Sony tries to secretly wiki-diss Halo 3 and fails

by Dustin Burg { Sep 4th 2007 at 1:15PM }

Our friends over at Sony HQ must be at their whits end with all this Halo 3 talk, because they devilishly and secretly stuck it to the Halo franchise with a ::gasp:: Wikipedia revision! Using WikiScanner, it was discovered that an IP address originating out of Sony's UK studios edited the Wikipedia entry for "Halo series" dissing Halo 3's graphics. Sony's Wiki revision poked fun of the game's graphics by saying that they "wont look any better than Halo 2". Ouch Sony, just ouch. But don't worry Halo fanboys, because the Halo series wiki entry has since been corrected and set to a semi-locked status. Take that Halo haters!

But in all seriousness such Wikipedia revisions are quite common and aren't a huge deal. Although, when it comes to business, these types of online tactics are somewhat sophomoric and sad. Maybe Sony will learn from this and hire someone from outside their company to do their Halo 3 hating. Oh snap!

[Via N4G, Thanks Marasai]

Tags: bungie, bungiestudios, halo3, sony, wikipedia

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mauricio @ Sep 4th 2007 1:22PM

that is awesome

xenocidic @ Sep 4th 2007 1:23PM

the moral of the story is :

don't fuck with wiki nerds !

derek @ Sep 4th 2007 1:27PM

Just because it's an IP from the Sony UK studios doesn't mean the wiki edit was sanctioned by Sony HQ. It could be some guy who QA's at Sony part-time and is paid $7/hr. Maybe it's someone in their building facilities department who has Internet access. It could be anyone. I doubt Sony Marketing in the UK is sitting there adding "it don't look any better than Halo 2" to Wikipedia. And like you said, if they really wanted to edit it why not have someone do it from their home ISP account and not at the office? It;s clearly some idiot in the Sony UK office it did it on their own.

Benjamin09 @ Sep 4th 2007 1:30PM

I am just confused that people would waste their time looking into this...and then making it "news".

Companies bad mouth the other? Thats not news ,this has been around along time.

Its a Wikipedia people, thats why wiki's are not reliable sources

mfed3 @ Sep 4th 2007 1:31PM

ahahahaha sony you suck giant cyllindrical meats.

Tony @ Sep 4th 2007 1:33PM

It's actually becoming a very big deal and I'm surprised so few people are connecting dots based on this. Is this lone example a big deal? No, not really.... but this tool (and any other that could be made like it very easily) is showing clear examples of people within companies and news organizations changing items about their own people, competitors and so forth.

A lot of people might know that Wikipedia cannot be taken at face value due to its nature, but at the same time, Wikipedia articles get up high in engines. The right thing is done and the damage can be extensive.

So I don't think it's as simple as "wow, companies bad mouth each other!" in the long run, even if this specific example is stupid.

tony @ Sep 4th 2007 1:34PM

check out this brandsmart usa ad for an xbox.

http://brandsmartusa.com/source/Circulars/CircularPage.aspx?pageid=3175

it shows an elite being the same price as a regular premium. pretty funny

Fontez @ Sep 4th 2007 1:34PM

LMFAO !!!

Would you EVER see anyone from Microsoft or Bungie do something like this??

Never !!

Few Reasons...

Too Mature for that bullshit...

They don't have that kind of time to waste since they're busy making GOOD games...

360 owners and creators have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or insecure with... Atleast not enough to change the wikipedia entry of one of the best games ever created...

lol Not only are the completely retarded and ignorant PS3 fans bitching on 360 fanboy giving the PS3 a worse name than it already has but even Sony's dumbass employee's are doing it too !!

This is GREAT !!! LMFAO !!

And regardless... Halo 2 looks great... I've been playing it recently and still ask myself how they accomplished those graqphics on the XBOX...

I won't say a damn thing about Halo 3... Because I don't need to... It speaks for itself

I've always respected and appreciated healthy gaming competition and the quality games that Nintendo and Sony have been producing...

But Sony has just lost any respect I had left...

I'll put money on the fact that the PS3 will end up being regarded as a failure by the end of it's generation... And sony will debate participating in future console development...

Nintendo will flourish with friends and family and the XBOX will be a standard for all gamers...

I play poker frequently... If i had the hand that Sony does... I'd fold...

The 360 should go all in and win the pot...

lol

All who agree say "Aye"

brianfontez@hotmail.com

Piers Beaumont @ Sep 4th 2007 1:36PM

ITS A BIG DEAL, seriously, it shows how badly Sony view the Halo franchise, they see it as a major threat and so resort to under the belt tactics.

Fanboy's! First we finish the fight with the Covenant, then we move onto Sony.

Vader582 @ Sep 4th 2007 1:52PM

People who take this stuff so seriously are funny and low-wattage. I'm looking at you 2 Fontez and Piers...lmao!

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 4th 2007 1:57PM

Digg it!

http://digg.com/xbox_360/Sony_Attacks_Halo_3_Via_Wikipedia_Fails_Miserably

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 4th 2007 1:58PM

Honestly, doesn’t Sony have anything better to do? Trying to edit the Halo 3 Wikipedia page? Didn’t they even know their ISP would be caught? Even if they attempted this from a home ISP, the rules in Wikipedia are fairly clear on speculative, source-less entries, much less weasel-worded opinions. Plus, Sony apparently hasn’t learned good grammar, since they capitalized after a comma.

Maybe Sony should be concentrating on its own software than trying to clumsily sling mud anonymously.

Sammy D Kat @ Sep 4th 2007 1:59PM

@Tony-
I agree that such activities, although likely unsanctioned, are more damaging to the perpetrating company than the target. People may dismiss Wikipedia as merely a gossip repository, but opinion and perception drives stock prices. Doing this at my company would be grounds for dismissal. Even making comments like this is treading on thin ice.

Chris @ Sep 4th 2007 1:59PM

Epic fail.

Loban @ Sep 4th 2007 2:02PM

I'm sure the boys at Sony don't care that they were discovered. They wanted to take a jab at Halo3, and that's what they did. They got their point across, as stupid as it was.

Eddie @ Sep 4th 2007 2:05PM

WHy did they take it off Wiki? It should stay if it's a fact. Look at Lair and then tell me Halo 3 is next generation, losers!

Probably Halo 3 will flop and it won't matter because everyone will be too busy returning their 360's for new ones and then PS3 will reign supreme and sell out and Jesus will come back and Paris Hilton will die in a three car crash involving lindsey lohan and britney spears and....

Oh, wait, I'm a 360 fanboy. What the hell am I talking about??

tk00 @ Sep 4th 2007 2:07PM

@8 - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/24/tech/main2392719.shtml

lysernix @ Sep 4th 2007 2:13PM

Ok... I'm a 360 fanboy and no fan of Sony's by a long shot... but let's be honest. This hardly equates to an "attack" by Sony.

More likely it was a PS3 fanboy (who works at Sony perchance) having a bit of fun. Are we so quick to immediatley exclaim that "Sony Attacks MS!" on "The Encyclopedia *anyone* can edit"?

Magic Whiskey @ Sep 4th 2007 2:17PM

Nobody is mentioning that the spelling and grammar used by Sony was just as sophomoric as the whole effort was. 'wont'? :)

Jonah Falcon @ Sep 4th 2007 2:21PM

$17. That's not the same as lying. They want articles to be technically correct in their OWN articles, not outright lie.

I'm a Wiki-editor with an entry in Wikipedia. It's frowned on if I edit an article about myself, but not disallowed.

Plus, you cannot have UNSOURCED material. Microsoft would have to post references to facts - not create them or have first hand knowledge/research.

Please, learn about Wiki.

dancingtosirens @ Sep 4th 2007 2:27PM

@ Fontez: That was a very long piece of a fanboyish snooze fest. Booooring.

This wasn't officially sanctioned by Sony. Probably some intern.
Although I still think it was pretty funny.

But congrats on some of you guys for taking an opportunity to bash on the PS3 while you're at it.

@ Sam: I agree with you completely. People being so obsessed with console wars and fanboyism makes me ashamed to play games. I have almost every system made within the last 20 years and I love every single one.
Its much easier to play the games that interest you then to hate companies just because you're devoted to one company.

UNSCleric @ Sep 4th 2007 2:31PM

Absolutely disgusting. I just did a huge story on this and cited tons of other wikipedia edits from places like EA, the CIA, and Diebold.

BTex @ Sep 4th 2007 2:42PM

Sam said "Remember when gamers just enjoyed being with other gamers and didn't care which console their fellow gamers bought?"

No, ever since I've been online, 1996, the console fanboys have been arguing.

Although most of that was on usenet.
Most websites didn't have forums, or "comments".

Fontez @ Sep 4th 2007 3:21PM

He's right... Since I can remember... Sega has been a in a war with SNES... N64 with PS and now Sony and Microsoft exclusively.

I love Sony and Nintendo... I don't like to bash anyone... But the facts are very easy to see. Unless you have a severe case of tunnel vision...

Nintendo is creativity and innovation in entertainment at it's best...

XBOX 360 is sheer brilliance, power, effecient, organized with the best online experience ever created and the absolute best lineup of both exclusive and non-exclusive titles the gaming community has ever seen... PERIOD...

Not to mention the most well-rounded, well-designed controller ever conceived.

Those are facts, you can't argue with them, because they are FACTUAL... They are the truth

The PS2 was excellent in the fact that it had soo many ground breaking games and exclusive rights.

You don't like my negative comments so I won't make any...

You can come to your own conclusion on the PS3...

Please understand that I'm not trying to offend anyone in particular, so before you get angry with my comments about your beloved Blu-ray playing, Cell-processor driving, Japanese MGS machine.

READ my comments and THINK...

Thanks for your time...

Viva Halo 3 lol

brianfontez@hotmail.com

Slvrgun @ Sep 4th 2007 3:30PM

Sam is the 40 year old virgin. All he does is play every console this generation. He will never get any.

Teabag @ Sep 4th 2007 3:56PM

People! Try to understand. I am sure Sony must have learnt something after the EA fiasco. I don't think they are such fools to go and do such a thing and put their name on the line.

Must be some low-level employee at Sony who is the biggest fanboy ever!

Dante @ Sep 4th 2007 4:03PM

oh please...sony didnt fucking hire him...its wikipedia...anyone can do that..but he does make a good point because the games are identical..sorry

TRUTH @ Sep 4th 2007 4:38PM

Well that's sony for you....
Anyone that know's anything about sony know's this is what they do!!!

Alex Cormier @ Sep 4th 2007 5:16PM

It's funny to see how patriotic people can be for a console that fails 33% of the time. >:( Thanks alot, Microsluts.

Mysekurity @ Sep 4th 2007 5:18PM

Fontez: "Microsoft would never do that"... Hate to tell ya, but they did.

"Among many revelations, Wikipedia Scanner reported that:
- Microsoft tried to cover up the XBOX 360 failure rate" (http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msFullArt.asp?an=14323)

Oh yeah, and it's worse. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/16775981/

(Full disclosure: I'm a wiki Admin, and I don't own any consoles newer than the n64. Though I'm planning on getting a 360 soon)

Rocket @ Sep 4th 2007 5:29PM

Well it's also a shame that almost all PS3 games don't look much better than Halo 2...

Alex Cormier @ Sep 4th 2007 5:35PM

@ Rocket

Pfft. Prove it.

WIP @ Sep 4th 2007 5:36PM

THIS JUST IN:

PEOPLE ARE USING WIKIPEDIA. MORE NEWS AT 11

Alex Cormier @ Sep 4th 2007 5:43PM

^^ LOL

Corbin @ Sep 4th 2007 5:52PM

Oh Dante hear we do again.
http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/734/734817/img_4696954.html
http://media.xbox.ign.com/media/482/482228/img_2453023.html
now if you think those look the same you'd have to have eye problems.

quesadia @ Sep 4th 2007 6:28PM

they are just pissed non of their games will ever make a ruckus or sell like halo 3 will...

way2high @ Sep 4th 2007 7:55PM

After everything is said and done, PS3 still sucks!!! 360 got console of the year, PS3 came in last... Go ahead Sony or Sony fanboys talk your shit, but no one is listening to your crap!!! Halo 3 alone will sell more than your so called next-gen. console...

Edge @ Sep 4th 2007 8:41PM

I knew it. I was sure that Sony hired anti-guerrilla marketers for stuff like this. They play dirty and the Playstation faithful remain faithfully oblivious.

For shame, Sony.

Ryan C @ Sep 4th 2007 9:00PM

If you look at the persons edit history you can see tons of this crap. It looks like a PS3 fanboi with too much time on his/her hands.

tk00 @ Sep 4th 2007 10:27PM

21- Microsoft knew that it "was frowned upon", so they tried to have a third party weasel in the edits that THEY wanted.

How is that not lying?

Sam @ Sep 4th 2007 11:47PM

@3

Derek is right. This wasn't officially sony sanctioned. Its anybody within the sony building with internet access. It could be a janitor or a CEO's kid.

And Fontez, Wow. That was one big incoherent fanboy rant right there xD

The console war makes me embarrassed to be a gamer.

Remember when gamers just enjoyed being with other gamers and didn't care which console their fellow gamers bought?

Sigh

Those were the days.

Usual disclaimer against idiots: PSWii60 Owner.

Fontez @ Sep 5th 2007 10:01AM

Dude...... You said that already...

It's just that no one really cared what you had to say...

Were as my opinion usually speaks volumes and is always met with either criticism or complete faithfulness...

Reason? There will always be un-educated ignorant people in the world... And there will always be the smart open minded individuals with the ability to see through bullshit without being blinded and brainwashed by a little black blu-ray player called the PS3 that might as well have been made out of a glue stick and popsicle sticks.

I love Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft for what they have created... But here is the truth...

The PS3 has NOTHING to offer that the X360 DOES NOT... PERIOD

wait I was wrong... they have that shitty excuse for motion technology... The shit-axis controller...

MGS 4 is going to be released for 360 whether it the same day or a few months later, so don't kid yourself...

You're beloved RPG maker that has written and created all of the FF games has left Sony permanently and singed a contract with Microsoft to create 7 exclusive RPG's JUST for the 360...

I dunno about you but that speaks volumes to me...

And when you really think about it as a PS3 owner or a Sony fan... It's just sad and pathetic...

I have nothing else to say... The MAJORITY of PS3 owners are only bashing the 360 because they are insecure with their own hardware and what it CAN'T do...

They're like bullies... They're not happy with themselves so they have to pick on everyone else to make themselves feel better.

PS3... Lowest console sales...
PS3... Last place for console of the year...
PS3... Lowest game sales...
PS3... Very few exclusive titles barely worth mentioning

Choose your battles PS3 Fanboys I'm waiting...

Not with fancy writing but with factual information so just keep throwing me fastballs and I'll crack them right out of the park...

Halo is the greatest thing since Toilet paper and cooked meat.

Peace out !

brianfontez@hotmail.com

Fontez @ Sep 5th 2007 10:07AM

And YES I made a few typos which I'm actually surprised with, so please don't bother being retarded and attempt to point those out to make me look stupid because you don't have anything better to say...

Hate when people do that...

brianfontez@hotmail.com

DjDATZ @ Sep 5th 2007 11:21AM

LOL...AYE Fontez.

Jonah - Dugg.

Chris - +1

Magic (Cuz there's already another Chris here...lol) - LOL...ahahahahha thats awesome. Spellchecker anyone?

Fontez 2nd time - Aye...Viva Halo 3!

@ Rocket - LOLz...so tru.

quesadia - Its true. What game has EVER made as much of a rukus or fuss as Halo 3.

again to Fontez - Complete faithfulness right here.

Now for my comment: pussy, weak-ass, low-blow at the game that will shake the Earth to the core. Halo 3: Forever.

Fontez @ Sep 5th 2007 11:36AM

Amen to that

PumaBoy @ Sep 5th 2007 1:52PM

@20

Remember when gamers just enjoyed being with other gamers and didn't care which console their fellow gamers bought?

Do you remember the ads Genesis does what Nintendo doesn't?

Intellivision Vs Atari

PC Vs Console

there have always been fans. the one that prevail are normally the ones that do the least amount of bashing on the competitor