Launch of Halo 3 marred by dodgy content and scratched game discs

Although critical and consumer response to Microsoft’s Halo 3 videogame has been nothing short of phenomenal since it was released to retail on Tuesday, the celebratory corporate back-slapping has been tainted somewhat with complaints related to disc scratches and missing bonus content. epa01130866 Despite record opening-day sales of $170 million USD, Microsoft's Halo 3 receives complaints regarding scratched game discs and missing bonus material. EPA/FRANTZESCO KANGARIS

epa01130866 Despite record opening-day sales of $170 million USD, Microsoft's Halo 3 receives complaints regarding scratched game discs and missing bonus material. EPA/FRANTZESCO KANGARISSpecifically, some of those eager fans of the Halo series purchasing the Limited Collector’s Edition have been met with the prospect of potentially damaged gameplay upon discovering that the game disc was not properly secured to the central mount within its presentation tin, duly incurring scratch defects during shipment as a result.However, Microsoft has been quick to move on the matter, with the software titan swiftly amending its existing Xbox Disc Replacement Program to include Halo 3 Limited Collector’s Edition discs – be that the central game disc or the special bonus disc that comes with it. Both of the discs are how covered by the program and will be replaced, free of charge, just as long as they are received by Microsoft before the close of 2007 – after this point, customers will be charged $20 USD. Strangely, Halo 3 fans in Australia have luckily avoided the scratch problem all together thanks to their Limited Collector’s Editions including interior foam pieces to prevent the disc from popping free and moving around within the tin. At least owners of the Limited Collector’s Edition are actually in receipt of their bonus discs, because those fans opting for the more expensive Legendary Edition of Halo 3, which comes in a special Spartan presentation helmet and includes the game and two bonus discs, are finding themselves oddly without.Reports are circulating around the Net that a number of PAL versions of the Legendary Edition have been incorrectly packed, with customers finding not one, but two copies of the central Halo 3 game disc, while the content-jammed bonus discs are nowhere to be seen. Microsoft has not yet offered any official comment regarding this Halo 3 hiccup.Halo 3, which is developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft, has made $170 million USD in its first 24hrs at retail, smashing the $125 million USD gathered by its Halo 2 predecessor back in November of 2004. Various critical sources have lauded praise on the sci-fi first-person shooter, with a great many awarding the game a full 10/10 score. Alongside fellow Xbox 360 exclusive BioShock, Halo 3 gives Microsoft a significantly stronger software foundation against its rivals heading into the vital holiday season. According to Metacritic.com, Halo 3 and BioShock are presently the year’s two biggest games (on any platform), both averaging review scores of 96 percent across 34 and 71 reviews respectively.