Halo 4 reportedly leaked, Microsoft investigating

[Rick]

Leaked copies seemingly in the hands of gamers, MS issues bans
Halo 4 has been leaked weeks ahead of its November 6 release, according to multiple online sources.

Images of discs and photos of Xbox dashboards displaying the game name have been posted online. While their validity can be easy debated, the claims are further supported by numerous Xbox Live profiles which have been spotted on the official Xbox site listing Halo 4 as the game currently being played. Examiner also reports that multiple gameplay videos were posted on YouTube Thursday night, and there are claims of profiles associated with playing Halo 4 being banned for "illegitimate prerelease title play".

While it's unclear if official discs have been sold early or if a pre-release review disc has found its way online, Microsoft has told Examiner that it's investigating the reported leaks.

"We have seen the reports of Halo 4 content being propped on the Web and are working closely with our security teams and law enforcement to address the situation," said a Microsoft spokesperson.

This is bad news for 343 Industries considering the game's official release is still more than three weeks away. Unfortunately, the Halo series is no stranger to leaks; both Halo 2 and Halo 3 made their way onto the 'net before they hit shelves, as did Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach.
For now, if you wish to avoid spoilers we suggest you avoid all things Halo 4 on YouTube and forums for the time being.
Source: Xbox News: Halo 4 reportedly leaked, Microsoft investigating - ComputerAndVideoGames.com
More images.

Spoiler

 

[InsaneNutter]

Very interesting news post Rick, at least Microsoft didn't leak the game themselves like they did with Halo Reach.

No one has ripped and uploaded it, however its only a matter of time now i would imagine.

 

[Rick]

Very interesting news post Rick, at least Microsoft didn't leak the game themselves like they did with Halo Reach.

No one has ripped and uploaded it, however its only a matter of time now i would imagine.

It's uploaded in the usual places now. As of an hour ago.

 

[oO Flowzilla Oo]

Apparently, anyone who mentions the sacred word in Xbox Live will get a ban. Lol...

 

[InsaneNutter]

I heard that too lol, pretty mad.

Its leaked 3+ weeks early, just as Reach, ODST, Halo 3 and Halo 2 did... appears to be a pretty common thing with Halo games!

 

[Michael_T]

Apparently, anyone who mentions the sacred word in Xbox Live will get a ban. Lol...

I'm done with XBL. Don't get me wrong, i love Xbox. But i'm done with XBL. PSN is a good alternative and no bans for playing games early !
As for Halo 4. I will get the game because i played all Halo's till now, but i never liked the multiplayer.
I did like the Firefight part in ODST !

 

[Rick]

I found this Halo 4 live stream, no audio though.
edit:
streams continue to be closed. Look in the description for current stream.

 

[BlockABoots]

So alot of people are playing this on LT+ flashed drives but offline and think that they are safe to do so but this info of playing halo 4 is writen to the retail NAND right?...so basically there screw next time the go online with their xbox??

But what about us Dual Nand 360 owners? Am i safe to......

Have a dual nand 360 (RGH & Retail)
Play Halo 4 on RGH nand mode on a 2nd offline only profile (not your main online profile)
Play off a USB Harddrive which you also save the game data to.
When you play on Live switch nand to retail and REMOVE the USB harddrive.

If you used this method MS wouldnt know you have been playing halo 4!....right?

 

[InsaneNutter]

Yes you should be fine like that. I see no reason why not.

 

[Michael_T]

I found this Halo 4 live stream, no audio though.
edit:
streams continue to be closed. Look in the description for current stream.

 

[BlockABoots]

Yes you should be fine like that. I see no reason why not.

So there no way MS can get info of the RGH nand then, or any info being shaded acroos the 2 nands?

Can MS read info from another profile on your system that your not even signed in with?, say for example your sign in on your retail NAND with your main Live profile can MS then see other profiles and what contains within these other profiles?

 

[InsaneNutter]

So there no way MS can get info of the RGH nand then, or any info being shaded acroos the 2 nands?

Can MS read info from another profile on your system that your not even signed in with?, say for example your sign in on your retail NAND with your main Live profile can MS then see other profiles and what contains within these other profiles?

The Xbox is only going to be able to access the currently active nand, however if your hard drive is full of unlocked XBLA games, DLC and other Jtag only thing i would be more worried about that. I cant tell you if that would ever flag anything up or not, however i would keep my hacked and retail stuff totally separate. Its known MS scanned the hard drive back in the Xbox 1 days, i would imagine they still do it now.

I doubt MS are going to read any offline profiles when you sign on to live, if it worries you keep them separate on a USB stick or something.

Personally i have my live profile and saves all on one memory stick, which i switch between consoles. That way everything is separate.

 

[BlockABoots]

Ok thanks, yeah all my games and xbla stuff it on my USB harddrive which i unplug when im in retail nand mode

Personally i have my live profile and saves all on one memory stick, which i switch between consoles. That way everything is separate.

Apparently MS have become more aggressive with this, there are reports of MS banning based on IP address in light of the HALO 4 leak

 

[Rick]

They are banning everyone that plays this,profile & console ban.