Microsoft promises harsh punishment for gamers who have obtained a copy of Halo 3: ODST before they really should have been able to. Erk!

This follows hot on the heels of the mistaken release of the game in certain territories ahead of the official launch on September 22nd – a limited number of copies found their way onto French retail shelves around a month too early.

Pity the poor French gamers who chanced upon them, then. If they’re caught playing the game, and Microsoft follows through on a recently-posted threat, they’ll find their LIVE accounts effectively closed forever more. Here’s what MS heavy Stephen Toulouse had to tweet:

"I spy with my little eye some illegitimate ODST players. No early play for you. Commencing perma-bans.”

Although he later softened his uncompromising stance to allow for those who might have obtained copies of ODST through more permitted means – game reviewers, early purchasers and suchlike.

It’s all a bit mean and unnecessary, though, isn’t it? After all, if you found a copy of Halo 3: ODST in your local game store tomorrow would you consult the release schedule before snapping it up as quickly as possible? No, us neither. In any case how is Microsoft going to determine the legitimate owners from the transgressors?

Hmmm, perhaps it’s best we don’t ponder the Big Brother connotations of that for too long...