Halo: Reach snagged early from Microsoft's servers [update]
98
Continuing in the sad tradition of Halo 2 and 3 before it, Halo: Reach has apparently been leaked. Modders at Game-Tut.com found a way to trick Microsoft's servers, which are currently hosting the full game download. The download is intended for select media and only accessible with a code -- well, until Game-Tut apparently cracked that security measure. The site has yet to openly leak the files to the general public.
It appears that the game is leaking other places as well. At least one video released shows off a tour of Forge in the game's Firefight mode, and spoilers for the game can be found everywhere from Bungie's official forums to NeoGAF (if you really want to see them, you can find them yourself).
While Microsoft and Bungie will be hosting the usual slate of Halo review events around the world in the coming weeks, it appeared as though the companies were relaxing around the usually tightly-controlled media access to the series by uploading the game to Xbox Live. Unfortunately, the system proved vulnerable to the insatiable demand for Halo, which facilitated another early game leak for this high profile franchise.
Update: A Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq, "We are aware of claims being made regarding a security exploit related to Halo: Reach and are aggressively investigating the matter. We have no further details to share at this time."
It appears that the game is leaking other places as well. At least one video released shows off a tour of Forge in the game's Firefight mode, and spoilers for the game can be found everywhere from Bungie's official forums to NeoGAF (if you really want to see them, you can find them yourself).
While Microsoft and Bungie will be hosting the usual slate of Halo review events around the world in the coming weeks, it appeared as though the companies were relaxing around the usually tightly-controlled media access to the series by uploading the game to Xbox Live. Unfortunately, the system proved vulnerable to the insatiable demand for Halo, which facilitated another early game leak for this high profile franchise.
Update: A Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq, "We are aware of claims being made regarding a security exploit related to Halo: Reach and are aggressively investigating the matter. We have no further details to share at this time."
Reader Comments (98)
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:42PM daytripper said
@Jerk Face
You would think MS would send reviewers copies via UPS, FED EX, ect.
Reply
You would think MS would send reviewers copies via UPS, FED EX, ect.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:59PM Nick Spacek said
@Jerk Face
I'm very surprised this happened. Isn't the bigger deal the fact that they basically stole something from the Marketplace (assuming they weren't able to actually add all the MS point required for the purchase, maybe they were).
Not to mention it required a code (presumably the same sort of dealie as when you get some special offer code that unlocks Marketplace content). I guess we've known for a while that some content could be download over normal HTTP (I think) if you knew the specific URL, but I would have thought there'd be some security or that the content would be encrypted with SSL or something.
Reply
I'm very surprised this happened. Isn't the bigger deal the fact that they basically stole something from the Marketplace (assuming they weren't able to actually add all the MS point required for the purchase, maybe they were).
Not to mention it required a code (presumably the same sort of dealie as when you get some special offer code that unlocks Marketplace content). I guess we've known for a while that some content could be download over normal HTTP (I think) if you knew the specific URL, but I would have thought there'd be some security or that the content would be encrypted with SSL or something.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:31PM Extinction said
@Jerk Face I blame Microsoft for having it up. Dont tease gamers like that. If it's done, release it to everyone
Reply
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 4:16PM thisredengine said
@Jerk Face No kidding, but it will still sell over a million copies.
Reply
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:33PM trickybuz93 said
@wunwunx Umm you only need to see the promotional line
`Reach falls September 2010` to know what happens :P
Reply
`Reach falls September 2010` to know what happens :P
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:42PM Victoryismine52 said
@wunwunx
It's not as big of a deal as Joystiq is making it out to be I just went on the site and they said they will only be showing off multiplayer so as not to poil anything, and will NOT be leaking this to the public. They seem to respect the work Bungie put into this and have been telling thier community to go buy the game.
Reply
It's not as big of a deal as Joystiq is making it out to be I just went on the site and they said they will only be showing off multiplayer so as not to poil anything, and will NOT be leaking this to the public. They seem to respect the work Bungie put into this and have been telling thier community to go buy the game.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:43PM rskutins said
@wunwunx
It takes place BEFORE the first Halo, so you have to have some idea how's it's going to end.... Plus, isn't it somewhat related to the novel "Halo: The Fall of Reach"?
Wasn't there an interview with someone from Bungie where they commented on how difficult it was to write a story when the audience already knows the ending?
Reply
It takes place BEFORE the first Halo, so you have to have some idea how's it's going to end.... Plus, isn't it somewhat related to the novel "Halo: The Fall of Reach"?
Wasn't there an interview with someone from Bungie where they commented on how difficult it was to write a story when the audience already knows the ending?
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:17PM ShadowOp said
@wunwunx
We know the ending and how it happens from one viewpoint... but this is another perspective. Seeing how the end is achieved is what's really important.
That being said, if anyone tells me how that comes about, I will send a Grunt through their digestive system... That's right, from start, to the ungodly finish.
Reply
We know the ending and how it happens from one viewpoint... but this is another perspective. Seeing how the end is achieved is what's really important.
That being said, if anyone tells me how that comes about, I will send a Grunt through their digestive system... That's right, from start, to the ungodly finish.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:25PM SpacePenguinBot said
Urrrgh. I will never go through the trouble of doing whatever it takes to pirate a 360 game, so I'll just say this:
Please Bungie/Microsoft! Release the game for all of us now! Ship it, unlock it on the server. Whatever it takes. Me Wantee!
Reply
Please Bungie/Microsoft! Release the game for all of us now! Ship it, unlock it on the server. Whatever it takes. Me Wantee!
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:22PM Petebot330 said
@Wiizer Breaking Benjamin are an AWFUL band. Bland rock of the blandest order.
Reply
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:59PM SpacePenguinBot said
@Wiizer And do they have to make the lyrics so easy to understand? As if the music wasn't so bad, the words just make me want to find a teenager and give them a book of real poetry and a hug.
Reply
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 3:13PM TheMichaelJackson said
@Wiizer
I wish they put my music in FPS games. *cries*
Reply
I wish they put my music in FPS games. *cries*
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 3:25AM TheDarkWayne said
@TheMichaelJackson Oh man, I cant even imagine how wonderful it would be to play Reach with Bad going on back
Reply
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:38PM Themoreyouknow said
@Zertoss
I would hope anyone playing TF2 would be above playing console games, especially over hyped ones like the Halo series.
Reply
I would hope anyone playing TF2 would be above playing console games, especially over hyped ones like the Halo series.
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:01PM Zertoss said
@Themoreyouknow
You would be WRONG. First of all, just look at the Battle.net and Steam communities. They're terrible. I was just in a game the other night where some kid was getting destroyed by my team and hated the server mods.
Rather than find a new server, he proceeded to call us all homophobic slurs over and over and over and over until he finally ragequit after we started hounding him for being such a jackass. 5 minutes later, he joined again to call us homophobic slurs some more. I see this type of behavior all the time, and I always immediately start griefing them to hilarious results.
Halo Reach spoilers are going to produce so many delicious tears. I might even drop fake spoilers too, just to really get under someone's skin, like "In Reach, Halo takes off his armor for the first time but then he dies."
Reply
You would be WRONG. First of all, just look at the Battle.net and Steam communities. They're terrible. I was just in a game the other night where some kid was getting destroyed by my team and hated the server mods.
Rather than find a new server, he proceeded to call us all homophobic slurs over and over and over and over until he finally ragequit after we started hounding him for being such a jackass. 5 minutes later, he joined again to call us homophobic slurs some more. I see this type of behavior all the time, and I always immediately start griefing them to hilarious results.
Halo Reach spoilers are going to produce so many delicious tears. I might even drop fake spoilers too, just to really get under someone's skin, like "In Reach, Halo takes off his armor for the first time but then he dies."
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 2:10PM Themoreyouknow said
@Zertoss
"Halo takes off his armor but then dies"
His name ain't Halo lol. And how can he die if it's a prequel to Halo 1?
Reply
"Halo takes off his armor but then dies"
His name ain't Halo lol. And how can he die if it's a prequel to Halo 1?
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 4:48PM daytripper said
@Zertoss
You should always start your comments with: "Good news everyone"
Reply
You should always start your comments with: "Good news everyone"
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:32PM trickybuz93 said
Stupid pirates.
Can`t wait till MS bans their ass to hell and back!!
Reply
Can`t wait till MS bans their ass to hell and back!!
Posted: Aug 20th 2010 1:33PM Colostomeboy said
Well I wold not mind big spoilers. Last week bungie teased pants changing news would come from gamescon, so far nothing so i would rather have leaked info then none at all
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 108 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments











