Activision: no plans to ban "legit" early MW3 players

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 7 November, 2011

"But try to wait til midnight launch."

Activision will not ban early Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 players, despite only last week telling Microsoft it would.

On Friday last week, amid reports that US shops were selling the sure to be gargantuan first-person shooter before its Tuesday, 8th November street date, Microsoft told fans early play may impact on their Xbox Live accounts - even if they bought the game legitimately.

Director of Policy and Enforcement for Xbox Live Stephen Tolouse took to Twitter to say: "dblchk'd with Activision. Mw3 pre-release play not authorised. So pls be patient. Playing early may impact your account!"

Following fan uproar, Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling said early birds would not be banned.

"No plans to ban legit fans, but try to wait til midnight launch on Tuesday to play #MW3. Can't wait to jump online with everyone then!" he said on Twitter.

THERE MAY BE SPOLIERS AHEAD.

Then, in response to the many Modern Warfare 3 videos that have already appeared online, including one that shows a mother, father and young daughter being killed by a terrorist explosion in London, Bowling Tweeted:

"Lots of #MW3 spoilers posted online. For the intended pure experience, I encourage you to play it yourself with full context and emotion."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (15) Latest comment 7 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • madsox1 #1 7 months ago

    Common sense at least re the ban situation

  • Bennicus #2 7 months ago

    "try to wait til midnight launch on Tuesday "

    Why!? How's it make any difference at all if I start playing a couple of hours early?

  • lockload #3 7 months ago

    For gods sake, ive bought the game its mine to play when i want

    Its not like it says on the box you cant

    Wouldn't surprise me if their next rule is if your trade it in within a month they will ban you aswell
    Edited by lockload at 07/11/11 @ 10:57

  • tachometer #4 7 months ago

    IF YOUR GOING TO PUT SPOILERS IN THE STORY YOU SHOULD SAY SO!!!!

  • DUFFMAN5 #5 7 months ago

    my nephew has been playing (360) since Friday

  • kinky_mong #6 7 months ago

    MOAR CALL OF DOODY STORIES!!! MOAR!!!

  • bobdebob #7 7 months ago

    @lockload

    I think they were worried about the pirate copies that pop up before release

  • tachometer #8 7 months ago

    THANKYOU!!!

  • scuffpuppies #9 7 months ago

    On my 2nd playthrough (received my copy Friday) of the SP campaign, and it's unfortunately my least favourite CoD since the original PC outing. I wouldn't go as far as to call it shit...but I wouldn't call it good either.

  • jonfon #10 7 months ago

    You spelt "SPOILERS" wrong EG :)

  • Bander #11 7 months ago

    I certainly agree that nobody should be banned for playing a legitimately purchased game early. But if there was a way to only ban those who put spoilers online, I'd support that initiative. Videos of games fall under copyright anyway, so it's not as if those on YouTube can argue that they have a right to upload videos that ruin other people's fun.

    They should ban Wesley as well.

  • scuffpuppies #12 7 months ago

    @Bander

    You need to tell that nasty man who forces you at gun point to type 'Modern Warfare 3 footage' in a search engine, and then viciously makes you watch recorded gameplay on Youtube to leave you alone.

    It must be terrible not having one ounce of restraint. I'll be more understanding next time I see you wanking in the que at Marks&Spencers.

  • Liquidoodle #13 7 months ago

    The earlier COD fans can get off the Battlefield servers the better if you ask me :D

  • Bander #14 7 months ago

    @scuffpuppies I would expect you to understand, since earlier today you claimed to have played the campaign to completion already. Yet three days ago you said that you wouldn't buy MW3 during launch week and probably never would.

    *does up zipper*

    Does anybody remember when Halo 3 was near release and people were tricking others into watching videos of the ending?

  • SomaticSense #15 7 months ago

    @ lollage - Um, where it was said that... "Playing early may impact your account!"

    So what else could they possibly do to your account? Write "X is a big fat GAY for playing MW3 early!" on your account profile?

    Of course it means bans. Wth else would it mean?