Halo 3 disc problem reports

By Robert Purchese Published 25 September, 2007

MS US offers replacements.

Update: Microsoft America has issued a statement offering to replace Limited and Essential Edition discs at no charge. The offer runs until the last day of the year. Only those of you in the US, or places where the game is already out, can make use of this.

Make sure you head over to the official site to read the terms and conditions, hopefully avoiding any further disappointment.

Microsoft Europe has yet to respond.

Original story: Some US customers queuing up to splash out hard-earned dollarbucks on Halo 3 have returned home to find their discs unreadable.

The main offender seems to be the Limited Edition of the game, which comes in a metallic casing without a knobbly protrusion to hold the DVD in place. Because of this, disgruntled fans are reporting heavy scratching on their copies.

However, some buyers of both the normal and super-expensive Legendary Edition are also experiencing problems. These don't seem to be caused by obvious physical damage to the discs, although some are appearing discoloured. The problem, though, is the same: the game is unreadable past a certain point.

Perhaps it was to be expected with such a large quantity of copies being produced, although the Limited Edition casing does seem like an oversight.

Microsoft was unavailable for comment at the time of writing. We're expecting to hear back soon, but if not then we'll grill them at the London launch event tonight.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (163) Latest comment 5 years ago

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

  • Guv #1 5 years ago

    o.O incomming nerd rage!

  • TheSnotGoblin #2 5 years ago

    Oh dear oh dear.

  • Dr.Mott #3 5 years ago

    HOLY CRAP!

    /Ducks for cover

  • jonsaan #4 5 years ago

    It's probably not the game. Just the 360 itself?

    /runs.

  • bonker #5 5 years ago

    Bugger lol

  • sugapunk #6 5 years ago

    At least they don't all need to be recalled because they contain the word 'retard' when you lose or something.

  • GamerAddict #7 5 years ago

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *breathe* Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *breathe*
    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha *breathe*

  • Crovax20 #8 5 years ago

    I'm worried, I have ordered a limited edition. I'll make sure I get to see the disc first.

  • drumm23 #9 5 years ago

    see - it NEVER should have been 10/10.
    NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRR.
    etc
    etc




    etc

  • YoJimbo #10 5 years ago

    Aaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha

  • jellyhead #11 5 years ago

    It's been all over NeoGAF for a few days. MS have just admitted there's an issue and are offering replacement disks but only for the LE version so far. Biggest launch for the 360 so far and it's been tainted by shoddy packaging. Nice work, MS. Wonder if this will help with people's confidence in the "flagging" ( according to Radio 1 ) sales of the 360?

    Doubt it somehow. :)

  • Scurrminator #12 5 years ago

    i got the tin version, both discs were loose, the game was fine but the extras disc was destroyed. And from what i've been reading it's more than a small handful of people MS...

  • Chaote-Imagicka #13 5 years ago

    Is it wrong that I'm grinning like a loon at the thought of myriad Halo fanboys slagging off micro$oft?

    That said I heartily applaud the advancement in M$'s procedures for Halo3. It's gone from waiting for the crappy disc drive to destroy the game disc to purchasing it already ruined by the crappy disc case.

  • agparrot #14 5 years ago

    Almost Finish the Fight!

  • YoJimbo #15 5 years ago

    how funny would it have been it the actual game discs were scratched ;) hehehehe

    Sorry, i should be more sympathetic.....NAH! Hahahahahahah ;)

  • Scurrminator #16 5 years ago

    there are a lot of people with fucked game discs too so you may commence laughter

  • bonker #17 5 years ago

    "Wonder if this will help with people's confidence in the "flagging" ( according to Radio 1 ) sales of the 360? "

    Flagging???!!!

  • Danoxth #18 5 years ago

    Going to nasty for those with Legendary Editions as getting a replacement will be close to impossible.

    Time for Microsoft to show just how important Europe is and get a quick fix in place then :)

  • drumbaby #19 5 years ago

    Ooh, it's enough to make you see red rings.

  • penhalion #20 5 years ago

    Visions of millions of wanna-be Master Chiefs glaring in disbelief as they attemt to finish the fight only to find a disk unreadable error message. It's it doubly patronising by suggesting you get off your arse and clean the disk before trying to use it O_o

    I would laugh if I hadn't already pre-ordered a limited edition version.

    Incidentally the limited edition case is not the same as the bioshock case. this one has two disks and a book inside. More like the gears one for anyone who has that edition.

    Edit: Legendary comes with the limited edition tin and some extra stuff that's why some of those are also scratched. It's a design flaw in the tin case. It simply doesn't hold the disk in place and during transit many disks have been bounced about in their boxes. not sure what inside the tins is causing the scratches though as there is only the manual, a book and another disk inside. Smooth plastic doesn't usually scratch smooth plastic. This leads me to believe the disks were scratched before they were ever packaged.
    Edited by penhalion at 25/09/07 @ 12:54

  • Batfink #21 5 years ago

    London Launch - anyone else coming? I managed to get tickets :)

  • Paulanator #22 5 years ago

    I've got a Limited Edition winging its way to me from Shopto - should arrive tomorrow. It better not be bloody scratched!

    Anyone on here actually received their LE yet? Any problems?

  • oldergamer #23 5 years ago

    "Perhaps it was to be expected with such a large quantity of copies being produced..."

    Give me a break.

  • wowami #24 5 years ago

    "flaggin sales of the 360 compared to the PS3 and WII"

    i heard it on Radio 5 just now.. nearly fell off my chair

  • Steroyd #25 5 years ago

    My god it's like the launch of the Xbox 360 all over again.

  • lambtron #26 5 years ago

    doh!

  • Scurrminator #27 5 years ago

    i received the Tin edition, extras disc was destroyed with scratches - game was untouched though it was loose.
    the scratching is immense, don't know how it got so bad!

  • Ryze #28 5 years ago

    @Guv

    'nerd rage'

    ROFLMAO

  • bushwod #29 5 years ago

    .....dammit. With my bad xbox luck I just know I'm going to get a buggered disc.

  • 1Dgaf #30 5 years ago

    It's happening in the UK too. My copy of the LE was scratched.

  • evilashchris #31 5 years ago

    Mine is scratched too, but it's working so far.. goddam clunge monkeys.

  • killyourtv #32 5 years ago

    hahaha

  • lambtron #33 5 years ago

    "flaggin sales of the 360 compared to the PS3 and WII"

    I've given up trying to tell what is truth with regards to this. Probs for the best - that way I can get on with enjoying games ;). Unless they are scratched to buggery :(.
    Edited by lambtron at 25/09/07 @ 13:04

  • JohnnyWashnGo #34 5 years ago

    I don't own a 360 nor do I intend to. I do not like Microsoft at all for many and varied reasons.

    But, this is appalling and lower than usual behaviour from Microsoft. They have hyped this game beyond belief and by all accounts it is a great game to play so why have they put the discs in such crappy packaging?

    My fellow gamers who own a 360 are looking forward to getting this game more than their next dubious encounter with a member of the opposite sex( or same sex, no discrimination here ). What have they done to deserve this kind of treatment? Microsoft would appear to be happy to be the anti-santa in this story, teasing you with halo3 before ruining it before you get the chance to love it.

    Something needs to be done. They have the same shoddy approach to everything they do, either software or hardware. Would it have been that hard to package the discs in something that would protect them in transit?

    Not matter what, they will squeeze every last penny out of the manufacturing process to cut costs and the people who pay for this are the customers. Sickening.

  • MBar #35 5 years ago

    I swear to whatever god you want me to, if my Limited Edition arrives unplayable, I'm going to start targetting the families of those involved.

    Yes, a broken game is excuse for murder.

    What? It's not that much of an inappropriate reaction.

    I mean this is Halo we're talking about.

  • Flabio #36 5 years ago

    If you're in the UK and it's scratched, then it's back to the retailer for a refund or replacement. You can always do that, regardless of what support MS are or aren't giving.

  • AbyssUK #37 5 years ago

    M$ + QA = Red Halo of Death

  • SBfistfun #38 5 years ago

    ROFL

  • urban #39 5 years ago

    awesome.

  • stx #40 5 years ago

    Any euros care to comment about the game only having one audio track matched to the parent country? As an English speaker in Switzerland I'd prefer not to have to play through with German audio.

  • sharpfish #41 5 years ago

    whoops.

  • S_Bruv #42 5 years ago

    @squarejawhero

    I first heard the word (and WHAT a word it is) 'clunge' when I was about 16, which would be about 20 years ago. Sorry.

  • AFX #43 5 years ago

    I wonder how many people are experiencing this problem compared to the number of copies sold. I expect it's just a (relatively) small handful of people who are experiencing the problem and thanks to the media focus on the game and moany people, they're blowing it out of all proportion.

    Or at least I hope so, I've the limited edition on order too...

  • Dizzy #44 5 years ago

    "I wonder how many people are experiencing this problem compared to the number of copies sold"

    Apparently only the LE edition can have this. Normal and Legendary are 100% safe.

  • Cheapshot #45 5 years ago

    LOL does anything from Microsoft actually work!?

  • Goffee #46 5 years ago

    So £5m on the launch and now an extra mill or two on extra discs and shipping... Plus all the negative publicity that will follow!

    Just goes to show, build it and they will complain like chimps.

  • thepiedpiper #47 5 years ago

    surely it's just a bulk issue?

  • souljacker2000 #48 5 years ago

    biguy_bob has already told me he has gone through 6 legendary and 18 limited edition copies today all scratched... poor boy

  • Masarin #49 5 years ago

    The 'ignore poster'-link should win a lifetime achievement award.

  • pesser #50 5 years ago

    ONCE AGAIN MS COCK ANOHTER RELEASE

  • George-Roper #51 5 years ago

    Haha, and yet, wierdly, id sooner have to return a scratched disc, of what will VERY likely be the gaming event of the decade, as many times as required than be sat staring at the piles of turd (sorry games) gracing the PS3 and Wii.

    And, for the record, I don't give a toss about anyone else outside my own little gaming sphere. Fuck their scratched discs, as long as mine works, it's all good. Every last, 10/10, piece of it.

    =)

  • styrvolt #52 5 years ago

    Jeez MS. If you only had given us an option to purchase via XBL and install on HD. I would opt for this if only to avoid the 747 takeoff noise that accompany every 360 game.

  • Threshall #53 5 years ago

    My limited edition tin was heavily dented and both discs were loose and scratched. Scratching doesn't actually look that bad but the point is the discs shouldn't be scratched at all. Emailed shopto and awaiting reply...

  • Darren #54 5 years ago

    Yep, my Collector's Edition arrived this morning from Gameplay.com complete with a loose and scratched disc which I only found out about when I rang home from work earlier as I wasn't expecting the game to arrive until tomorrow. I don't know how bad it is; I've been told they look more like sticky marks than scratches so I'm hoping they'll clean off as I've had loose disc through the post before and managed to get the scruff marks off. So now my initial excitement at being able to play the game early has now being replaced by worry over whether the bloody thing even loads in the first place. Thanks Microsoft! :x

    I'm not very amused at all as this problem seems to be caused by poorly designed packaging. Trust Microsoft to mess up one of the biggest games releases of the year; it's like every game and demo of theirs has some kind of issue attached to it... LOL

  • jellyhead #55 5 years ago

    Well, look on the bright side. At least people won't be able to blame Halo 3 for Red Ringing their 360s if they can't play it. :)

    oh.

  • lennon #56 5 years ago

    Oh well at least all the people that wanted to have a whinge about how good the game is now have something to knock Halo 3 for.

  • optimusprym8 #57 5 years ago

    jesus fucking christ are your lives all so insignificant and meaningless you get off on a story about discs being scratched? For fucks sake people, you're only hearing about this instance because of the high profile of the game. Game discs get scratched through shoddy packaging all the time, it's only because it's Halo 3 *swoon that you're actually hearing about it.

    move along nothing to see here.

  • Rirekon #58 5 years ago

    ROFL!

  • projectmayhem #59 5 years ago

    @optimusprym8:

    actually, this is on a wide scale. this isn't a few isolated incidents that the press are bigging up because of the high profile launch. yeah, discs scratch all the time, but not on such a large scale because of bad manufacturing.

  • Dire #60 5 years ago

    the american legendary edition case is different from the UK one I got yesterday.

    The american one is a gears of war type case that opens up on both sides (watch the video on ign) and is prone to disc's being lose. However I just got two plastic cases with the proper holders so the discs dont pop out. no scratches whatsoever in my legendary edition.

  • Darren #61 5 years ago

    EG - "Microsoft was unavailable for comment at the time of writing. We're expecting to hear back soon, but if not then we'll grill them at the London launch event tonight."

    Please make sure you do... preferably in the literal sense and at 220 C!!! Only let them out the oven once they're nice and crispy... and dead!!! :x

  • George-Roper #62 5 years ago

    @optimusprym8

    "jesus fucking christ are your lives all so insignificant and meaningless you get off on a story about discs being scratched? For fucks sake people, you're only hearing about this instance because of the high profile of the game. Game discs get scratched through shoddy packaging all the time, it's only because it's Halo 3 *swoon that you're actually hearing about it.

    move along nothing to see here."

    Precisely. It's only because the PS3 and Wii owners could *dream* of having a release of the scale of Halo 3, that they'll never see the same kind of problems.

    Good and bad at the same time, I guess. More bad for them though, as it proves once again, what a weak lineup both those consoles have.
    Edited by George-Roper at 25/09/07 @ 13:40

  • jiveguy #63 5 years ago

    I just watched the game hang in split screen slayer. A man with a big metal case full of screw drivers had to fix it.

    Make of that what you will.

  • 1Dgaf #64 5 years ago

    Optymus,

    The publicity about the discs being damaged isn't in proportion to the publicity about the game -- far less, in fact.

    I can't recall ever having a disc damaged because of shoddy packaging. Normally the spindles games are placed upon are fine.

    In this case it isn't and, to make things worse, it's for a more expensive version of the game.

    I think it's entirely proper that there should be complaints. MS should do something about this. Because it's such a huge fuck up, it (might) also get other companies to look at their packaging too.

  • jellyhead #65 5 years ago

    Bloody Hell, optimusprym8. Is your life so insignificant and meaningless you get off on attacking replies to a story about discs being scratched? Ffs, you're only winging about these comments because of the high profile of the game. Comments on stories about Game discs getting scratched through shoddy packaging happen all the time, it's only because it's comments about Halo 3 *swoon* that you're actually complaining about it. ;)

  • evilashchris #66 5 years ago

    Clunge has been used for years around these parts i'm afraid..

  • Dizzy #67 5 years ago

    Hehehe..

    This seems to be only the case with US cases. EU cases are apparently different according to a lot of EU halo 3 forums. So all those claiming scratches.. please post pictures ;) or it didn't happen.
    Edited by Dizzy at 25/09/07 @ 13:45

  • LOLLERS #68 5 years ago

    RAWWWWRRR M$ FUXING US AGAIN!

    I'm going to send my copy back even though it hasn't arrived yet, that'll show them!

  • optimusprym8 #69 5 years ago

    I really couldn't give a shit as long as my copy is fine. I own all consoles, I'm no fanboy of any camp, I just likes games that are good, whatever platform they are on. This is a manufacturing issue that probably couldn't have been picked up by a few test burns back from the plant but that doesn't mean I'm defending Microsoft in anyway

  • Darren #70 5 years ago

    Microsoft are funny though, they remind me of that kid at school, you know the one I mean as every school has one, that always used to try so hard to do things right, but just never quite succeeded! Let's hope the PGR 4 launch isn't tainted by bad news, eh, at least that game has no special edition!!! LOL

  • pyrat6 #71 5 years ago

    "Good and bad at the same time, I guess. More bad for them though, as it proves once again, what a weak lineup both those consoles have."

    Lets take this slowly. Having scratched disks is a good thing - as it shows the lack of releases on other consoles ?

    No. It simply demonstrates the sloppy attitude MS have to quality. Again.

    This has fuck all to do with other consoles. Twat.

    There also seem to be owners of other consoles taking pleasuse in fellow gamers having scratched games. Cunts.

  • McLovin85 #72 5 years ago

    MS have already set aside $1billion for broken 360's, looks like another lump sum is going to be needed.

    thank god money grows on trees hey MS :p

  • DanWhitehead #73 5 years ago

    At least they don't all need to be recalled because they contain the word 'retard' when you lose or something.

    That's why we have Xbox Live.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #74 5 years ago

    "Game discs get scratched through shoddy packaging all the time, it's only because it's Halo 3 *swoon that you're actually hearing about it."

    Maybe Microsoft games get scratched all the time, I wouldn't really know about that. But I have _never_ purchased a brand new game for any system that uses optical media and found the media to be scratched.

    Sure, I have had the ocassional dvd find its way to my door in a less than optimal state. Those discs are usually the ones that are packaged in cardboard sleeves. But never a game.

    The closest I got was the LE version of DOA2 on Dreamcast. Shipped all the way from Japan and only the case was cracked, the disc was fine.

  • George-Roper #75 5 years ago

    @Pyrat6

    "No. It simply demonstrates the sloppy attitude MS have to quality. Again.

    This has fuck all to do with other consoles. Twat."

    Of course it does because it's about NUMBERS. The other consoles will have seen NOTHING like the number of discs created, as Halo 3 on the 360 has. The percentage of failures, in this context, is BOUND to be higher than previously seen, precisely because of NUMBERS.

    FFS, don't chavs have a basic grasp of mathematics nowadays? Yes, chav, because 'twat' is definitely a chavvy word. Innit, bruv?

  • The_Inquisitor #76 5 years ago

    Mine's coming by post and the way the postman knocks that bag around, I can't see the disk staying in those cheap holders for long. Hmmmmm ; /

  • DemonCleaner #77 5 years ago

    Well if the USA and Europe editions are indeed different, then Gameplay sent me a US version. Mine is a metal case that opens from both sides. The game disc was loose and scratched to shit. The bonus disc was secured tightly. Typical

  • davisorle #78 5 years ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • Madafunkola #79 5 years ago

    Sorry, but I must ask:
    This "Halo" everyone keeps talking about... What is it??

    /crawls back under rock

  • kangarootoo #80 5 years ago

    This may have been mentioned already, but MS have waived the £10 charge for disc replacements on Halo 3 discs.


    Also, there are some EXTREMELY sad people on this thread. When people get such joy from the misfortune of others, even though there is no actual gain for themselves, you have to wonder what kind of sorry jaded and empty lives they must lead.

    It doesn't take a genius to see that people with that attitude are compensating for something they feel they lack.

    I know I wheel out the "the gentleman doth protest too much" saying a bit often, but its never been truer than today.

    I know you saddos think that because there is a few of you, that actually counts for something or validates your sorry state of mind, but ten sad f*ckers in a group are just ten sad lonely people who happen to be standing next to each other.

    P.s. for the record, I haven't bought Halo 3, just in case some of your tiny minds assume that everyone must have an agenda the way you yourselves do.

    P.s.s. Obviously this bile is not aimed at everyone in the thread, just the lonely pathetic children. You know who you are.

  • BillyBrush #81 5 years ago

    Cool...lots of excitement generated by an issue with Halo 3

    So...straw poll time...what's worth more 2nd Hand, a scratched Halo 3 disc or a perfect copy of Heavanly Sword..

    I'd plump for the Halo3 disk...at least it has a bit o nice artwork on it..

  • Darren #82 5 years ago

    If only Microsoft had used Blu-ray discs for Xbox 360 games; I find the hard coating they have makes them especially resilient to scratches so absolutely none of my PS3 game or BD movies have even the slightest mark on them even though I've had a couple arrive in the post with the disc shaken loose. Very impressive really, at least I don't have to worry about those games not working. Blu-ray for the win! :)

  • projectmayhem #83 5 years ago

    @George Roper:

    I suppose Sony and Nintendo have never had huge releases before, right? It's DVD discs and cases here, nothing profound. It doesn't take NASA to produce decent cases to encase your precious game.

  • 1Dgaf #84 5 years ago

    Can someone ban 'Gene' please. He posted what seemed to be the end of the game.

  • pyrat6 #85 5 years ago

    Dear GeorgeRoper

    '
    "No. It simply demonstrates the sloppy attitude MS have to quality. Again.

    This has fuck all to do with other consoles. Twat."

    Of course it does because it's about NUMBERS. The other consoles will have seen NOTHING like the number of discs created, as Halo 3 on the 360 has. The percentage of failures, in this context, is BOUND to be higher than previously seen, precisely because of NUMBERS.
    '
    Really ? Off the top of my head I'd guess wii sports has run more copies (in recent times).

    Anyway. You are stating that a 'percentage' of failures is increased because the number of disk produced is higher.

    This is wrong. The percentage failure rate is entirely unaffected by the numbers sold. The 'absolute' number of failures would rise or fall correspondingly however.

    'FFS, don't chavs have a basic grasp of mathematics nowadays? Yes, chav, because 'twat' is definitely a chavvy word. Innit, bruv?'

    Bless. Your command of the mathematics is dwarfed by your command of English.
    Edited by pyrat6 at 25/09/07 @ 14:26

  • Paukl #86 5 years ago

    Just bought mine in Woolowrths, and I had this problem. Swapped it for the only other one they had in the shop and, yes, it had the same problem.

    The first one had a massive scratch on it, the second justa couple of really light ones, so it should be fine

    *hopes*

  • penhalion #87 5 years ago

    Having both the PS3 and 360 I can safely say that I'd pay for the Halo 3 disk any day of the week over a heavenly sword. I finished sword in about 5 - 6 hours and then kind of sat there thinking er what now?!??!

    It has zero replay, no multiplayer support and not even a chance at a sequel! One of the all time let downs in my opinion. I now know why microsoft originally passed on heavenly sword. It's not the story or the graphics it's the length. It's so short. Shops like game have already started discounting it. Probably because (like me) people must have returned it in droves only days later. I swapped mine for Stranglehold!

  • tigernuts #88 5 years ago

    "It doesn't take NASA to produce decent cases to encase your precious game. "

    NASA is the last place I would go to for protective packaging.

  • George-Roper #89 5 years ago

    @projectmayhem

    "I suppose Sony and Nintendo have never had huge releases before, right? It's DVD discs and cases here, nothing profound. It doesn't take NASA to produce decent cases to encase your precious game"

    Lets talk once the sales figures for Halo 3 are out, reflecting the first week alone, ok?

  • BillyBrush #90 5 years ago

    @Darren

    If only Microsoft had used Blu-ray discs for Xbox 360 games; I find the hard coating they have makes them especially resilient to scratches so absolutely none of my PS3 game or BD movies have even the slightest mark on them even though I've had a couple arrive in the post with the disc shaken loose

    It would have made the system cost more and it wouldn't have worked for them - imo

    I know you have a 360 as well so are plat neutral, but imagine you're 360 and PS3 logo's swapped places, if that was the case, MS = no console business. Sony were in a better position to be able to charge that much for a console and take things slow without it ruining their business too much...people just wouldn't be that loyal with MS, if their logo was on a blu ray machine for 400 with those games, they'd be outta the game.....fortunately they made something affordable with loadsa games from the off. Long run i have no clue which is the better route, even now (tho i only have 360 atm s can' really comment so much)

    Discs are cheap (like talk - fancy that) so i doubt they'll have any probs wih free replacements..

  • JohnnyWashnGo #91 5 years ago

    "Lets talk once the sales figures for Halo 3 are out, reflecting the first week alone, ok? "

    Are you expecting them to have produced more games than there are consoles?

    Otherwise, I imagine that Nintendo will be making more copies of Super Mario Galaxy than Microsoft are making of Halo3, given the fact that there are more Wiis in homes than X360s.

  • BillyBrush #92 5 years ago

    @Jonnywashngo

    but that's because Nintendo rule the waves atm...and they deserve to sell more...I dunno about other people, but I have no problem with people extolling the virtues of Nintendo, as they're taking things to new places, and they were responsible for Mario & Luigi superstar saga....and are the greatest developers ever as well as a great publisher....so yea..

    But...

    you know you're the only Nintendo lover here, everyone else who can be arsed to get excited about borked discs have that other console, the shit one that will only become good the day Fumito Ueda drops more mana

  • penhalion #93 5 years ago

    Well I'll just play Halo 3 and then multiplayer and have some fun. I guess in the great scheme of things it really doesn't matter if some disks are scratched.

  • zuljin #94 5 years ago

    @kangarootoo
    I was going to say +1, but its actually PPS instead of PSS. Hence, -1. :p

    @BilliBrush
    "Sony were in a better position to be able to charge that much for a console and take things slow without it ruining their business too much..."

    Don't really want to enter into the debate but Microsoft probably have the ability to pour more money into their gaming division than Sony ever could.

  • Malacath #95 5 years ago

    The disc scratching also happens to the UK version as well.
    I had my limited edition through this morning and noticed the game disc was loose. After examining I noticed loads of small scratches. I phoned gameplay who are now going to give me a refund. They said loads of people have already contacted them today due to scratched discs. And apparently MS know all about the problem.

  • optimusprym8 #96 5 years ago

    @Penhalion "I swapped mine for Stranglehold!" - sorry to say that's another disappointingly short game but at least it's a lot more fun!

  • peteb #97 5 years ago

    here folks might be needing this:

    http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/support/discre...

  • pyrat6 #98 5 years ago

    This is the problem with this site now .... everyone is in a state of hysteria and probably literally wet themselves at the slightest chance of misfortune hitting their fellow gamers.

    So comments threads are full of people saying the wii isn't for 'real' gamers. PS3 is overpriced and has no games, the xbox 360 has err quality 'issues'.

    It really doesn't matter if these things are true or not. But seeing them 30 times in every fucking thread - whether it's relevant or not is getting tiring.

    Worst of all - this has been driven by lame executives to cover the deficiencies in their own work. They win. We all lose.

    I'm going back to fidonet ;-D

    (ps I still maintain GeorgeRoper is a twat though ;-> )
    Edited by pyrat6 at 25/09/07 @ 14:54

  • pinhead #99 5 years ago

    /makes a note to check discs before leaving the store at midnight tonight.

  • kangarootoo #100 5 years ago

    @zuljin

    "I was going to say +1, but its actually PPS instead of PSS. Hence, -1. :p"

    Nooooooo.....

    Actually I realised that after posting, but I figured most people on here think that grammar is their grandad's wife, so I just left the typo in place ;)

  • Ihya #101 5 years ago

    So that 10/10 score of yours obviously didn't include a review of the plastic nub in the game casing. I consider this a betrayal of the reviewer-reader relationship!! Eurogamer asleep at the wheel once more.

  • The_Inquisitor #102 5 years ago

    1Dgaf: "Can someone ban 'Gene' please. He posted what seemed to be the end of the game."

    Just what I've come to expect from the Polish. Fucking kurwa.

  • optimusprym8 #103 5 years ago

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/0...

  • Fab4 #104 5 years ago

    Maybe if they'd spent a fraction of the hype time to quality control their cases then no-one would be complaining.

    I can imagine buying a suit at Paul Smith's and them wrapping it up in yesterday's chip paper.

  • penhalion #105 5 years ago

    Just got my copy of limited edition. Will let you know if it's scratched to hell or not!

    Time to finish the fight I guess

    @cabbagecase

    It's a vocal minority who are usually fanboys of one system or another. They usually pretend to be unbiased but, really just want to put down and generally annoy anyone who doesn't share their point of view. This is what the ignore poster button is for!
    Edited by penhalion at 25/09/07 @ 15:23

  • kangarootoo #106 5 years ago

    @cabbadgecase

    "maybe it's a vocal minority but there seems to be a high wanker-to-normal-gamer ratio round here"

    It totally is a vocal minority. Thats the only reason I still come here. Some days (the launch of anything significant) you just have to write certain threads off.

    I never look forward to stuff like E3 for that reason. The article threads on here just turn into a shitstorm.

  • quantumsheep #107 5 years ago

    Very unfortunate if you've bought it online, isn't it?

    Imagine the wait for a replacement - not good =(

    I wonder how those who buy it at retail will fare though? Surely it'll sell out everywhere, again necessitating a wait before replacements are available.

    I hope to buggery my copy's ok, and that this is just a small percentage affected.

    Good luck all!

  • lambtron #108 5 years ago

    "here folks might be needing this:

    [link url=http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/support/discre...
    ]http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/support/discre...[/link]"

    Nah bollocks to that - take it back to the shop and get it replaced. Failing that, Game do a disc repair service for 5 euros (as opposed to 15 for the microsoft replacement programme). I used it and it works a charm (provided the disc ain't cracked).
    Edited by lambtron at 25/09/07 @ 15:49

  • Xerx3s #109 5 years ago

    Right, got off the phone with the local gameshop owner and he tells me that he hasn't had any copies with scratches. I will see tomorrow if he was telling the truth.

  • WrongShui #110 5 years ago

    My collectors edition copy became unreadable after the highway stage.

  • zendragon #111 5 years ago

    Lol tin toy helmet for lots of $$$, and no game!

  • Bulbatron #112 5 years ago

    Got my standard edition of Halo 3 through the post today. I haven't had a chance to open it yet. Hopefully it will be okay.

  • HarryPalmer #113 5 years ago

    @George Roper:

    "Lets talk once the sales figures for Halo 3 are out, reflecting the first week alone, ok? "

    Why do you give a shit how many copies Halo 3 sells? I honestly cannot comprehend why people get so worked about about sales figures, if you like the game - great!

    Also, you are a twat. No i'm not a chav, and your attitude sucks.

  • Eighthours #114 5 years ago

    I must be blessed.

    Not only did I get a copy of Halo 3 from Argos last Wednesday, but this morning my original pre-order of the Collector's Edition Tin Thing (TM) arrived. I'd already been round my brother's house to give him a lift to work, and his disc had been banged all around the houses, having fallen out of the spindle. The game still loaded, but it's touch and go as to whether it'll hold up.

    Whereas mine was still in its spindle without a scratch on it! The extras disc was loose, though.

    Anyway, I figured that the Halo series owes me one, since my original Xbox broke on the day Halo 2 came out...

  • Alex0692 #115 5 years ago

    thats why i dont buy that limited edition crap..
    has anyone got halo 3 off play.com yet mines been posted but thats all thats their..

  • pinkio #116 5 years ago

    Just got home.... opened copy of Halo 3 (standard edition) from 'Shopto'..... disc not loose..... scratches all round the edge! I have NEVER had a scratched disc before in many, many years of gaming!..... Coincidence?

    Boots up OK though!

  • MrE26 #117 5 years ago

    Got my LE from Game this morning, both discs loose & both are scratched to fuck. It plays, but it's getting exchanged in my local shop, i'm not paying 45 quid for scratched discs. I wonder if they'll make me wait til tomorrow before i can swap it?

  • lambtron #118 5 years ago

    Ok, if the standard edition is scratched too (standard DVD case) I'm starting to think MS have some pissed off Sony fanboys working in their supply chain ;).

  • George-Roper #119 5 years ago

    @HairyPalmer

    "Why do you give a shit how many copies Halo 3 sells? I honestly cannot comprehend why people get so worked about about sales figures, if you like the game - great!

    Also, you are a twat. No i'm not a chav, and your attitude sucks."

    Because, you thick fuck, the more copies that are made/sold, the higher the chances of more visibilty on aspects such as this.

    If you sold 100 copies of Lair (accurate, maybe), and 1 of those discs had a scratch, how visible would that be?

    Now, multiply that amount by a fucking LARGE number and then figure out for yourself just how much more apparent that same problem would be, on the interweb, etc.

  • JavaJawaUK #120 5 years ago

    Oh penis I ordered the collectors edition . . .

    Now I've got to spend all tomorrow not only wondering when it will come, but whether it will actually work :(

  • G3org3 #121 5 years ago

    havent you had enough of MS

    the greatest console ever has a 15%+ fail rate
    the greatest fps game has a louzy packs that lets your precious game scratched to death and not playing 3 days after launch

    i m sick of this MS rushing stuff
    call me a sony freeking funboy but the above changes not

    waiting for the next xbox to trust MS anyways

  • HarryPalmer #122 5 years ago

    @George Roper

    Sorry for calling you a twat, you're clearly not, and yes i am a thick fuck. Have a nice life.

  • chicknstu #123 5 years ago


    Calmly unwrap your game outside the shop.

    If it's damaged, calmly walk back in and ask for another one.

    Then take a nice deep healing breath...

  • Paukl #124 5 years ago

    "havent you had enough of MS"

    President Bartlett: Can't you just leave it alone?!

  • Sulphur_Man #125 5 years ago

    Some PS3 forums reporting damage on 'Lair' discs too. The game code is burnt onto it.

  • mcmonkeyplc #126 5 years ago

    Microcunts strike again. All giving weight to my idea that Bungie take over.

    If my copy is unreadable shit will fly!

  • Ed6445 #127 5 years ago

    @Sulphur_Man
    haha, damn right :D

  • secombe #128 5 years ago

    Because, you thick fuck, the more copies that are made/sold, the higher the chances of more visibilty on aspects such as this.

    Have you read any of this comments thread? The amount of people within this 140 post thread alone with scratched copies is immense, not to mention the apparent calls to stores people have made to be told that "they've had loads of calls", or the fact that MS US already have a specific replacement program set up.

    This isn't normal, if it was there would have been about 100,000 faulty copies of Wii Sports and I'm sure we would have heard about it.

  • polar #129 5 years ago

    @cabbadgecase

    You should note that there tends to be a much higher asshole to normal ratio on these comments threads as opposed to the main forum. Having said that, it certainly seems like a less friendly and tolerant place than it was four years ago.

  • Dizzy #130 5 years ago

    Oz version safe:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=vJAiLsjk5gQ

  • quantumsheep #131 5 years ago

    "Calmly unwrap your game outside the shop.

    If it's damaged, calmly walk back in and ask for another one.

    Then take a nice deep healing breath..."

    My plan this evening *exactly* =)

  • Diabeu #132 5 years ago

    disc error
    unable to finish the fight
    Edited by Diabeu at 25/09/07 @ 21:00

  • Aria #133 5 years ago

    Yet another rushed release by MS?

    @George Roper
    "Because, you thick fuck, the more copies that are made/sold, the higher the chances of more visibilty on aspects such as this."

    Typical example of fanboy bullshit! Go get a life man...
    Edited by Aria at 25/09/07 @ 20:57

  • DocTep #134 5 years ago

    Kangarootoo... +1 (even with the typo). ;o)

    Pyrat6... +1

    Anyone who has a problem with people complaining about their game being damaged, or anybody who takes enjoyment from other gamers having such problems... Pathetic little retards - here's hoping every console you buy quickly dies on you after warranty, and every game you ever buy stops working before its end.

  • MilkYMoO #135 5 years ago

    Well at least this has cheered up the sony fanboys.God knows they need some cheering up.

  • George-Roper #136 5 years ago

    @secombe

    "Have you read any of this comments thread? The amount of people within this 140 post thread alone with scratched copies is immense, not to mention the apparent calls to stores people have made to be told that "they've had loads of calls", or the fact that MS US already have a specific replacement program set up."

    You've made two, glaring, errors..

    /points two fingers, with tungsten tipped screws attached...

    1) Comments here represent a minority, hardcore, following. Lets wait until we have a larger picture, eh?

    2) By all accounts, these problems are evident in the US, not the EU. How many posters here are US and EU, I wonder, and how many are here just to feed the flames?

    And, just to be clear, Frankensteins monster is a zombie, or a type of zombie...

    Edited by George-Roper at 25/09/07 @ 22:08

  • George-Roper #137 5 years ago

    @Aria

    "@George Roper
    "Because, you thick fuck, the more copies that are made/sold, the higher the chances of more visibilty on aspects such as this."

    Typical example of fanboy bullshit! Go get a life man..."

    What makes you think im a man, you sexist cunt!

  • DocTep #138 5 years ago

    "What makes you think im a man, you sexist cunt!"

    Don't worry, I'm pretty sure no one here would ever think of you as being a man. :o)


    (I wouldn't normally make such a reply, but that one was just too tempting...)

  • pokeken #139 5 years ago

    what do you expect? made in freaking poland

  • George-Roper #140 5 years ago

    @DocTep

    ""What makes you think im a man, you sexist cunt!"

    Don't worry, I'm pretty sure no one here would ever think of you as being a man. :o)"

    What makes you think i'm not a man, you sexist cu...

    Oh. Darn.

  • Bulbatron #141 5 years ago

    Quoting myself from earlier here...

    "Got my standard edition of Halo 3 through the post today. I haven't had a chance to open it yet. Hopefully it will be okay."

    Well I've just opened it to find that the disc was loose (not attached to the spindle and moving around) and there were several scratches. I haven't tried it to see if it works because that is not the point. I paid for an undamaged product.

    I bought it from GAME over the internet. I wonder if they will do an in-store substitution...

    Oh well, back to Oblivion for another night.

  • polar #142 5 years ago

    I just got my Halo 3 disc out and there's no problem here :)

  • Psychotext #143 5 years ago

    Got my limited edition today and my game disc is pretty scratched. Bonus disc is fine.

    Plays fine but it looks like I'll be losing the disc for a couple of weeks to get a replacement.

  • 3william56 #144 5 years ago

    Wake up, complacent Xbots! It's a consipiracy by MS to destroy the faith in physical optical media, and push the world into M$ controlled digital distribution. Cut out the middle man, more buckage for Billy G and his evil minions. Obvious innit? Typical M$ tactic - sacrifice one of the biggest games of all time to further their diabolical schemes of global domination. Resist whilst you still can!

    THEEEYYYYY'RE COOOOOMMMMING!

    /dons silver foil hat to block out the mind control rays coming from the red ring of death.

  • jellyhead #145 5 years ago

    3William56, you may jest but for the greater good of digital distribution and DRM kicking people's faith in physical media isn't such a bad thing.
    I'm sure MS would drool at the prospect of people paying £50 for bits and bytes that can be switched off in a few years time rather than disks that can be reinstalled later. It's an extreme view but it's one i'm sure many in the industry would like to see. I'm probably wrong look at how much cheaper digitally distributed games are and they'll only get cheaper when they're ad supported too.

    oh.

    ;)

  • Linkinruss #146 5 years ago

    Just got my legendary edition and the game is supplied in two normal standard DVD cases.
    Opened them up and their not scratched at all.

  • pyrat6 #147 5 years ago

    "And, for the record, I don't give a toss about anyone else outside my own little gaming sphere. Fuck their scratched discs, as long as mine works, it's all good." GRoper

    George - for someone that doesn't give a toss about the issue, you are spending a lot of time posting in this thread. Is it to share your rather 'unique' interpretations of language, mathematics and gaming ?

    It's a bit like watching one of those monkeys sticking his nasty purple arse in the air to get attention.

  • The_Inquisitor #148 5 years ago

    Another scratched disk here. I regret buying the limited edition now, the case is very cheap looking so I may have to revert back to the standard edition.

  • Darren #149 5 years ago

    I checked my Collector's Edition when I got home and both my discs had come loose although the case itself wasn't dented. It does look a bit cheap and tacky though when you open it. Why didn't Microsoft use a similar case to the original Halo 2 which held two disc firmly and package the book and case in cellophane instead? Or even package the game like Forza 2 which had a game case and book?

    As a result of poor packaging both my discs were badly scratched and although I managed to clean some marks off, there's still minor scratches all over the discs and a few larger ones. The game plays OK so far but I'm not happy at all. I want to keep the C.E. but Gameplay.com, who I bought it from, are only offering refunds as obviously they can't guarantee it won't happen again. So I have no choice but to send the discs back to Microsoft for a free replacement and wait 4-8 weeks for them to come back!!! :x

    What I might do is buy the Standard Edition, swap the game discs then take it back claiming that someone had already bought me the game and get a refund.

    In future, I'll buy Limited Editions locally so it's easier to take them back. Right I'm off to cancel my Mass Effect Limited Edition as I'm sure Microsoft will balls that one up too... /rolls eyes

  • afghan_jones #150 5 years ago

    @george R.

    nice partridge reference.

  • jellyhead #151 5 years ago

    I wonder if this is a way to double boost sales? The sales numbers will be through the roof with all these people buying 2nd copies while they wait for their original purchase to be returned in usable form.

    Nice tactic MS. Customers are upset but sales are massive!
    I look forward to bargain bins full of Halo 3 disks in a few weeks and many won't be scratched. Sweet.

  • LeD #152 5 years ago

    I've picked up a Halo 3 CE this morning. As soon as the shop assistant got in from the preorders shelf, I could definitely hear the disks rattling inside the metal casing.
    I said nothing, but hurried back to my car so that I could check the disks.
    There are some very superficial marks on both, but I wouldn't call them scratches, and you definitely have to look for them. The game disk is pratically intact, while the bonus DVD displays more marks.
    It's definitely not as bad as I feared, and so far both disks load and spin ok.

    Just wanted to add my 2p. :)

  • rogueleader360 #153 5 years ago

    I recieved 2 copies of the LE pack this morning (one for me and the other for my flat mate).

    All disks were loose and rattling around the cases when they arrived. I've opened both boxes to inspect - all have scratches but they dont seem that bad and hopefully will still run the game.

    It such a shame that the launch of this game, which will be the biggest selling 'media release' ever, has been ruined by this poblem.

    I guess shit happens though and hopefully this incident will allow all software distributors to learn that these cases arent the way forward.

    time to finish the fight me thinks! :-)

  • JonFE #154 5 years ago

    Although my Legendary edition came with standard DVD cases and no scratching whatsoever, I do feel that this is a major screw up and responsible heads should roll, Ryu-style...

  • George-Roper #155 5 years ago

    Surprise, surprise!

    My Halo 3 arrived and, what's this? No scratches?

    /checks more closely

    Yep, that's right, no scratches. And the disc wasn't rattling around in the case either.

    /sticks his massive, purple, baboon ass in the air at the whining PS3 and Wii fanbois.

    Kiss it, fucksticks! Yeeehawww

  • Psychotext #156 5 years ago

    My legendary edition is fine and arrived today. My nephew can have his collector's edition today and sort it out using MS's replacement program when he's done playing it 24x7.

  • AFX #157 5 years ago

    I got my copy of the limited edition in the mail today from Virgin's online shop (was only £34). The packaging Virgin put the game in was ridiculous. Just a gigantic flat card box with the game free to float about inside. Both discs were dislodged and have minor scratches. Uncertain if it will work as I got it delivered to work. We'll see!

  • sneetch #158 5 years ago

    Just picked up a LE copy of the game, extras disk was fine, game disk was rattling about. A little scratched but it doesn't look that bad and should (hopefully) work. Less than impressed by the fact that the art book was battered and a little scratched and the flimsy cardboard "base" separating the two disk-holdy-bits (industry term) of the case looks like a fat man sat in the middle. Looks like a second hand copy with a MS seal of authenticity on it.

    Shoddy packaging, really, but the game should be great.

  • JimJam #159 5 years ago

    My LE copy arrived last night. Both discs loose, both pretty badly scuffed. The game plays fine thus far though, and I haven't tried cleaning the discs yet either. I might try and finish the single player off before sending it back for the replacement.

  • pyrat6 #160 5 years ago

    @georgeroper

    "Surprise, surprise! " etc ...

    Comedy genius :-D

    luv to mildred

    Edited by pyrat6 at 26/09/07 @ 16:53

  • Drpwnage #161 5 years ago

    My first normal version was DOA, would load to menu but fail on starting the campaign.

    Just got back with a new version from PC world and all is good :>.
    Edited by Drpwnage at 26/09/07 @ 20:33

  • George-Roper #162 5 years ago

    @pyrat6

    "@georgeroper

    "Surprise, surprise! " etc ...

    Comedy genius :-D

    luv to mildred "

    It's funny but, no matter how much I try to, I can't write anything nasty or obscene about you. The reason is because, for the last 6 hours, i've been playing the gaming equivalent of Heaven.

    Literally, the gaming equivalent of a sci-fi blockbuster movie.

    Also, seems a bit...dead...on this topic now, doesn't it? I guess the numbers weren't 'quite' as staggering as some people were making out.

    Peace, bro.

  • wiime #163 5 years ago

    I checked my CE edition at the store yesterday when I bought it and it was OK, no scratches whatsoever :D
    Only one thing bugs me, I´m at work so I have to wait a few hours before I can play it again!... :s