A pre-release version of Halo 4 has floated to the surface, but those who dare to download it risk incurring the wrath of Microsoft.

The software titan is cracking down hard on those playing the pre-release version of the game online, dishing out permanent bans like candy.

Game Informer reported a statement from Microsoft saying they are doing everything in their power to shut down the pirated versions of the game.

“We have seen the reports of ‘Halo 4’ content being propped on the Web and are working closely with our security teams and law enforcement to address the situation.”

There have also been reports of Youtube videos featuring content from the game being removed.

Although a permanent ban seems pretty harsh, it’s fair enough – how cheeky can you get, trying to play the year’s biggest title, and Microsoft’s biggest title for quite some time, an entire month before its release? Duh.

If you DID decide to download an illegal copy of Halo 4, the intelligent thing to do would be to play the game in offline mode until after the release date. Just a thought. (Note: TechDay in no way encourages the illegal downloading of Halo 4, or piracy in general).

CinemaBlend even went so far as to include the Legendary Ending on their site, but it has since been removed – though not before half the internet could go mental at them for ruining the ending of the game.

So what do you think? Is downloading Halo 4 a risk worth taking, or is the permanent ban enough to deter pirates?