Do you remember downloading 0 day warez on your 14.4k modem while blasting Nine Inch Nails and watching The Crow? Well, OK, nothing will ever compare to those times – but this story may come close.
Yes, hackers have reportedly gained access to an early copy of Halo: Reach that Microsoft quietly posted on a “hidden” section of the Xbox Live Marketplace for industry reviewers.
According to IGN, the game was listed at shocking $1200 (or 99,999 MS Points).
However, hackers managed to bypass the purchase, download the code, remove its restrictions and play the game on modified consoles.
As expected, a red-faced Microsoft reacted to the above mentioned reports by confirming that it had kicked off a thorough investigation of the (alleged) embarrassing breach.
“We are aware of claims being made regarding a security exploit related to Halo: Reach and are aggressively investigating the matter,” MS said in an official statement.
But as “Sparky” of IGN’s Team Xbox notes, early leaks are “nothing new” for the Halo franchise.
“[Yes], Halo 2 was [famously] leaked four weeks before its release in 2004 thanks to employees at a manufacturing plant.
“[And] Halo 3: ODST was also sold several weeks before its street date in Europe, [while] the ending to Halo 3 was posted weeks before the game’s release…”
