• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Just got my console (and I assume my account) banned from Live for playing Halo 4.

d00d3n

Member
So, Microsoft want a receipt to prove the game is legitimate. The OP apparently hasn't been able to supply enough proof that the game is legitimate... I believe the implication was he Photoshopped a photo of the receipt or something, possibly to blur out the name of the retailer.

This "defense" of Microsoft is ridiculous. Please point out the clause in xbox 360 terms of use agreement that requires you to store receipts from game purchases for subsequent inspection by Microsoft, at penalty of losing your account.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
So apparently Skel1ingt0n doesn't want to get the store in trouble, but Microsoft will only unban him if he throws the store under the bus?

Pretty obvious there's more to this entire thing than the op white knighting some shitty mom and pop. His repurchase of the console was the big tip-off. This thread has run its course.
 

McLovin

Member
Doesn't this kind of thing happen a lot? If it was legitimate I'm surprised the person that sold it to him didn't warn him. If he's not gonna rat them out then he's sol. If I were Microsoft I wouldn't unban.
 

urfe

Member
Microsoft is fully aware of all the circumstances in this case. It was fully and properly investigated and reinvestigated. I am not going to comment on this specific case again. However for context, several people who bought legitimate copies of the game very early were temporarily banned, investigated and then subsequently unbanned, appropriately.

That's my last word on this particular case, period.

Interesting. I appreciate your last word.

So we can speculate that MS demanded an unaltered receipt, which would get the store in trouble (or was this only an assumption?), or that the OP was doing some sketchy stuff.

Seems no way of knowing.

Regardless, the issue seems resolved. The OP is playing his new console, and MS is not unbanning him. All that's left is people on the Internet to get into a philosophical argument about it.
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
Update:

Excuse the amount of 'apparently' and 'allegedly'

So, Microsoft want a receipt to prove the game is legitimate. The OP apparently hasn't been able to supply enough proof that the game is legitimate... I believe the implication was he Photoshopped a photo of the receipt or something, possibly to blur out the name of the retailer.

Apparently he's been contacted several times about this, and has been described as being allegedly 'uncooperative'. Without a photo of an unaltered receipt, there is no further action that will be taken, the account and console will remained banned.

That's basically the gist of it, I had a good friend of mine take this on to find out the details, and I'd like to not involve them any further, they did this as a huge favor to me. I'm not sure if any of this information has actually been seen / understood by the OP, but essentially, a picture of an unaltered receipt is what is required for this issue to proceed any further.

First off, thank you for looking into this, and at the very least giving me a REASON for what the issue is. That said, if this is really their stance; they're a bunch of lying assholes.

I have not ONCE been contacted. I have in no way been "uncooperative" because I haven't even had a chance to be!

Stinkles - prior to launch day - asked for a receipt; he said that a receipt dated on launch day WOULD be sufficient, and I was ASSURED that no retribution would be taken against the store on the receipt. I questioned the ability for such a thing to prove anything; but was told not to worry about it and that is all that was needed. Basically, it seemed, they just needed a "yes, $60 was dropped on this title" kind of proof. I provided a CRISP, CLEAR, LARGE, and LEGIBLE receipt on launch day, mid-afternoon. Nothing on the receipt is blurred. Nothing on the receipt is blocked out. And the receipt is in front of the open copy of the game. To say I Photoshopped it is laughable - what a bunch of shit.

So if they're claiming a picture of an "unaltered receipt is all that is needed for an unban", and that is all, they are LYING. Period.


Microsoft is fully aware of all the circumstances in this case. It was fully and properly investigated and reinvestigated. I am not going to comment on this specific case again. However for context, several people who bought legitimate copies of the game very early were temporarily banned, investigated and then subsequently unbanned, appropriately.

That's my last word on this particular case, period.

Since I haven't received a PM, can you please contact me and let me know what, specifically, in this case prevented me from being subsequently unbanned? I feel like there's a larger issue at play here that I am not being informed of.


Also - for the upteenth time - believe what you want, but the game is not stolen. Period. Believe if you want - but it's BS to claim otherwise. Sorry I won't play MS's snitch. And yeah, I bought a new console - not cause I'm guilty and not cause I'm a "moron." I got ~$150 for my banned console and a few games I won't ever play again. It cost me a relatively small amount of cash to get a new console to enjoy my 60+ 360 titles; and I already had Gold cards laying around from last year's BF sales.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
What theories do you have in mind?

He probably hijacked a convoy of trucks carrying games with his friends Dom and Letty. You know, living life a quarter mile at a time.

^man, what is with bolding everything you type
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
He probably hijacked a convoy of trucks carrying games with his friends Dom and Letty. You know, living life a quarter mile at a time.

^man, what is with bolding everything you type

Sorry for all the bold; but since I'm trying not to steer the story and only post with updates; I use bold so people can quickly find the most recent update.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Sorry for all the bold; but since I'm trying not to steer the story and only post with updates; I use bold so people can quickly find the most recent update.

I kinda figured that lol but you write such long posts it's like BOLD WALL.

Anyway, this case is definitely closed for me. Can finally delete this subscription.
 
People should really read the updated OP(Dec 9) He chose not to snitch on his local game shop. That's very honorable of him, and took the hit. Props to him.
-EDIT-
Oh shit, I guess that wasn't the case to a degree. Now this is crazy.
 
People should really read the updated OP(Dec 9) He chose not to snitch on his local game shop. That's very honorable of him, and took the hit. Props to him.

But now according to him he actually gave an unaltered receipt (which should mean he "snitched") so what now?


I'm not really sure what's going on. I'm hearing two wildly different versions of events from both parties.

Same thing happened to another poster, receipt shown and no action taken.

hmmm.

Very weird unless someone is straight out lying
 

Nnamz

Banned
Awesome that he's getting unbanned, but absolutely fucking stupid that he got banned in the first place. What if the average gamer, who isn't all over message boards and gaming sites, who didn't know the date it was going to release, saw it in a store and bought it early, unknowingly?

He gets his ass banned and has no idea why or what to do.

This is the single stupidest thing I've ever heard of. Sure it's the stores fault, but you're punishing THE GAMER for it.
 

urfe

Member
I'm not really sure what's going on. I'm hearing two wildly different versions of events from both parties.

Is it possible you and the MS guy (Stinkles?) are actually talking about a different case that is very similar to this one, and assuming they're the same case?

Besides one side lying, that's the only explanation I can think of.
 

goldenpp72

Member
I'm not sure I understand the drama, OP gets banned, MS admits it might be a mistake, ask for proof of purchase, OP refuses, the OP knowing the shop was doing something wrong at the time of purchase?

It might not be ideal, but i'd rat the shop out or not put them in the situation to be in legal trouble to start with if I cared.
 

DenogginizerOS

BenjaminBirdie's Thomas Jefferson
I wonder if the store who sold the game to the OP knows how much money and effort this guy has spent to protect them from Microsoft. I gotta believe he will get like a year's supply of something for his loyalty, right?
 
This "defense" of Microsoft is ridiculous. Please point out the clause in xbox 360 terms of use agreement that requires you to store receipts from game purchases for subsequent inspection by Microsoft, at penalty of losing your account.

This right here.
 
Microsoft is fully aware of all the circumstances in this case. It was fully and properly investigated and reinvestigated. I am not going to comment on this specific case again. However for context, several people who bought legitimate copies of the game very early were temporarily banned, investigated and then subsequently unbanned, appropriately.

That's my last word on this particular case, period.

Funny, there is a platform where customers can publicly ask for the reason of their ban, but in this specific case, Microsoft does not give out any information? It's painfully obvious that neither you nor any of the other Microsoft employees who have seen this thread, know much about PR or making business decisions. You think it is bad that some guy played your game a few days before release, and that it is ok to ban him? I think there is something wrong with your priorities, because I think a thread in a popular gaming forum with over 46 pages full of angry people is much worse. And honestly, do you really believe you can brush this thing of with suddenly acting all serious and making some vague statements / suggestions? If I were responsible for this case, it would be solved on day 1 and such a thread would never exist.

Seems to be more to this story. OP don goofed on something else.

[...]

That's Stinkles' version. Of course he has to bring a reason why Microsoft fucked up and wasn't able to give any specifics after over a month. The thing is, why should we believe him? He only makes vague statements to suggest the OP isn't telling the whole story, but again, why should we believe him?
 
I'm not sure I understand the drama, OP gets banned, MS admits it might be a mistake, ask for proof of purchase, OP refuses, the OP knowing the shop was doing something wrong at the time of purchase?

It might not be ideal, but i'd rat the shop out or not put them in the situation to be in legal trouble to start with if I cared.
No he obliged.
 

BillyBats

Banned
I'm not sure I understand the drama, OP gets banned, MS admits it might be a mistake, ask for proof of purchase, OP refuses, the OP knowing the shop was doing something wrong at the time of purchase?

It might not be ideal, but i'd rat the shop out or not put them in the situation to be in legal trouble to start with if I cared.

It sounds like the shop and OP entered into a wink wink, nudge nudge, agreement. (That's actually the legal term for it.) Perhaps like buying booze while underage, getting caught, then blaming the store. MS doesn't need to do shit. You broke their rules. Could be worse, it could of been pot...you end up in jail, rat out the dealer, dealer has connections waiting for you when you make bail, you get beat down. Don't rat the store out, that shit just creates bad karma and you become known as the little fucking douchebag around town. It's just a few bucks man.
 

Zoe

Member
Gemüsepizza;45292912 said:
Funny, there is a platform where customers can publicly ask for the reason of their ban, but in this specific case, Microsoft does not give out any information? It's painfully obvious that neither you nor any of the other Microsoft employees who have seen this thread, know much about PR or making business decisions.

Stinkles is not MS support much less a moderator on said platform. OP has not contacted MS proper.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Gemüsepizza;45292912 said:
Funny, there is a platform where customers can publicly ask for the reason of their ban, but in this specific case, Microsoft does not give out any information? It's painfully obvious that neither you nor any of the other Microsoft employees who have seen this thread, know much about PR or making business decisions. You think it is bad that some guy played your game a few days before release, and that it is ok to ban him? I think there is something wrong with your priorities, because I think a thread in a popular gaming forum with over 46 pages full of angry people is much worse. And honestly, do you really believe you can brush this thing of with suddenly acting all serious and making some vague statements / suggestions? If I were responsible for this case, it would be solved on day 1 and such a thread would never exist.



That's Stinkles' version. Of course he has to bring a reason why Microsoft fucked up and wasn't able to give any specifics after over a month. The thing is, why should we believe him? He only makes vague statements to suggest the OP isn't telling the whole story, but again, why should we believe him?

Yeeeaahhhhhhh buddy. Why should we believe the op? Or any random dude on the internet. And ain't no one angry here lol. Well, maybe you, Mr. Day 1.
 
Stinkles is not MS support much less a moderator on said platform. OP has not contacted MS proper.

He did not contact Microsoft because Stinkles said he would help him. Have you read Stinkles' first post? I wouldn't have contacted Microsoft, too, because it sounded like this issue would be solved fast. We all know how that did turn out.

Yeeeaahhhhhhh buddy. Why should we believe the op? Or any random dude on the internet. And ain't no one angry here lol. Well, maybe you, Mr. Day 1.

He posted a picture of his Halo 4 copy. And why don't we get any details from Microsoft?
 

Zoe

Member
Gemüsepizza;45293127 said:
He did not contact Microsoft because Stinkles said he would help him. Have you read Stinkles' first post? I wouldn't have contacted Microsoft, too, because it sounded like this issue will be solved fast. We all know how that did turn out.

That ship sailed weeks ago. He should have contacted MS before buying a whole new system.
 
This is insane. Op is all your contact information updated? Check your spams? I don't know man, maybe they did try to contact you but didn't reach you.
 
Gemüsepizza;45293373 said:
You want to suggest that he shouldn't have believed Stinkles, and he should have waited a couple of weeks more until he can play again?

I think anyone in that position could have done the same. Stinkles is the main dude over at 343. I would have waited for him to solve it...
 

n64coder

Member
One thing that has been brought up before is that if Microsoft is really concerned about playing a game before the release date, why not just put up a message saying that online support for this game is not available yet and won't be until such-and-such day/time? Not sure why this would be hard to implement.
 

gatti-man

Member
Gemüsepizza;45292912 said:
Funny, there is a platform where customers can publicly ask for the reason of their ban, but in this specific case, Microsoft does not give out any information? It's painfully obvious that neither you nor any of the other Microsoft employees who have seen this thread, know much about PR or making business decisions. You think it is bad that some guy played your game a few days before release, and that it is ok to ban him? I think there is something wrong with your priorities, because I think a thread in a popular gaming forum with over 46 pages full of angry people is much worse. And honestly, do you really believe you can brush this thing of with suddenly acting all serious and making some vague statements / suggestions? If I were responsible for this case, it would be solved on day 1 and such a thread would never exist.



That's Stinkles' version. Of course he has to bring a reason why Microsoft fucked up and wasn't able to give any specifics after over a month. The thing is, why should we believe him? He only makes vague statements to suggest the OP isn't telling the whole story, but again, why should we believe him?
I would be shocked if this thread costs ms even 1 sale of 1 game let alone a console. Maybe pirates that read it will wait till launch day to play but that's it (not insinuating in any way OP is a pirate).
 
I would be shocked if this thread costs ms even 1 sale of 1 game let alone a console. Maybe pirates that read it will wait till launch day to play but that's it (not insinuating in any way OP is a pirate).

I wouldn't be shocked, this thread has over 140.000 views. I think to fear getting banned because you got a game early certainly isn't positive for Microsoft.
 

gatti-man

Member
Gemüsepizza;45293798 said:
I wouldn't be shocked, this thread has over 140.000 views. I think to fear getting banned because you got a game early certainly isn't positive for Microsoft.

Notice how not one single poster here has said "I'm outraged I'm selling my 360!" Or something similar? Yeah there is a reason, its pretty common sense that playing a game early online gets you banned. Also 140k views is probably 14k people viewing it over and over. I know I've viewed this thread at least 15 times.


I don't want to take explicit sides here, but yes, he did.
I thought you said it was altered.


Are people really saying he deserved to be banned for scoring an early copy that he bought from a store? Wtf?

Unless there is explicit proof he swiped this from a store or something this is BS and he should be unbanned. There is no reason he should be banned for the simple possibility when there is nothing pointing in that direction. Not cool on MS and not cool on 343.
I'm sure 343 has about zero to do with OP getting banned.
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
OP never showed a valid receipt showing the purchase date.

Just fyi, I haven't been disappointed by your ability to quickly pop in here and discredit me at every opportunity ;p

It's all good, man. We just don't see eye-to-eye; which is fine. If we did, message boards wouldn't be nearly as fun. It's been a good ride, OldJadedGamer.

That said - I was specifically told that a receipt dated on launch would be sufficient; and I provided a crystal-clear one, once I was promised no action would be taken against the store and I had expressed my concern with the questions it would rise.











... waiting for your rebuttal ;p
 
Are people really saying he deserved to be banned for scoring an early copy that he bought from a store? Wtf?

Unless there is explicit proof he swiped this from a store or something this is BS and he should be unbanned. There is no reason he should be banned for the simple possibility when there is nothing pointing in that direction. Not cool on MS and not cool on 343.
 
Top Bottom