS would lose my business no question, id be mad as hell, because im a good paying customer that didnt do anything but support MS, didnt break any rules

[EZCheez]

I'm an American too.

[uxo22]

The store/chain should be soley responsible for breaking the street date. If halo was on sale today, I would buy it. Especially since everytime you go out to buy a great game, if you didn't pre-order it they are usually out because they only received enough for pre-orders (Gamestop).

The merchant had the product, they could have kept it in the storage room and not put it in the main store. The consumer should take NO responsibility for buying something sold to them by a greedy merchant.

Also, if they are going to do this, they should only punish gamers that played AFTER they gave their warning. How would one know about it beforehand.

[AdolfBinBush]

I'm also an American... and i think we should stop invading Iraq

and leave Iran alone.. let the UN deal with their nuclear agenda

[HeartlesskizZ]

If I was your friend consider me your enemy from now on. How can you do that to a friend? You kidding right?
anyways getting ban til 9999 is something you cant tell your grandchilds

[BlackCountryBob]

Thats overly strict IMO, how about complaining to the shops that have brken the street date instead, after all it is their responsibility to honour the street date.

[blackrose5]

Taking a game abit too far

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

i can wait, id rather wait than get my live account f**cked...to bad for those impatient people tho..

and does this mean those mlg players get their accounts banned too?...i know theyre already playing the game..."t-squared" and "lil poison"...they prolly have most of the achievements

[riksweeney]

Microsoft admitting that they collect information about you could cause serious problems.

They shouldn't be collecting this information and sending it to their headquarters without the user's consent.

I wonder what else they're collecting from Xbox 360 owners?

[ceedubya9]

Every time you log on to Live, your gamerscore and played games are updated online. I can easily go online and check and see what games people on my friends list have been playing, and if any had been playing Halo 3, I would know if they log in. Seeing as how everyone can see this info if they choose, I'm sure Microsoft will be fine.

[YoMeViet]

I feel sorry for those people who had early copies now.
Damn glad i wasn't one of them.
I would have thought that unplug the internet would make you safe, guess not since the rep said so. So does the 360 keep tabs on what play? and what about what i watch....

[Dukester101]

Yeah, same here... that's BS that they can nail you, even if you didnt play the game while connected to Xbox Live.

I know they can log it, which is BS imo, but to ban somebody immediately when the sign on for playing the game before release, when signed off, is ludicrous!

That's what i'd do... but I guess it wont work. Though, i think that's bluffin'

[fjtorres]

Of course the 360 keeps track of everything you play.
(No, not movies and stuff, but games it does.)
It has to. The info is cached locally and updated every time you log into Live. (It is part of the terms of services contract. No secret at all.) That's how achievements are tracked and it is *necessary* for a universal friends' list and for the advanced matchmaking features on Live.

[Syko]

This is BS, They are bluffing to scare people into not making a big deal out of broken street dates. With that said, I am glad I don't have to worry about getting the banhammer =)

[Cat]

yeah, i call shenanigans.

EDIT: shenanigans confirmed: http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/...

[Drewminati]

But i think it's unfair to the gamers who already purchased it. I mean why don't they ban the stores that sold it to the gamer?

[AllroundGamer]

i will be playing it in about 4 hours :P don't care much about the banning BS :D

[ThaGeNeCySt]

I'm getting mine on friday... and I'm thinking about making a dummy account that never goes online... and playing it offline at ALL times (never logging in) and then copying my campaign game save to my regular account on the 25th... hmmmm

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

that would be just the same if u did it on ur main account?..sometimes when i get achievements it says when it was unlocked so dont the game saves have certain things that show when the game was played, or last saved?

[ThaGeNeCySt]

=(

[khellendros1]

That sucks for you guys, but hey can't you just change the date on your consoles? Move it up to the 25th. Just some advice from your friendly Sony fan.

[AllroundGamer]

lol good idea :D MS has bugs everywhere, so i wouldn't be shocked if this would work :D

Edit: ok fixed, today is the 28. sept. :) i hope there isn't any internal bios clock or something :D

[YoMeViet]

Nice idea!
I wonder if that also work for people who are banned till the year 9999, like set you date to the year 01/01/9999

[Klopek]

Couldn't you just not sign-in on your console (not just live, the console itself)? I know a friend who for some reason doesn't have auto-sign in turned on and for that reason none of his achievements register with his profile! He always forgets to manually sign in!

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

gears of war and rainbow six require an active account signed on [doesnt have to be on live] to play the game, offline versus MP or campaign

[HeartlesskizZ]

Halo=Chaos
to much fans dying to get the game wile other are and get ban. so you think it will be worst with Halo4?

[VirusE]

Those guys deserved to be banned for getting the game before me:)!!!

[time2die]

You buy the product so why ban people that are fortunate to have the game early.

Its stupid shoddy treatment by these idiots that run these gaming Companys.

Do something more construtive with your time like release a console without the over heating issues and not a well known faulty product that they still keep selling.

I love the games on the 360 and its obviously the console of choice,But to keep making consloes with a shocking failure rate is totally not acceptable.

I upgraded to a xbox elite console and i was shocked that the heatsink that has caused so much problems and concern was not even changed in the elite consoles..Now that is poor and a kick in the teeth to all of us that go out and buy this product.

A lot of people in the know are saying that Microsoft are getting away with murder and this product should have had a mass recall.

[Hayabusa 117]

Well, thanks Microsoft, but isn't it, like, just a bit too late? I mean, you guys knew it was coming, but you couldn't do it to stop people from leaking ENDINGS and INTRO sequences? WOW. But you could ban them anyway...for no decent reason, since getting games before their street date is nothing new, and no one really cares about them now anyway. WOW MS, just WOW.

When you unlock an achievement, it records what date you unlocked it (and I think the time) so even if you play offline but unlock achievements, once you log onto Live and your gamercard is updated, they would ahve the dates of the achievements. It's mostly likely there would be other stuff like this they can use as well. By the time they start banning people, the game would be released anyway.

Seriously MS, why bother? You're being control freaks again. Sure it's halo 3, but it's still a game.

[zonetrooper5]

I'm against this as well, I'm getting Halo 3 but this is totally fu*ked up. God MS, *sticks up middle finger*.

[PimpNick_1980]

thats what you get for trying to beat the system

[PimpNick_1980]

thats what you get for trying to beat the system

[PimpNick_1980]

thats what you get for trying to beat the system

[PimpNick_1980]

thats what you get for trying to beat the system

[LostChild]

I find the part about banning people who only play the game offline to be false. One the 360 doesn't even register a game with a date stamped on it when it's played offline and second, the correct time of day is not displayed until it is connected to live. Also, MS is going to have to figure out between who brought the game and who was given the game for free or as a prize early by them/Bungie. And why would MS band someone for playing a game earlier than its release but not band those who got into the Call of Duty 4 Beta buy using someone elses live account or using tokens sold on Ebay. Makes no scense. Yeah, lets band our customers that couldn't wait to play our most beloved game. Smart move here.

[PimpNick_1980]

thats what you get for trying to beat the system. I hope your 360 sets itself on fire and those who play this game early are banned for life

[K33GAN]

they deserve it

[xionpunk]

Damn, what an ass*hole move on MS's part.

[DrRage77]

i think microsoft should be going after the stores that release early, not people that bought it because a store was offering it. if i was at bestbuy, and they had a big display with Halo3 already out, I would pick it up assuming the release date got pushed up.

microsoft should really be careful about trying to go after it's loyal customer base that has been waiting eagerly for this game, and speding lots of money on the halo franchise merchandise....to go after the fanbase that they are dependant on to keep the xbox brand going with big sales from Halo3 is HUGE mistake on their part....let's hope they really are not THIS dumb.....

[DARK WITNESS]

i may be getting a copy early. if this is the case, are they actual banning the xbox, or just the account ?

you could just as easily make a fake account and play it.

ok you would need to play it again on your real account, but i wont have a problem with that. i am at work so can't read the full article.

does it say anything about that ?

[The BS Police]

In this case I would play on a diffirent Xbox 360 or play the game without the Harddrive attached.

[The Snake]

I'd create another profile on my hard drive, or if you had one, a memory unit. This profile would not ever be connected to Xbox Live ever.

[The BS Police]

So they can do what they want, they could ban you jsut for laughs if they wanted.

The fact is you agree to the Terms Of Use and Microsoft doesn't promise you anything nor do they agree to anything because they wrote the contract... they didn't sign it.

[actionjackson]

Take it from a lawyer, that's not how it works. Technically you are not signing it either. If you want a lesson, they are offering you terms of use (the offer), and you are accepting their terms (acceptance by click). They have a logo on the game, the title, etc. That acts as a signature. If you don't agree to the terms, you are allowed to return the game (media) to the manufacturer (Microsoft) within a certain time. I thing MS is 60 days. If you agree to the terms, then you are licensed the product under those terms. You agree to pay money, they agree to license the product under those term, which in this case are REVOCABLE. IF you have any more questions, contact your nearest contracts attorney and they will clearly show you all parties are bound somehow.

[crck]

How can they ban someone who walked into a store, saw a copy of the game and dared to actually buy it and play what they pay for? I dare MS to do this. They would have so many lawsuits stuck up their ass and bad press it would be fun to watch. BTW some of you xbots need to get a clue and learn how to think for yourself. Honestly, it seems like you would defend MS if they came into your house and pistol whipped your whole family. What they are proposing here is wrong plain and simple.

[The BS Police]

18. CHANGES TO THE SERVICE; OUR CANCELLATION OF THE SERVICE
We may change the Service or delete or discontinue features, games or other content at any time and for any reason. WE MAY CANCEL OR SUSPEND YOUR SERVICE AT ANY TIME.

[crck]

They advertise the Live service as an intergral part of the xbox 360 experience. If they ban people for playing a game they legally bought you can expect lawsuits and MS to lose. Its just like when you walk into a store and see those signs that say "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". What would happen if they say I dont want to serve you because your hispanic, black or asian? Yeah lawsuit.

[The BS Police]

You cannot purchase something legally before the streetdate... and like I said Microsoft could ban you from Xbox Live just for laughs if they wanted to.

The fact is when you create an Xbox Live account you then by defualt agree to their user agreement policy.

[i Shank u]

i agree with most of what you say, only want to say that if i walk into gamestop to get a different game and see they have halo 3 on the shelves early, I am not breaking any laws by buying it am i? but yea, MS holds all the marbles and can peg you with em' whenever they want

[The BS Police]

But if you did get the game early, I wouldn't playing it on an Xbox 360 that is/or will be connected to Xbox Live.

[Nodoze]

This is utterly and entirely ridiculous. MS should be going after RETAILERS that break the street date, not the customer.

How about this one for a fix to this assanine ban threat

Unplug the console from the net
Change the time and date to the future release date
Play through the short single player campaign
Obtain achievements with the proper date stamps
Change time and date back
reconnect after release

Should work like a champ. FU MS and your shoddy error prone console!

[DeZimatoR]

This is total BS by MS...the average joe has no possible way of knowing this...as for teh moment anyone can buy the game from a store MS can't do sh!t about it...

If they do start banning ppl from Live they will get into ALOT of trouble ;)

[The BS Police]

Read the fineprint on the terms of use.

"We may cancel or suspend your Service at any time".

[cheetorb]

That's why I play it on my modded 360 and boy is it awesome sweet.
P.S. Master Chief dies.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Whats your gamertag?

[Amsterdaam]

Playing it on your modded 360 would be twice as bad. Unless, of course, you don't ever go online with it.

Ever.

[ThaGeNeCySt]

=(

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Game isn't released yet just because these guys "stole" an copy early doesn't mean they don't deserve to do the time once they commit the crime.

Why would any gamer think that playing a game on a system where it shows what game your playing to everyone just assume that "big brother" isn't watching?

[SuperSaiyan4]

Gameplay.co.uk are processing orders early for those that bought the Legendary Edition I have proof in e-mail so if I get the game say this Saturday is this to say Microsoft will ban me?

I think I speak for everyone in a situation like this that it could become a very big court case for Microsoft!

[DJ]

"Sir! A bunch of people just legally purchased Halo 3 before the release date! Should we do something to the retailers?"

-"Hell no. Just ban their Live Accounts."

"What?! But...but why??"

-"Hey, talk to the guys upstairs. See if we can ban the consoles too. We need some extra cash around here."

----------------------------- -------------
In all seriousness though, who the hell punishes customers for buying their product? Seriously.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Yup they like having them more than the PS3 (since they have more).

[warden976]

MS may find this hard to pull off - fair enough to us hardcore gamers who check the net and know release dates like the back of our hands, but what about the geezer who's a casual gamer who gets home to find his copy of halo 3, he pre-ordered months ago on the net, arrived today, not knowing it's early etc and plays it? are MS right to ban that guy? now if there is a warning on or in the packaging then that's kinda fair game...

[ThaGeNeCySt]

There's an update to the story... it's MS employees being banned... not us customers who snag the game early :)

[DJ]

THAT seems fair. =]

[Que813]

and now i have someone on my friends list playing it when i cant. daaaamn you!

[Pika-pie]

If M$ did this it would proove that they are total A$$HOLES

[xav0971]

Microsoft employees

[sandip787]

ms employees getting banned? but why would they get banned?

[Mighty Boom]

the rules, terms and conditions of live.

By the way............COD4 > HALO

[FadeToBlack]

If you are playing this game before the official launch date you should be punnished. Its not fair to the millions of other customers that will purchase their copy on or after the release date.

[BrownPowerzz]

It wouldn't be fair if you bought it in a store without knowing the release date! Does it say on the box that you ARE NOT ALLOWED to play it before the 25. ??

[haloblows]

Ignorance is not an excuse. Buying something that is not legally suppose to be out is a crime.If marijuana becomes legal and you buy before that its crime. You can deal with it. Besides halo sucks.

[dachiefsman]

wow must be a language barrier cause your analogy fails

[haloblows]

You can't say a word the cheifs don't win games they just suck.

[Wii60_FTW]

M$ JUST OWNED A LOT OF IDIOTS!!!!!!

[narked]

i think its unfair to ban them, this shows how much microsoft care about their customers, so u buy a 360, buy halo 3, and they ban u cause its a weak early... unfair

[sleepbox]

Umm...dear MS...why not FINE THE CRAP OUT OF THE STORES THAT SOLD THE GAME EARLY?! Why punish the gamers?

[dachiefsman]

That is the most sensible post out of all of the above....bubble for you!

It is not the gamers fault that the store reps are handicapped!