Microsoft stickers boxes with warnings and releases patch to remove the nude bits.
The exact nature of the nudity isn't currently known, but Microsoft has been quick to act on the matter in the wake of the GTA: San Andreas Hot Coffee debacle.
"It has come to our attention that an unfortunate, obscure content error which includes partial nudity was included in our initial production of "Halo 2" for Windows Vista," Microsoft said in a statement sent to Next-Gen. "As such, we have updated the initial game packaging at retailers with a label, so customers are aware before purchasing the game. Additionally, we've developed an online update which can be downloaded from www.halo2.com to remove the content."
The update can be found over on the support section of the Halo 2 website.
Yesterday Microsoft announced that Halo 2 Vista would ship to Europe on June 8, perhaps giving the software giant time to address the nudity issue before the game goes on sale.
Iain McC wrote at 10:32 on 25 May 2007
So murdering Covenant troops and getting their blood everywhere is fine, but if there's partial nudity IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD! Umm... what?
They'll be making Cortana wear a bikini next.
wyp100 wrote at 15:37 on 25 May 2007
Wearing my cynical hat, could this just be a way to drum up publicity for an old game on an uninspiring platform?
Seriously though, I take your point Iain, but this is an American-made entertainment product, and culturally the US has always had more of a problem with sexual references, however minor, than violence. The last thing we should be is surprised.
Race is on to discover the nature of said nudity, of course. A nice, big, fat scoop to the winner.
Iain McC wrote at 18:02 on 30 May 2007
The Cynical Hat Wearers' Club
Oh, I'm not surprised at all. Though it would have been amusing to see Jack Thompson try to take on Microsoft. I would've paid good money for ringside seats.
But if they wanted to drum up publicity (and sales), perhaps it would have been a better idea to a) not release the game on PC a good two years too late, and b) not make it Vista-only in a pathetic attempt to leverage your OS sales. Gosh, that cynical hat is comfy. And it keeps your brain warm. :-)