Halo 3 Limited Edition: scratched discs ahoy [update]

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 25th 2007 at 1:45PM }

[Update: Microsoft is now offering free replacements for scratched discs received in the Halo 3 Limited Edition throughout the rest of 2007. It should be noted that those wishing to use this program will have to pay to ship their original scratched disc to Microsoft. The replacement, however, is free. For more details, follow this link. Thanks to Matthew Mac for pointing this out.]

Joystiq reports that many gamers are receiving scratched discs in the Halo 3 Limited Edition (the one in the tin case). Well, we can confirm that report, as our very own Limited Edition came with scratches (as you can see above). Upon opening the package this morning, the "Essentials" DVD, which contains bonus materials, was loose in the case. The game disc was held firmly in place though, so no worries there. The scratches on the disc appear to be minor. So far, we haven't encountered any hitches in our bonus content, so we're not rushing out to make an angry return just yet, but we'll see. For those of you who have yet to pick up your Limited Edition, you may want to check it out before leaving the store.

Tags: bungie, bungie-studios, bungiestudios, halo, halo-3, halo3, microsoft-game-studios, microsoftgamestudios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

coolmunk @ Sep 25th 2007 1:54PM

My bonus disk was scratched pretty good but the game disk was in tact. I checked it b4 i even left the parking lot at midnight!

Gombard @ Sep 25th 2007 1:53PM

When I got mine last week, I had the same issue, although mine was scratched horribly, I tried it, but I didnt go further past the "Spoiler Alert" notice at the beginning.. Although I havent fully finished the game, I'm curious to see if everything's ok..

WTangoFoxtrot @ Sep 25th 2007 1:54PM

its the other way here in canada. the game disk was loose and scratched and the bonus disk was fine.

sucks........ :(

acidevil @ Sep 25th 2007 1:56PM

My game disc arrived today horribly scratched. I'm finding the music skips in the menus and cut scenes. I just hope the game remains playable. =\

Matthew Mac @ Sep 25th 2007 1:58PM

Microsoft is replacing the scratched discs for free, check here:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/gameplay/discreplacement-program.htm

ANt @ Sep 25th 2007 1:57PM

Major league suck fest

murph @ Sep 25th 2007 2:02PM

yup. i watched people open about a dozen of the Limited Editions at Gamestop last night. all had various degrees of scratching. the Gamestop manager gave us all 2 weeks to come back and swap them out if there were problems with the game.

my bonus disc was scratched too. haven't tried to play it yet though.

Cardshark @ Sep 25th 2007 2:01PM

How much you want to bet that the guy that designed this case is fired :) Side note: My disks werent ratteling around, and when I snapped them in to the case and shook them they didnt come out either. I wonder if the machine that is supposed to seat the disks was faulty.

wei @ Sep 25th 2007 2:01PM

it's bullshit that MS expects people to pay to send in their discs to be replaced. the process is supposed to take 2 weeks to complete. i was at J&R today and picked up maybe 10 different Limited Edition boxes. Every single one had discs bouncing around in the box. Manager offered me a refund or a replacement if they get better copies next week. I haven't tried out the disc. It's not horribly scratched, but this leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth. I thought MS's troubled days were over after the RROD fiasco. But I'm feeling more and more burned by my 360 every time something new comes out. What's next, MS? I dare you.

murph @ Sep 25th 2007 2:03PM

IGN is reporting MS will be replacing discs.

IGN: Halo 3 Limited Edition Disks to be Replaced
"September 25, 2007 - Fight finishers who giddily opened their copy of Halo 3 Limited Edition only to find the game disc bouncing around in the case, scratched beyond all repair, can get a free replacement from Microsoft.

As part of its "disc replacement program," the company said on its web site that Halo 3 Limited Edition owners can request replacements for their damaged game disk and Essentials disk, if damaged, through Dec. 31.

Halo 3 Limited Edition joins Halo 2, Gears of War, Crackdown and eight other titles on a list of games that are currently part of the replacement program.

Make sure to check out the terms and conditions on Microsoft's web site. And yes, there will be forms to fill out.

As the Limited Edition began making its way into the hands of pre-orderers Monday, reports surfaced that the game disks were scratched, an apparent result of faulty packaging.

The Standard and Legendary editions of the game have no reported issues. "
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/822/822803p1.html

Tony @ Sep 25th 2007 2:06PM

Very shitty. I'm glad I'm getting the normal one. You'd think someone would have tested the cases for that somewhere along the line... I'm sure MS isn't responsible for the exact manufacturing, but they still have final approval.

At least they do have a replacement program... and it's free, like it should be. Sending the disc out would only cost like $2.

Jeff @ Sep 25th 2007 8:10PM

Yeah, when I went to get my copy at Best Buy in Akron, Ohio; the employees would actually open the box for me to check the disks, the women who helped me open 6 boxes before we found one without loose or scratched disks.

Viridium @ Sep 25th 2007 2:10PM

*** MICROSOFT WILL REPLACE YOUR DISC FOR FREE ***

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/gameplay/discreplacement-program.htm

TORO @ Sep 25th 2007 2:12PM

More undesired costs by M$ lol

skunkworks @ Sep 25th 2007 2:13PM

one more reason why I don't bite for special addition bundles.
well that and I'm a cheap bastard.

Grant @ Sep 25th 2007 2:14PM

my bonus disc was a bit scratched up, but my buddy who was waiting on line with me had both of his scratched, the game disc pretty severely.
luckily it works, cause we were playing into the wee hours this AM.

TORO @ Sep 25th 2007 2:18PM

My legendary discs are not scratched :)

Alan @ Sep 25th 2007 2:19PM

My game disc is scratched more than my essentials, however the game disc ran fine from 1AM to 8AM playing both campaign and multiplayer. The production values on this game are monumental.

MakeInu @ Sep 25th 2007 2:19PM

Hopefully... someone within Microsoft will have something to say about this! I'm glad I didn't get the ultra-super-limited edition... -.-

PLLDD @ Sep 25th 2007 2:19PM

It'll 1,000 times fast just to return the sales outlet, however, I went 3 different copys of the game before finding one not totally scratched up. But since it took 7 days for Microsoft to send me a box for the my 360 repair, I much rather set with manager of the local EB to find a good copy.

Emily @ Sep 25th 2007 2:20PM

If mine has the same problem I'm going to cry. I only got the limited one because, well, duh, it's Halo 3!!! And Blockbuster had that trade in four games and get it free so.......yeah. Two Halo 3's for free, one regular, one limited. My boy had to drag me away from forking out way too much money for the big head.

Tony Bowman @ Sep 25th 2007 2:21PM

my game disc was mildy scratched in one spot, but not any moreso than the other games i've owned and played with no problems. it hasn't caused any problems so far(i've played campaign in 4-man co-op through mission 5 so far). i'l probably try for a replacement or an exchange at wal-mart, but only if it causes any problems playing the game.

FR3SH JIV3 @ Sep 25th 2007 2:25PM

I had to pass on the Limited Edition. When I opened my copy the disc was loose in the case and heavily scratched and the manager at EB let me open another to find the same thing. We went through 14 copies of the game and every one was loose and scratched up.

o1eyedwilly @ Sep 25th 2007 2:40PM

So I can send my disc in for replacement and I have to pay for shipping? Is it my fault the disc is scratched to hell? Not even a sorry from M$ yet. They knew it was shipping scratched.

honz12 @ Sep 25th 2007 2:35PM

Pre-ordered the bog-standard edition and the game disc was loose in the case upon opening. Luckily there was no scratching.

Bob @ Sep 25th 2007 2:30PM

I opened mine at the counter at Circuit City. The game disk was scratched. I handed it right back to the clerk and got a new one.

Thanks guys for warning me and letting me know what to look for!

matt @ Sep 25th 2007 2:34PM

Oh god my disc has cosmetic scratches, oh whatever will I do!!!!!!!!!! Come on guys if the disc plays who cares if it has cosmetic scratches both discs in my collectors edition were loose in the case and scratched but they play without a hitch. It's not like your going to use the disc as a mirror or something, just calm down.

Jason @ Sep 25th 2007 2:40PM

mine was scratched brutally. and I was one of the first 15 people in line at the LA launch. Luckily I opened it in the car and ran back inside.

mike r @ Sep 25th 2007 2:58PM

argh-
I just got the Limited Edition on the way to work and there's a bunch of scratches. I am going to swing by the store on the way back to see what I can do but this is lame as hell.

Shape @ Sep 25th 2007 3:00PM

When I had my Crackdown disc replaced through this program, it only took 7 days to have the new disc back in my hands. 7 days from the moment I handed it to the post office. That's pretty damn good.

Personally, though, at this point, I'd just return it to the store.

argystu @ Sep 25th 2007 3:10PM

my game was scratched but still played fine (for the first couple of hours so far). however, i didn't want to chance it and took it back to walmart - they had 2 other returned halo 3 sets because of the same issue, and that's all they had left. the guy was able to check out both sets, though, and got a good game and bonus disc from each.

Guy4 @ Sep 25th 2007 3:15PM

plain goddamn embarrassing..

RH @ Sep 25th 2007 3:14PM

Maybe instead of having Halo invade NY with vehicles and celebs and all the other crap, they could have looked at the fundamentals and dropped a little more money its way or whatever it takes. It's like I say every year when the NBA starts and the players miss all of their free throws, fundamentals.. it's key.

Jason @ Sep 25th 2007 3:28PM

Add my name to the list. I bought a copy of Halo 3 LE at the Circuit City in Kalamazoo MI at lunch today. I got the disc back to my office and found this post... I decided to open my copy and check, sure enough, both discs were scratched pretty bad.

I went back to the store to get an exchange. As soon as I put the case on the counter without even saying a word they instantly knew why. "The discs are scratched aren't they?" "Yep." They've had 10 or so returns so far as of noon.

The customer service guy was cool about it and went through box after box trying to find one that wasn't scratched. He opened 10 or so boxes with no good discs among them. I ended up walking out with a standard edition and a refund for the difference.

He said that they had 18 or so preorders that were on the shelf, and that he wasn't looking forward to telling all of those people that their discs are more likely than not crap. He also mentioned having a friend that worked at the Best Buy up the road that called him after the first 5 or so returns and asked them if their discs were the same way - all the LE discs they had were too... tons of returns already.

This is sure to cause a stink. If I get home and this disc red lights my 360 (this will be 360 #2 for me - Forza 2 killed my other one) I'm seriously buying a PS3 and not looking back.

Krusty @ Sep 25th 2007 3:28PM

Sheesh ... Sony Defense Force is having a field day with this story...

wei @ Sep 25th 2007 3:35PM

@Jason: I feel your pain. My RROD experience and MS's poor service is what drove me to buy a PS3 a few months ago. But now I find that I never turn on the PS3 and all my gaming is on the 360. As much as I want to abandon MS for their reprehensible quality control, they still have the best games. I'm pissed off about my scratched discs, as well. But I hope it'll at least work when I get home tonight.

Jason @ Sep 25th 2007 3:39PM

I can see that, for sure. I love a lot of 360 games, but most of the ones I'm looking forward to are on both platforms - while some are only on one (Gears, Forza, Gran Turismo, Killzone, etc.) I'll probably end up with both, but I've already been burned by the RROD on Forza 2 launch day (got to pick my car and then my 360 RROD'ed), I hope I get to play Halo tonight after all this.

CanesTim @ Sep 25th 2007 3:40PM

I almost bought the LE edition. I bought the H2 CE last time but I didn't really care this time. I would like to see all the extras but I'm becoming cheaper every year!

useedems @ Sep 25th 2007 4:12PM

What did they do, package flintstones and needles in the tins? All this hype and now this. Amazing.

Bryant @ Sep 25th 2007 4:12PM

Mine had the same thing, I forgot about this and was about to leave when a guy came back complaining - his game disc was scratched pretty bad, but the manager replaced it with the standard edition disc, so I had mine checked and sure enough, the essentials disc was badly scratched up. They opened another one and same thing but the scratches was much slighter than mine so I just settled with that. I was almost gonna get the legendary too, good thing they didn't have it. :p

PLLDD @ Sep 25th 2007 4:17PM

Finally got a LE (in store trade) after going though 3 different boxs. I'm not talking about a hair line scratch that can buffed out. One had a chunk of the disc knocked off, another looked like sandpaper was rubbed against it, and one had a scratch deep enough you can clear though the disc. Too bad I don't have one of those fancy camera phones.

Stranger @ Sep 25th 2007 4:20PM

Well it sure as shit IS NOT FREE if you have to pay to ship it back to MS, isn't it?

Cause that's what we all paid an extra ten bucks for. A piece of shit case that doesn't even serve it's most basic functional purpose: protecting your game disc.

And now, those of us who shelled out for the CE, get to shell out more in order to have the product we purchased?

Real nice MS. You'd think that they'd have learned from their Billion Dollar 360 mistake. When you cut corners to save money in manufacturing, it always bites you (and more importantly the consumer) in the ass.

Way to give the fans what they deserve. Way to make us feel like you value our patronage. As much as I'd expect this from MS, I'm seriously disappointed that Bungie would let this happen.

It'd be different if there was a non-mitigating element to the CE, but there isn't. Crap packaging, crap art book, crap bonus features, a subsequently crap price, and now: a crap replacement policy that aims to cost me more money.

Way to handle your shit MS; you really are as low brow as your detractors claim. Maybe there's a reason behind all of your key 360 people have left the company. Peter Moore & Co. already knew you guys were gonna fuck this gen up too. Best to be first off the sinking ship.

If you can be this careless about looking after the fans of your Marquee franchise, there's no telling what you guys will try to pull next.

Hope everyone's ready for the xbox 720! Xmas 2009 confirmed.

Jeramy @ Sep 25th 2007 4:47PM

i saw this the other day and after i bought mine, i opened it right there and saw the scratched up game disc. they traded it for another, but that was scratched, too. so i convinced them to trade a regular game disc and let me keep the le case and bonus disc, and they ended up letting me. the bonus disc was fine, just there were obvious scratches on the game disc.

Zeus the God @ Sep 25th 2007 4:55PM

@24 (Matt):

Dude, the issue isn't the fact that it is scratched, its that the games are more "gouged" and scraped than just merely scratched. A lot of the time, the game doesn't play, and my game disc was so badly scraped and gouged that not even a game Dr (disc sander) or refurbishing could fix it. I had it replaced with a new disc from a rental case they just stocked. My bonus disc is also quite scratched as well, and cannot read much of the media that is included on it and cannot "calibrate" the video or sound. The bonus disc has an eighth to a quarter of an inch scrape/gouge on it since I picked it up from the store.

I hope this issue is addressed soon, and hopefully I'll set this up so I don't have to pay shipping. Seriously, why the fuck should I pay shipping when they fucked up?

tobin92 @ Sep 25th 2007 7:04PM

I just picked my copy up at Circuit City, Apparently Microsoft is now ordering stores to open the boxes up to check the discs before selling them and reseal them.

I got 1/5 copies that were not scratched, Around 50 were piled up to be sent back.

adam @ Sep 25th 2007 8:58PM

Yea , Bought mine from walmart today. then walked past the service desk and saw about 10 stacked up. I asked what the problem was, and they said people were complaining of scratched disc. So I opened mine and sure enough it was scratched to hell. Then they told me that since I opened it I couldnt get my money back, So I said ok, then you will open every one till you find one thats not scratched or give me my money back. after opening 10 LE disc. They finally gave me my money back. Kinda funny but I cant play Halo now thanks to that hour long experience at walmart. Guess Ill settle for the regular edition.

Grant @ Sep 25th 2007 10:25PM

These boxes were designed so cheaply.
Compared to the halo 2 LE, this box was a piece of shit. While i would confidently store my H2 disc in it's box and it has taken a few dents over the last 3 years, it's held up like a tank.
i wouldn't even want to store the book that came with the LE in that tin, it's thinner than an aluminum can. and just removing the plastic sleeve from the tin stripped a good amount of the paint off.

Seriously, an altoids box is more structurally secure.

BananaBoat @ Sep 25th 2007 10:56PM

Here's how my day went; Woke up at 9am, had a little breakfast, got in the car and drove to Circuit City to be there when the doors opened at 10am. Got there, and it happened to be a blinding thunderstorm. Went in, got my limited edition, walked out. Drove home, opened the box, when lo and behold, both discs were horrible scratched and loose inside the packaging. No big deal I thought, so I drove back up there in the blinding rain and exchanged it for another one. Luckily for me, I opened this one in the store, only to find out that it had the same problem. The manager of my Circuit City then began a fruitless attempt to find a limited edition that DIDN'T have scratched discs. Unfortunatly, none could be found. Went over to Gamestop and it was the same story there. Went to Bestbuy, where finally they told me that the packaging is defective and that they wouldn't be selling anymore. Being the obsessive POS that I am, I decided to cut my losses and step up to the Legendary Edition. Now I'm stuck with a 60 dollar helmet that I don't want, and that hopefully I can ebay. Screw you Bungie/Microsoft, for not making sure the freaking packaging was ok! WTF!