In a move which defies Microsoft's insistence to keep Halo 2's plot and
details a secret, copies of the game have already been sold, for as much as USD
265.
Although Tuesday November 9 is the official launch date for the highly
anticipated sequel, copies have found their way to the Internet auction site Ebay. The most
profitable sale was one completed on Thursday which saw an in-hand copy of the USD 55
special edition Halo 2, including special packaging and a bonus DVD, reach a staggering USD
265 final sale figure.
Microsoft has, of course, not commented on the actual case in
question but has stressed that it is working hard to ensure that all gamers get the same
enjoyment from Halo 2 once it is released, something impossible if the PC version isn't
released at the same time we say but that is unlikely. In any case the leaks which led to
the appearance of the Halo 2 Ebay copies, must have been very limited since only a handful
made it to the auction website.
The appearance of the French version of the game last
month on filesharing sites was the biggest blow to Microsoft's efforts to keep the
storyline a secret but it is unlikely to affect sales, especially when considering that 1.5
million pre-orders have already been received by the Halo 2 publisher.
We will not stoop
to discussing comments claiming that the fact that a French copy was leaked meant that the
game received maximum publicity for minimal sales damage but we will say that a game that
features multiplayer action as one of its major weapons is unlikely to be affected by such
leaks anyway.
A Meijer Inc. spokesman denied recent reports claiming that copies had
been sold at a few stores owned by Midwest retail chain. John Zimmerman said, There is
absolutely no truth to that at all.
So Ebay and filesharing sites aside, the world is
holding its breath as we can now clearly hear the roar of Master Chief's
