Halo: ODST is not due out for another four weeks for the XBOX 360, yet a slip up by a French retailer (probably a new staff member or something who got mixed up) has lead to Halo: ODST being sold to a member of the public.

The gamer then went home (most likely ecstatic and in disbelief at being the first person to purchase the game) and made a YouTube video. The video showed him unwrapping the game and demonstrating it authenticity. I can assure you that this wasn’t something he put together using a printer and an old game cast.

Microsoft added credence the leak by issuing a statement. They said that anyone who is found to be playing the game will have their Xbox live account deleted forever! But shouldn’t it be the retailer who is being punished.

More information about the game will undoubtedly be dripped onto the internet as the French user plays. However, he has since removed the video, most likely out of fear of being identified and his XBOX live account being deleted.

This reminds me of when a few shops started selling Harry Potter books before their release date and a judge ordered anyone who read them to keep quiet.

Keep up to date with any further leaks or developments here.