According to online news sources, the review code of the game Halo:Reach was this week uploaded by Microsoft onto Xbox.com - with special access restrictions in place.

However, hackers managed to circumvent the block on Halo:Reach - and the title is now in the wild. It is unclear how widely the leaked code has been distributed, or if the hackers have made it publicly available - but spoilers have reportedly appeared on NeoGAF and other games sites.

Writing on Bungie fansite HBO, Louis Wu revealed: "Just a warning - looks like Halo:Reach is out there in the wild. This time it seems we can't blame the French; apparently, a group of modders figured out how to fool Xbox.com into allowing a download of the copies put up for some press... So if you're looking to play Halo:Reach unspoiled... now might be a good time to go dark."

This isn't the first time a Halo game has leaked early, either: Both Halo 2 and Halo 3 made their way onto the 'net before they hit shelves.

Halo: Reach is due for proper, above board release on September 14.