One can always count on the Newsgroups to deliver the latest and greatest multimedia to the online scene. In recent years P2P networking has also proven itself in this arena. However, continuous risk, especially with more mainstream file-sharing networks, allows the Newsgroups to remain one of the safest and most prolific methods of choice for those seeking information.

Those looking the obtain the most anticipated movie, album or game before anyone else have sought such information on various Internet mediums. While this concept is nothing new, only in recent years has the term "prerelease" become a near pop-culture term. From movies such as "Star Wars" or "The Hulk" to PC games like "Doom 3", popular titles such as these have pushed the "prerelease" craze into the mainstream.

As movies have become the most common item to find its way online prior to an official release date, it appears games are also becoming more commonplace. Doom 3's prerelease caught wide spread attention considering it appeared online about 3 or 4 days early. However, Halo 2's appearance is perhaps most surprising, as it has appeared online nearly a month early.

Twenty seven days to be exact, perhaps the most extensive span of time a game of such anticipation has been released early. But here is the big catch...

First, the release is for XBox, not PC gamers. This mitigates a significant amount of penetration into households’ world wide. But XBox is widely popular you say?

True enough, and if this copy was actually compatible with your standard XBox console, then Microsoft and Bungie would be in serious trouble. As many XBox gamers already know, you can not play burned DVDs on your console unless you have installed a mod chip. The chip itself is legal, but the bios that defeats MicroSoft's Digital Rights Management is not. A vast majority of XBox gamers do not have this chip, reducing any significant losses for Microsoft, and more importantly, Bungie.

Second, the currently released copy is the French version (with English subtitles.) Unless you have been cracking that "French 101" book, the cut screens and mission information may be confusing. Granted, this will only have a limited affect on the most determined gamers.

While this is an interesting event, it is more of a "see what we can do" situation rather than a serious threat to Microsoft or Bungie.

This story is filed in these Slyck News categories
File-Sharing/P2P Related :: Software
Newsgroups/Usenet :: Other

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