Normally I take the time to think through my stories, develop them, rewrite and refine them.  Not today.  I was reading some news feeds this morning and I came across several stories involving the Microsoft/Bungie developed Halo: Reach and I can honestly say I am in a state of “shock and awe”.

Microsoft is currently banning the consoles from anyone illegally playing the DIGITALLY DISTRIBUTED reviewer’s copy of Halo: Reach.  And it doesn’t stop there.

The Silicon Valley Stranglehold gets tighter because they are now permabanning the Gamertag associated with those consoles.  So don’t think you’ll be going out and grabbing a new console without creating a new Gamertag and losing any gamerscore you already had.  With a little hunting I found a copy of the letter you’ll receive should you decide to play the game before its retail release.  I’ll post it later in the article.

Now on to the conundrum. WTF is Microsoft thinking by distributing a downloadable copy of the game to reviewers. I guess it saves some dough right?  But it basically slipstreams the hacking process.  Were they baiting the line for all the idiots who thought they were gonna get some early reach around action?  I am mild to moderately agitated by the whole situation.  Seriously WTF.

As I knew it the “Field of Dreams” rule applies here well, if you post it..they will download.  So the odds on me being persuaded to believe Microsoft didn’t see this coming are slim. Which logically puts us in the realm of “acceptable loss” and the need for those who are banned to start over completely from scratch.

It’s not beyond me to see the process of getting an old console with a 48 hour trial and a new Gamertag before trying out the hacked DLC.  I mean it would save my precious gamerscore but it’s still a costly preview of a game that will be out in a few weeks especially considering you will still need to buy a retail copy to play with your friends in September.

I guess it comes down to this…don’t take the bait.  It doesn’t hurt anyone but you to play this game early. You’ve had the beta. The hype leading up to the release is part of the fun and Microsoft is just waiting to layeth the proverbial smackdown on your ass.  So keep your Gamertag and your dignity.  Stay away.

As for Microsoft, seriously suck a nut you dbags.  This isn’t a game.   It’s about a game. You’re dealing with a userbase that while technically able of doing things like hacking your download, may be twelve and still hazy in the moral decision making process.  So thanks for setting up the Reach trap and again suck a nut dbags….

Xbox LIVE

Notification of Permanent Suspension: Prerelease title play

This email is to notify you that your Xbox LIVE account privileges have been permanently suspended due to             illegitimate prerelease title play.

Your conduct was brought to the attention of the LIVE Enforcement Team through the course of our operation of the service. The LIVE Enforcement Team has reviewed the evidence regarding this conduct and determined it violates the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and/or Code of Conduct. Because your conduct is in violation, the Xbox LIVE Enforcement Team has issued a permanent suspension.

During your suspension, you will not be able to log into Xbox LIVE. Your Xbox LIVE privileges will not be reinstated.

Customer Support is not able to modify or provide any further details about your suspension.

Microsoft expects that all customers abide by the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct provides guidelines for appropriate behavior while using the service.

You can view the Xbox LIVE Code of Conduct from the Xbox LIVE Dashboard under Xbox LIVE Policies in Account Management, or by visiting http://www.xbox.com/live/codeofconduct.htm.You can view the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use by visiting http://www.xbox.com/live/termsofuse.htm.

Note: if you are not a user of Xbox LIVE, this suspension may have been enacted due to your activity in the Zune Social. You can view the Zune Social Code of Conduct by visiting http://www.zune.net/legal/codeOfConduct.htm. You can view the Zune Social Terms of Service by visiting http://www.zune.net/legal/termsofservice.htm.

Thank you,
LIVE Enforcement Team