If you somehow managed (by hook or by crook) to get a copy of Modern Warfare and are trying to play it online via Xbox Live, you'll be treated to a ban. The game officially launches November 8, but apparently Microsoft has noticed that some Xbox Live users have the game and are trying to play it online. Those people are having their accounts banned.
Director of Policy and Enforcement for Xbox Live Stephen Tolouse said via Twitter that playing a legitimately obtained copy of the game online "would be fine," but later backtracked. His first Twitter post on the subject read:
"For those asking about MW3 pre-release play: If your copy is legit and obtained legitly, have fun. It's a great game."
But later he clarified his earlier statement, saying:
"clarification: dblchk'd with Activision. Mw3 pre-release play not authorized. So pls be patient. Playing early may impact your account!"
Yesterday US retailer Kmart broke the "street date" and began selling copies of the game early "due to a shipping error." Videos of the game's campaign have also begun showing up all over the Internet, including a controversial scene that we won't describe here so that we're not accused of spoiling the campaign. Some are calling it the "No Russian" scene of Modern Warfare 3.
Source: C&VG
Comments
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
This is BS. Just restrict access to the servers until the go live date and, as suggested by another poster, whitelist previewers/reviewer/testers to be able to use the product.
Or just cop it on the chin and let people play. They paid for a copy (so it's not like anyone is losing money here).
Banning someone because a store did the wrong thing is crap. Is every person out in user land supposed to know and understand release dates? Unlikely. You see it on the store shelf, you assume that you can play it...
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
If people have got their hands on a legitimate copy of the game why shouldn't they be allowed to play the game early?
Many pre-orders turn up early and it seems unfair that the consumer is penalised for this. They're almost pointing the finger at the consumer who has done nothing wrong.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
I'm ok with this if the ban is lifted after official release.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Microsoft/Activision run the servers for this game? Why on earth would they have the servers up and running before launch, and allow people to join and play, and then threaten to ban them for doing so? Why not oh, I dunno, not let people onto the servers until launch in the first place? Would that really be so difficult?
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
The people connecting are a combination of pirates and retailers who took copies before street date. The servers are up because employees and media already have access to legit copies. They are only banning the people who shouldn't yet have copies.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
So keep a list of who should be allowed on, and make that the whitelist to join the server. Easy peasy.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
You expect Activision to do what makes sense?
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
No, I guess you have a point there. It just seems to me a bit like throwing open the doors to a huge party you're having, letting anyone and everyone in, and then calling the cops to arrest anybody not on your guest list. Why not just keep people who aren't on the guest list from entering in the first place?
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
How exactly is it the consumer's fault that K-Mart broke street date? Why would their accounts be banned for playing online with a game that they legally obtained? Also, why is Microsoft capitulating to Activision's demands? Only K-Mart should be responsible in this situation.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
Because then Activision would be missing a chance to be complete dickheads, and they can't let that happen.
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
If the scene is being described accurately in the C&VG story, I don't think there's going to be any controversy.
1. It's a cutscene and not interactive.
2. The innocents are not killed by the player.
Of course, that won't stop stupid people or liars from claiming "MW3 allows the player to murder children!"
Andrew Eisen
Re: Xbox Live Bans for Playing Modern Warfare 3 Before Launch
1. It's a cutscene and not interactive.
2. The innocents are not killed by the player.
If that actually keeps people from getting batty over it, I'll be honestly surprised.
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Papa Midnight