'Halo 3' Disk Comes Scratched

Limited-edition packaging can harm media

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2007 12:46 AM CDT

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'Halo 3' Disk Comes Scratched — A copy of Microsoft Corp.'s new Halo 3 video game for the Xbox 360 is shown, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 in Seattle, along with the limited-edition tin packaging that many gamers are blaming for scratches on the game's two disks. Microsoft, which owns the studio that makes "Halo 3," responded quickly on... (Associated Press)

A limited-edition package for Microsoft's 'Halo 3' may be scratching the game disks, AP reports. The latest installment of the famous shoot-em-up franchise appears to be well on its way to huge sales, but with its new Xbox 360 suffering from news of bugs in recent months, the scratched disks are a hitch the software giant could have done without.

The damage-causing plastic encases a version of the game which includes extra video features and costs $10 more than the basic edition; fans can also buy a $130 copy which comes with a replica of the 'Halo' hero's helmet. Microsoft's latest Xbox has lagged behind Nintendo's Wii in sales, and the company wants Halo 3 to be the killer app to close that gap. (Read more Microsoft stories.)