Thieves Steal 6,000 Copies of MW3 in Truck Robbery
Two thieves crashed into a delivery truck and stole 6,000 copies of Modern Warfare 3.
On Saturday, a delivery truck containing an estimated 6,000 copies of Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was seized by thieves after crashing into a car as it traveled through Créteil, south Paris, France. The two masked individuals emerged from the offending car and used tear gas to neutralize the truck's driver and passengers. Once the scene was secured, the thieves jumped on the truck and ran off with all 6,000 copies.
The news follows reports that some retail outlets are already selling Activision's new Call of Duty shooter just days before its official November 8 street date. Last week Microsoft's Stephen Tolouse, director of Policy and Enforcement for Xbox Live, said that "playing early may impact your [Xbox LIVE] account" even if consumers bought the game legitimately.
But after a sudden negative backlash by consumers, developer Infinity Ward quickly followed up saying that there are no plans to ban [early] legit fans. "Try to wait til midnight launch on Tuesday to play #MW3," said Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling via Twitter. "Can't wait to jump online with everyone then!"
Just weeks ago Activision experienced another "theft" of Modern Warfare 3 thanks to an employee at a shipping warehouse in California. According to reports, the employee stole disk two of the PC version, created an image and then uploaded it online. Sources claim that security may have been to tight for the employee to retrieve the other disc. Activision is currently tracking down those already playing illegal copies of the game, asking them to trash the unofficial copy or face a $5,000 fine and a potential permanent online ban.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is slated to arrive on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Windows PC on November 8 here in the States and in Europe.
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Think they learned how to coordinate the takedown from the game lol?
It is obvious that some folks fail to realize this is simply a game. What the heck is the big rush?
Ya, it's sounds like peeps are acting out the COD in real live to get COD MW3 tear gas and stuff. For a game. I wonder if EBAY Paris has the game on sale. lol
It is obvious that some folks fail to realize this is simply a game. What the heck is the big rush?
Stealing 6000 copies makes a lot of sense, they'll be able to sell them. That's what thieves do btw.
Stealing 6000 copies makes a lot of sense, they'll be able to sell them. That's what thieves do btw.
I don't play games but I'm assuming they come with a product key. Block the keys.
I don't play games but I'm assuming they come with a product key. Block the keys.
True. With the keys blocked it was nothing but a 6000+ piece frisbee heist.
I don't play games but I'm assuming they come with a product key. Block the keys.
They do, but the problem is that no one probably knows which codes were used for those 6,000 codes. Plus how do you explain to the consumers that buy the product thinking it may have been a legitimate purchase and finding out that they just lost all of their cash. Remember someone could pay a thousand bucks or w.e to have a small kiosk or rent a store front for a week and make it look legit, charge the retail price and make a killing. Even if it cost them 20 grand to rent and decorate some kind of store they would still make over 300k.
I'd imagine they'll be able to get at least $120,000 for those copies. Not a bad haul. As for the game itself... whatever. I'll stick with Battlefield 3; that game is pure money!
lol. activition just lost 6k sales?
At least it wasn't BF3 copies that got stolen, couldn't care less for the CoD series anymore - Activision killed the series like most other things they get in touch with, the franchises gets corroded and the creativity of the devs gets thrown out of the window when its all about money.
I purchased BF3 for less and it delivers more so its a simple choice for me where the money goes.
I doubt they keep track of every key being shipped. They'll have to take that as a loss. Thieves if their stupid they'll sale them @ $20 if smart they can get rid of them quick for $30/$35. $32.50x6000 = $195,000. And that game will not even depreciate so they can easily sale it at 30-35. Or wholesale it.
True. With the keys blocked it was nothing but a 6000+ piece frisbee heist.
Thats only if you assume the people they are selling them to are aware they are hot. Youre talking a retail heist of $360,000 that was protected by only one truck driver. Most people robbing banks dont get off with that much.
Keys blocked or not, they can still sell them. Blocking the keys will only hurt the ignorant purchasers...
This would have been great news if the copies had been burned or run over with a steam roller... I had to get some "fanboy" hate in there but don't really care either way... news is news is news...
I hope they burn them. That'll be 6k less 13 year old kids taunting me about banging my mom.
"i got mine at gamestop, whered you get your copy?"
"it fell of the back of the truck..."
Thats only if you assume the people they are selling them to are aware they are hot. Youre talking a retail heist of $360,000 that was protected by only one truck driver. Most people robbing banks dont get off with that much.
Not to mention that stealing disks isn't a felony.
Theres still hype surrounding this crapfest? I feel pity for people who's willing to get ripped off for 60 buck expansion that is only worth 5 bucks pop =/
Can't Activision just not enable online play until the release date? They could still play single player, but its not really a big deal. Just either fine the stores that sold the game early or deny them future releases.
But really, with BF3 out now, who is going to be playing MW3? I guess I'll have to try it out before I can say that with finality, but given how crappy MW2 was (compared to COD4) I can't see it being nearly as good as BF3. And this is from a long-term COD fan (since COD1). I guess maybe MW3 is good on consoles?
And on top of that, Skyrim is out on Friday, so who cares about any other games until at least December. Motherf*cking SKYRIM!!
Not to mention that stealing disks isn't a felony.
I believe theft becomes a felony once the worth hits a certain limit. Then again, I could be wrong considering I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
Would be better if they actually stole something good like BF3.
@otacon72
someone correct me if im wrong, these are xbox games, therefore keys aren't required.....
My biggest concern would be how to return 6000 copies of a crappy game.
@otacon72someone correct me if im wrong, these are xbox games, therefore keys aren't required.....
I was going to mention that. If it's a console game, there is no key for the consumer to enter.
And what's with all the bashing on COD? I know Activision is a company of greedy whores, and I'm very pissed they control Blizzard now, but the game is still fun to play with friends. Sure it isn't BF3 but it's still pretty fun.
Not to mention that stealing disks isn't a felony.
In the U.S. it would be Grand Larceny, basically its larceny unless its valued over $1000, then it gets a harsher penalty. But you have to remember there is also grand theft auto and assault mixed in as well.
But it really depends on the laws in France as some countries have abolished their larceny laws. U.K. replaced its larceny laws with a broader version of their theft laws.
@otacon72someone correct me if im wrong, these are xbox games, therefore keys aren't required.....
Aren't there much easier ways to steal Xbox games than hijacking a truck? Lol.
I can believe there's always Cod and Battlefield fanboys, divided like it's some kind of cyber fanboy war.
Taking parts in this extreme way it's idiotic, not to mention that anyone who makes up their mind before they hear the issue is a fucking idiot.
Those kind of games should be illegal for people under 21.
Stealing games used to be cool, but if you do it nowadays it's just like saying "I'm poor and lame". It's $50 to $60, geez.
If they had a demo of it, they probably would not have bothered to jack the truck... or maybe they are pissed because they bought it and couldn't get their money back?
I bet that those that participate in that act were young psycho ppl below 19 years old fans of MW3. just sick !
I wonder when they will realize that what they stole, is in fact, worthless.
I bet that those that participate in that act were young psycho ppl below 19 years old fans of MW3. just sick !
every group of 19 year old mw3 fans I know of definitely has the skills to scout the delivery trucks routes to find a spot where they can ram their own vehicle into it, then use tear gas to abscond with a palette of video games. Their mother will understand when they say they got cut off in grandma's van, and thats why the front end is messed up, and you know you can buy teargas canisters at any local corner store. This couldn't possibly be some kind of organized crime, has to be some 19 year old's. /sarcasm off