XBOX-HQ.COM - Halo 2 Hackers: Be Warned

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 20th of July, we will release Autoupdate 4. This is a small file that updates your version of Halo 2 to address various issues. It only takes a moment to download the file, but it is required for continued play on Xbox Live. If you do not wish to download the file, that is your choice, however, you will not be able to play Halo 2 on the Live service.So you've been warned. Read on for lots of specific info.

AutoUpdate 4 Q&A

Q: When does the Autoupdate go Live?
A: Tomorrow morning. At an undisclosed time.

Q: What is in this autoupdate?
A: Most of the stuff in this autoupdate is designed to fix cheating, security or minor, invisible bugs, but one thing you will notice right away, is that the Relic teleporter bug has been fixed, so you can no longer crouch jump to get through a locked teleporter. That's going to make team games a lot more palatable on one of the bigger, more complex maps in the game.

Q: Have you included any solutions to the cheating caused by players using modded Xbox systems and modded content?
A: Yes.

Q: What will happen to a player if his or her Xbox contains modded content?
A: You will be banned if you are detected playing our game with modified Halo 2 content. Your ban will be from matchmaking, it will be permanent, and there will be no appeal process.

Q: Do Action Replay saves constitute modded content ?
A: Playing with ANY modified content online is a bannable offense. Custom game types, created or loaded using Action Replay or similar devices, and then played on Live are considered modified content.

Q: Does this mean softmods are bannable too?
A: Yes. Softmods – that is, a modification made to your content without using a hardware-modified Xbox – are bannable. Delete them.

Q: What other types of cheating will be punished?
A: Other types of cheating will continue to be monitored, and offenders banned.

Q: How will I know if I have been banned?
A: You will not be able to play in Matchmaking, and you will receive a message alerting you to that fact when you log into Xbox Live with Halo 2.

Q: Who is doing the banning – Xbox Live or Bungie?
A: Bungie is banning players from matchmaking who use modified content. We're only banning you from matchmaking on Live. And we're only banning you from Halo 2 matchmaking. You can still play arranged games and you can still play your other games on Xbox Live. The Xbox Live feedback system will continue to operate as normal – which means you can have your account suspended for the usual bad behavior – continual cheating, foul language, etc.

Q: What if I am playing ONLY custom games with modded content?
A: You will be banned. We do not discriminate between custom and Matchmade games with regards to modded content. Sorry, but that's the way it is. And don't get all holier than thou – it is in the terms of use that you can't modify our content, and you know you shouldn't be doing it anyway.

Here's a couple of examples from the Xbox Live Terms of Use statement:

Unless expressly allowed, you may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software or services obtained from or through Xbox Live.

And this one is a zinger:

Xbox Live may only be accessed with an unmodified, except for Microsoft authorized repairs and upgrades, Xbox video game console. Any attempt to disassemble, decompile, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, modify, further sublicense, distribute or use for other purposes either the hardware or software of the Xbox or the Service, is strictly prohibited and may result in termination of your account and/or your ability to access Xbox Live via your Xbox, and the pursuit of other legal remedies by Microsoft. Microsoft may take any legal action it deems appropriate against users who violate Microsoft's systems or network security, and such users may also incur criminal and/or civil liability.

Again, if you want to play in Matchmaking again, delete any and all modded Halo content now for safety, and don't log onto our service with a modified box.

Q: Why is modified content bad?
A: Because it sucks. It ruins the experience for legitimate players, and is almost universally used to cheat. If you want to play modded content with your friends, do it on System Link. If you log into Live, you're banned. You've been warned.

Q: Will you be resetting the stats?
A: Not as such. What we will be doing, is leaving legitimate players where they are, and purging the Leaderboards of cheats, rank-whorers and miscreants.

Q: Why didn't you give us any warning?
A: Actually we did, several times. For weeks. Also, we don't actually owe you any warning if you've been cheating. It serves you right. You don't deserve to play with skilled, fair, legitimate Halo 2 fans.

Q: Where can I find out more about cheating?
A: In Our Big Cheating FAQSource: www.bungie.com Q: What do I do if I've been banned and really, really, I didn't do anything bad or wrong? A: You will find an appropriate email address here: Our Big Cheating FAQ