Halo 2 Leaked

Posted in Games 4 years, 1 month ago.

Most “internet whores” like myself already know this but it’s just too big not to make some mention of it. Bungie’s Halo 2 has been leaked. The ripped game has been circulating around the internet via NewsGroups, P2P software, and Warez sites. The version is apparently in French with English Subtitles and is also in PAL format (the format used for European TV’s) and not NTSC (US TV Format). Regardless, if you have a modded Xbox you can play the PAL version of the game without any problem. Obviously I have not and will not in anyway download this for multiple reasons starting with my lack of a modded Xbox and desire to support Bungie.

This event has caused quite an uproar in the gaming and internet community. To be honest, people are flipping out. Game sites such as IGN and GameSpot have issued strict warning to users of their respective sites to not post any images of the game until they actually can post a picture of the game disc and manual, proving they own the game. Leaked images could ruin much of the story line of the game for unsuspecting viewers and will not be tolerated by most gaming sites. Personally, I plan to steer far clear of any message board post that would even seem to be a Halo 2 image because what made the first game great was unsure nature of the gamers. It’s been said that the introduction of the “Flood” in the original Halo was one of the most surprising and exciting moments ever in a video game. You can be sure that Halo 2 will have much of the same but with even a more surprising storyline.

It’s the French version anyway. In that version the Master Chief gets to Earth and immediately surrenders to the Covenant. Who wants to play that? I mean aside from French people.

—Leon (Member of IGN)

The one good thing going for Bungie is the inclusion of Xbox Live play. With this “ripped” version of the game, you will not be able to play via Live and rather only be able to experience the single player campaign. Any real fan of Halo will still have to buy the retail game to enjoy the multiplayer Xbox Live aspect.

Opinion: Pirating video games is extremely wide spread and very common. It’s virtually impossible to stop pirating despite all the safe-guards companies attempt to use. Just like the music business, the gaming industry loses millions if not billions of dollars to pirating each year. I’m not going to sit here and try to condemn the act but rather just say that if you truly enjoy a game and truly love the experience, you should buy it. Support the companies that work hard to deliver quality gaming experiences, it is the only way they can keep doing it.