Modders Defy Microsoft's DMCA Takedowns, Release Pirated Copies Of 'Halo Online' On Filesharing Websites
No one saw it coming when Microsoft dropped a new "Halo" game and made it exclusive to the PC. Even more surprising was "Halo Online's" free-to-play backbone and the fact that it was restricted to Russia, with no sign of release for the western markets. Therefore, it isn't surprising when a few enterprising modders took it upon themselves to tinker around with the game code and release a customised build. However, it didn't take long for Microsoft to use its legal muscle to issue DMCA takedown notices to clean up the mess.
According to a VG247 report, a YouTube user going by the handle Noble had posted a lengthy gameplay video demonstrating never-before-seen features and gameplay elements from a "Halo Online" build. It was later found that the video was created using an illegally obtained and reverse engineered build of the game provided by two prolific modders Gamercheat13 and Lord Zedd.
PC Gamer points out that another group of modders was already working on a launcher dubbed ElDorito that would package the game assets into a playable version. The files had already been uploaded onto open-source repository GitHub. Microsoft has responded by swiftly raising a copyright claim and issuing DMCA takedown notices on both the modded version of "Halo Online" on GitHub and Noble's gameplay video on YouTube. Google as well as GitHub have complied with the notices and the content has now been taken down.
"We have received information that the domain listed above, which appears to be on servers under your control, is offering unlicensed copies of, or is engaged in other unauthorized activities relating to, copyrighted works published by Microsoft," read Microsoft's DMCA notice sent to Github. However, the pirated version of Microsoft's free-to-play version of "Halo" wasn't removed before a few enterprising gamers managed to create copies on file sharing services such as Mega.
The "Halo Online" Wiki has a page dedicated to the ElDorito launcher, which includes the link to a mirror of unauthorised copy of the game hosted in a 2.1GB file titled "Halo Online.zip" on Mega. Needless to say, it won't be long before Microsoft cracks down on illegal copies of its free-to-play game on such file sharing websites as well.
Nevertheless, it isn't surprising why gamers have been trying to pirate a game that is essentially free to download and play. YouTube user Noble had already raised concerns regarding the pay-to-win elements lying dormant within the game in his leaked gameplay reveal video. He had found the presence of overpowered paid weapons that would've skewed gameplay balance in favour of gamers with deep pockets.
Creating a level playing field isn't the only motivation. PC gamers have been itching for a fix of "Halo" games on their favourite platform for a long time now. "Halo Online" was a classic so-close-yet-so-far case, because the game has been restricted to the Russian territory, with no sign of a western release. That explains why it was western modders who cleaned up the microtransaction elements from the Halo Online build and made it available to the rest of the world.
In all probability, Microsoft could even be holding back on releasing "Halo Online" to Europe and North America to keep the markets focused on the upcoming "Halo 5." On the other hand, Russia might just be the initial testing ground for an eventual worldwide release. At any rate, even with no signs of a worldwide release for the game, modders have ensured that western gamers get a taste of what they're missing.
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Halo Online Announce Trailer (credit: Halo_4game YouTube channel)
