Just like its predecessors Halo 2 and Halo 3, Halo: Reach has been leaked this weekend, with modders at Game-Tut finding a way to download the game from Microsoft’s own servers.
Microsoft has been hosting the full game online.
Only a few people were allowed to download the game, and each needed a special code.
Game-Tut cracked the security, and has made the files available via P2P, torrents and warez for the public as [JTAG] Halo Reach RF ISORip XBOX360-XB3.
Gamers have already uploaded videos showing off battles in the game’s Firefight mode.
Microsoft’s response (via 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.”
Result for: torrent
The Hollywood Reporter has reported today that producers of the recent Best Picture winning film “The Hurt Locker” are preparing to sue thousands of alleged pirates, and that the case could be filed as soon as this week.
The U.S. Copyright Group, which has sued tens of thousands of alleged torrent users this year, has teamed up with Voltage Pictures, the team behind the movie, and the filing is said to include “tens of thousands (of pirates), if not more.”
The movie was leaked to the Internet, in full DVD quality, about 6 months before its nationwide release in the U.S. Despite winning Best Picture, the film only grossed $17 million USD.
When filed, the plaintiffs must subpoena ISP records, and lawyers for the U.S Copyright Group say 75 percent of ISPs asked have cooperated in doing so.
Back in April, the Group sued 50,000 users, and says that over 40 percent have already settled with no cases going to court.
Result for: torrent
Last year, The Pirate Bay infamously got “purchased” by little known company Global Gaming Factory for $7.8 million, however the deal never went through.
It appears, (via TF), that GGF had an even more ambitious offer in the works, 20 million euro for giant torrent indexer Mininova.
Today, it was revealed, from sources close to GGF and Mininova including CEO Hans Pandeya, that a deal was set in place for “no less than 20 million euros,” but fell through when Mininova lost its court appeal in the case brought against it by anti-piracy agency BREIN.
“I’m going to buy Mininova too and eliminate all the competition,” Pandeya had told one-time partner Wayne Rosso before the appeal fell through. Clearly however, Pandeya could not have afforded Mininova, as he couldn’t afford Pirate Bay.
