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Just got my console (and I assume my account) banned from Live for playing Halo 4.
- Thread starter Skel1ingt0n
- Start date
SRTtoZ
Member
This has been answered already. Journos have been banned because they didnt add their Gamertags to a list that MS provides.
Krappadizzle
Member
Also known as PC gaming. Though, we've been getting luckier lately.
Store's fault for selling it early, but also MS's fault for having going about it in such a lazy way. Don't see why MS doesn't just keep the connection to their Halo 4 servers offline until street date.
Revolutionary
Member
Wow. That's bullshit.
I've been able to get some PS3 games early from mom & pops stores as well; even streamed a few of them in their entirety before release. Did I get banned? Nope. That PSN handle is still going strong, with a Uncharted 2 platinum dated before its release date.
I've been able to get some PS3 games early from mom & pops stores as well; even streamed a few of them in their entirety before release. Did I get banned? Nope. That PSN handle is still going strong, with a Uncharted 2 platinum dated before its release date.
Sarcastico
Member
Getting banned was harsh but not being able to get a receipt was asking for trouble.
I think some people are overlooking the fact that not everyone that has the ability to snag the game early is as informed as the average GAF member. My brother-in-law for instance, knows enough people that I could see him doing something similar to what Skel1ngt0n did, the difference being that he doesn't read forums and news sites, and would be totally unaware of the potential repercussions. To say he, or anyone else, including Skel1ngt0n, would "have it coming to them" is fucking ridiculous.
It's not BS. OP doesn't even have a receipt so it is not a legit copy until launch. Someone did the OP a favor, he pressed his luck and now suffers an inconvenience.
Jake Tower
Banned
oops ok
they have our gamertags
Skel1ingt0n
I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
Hey all!
First off - and I honestly mean this - I wasn't trying to be whiny in my OP. Considering the context and my language, I could see how it could be inferred otherwise, though. My "fuck you" was more of a sarcastic middle finger throw than anything. In the end, I was just disappointed - more that I was afraid I'd lose my GamerTag, that I hold near and dear to my heart (I didn't buy anything on PSN when I temporarily lost my account access for over a year, for example).
Yes - I am aware that the game was sold early. But I figured I'd was safe because of similar arguments brought up in this thread; namely that "How does MS know I'm an informed customer?" My thinking was that there wasn't anyway they'd ban a legit copy of the game - as it's possible (and likely) at least a large handful of copies will be purchased before launch by those that don't breathe gaming news.
I love the Halo franchise and games in general - you'll see in the Post Your Setup thread I have hundreds of games and hundreds more on Steam - I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to steal from the industry I hold so close to my heart.
I did not see anything at all relating to banning of legit games of Halo 4 when I Google'd two days ago - just about pirated/modded copies from Kotaku over a week prior.
***
In any case, I just did some digging, and it turns out that catching they eye of Stinkles has given me a very powerful ally. And for that, I am quite thankful!
Hopefully everything will be resolved quickly. But now that I see, regardless of how the game is received, MS bans first and asks questions later, I likely won't bother playing any future titles early - which is a shame.
I'll update this thread when something changes.
First off - and I honestly mean this - I wasn't trying to be whiny in my OP. Considering the context and my language, I could see how it could be inferred otherwise, though. My "fuck you" was more of a sarcastic middle finger throw than anything. In the end, I was just disappointed - more that I was afraid I'd lose my GamerTag, that I hold near and dear to my heart (I didn't buy anything on PSN when I temporarily lost my account access for over a year, for example).
Yes - I am aware that the game was sold early. But I figured I'd was safe because of similar arguments brought up in this thread; namely that "How does MS know I'm an informed customer?" My thinking was that there wasn't anyway they'd ban a legit copy of the game - as it's possible (and likely) at least a large handful of copies will be purchased before launch by those that don't breathe gaming news.
I love the Halo franchise and games in general - you'll see in the Post Your Setup thread I have hundreds of games and hundreds more on Steam - I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to steal from the industry I hold so close to my heart.
I did not see anything at all relating to banning of legit games of Halo 4 when I Google'd two days ago - just about pirated/modded copies from Kotaku over a week prior.
***
In any case, I just did some digging, and it turns out that catching they eye of Stinkles has given me a very powerful ally. And for that, I am quite thankful!
Hopefully everything will be resolved quickly. But now that I see, regardless of how the game is received, MS bans first and asks questions later, I likely won't bother playing any future titles early - which is a shame.
I'll update this thread when something changes.
Thanks for clarifying. Interesting.
element
Member
As a developer, I'm totally on MS side here. I'm personally surprised in the defense for the guy who bought it fully knowing he was breaking the rules and considering the store would 'ring it out' on launch day just tells you how shady it is.
Breaking streets dates is serious. While it is nice of Frank to step in and help this guy out, this guy still stepped in shit on his own.
Breaking streets dates is serious. While it is nice of Frank to step in and help this guy out, this guy still stepped in shit on his own.
There is a big difference between copies being sold within 24 hours of the street date and well over a week. When these games are delivered to stores they come with a very specific seal and paperwork clearly saying "DO NOT SELL BEFORE 11/6/2012", with also listing possible penalties if caught doing so.
Why is it a shame? That you can't scam the system by dealing with stores that should be prosecuted or fined? That you have to wait like all the other gamers and stores that do follow the rules?
Jake Tower
Banned
Oh hohoho. This grade A bullshit. The man bought the game legit, fair and square. Not his fault stores broke street date.
He's didn't acquire the game through illegal means and isn't leaking any of it's contents on the internet. The ban is unwarranted.
Foxy Fox 39
Banned
In case you're wondering, Stinkles is Jeff Bells alt account.
The game is fully leaked, there can't be any huge secret in there that isn't already out to the people who want to read it, I'd imagine.
Buyers don't have legal teams to make retail agreements with wholesalers or publishers.
shungokusatsu
Member
The joy of having a friend that works at GameStop. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating. I use to get games weeks early from a buddy who worked at GameStop until he started doing it for far too many people, got caught and got fired.
Personally, street dates are my biggest pet peeve in gaming. Just get the damn game out there and in the hands of fans.
Personally, street dates are my biggest pet peeve in gaming. Just get the damn game out there and in the hands of fans.
Why? Is every major outlet not getting advanced copies of the game?
Very intriguing, I look forward to finding out. Certainly don't answer if it could get you in trouble, but is it something that will be wildly known, and obviously what you're referring to on the day?
element
Member
He has admitted to not having a receipt, so it isn't a legal sale. No legal proof of purchase.
Most stores like Best Buy, Gamestop, and others won't actually allow you to complete a sale of an item like this before the street date.
This is a very special case. Typically stores don't get games two weeks before a game street date. As well as most games have soft street dates, meaning if they are broken it isn't a huge deal. Something like Halo 4, Call of Duty, or others you have a number of reasons why breaking the street date is so serious. The first being piracy. We have already seen Halo 4 available for download. The second being alignment with marketing which for a large game could be a huge amount of money. Third is the possibility of damaging the game with early word of mouth.
APZonerunner
Member
The thing about the embargo is even if somebody who's played the leak through one means or another hit upon the right thing and are talking about it all over the web, we can't acknowledge it because we signed the agreement not to talk 'til Thursday.
That said, I'm not really sure what Choc's talking about specifically, and I'm staring at my embargo right now.. I might just be missing something obvious.
This. Everyone knows the release date is November 6th and more importantly, that Halo 4 had leaked, so playing it while connected is a fantastically stupid thing to do.
A customer buying a game doesn't have to care one bit about advertised "release dates" of a game - such agreements are a matter of contract between the seller and distributor the end-user is not party to.
Whether he knew about Halo 4's actual release date or not is completely irrelevant, he bought the product at a store (whatever the exact process was, Microsoft got his money) and he expected to play it on his video game system without any further hassle.
Maybe everyone knows, doesn't mean I (as the end-user) have to be held accountable for anything Microsoft advertises.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
He didn't buy it legit and admits it in the OP.
No of course, I just mean that can't be a reason for MS to ban Halo 4 players, because it doesn't change the game having leaked. If you want to know how Halo 4 ends, it's really easy to find out. In fact, you have to actively avoid it.
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
Right, but I think it's similar to buying stolen goods.
You're buying something that can't be legally sold to you, so even if you aren't aware you can still be held accountable.
The retailer refusing to give him a receipt should have been a big red flag. Glad things worked out for him, but buying something under those terms is silly and any claiming innocence afterwards is intellectually dishonest at best. Guy all but admits he knew what he was doing
Oni Link 666
Member
Nice watch.
I am extremely curious now...is it a good thing or a bad thing?
element
Member
Absolutely!! The fines for selling the last book for Harry Potter were HUGE if I remember correctly.
Agreed 100%
TimeEffect
Member
So everyone automatically is supposed to know this?
Jake Tower
Banned
There's a big difference in legality between criminal acts (stolen goods) and 'pre-street date sales' which fall wholly under civil law, specifically contract law.
You don't have to care whatever agreements are in place between the person that sells the game to you and the distributor. If you are buying games at a video games store you can reasonably expect that they aren't stolen goods. Everything else doesn't have to concern you.
Fencing of stolen goods is a completely different matter.
I never signed a contract with Microsoft stating that I have to obey any of their "street dates" (and at least where I live, such a clause couldn't be hidden in terms of service but would have to explicitly highlighted under consumer protection laws to be legally binding)
R
Retro_
Unconfirmed Member
Obviously.
I'm merely trying to put my view into perspective. (that there has to be some accountability on the consumers end for the laws to be effective)
Demoncarnotaur
Member
Good stuff. =)
This thread does surprise me though, I thought the system was automated to detect pirated versions. Maybe he was manually flagged by someone or something, but at least its something that will be taken care of if you can prove its a legit copy.
Didn't you read the contract?
I didn't even know modded systems could get on XBL, that seems crazy to me.
Sarcastico
Member
Except that the OP doesn't have proof that he bought it.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
He didn't buy it. They didn't give him a reciept and told him they would ring it up later.