Halo Online Mods DMCA’d By Microsoft, The Game Stays Russia Only (For Now)

Microsoft and Innova Systems has used the power of DMCA takedowns to stop fans from spreading around a build of Halo Online.

This has come about since a group of modders where demonstrating a video showing the game in action outside Russia, and distributing it for free along with their mods.

A gameplay trailer made by the mods has been blocked and removed from YouTube, and Microsoft compelled Github to stop hosting the core files needed to download and run the game.

Halo Online isn’t actually being developed by 343 Industries. Instead, it’s being developed by Russian studio Saber Interactive, and published by Innova. It runs on the Halo 3 engine and is set to have microtransactions, so Microsoft has some very clear ideas about what this game will be like and how they plan to make money from it.

While the game isn’t the most exciting thing to happen to Halo, it is, at least temporarily, locked to only be available in Russia. Perhaps this is the reason fans were looking to pirate it in the first place. In which case, the only true solution would be to release it worldwide. But then again, Microsoft may already have plans to do so and simply do not want to take attention away from Halo 5 Guardians.

Do you think Microsoft should confirm Halo Online will eventually make it online? Should they publish it worldwide now? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.