The surly, cantankerous Webmaster is back. Mean spirited, lacking any kind of meaningful information or insight and basically just acting out all his internal rage on unsuspecting readers. You don't believe us? [url=http://www.bungie.net/Inside/CustomPage.aspx?section=LettersToTheWebmaster&subsection=Main&page=17]Go Read For Yourself[/url].

Seriously, [url=http://www.bungie.net/Inside/CustomPage.aspx?section=LettersToTheWebmaster&subsection=Main&page=17]Go read it.[/url]

goweb writes:

All the knowledge of Bungie in one easy to edit place? Check.

Some of you may know of a little site called Wikipedia. This excellent resource is a community-created encyclopaedia - anyone can add, change or remove content, and it all works rather well. Some of you may also know of a little-known developer called Bungie. Even fewer will know what Bungie has done in its short life. So I thought to myself - why not combine the awesomenesses (new word) of Bungie and Wikipedia into one unholy entity? Enter the [b][url=http://wiki.tru7h.co.uk]tru7h wiki[/url][/b]. This little site allows you to tell the rest of the world about Bungie - its history, its games, its culture. And it also allows you to find out more about this mysterious company. So if you know who [b][url=http://wiki.tru7h.co.uk/Disembodied_Soul]Disembodied Soul[/url][/b] is, or were ever curious about [b][url=http://wiki.tru7h.co.uk/World_Domination]Bungie's real agenda[/url][/b], pay it a visit.

Our friends over at [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/kgcontest/results.html]Halo.Bungie.Org[/url] have announced the winners of the Killer Grunts contest, the chance to win one of seven copies of Tecmo's DOA4 fighting game. Democracy won out in the end, with Halo.Bungie.Org readers deciding the results.

To win, entrants had to create fake boxart for an imaginary Halo-themed fighting game. You can see the entries [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/kgcontest/results.html]HERE.[/url] And they ranged from hilarious to beautiful - we'll let you decide which are which.

Warrior 3000 writes:

2005 Best Machinima Series: This Spartan Life's new episode interviewed Halo/Halo 2's Audio Director Marty O'Donnell.

2005 Best Machinima Series: This Spartan Life's new episode interviewed Halo/Halo 2's Audio Director Marty O'Donnell.. This Spartan Life is the new hip Machinma series with the love of a Halo 2 talk show and 8-bit music. This is how things work over at This Spartan Life... the host of the show invites special guests to do a "creative and enjoyable" interview. Our latest interview we had Bungie's Audio Director Marty O'Donnell. You can view part one of the interview at our site, www.ThisSpartanLife.com, under the "Episodes" tab. Please under stand that there are two parts to this interview.

It's been a long time coming but we've finally got a few new items available at the [url=http://www.bungiestore.com]Bungie Store[/url]. The most recent additions include a Beaver Creek tourist shirt, Oddball team shirts, a black jacket and a fleece pullover. Help fund our quest for World Domination and pick up some new gear today!

We've been working on a few cool products for the Bungie Store with our partners at Sunrise and at long last the first items are available for purchase. At the moment there are two new t-shirts including a Beaver Creek novelty tourist shirt and both red and blue Oddball Team shirts. Both of these designs come courtesy of Bungie artist Dave "Evil Otto" Candland. If you need something a bit more cold weather friendly, check out the new black wind breaker jacket or the new fleece pullover. We have more products in the works including a few more shirts that will reportedly be online in the next week or so. These two long sleeve shirts are going to be awesome. Just wait. As always, thanks for your undying support of all things Bungie and Halo. Remember, you can't call yourself a fan unless you buy every piece of merchandise on the market. You can also rest easy knowing that every purchase you make contributes to the Bungie World Domination Fund (not to mention Frankie's $100 a day Starbucks habit).

Truth Regret, one of the longest standing Halo 2 Clans still in existance, now has more ways for you to Jump In.

Founded on December 20th, 2004, Truth Regret is very proud of its staying power. Holding true to our roots, we strive for teamwork and in turn the team strives for victory. Honesty and Dedication are at the core of this Clan. Now, with the 360 on the shelves and arriving at more homes every day, this Halo 2 Clan is looking to the future. With rumors of a Live!-wide Clan system, we are spreading out to many of the favorite 360 games. With this expansion into new games comes a greater need for awareness, and to help in this we have made the move into another popular Online Community: MySpace. You can see the official Truth Regret MySpace Profile [url=http://myspace.com/truthregret]here[/url]. Already sporting an enviable [url=http://truthregret.com]website[/url], Truth Regret hopes to use this time of expansion to bring more Gamers to the cause of maturity and respect. We realize that the greatest issues plaguing the community of Online Gaming, and hope to help lead the way to the future by way of example. So please, join us. If not as a member of the Clan, then join us as a gamer interested in a better Gaming Community, a more mature, respectable community. [b]Truth Regret: Honor - Trust - Loyalty - Brotherhood[/b]

Sir Fragula writes:

[url=http://halo.bungie.org]Halo.Bungie.Org[/url] has entered the final leg of the [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/kgcontest/voting.html?action=help]Grunt Killer contest[/url], offering fickle Joe Public a mighty maximum of five votes to sort the seven diamonds from the rough.

[url=http://halo.bungie.org]Halo.Bungie.Org[/url] has entered the final leg of the [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/kgcontest/voting.html?action=help]Grunt Killer contest[/url], offering fickle Joe Public a mighty maximum of five votes to sort the seven diamonds from the rough. One-hundred and thirteen entries have been submitted, so you wont be stumped for choice. Submissions range from whimsical adaptations of the fighting genre's classics to novel and humorously crafted potential titles. Sure, there might be a fair amount of fluff there, but that's where [i]you[/i] - Misters and Missuses of the voting public - come in; wielding the scythes of democracy to cut down the chaff of failure and, um... leave standing the grasses of success? Voting ends sometime Tuesday.

We're participating in the annual Winter Pentathlon today - a series of game events, including an inter-Bungie Halo 2 tournament which has already become a big-baby festival. We'll have the results and photos of the event next week.

So we'll see you then.

Halo1lover writes:

A cool interview of BATMANKM. One of 2old2plays own artist and finalist in the Bungie Seventh Column Art Competition. We get an inside look at what it took to create such an awesome piece of art and how he became hook on the Halo world. Check out his sketches and ideas along the way.

Not long ago, one of our own represented us in an art contest on Bungie.net. Since I was amazed by the work and proud of his accomplishment of being stated on the Honorable Mention list, I have spent some time on doing an in-depth interview with the artist. The questions and quotes are from me, the rest are unedited answers from the heart and mind of Kirk. The interview is detailed. If you do not have the time to peruse through it all, at least do not miss the end for a special gift from Kirk to all 2o2p members. So without further due. 1. Tell us about the contest, what was it? Over at Bungie.net they posted a news article announcing an art contest and a call for submissions. Deman267 from OMM posted it to the 2o2p forums for those of us that might be interested. I checked it out and got very pumped because i thought it would be a great opportunity to get some exposure to Bungie staff. I decided I would take the challenge and create something to enter. It was all due Jan 7th. To be honest, however, to this day it’s not really clear to me how much Bungie actually played a part in the event if at all. I’m now pretty sure they simply endorsed it but that it was organized, sponsored by and judged by members of a Halo Fan forum hosted on the Bungie.net forums called The Septagon. [url=http://www.studiokm.com/OMM/Landing.jpg]Here is the final art piece submitted for the contest.[/url] 2. How long did it take you? The piece I entered took me about 8 days to complete. That’s working on it a little bit each day in between other work and family. Total hours spent were probably 16 to 20. 3.Was this your first time participating in such event? I have entered into other similar contests before. It’s always a great way to get your work seen and to get you motivated to create something new. As I’m sure everyone knows by now I didn’t win this contest. In fact I didn't even place in the top 3. But that’s what happens. You pull your self up and move on to the next. I had A wise Art teacher once that said " stop thinking of each piece as a masterpiece and see it instead as simply an exercise and learning experience for the next piece." I have tried to keep that in mind ever since. [url=http://www.2old2play.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=191&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0]CONTINUED ON 2old2play (sorry no more characters allowed)[/url]

AlexZander writes:

As part of an effort by old members of the community, a group of people are trying to revive Bungie's old school style of community interaction. This caption contest is a part of that. Submit your entry here to win cool Bungie swag from the Bungie Store! [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5924385]Caption Contest[/url]

As part of an effort by old members of the community, a group of people are trying to revive Bungie's old school style of community interaction. This caption contest is a part of that. Submit your entry here to win cool Bungie swag from the Bungie Store! [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5924385]Caption Contest[/url] [u]The Prizes![/u] First place prize for this caption contest is anything you want from the [url=http://www.bungiestore.com/]Bungie Store[/url] of equal or lesser value to $15.00US before taxes. Runner-up gets anything he/she wants from the [url=http://www.bungiestore.com/]Bungie Store[/url] of equal or lesser value to $8.50US before taxes. The Rules: [*][b]Rule 1:[/b] Only one entry per person. If you post two entries, your entries will become invalid. [*][b]Rule 2:[/b] You must have been a member of Bungie.net for as of January 14th 2006. This is to stop people from making multiple accounts to bypass rule 1. [*][b]Rule 3:[/b] Mods can submit entries, but cannot win the prize. You guys already recived Bungie swag when you became a Mod. [*][b]Rule 4:[/b] No profanity. [*][b]Rule 5:[/b] All entries must be entered by [u]January the 31st.[/u] At that time I ask that this topic be locked for and at that time the judges will begin their final decisions. [*][b]Rule 6:[/b] No 'your mom' jokes. [*][b]Rule 7:[/b] Seven is [b]darker[/b]. Enter your caption in [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5924385]this topic.[/url] This Captions contest is brought to you by me, AlexZander, an active member of the [url=http://www.bungie.net/fanclub/7thcolumncouncil/GroupHome.aspx]The Council Chambers[/url], a group where discussion on the creation of the Seventh Council is discussed.

Joyride has posted a preview of its new series 8 Halo action figures. You can see some of the prototypes here: [url=http://www.joyridestudios.com/news_2006-01-16.asp]JoyRide Studios' new Action Figures.[/url] Naturally these may change slightly before they are finally released.

The new figures will be in stores June 2006. Series 8 will feature Master Chief with Flood Infection Form, Elite Commander, Heretic Elite Leader and the first ever 7-inch scale figure of the Jackal, complete with the Jackal shield.

In last week’s update, we mentioned that we were hiring a Contract Writer for Bungie.net. That means we’re looking for an excellent writer, with lots of Halo and Halo 2 knowledge, good gaming skills and the desire to work at Bungie studios.

The job posting is now live at our jobs page, [url=/Inside/Page.aspx?section=Jobs&subsection=Main&page=1]so click here to go check it out.[/url] You can read the job description below. Applicants should know that this is a contract position, which means you’re contracted to work in this role for nine months. After that, the contract agency may place you in another position; however, it is not the same as a permanent, full time job. Applicants who make it to the interview stage can find out all the details from the agency. Also, we’re looking for a good range of writing ability and style, and we are not hiring folks in high school. If you’re not an adult eligible for a full time job in the US, please don’t apply this time. [b]Contract Writer[/b] Job of a lifetime? Come work at Bungie Studios and witness the creation of its latest masterpiece. Write compelling content for Bungie.net, immerse yourself in the Bungie and Halo universe and help maintain and grow one of the most active, energetic communities on the web. [b]Responsibilities:[/b] • Create professional, high quality, consistent content for Bungie.net • Assist with creation and execution of overall ongoing Bungie.net content plan • Assist with editing, formatting and web deployment of content created by other people • Help with asset creation and other community team projects as needed [b]Requirements[/b] • Excellent writing skills covering a broad range of styles and topics • Must be passionate and experienced with the Bungie Community and our games, especially Halo and Halo 2. • Have an excellent grasp of grammar and the English language • Well organized and self-motivated • Familiarity with basic HTML formatting • Sense of humor [b]Plusses[/b] • Experience writing for high volume outlets • Good gaming skills • Prior experience working on a game related community website • Basic knowledge of website content creation and deployment software and systems • Photoshop or other image editing software experience To find out more and apply, please click here: [url=/Inside/Page.aspx?section=Jobs&subsection=Main&page=1]Bungie Jobs Page[/url]

Our friends at [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/killergrunts.html]Halo.Bungie.Org[/url] are co-hosting a contest where readers can win a copy of Team Ninja's amazing DOA4 for Xbox 360 and show off their artistic skills in the process. All YOU have to do is create boxart for an imaginary fighting game.

Sounds like a blast, right? Head over to [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/killergrunts.html]Halo.Bungie.Org[/url] right now to enter and with luck and some creativity, win!

Over in The Maw, the forum for Halo PC discussion, Iggwilv, a member of the Halo PC community; is going to be hosting a Halo PC Slayer Tournament on his server. [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5854852] Sign up in this thread. [/url] We already have quite a few entries so sign up quickly so you won't miss out on any [i] carnage[/i]!

When, Iggwilv, a member of the Halo PC community, first decided to lend us the use of his server it became the "Unofficial B.net Maw Server". Now, we finally are using it to its full potential. Enter the [u] Maw Slayer Tournament[/u]. A competition full of fun, good times, and sweet, sweet, carnage. We're expecting about 32 entries and may be able to accomodate even more. There's no set date yet, but to find out more [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5854852] [b]check out this thread.[/b] [/url] You can find the rules along with the correct sign-up format in that thread. There's no requirements; whether you're good, bad or just plain talen7ed you'll enjoy the competition and have fun well doing it. Sign up now to be the Maw Slayer Champion! (bragging rights included)

Apex 12 writes:

Out of all the people that could be interviewed, who would of thought that it would be Frankie, interviewed by Taso from HIH?

As I browsed through [url=http://www.highimpacthalo.org/index.php?halo&halo2&ps2&xbox=1&xbox360&gaming&marker=2&page=] High Impact Halo [/url] I noticed that Taso got to interview Bungies very on Frankie.You can view the forum post here[url=http://ducain.org/hihforum/viewtopic.php?t=88028] here [/url]. Go take a look. I envy you Taso.

Actress Jen Taylor, who plays the voice of Cortana in Halo, appears in a tense thriller called [url=http://www.inheritancefilm.com/press/distribution.html]Inheritance[/url] now has US distribution, contrary to our earlier claim.

Last year, a small cortege of Cortana fans organized a [url=http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/501881528?ltl=1136915208]Petition[/url] to get the movie released. Rumors that Jen Taylor appears wearing less than adequate clothing probably have nothing to do with the recent spike in rentals.

[url=http://halowiki.net]halowiki.net[/url] now features two new functions that lets you track and save your recent games: [*] [url=http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Recentgames]Recent games listing[/url] [*] The [url=http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Gamesaver]Gamesaver[/url]

The [url=http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Recentgames]Recent games listing[/url] Syndicates the Bungie.net RSS feed of a players recent games. It's designed to make it work in forum signatures. Like for me it would be: [*] [url]http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Recentgames/CoB_PEZ[/url] The listing is far richer in both looks and content than stock RSS syndicators do fro this particular feeds. For instance: easy access to map specific [url=http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Carney_Holes]Carney Holes[/url] and game specific strategy articles. Then there is the [url=http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Gamesaver]Gamesaver[/url] that pulls the game data from a given game and lets you save it on halowiki.net. Now you can save your best games for bragging purposes. To make it really easy the Recent games listing includes links to the Gamesaver for each game it lists. Quick links for those functions: [*] Recent games: [url]http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Recentgames[/url] [*] Gamesaver: [url]http://h2wiki.halowiki.net/wiki/Special:Gamesaver[/url] Enjoy!

Gods Prophet writes:

As some of you may know, a few members here at bungie.net have hosted an art competition for all members of the site. The date was set for 1/7/06 and one could almost hear the faint sound of clicking mousses and the deterioration of graphite. It's been tense, but finally the time has come to announce the winners of the 2005/6 Seventh Column Art Competiton!

So. In [b]third[/b] place: Ross Gemuend! [b]Info:[/b] [b]Bungie Login name:[/b] [url=http://tinyurl.com/e3hnq]rossgemuend[/url] [url=http://tinyurl.com/8xxrg][b]Picture[/b][/url] [b]Comments: [/b] This is a fantastic and outstanding piece of modelling. We loved the lighting effects and the accuracy to the actual Halo models. The Earth is awsome and the effect of the ship fleet is breath-taking. A congratulations is in order. In [b]second[/b] place: Kelli Washburn! [b]Info: [/b] [b]Bungie Login name:[/b] [url=http://tinyurl.com/974q5] Pinkuh[/url] [url=http://tinyurl.com/8pzbl][b]Picture[/b][/url] [b]Piece Title: [/b] "For the Team" [b]Comments: [/b] Wow. Just wow. You know, some people have ‘it’. You know what Kelli? I think you have ‘it’. A fantastic portrayal of the Halo 2 multiplayer map, Ascension. Also, very atmospheric. I particularly like the lightning’s effect on the near-by clouds and the light of the teleporter? The effects are just amazing and the detail on the central floor is remarkable. You more than deserve 2nd place. Infact it was a tight decision between first and second. Now for the winner. In [b]first[/b] place is.....Robert Kreps! [b]Info: [/b] [b]Bungie.net Login name: [/b][url=http://tinyurl.com/7k8zu]TychoVII[/url] [url=http://tinyurl.com/7cvs5][b]Picture[/b][/url] [b]Piece Title: [/b] Bigtime [b]Comments: [/b] Robert has produced an awe-inspiring art piece. He has used a very similar technique as Craig Mullins (and we all know how good Mr. Mullins is). This is a wonderful portrayal of marathon, and the security officer seems is so life-like. All the judges agreed that the thing that really caught our eye, that really draws us to this picture is the detail and the atmosphere. One thing I particularly love is the lighting with it’s radiant rays, even dust particles are included! Very atmospheric and well drawn lighting and a splendid portrayal of real textures (such as the pit wall). It’s very hard to dislike this piece and you most certainly deserve this. Congratulations and thank you for creating such an outstanding picture. Now is the time for, what we like to call, [b][u]“honourable mentions”[/u][/b]. Now, I would like to have listed about 51 of my favourite entries.. unfortunately I do not have the time nor the space. Instead, here’s the top 12 (in accordance to me): Andrew Helmer(Bungie.net name: Novakog), kirk manley(Bungie.net name: batmankm), Mike Hill(Bungie.net name: MickyH), Theo Prins(Bungie.net name: THE oO), Kelli Davis(Bungie.net name: Etoli), julien Grillaud(Bungie.net name: Forge Master), hatnaa batdulam, Cody Brigan(Bungie.net name: Kode_man), Pontus Ryman(Bungie.net namet: Spitfire51), 'Black Rose Mail'(Bungie.net Account: Newbzoar), Lloyd Frank(Bungie.net name: Igotgame1075), Wayne Miller(Bungie.net name: gjsx51) Ok, nearly finished folks. I must mention [url=http://www.bungiefansonline.com/]BFO[/url](Bungie Fans Online, a community based website…kinda like HBO) and in particular [url=http://tinyurl.com/dmsc8]snowmanaxt[/url]. He (on behalf of BFO) has agreed to supply the winner (TychoVII) with a prize! As I understand it, it shall be something from the Bungie Store though what the [i]actual[/i] prize will [i]be[/i] is somewhat of a mystery...On behalf of Excalibur and all the judges of this competition, thank you for your kind generosity. You know what? I think that’s it! Again, thank you to all the organisers, to the g-mail team for creating g-mail and, most importantly, thank you to all the people who entered! Oh yes. One, small thing before I leave you. We thought we ought to show you two entries that didn’t [i]quite[/i] make the grade. I think they were just a little [i]too[/i] good ^_- [[url=http://tinyurl.com/c5ftm]Created By: littlerat (Coke)[/url], [url=http://artpad.art.com/?iq2yt61gbsl8]Created By: VII Toast[/url].]

Psyched writes:

This week, [url=/fanclub/blam/GroupHome.aspx]Chapter Founders[/url]' Week in Review includes an exclusive interview with the Bungie music maestro, Marty O'Donnell. Check it out [url=/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5871592]here[/url].

This week, [url=/fanclub/blam/GroupHome.aspx]Chapter Founders[/url]' Week in Review includes an exclusive interview with the Bungie music maestro, Marty O'Donnell. Check it out [url=/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=5871592]here[/url].