The weekly halo 2 tourney roundup can be found [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=3203734]HERE[/url]. I'm a day late...Yea I'm a lazy -blam!-

From now on I want you guys to mail your entries for the weekly roundup to this email address: tourney@soffish.com Thanks! - stosh

BobBQ writes:

First it was AppleTalk, then it was TCP/IP... now AlephOne, that loveable little Marathon engine upgrade, is getting in-game chat and server browsing functions.

First it was AppleTalk, then it was TCP/IP... now AlephOne, that loveable little Marathon engine upgrade, is getting in-game chat and server browsing functions. In short, this means players will now be able to sound off without a microphone and browse a master list to see who's playing what and when. The end result is less time spent trying to find people in AIM chatrooms and more time spent watching their mangled corpses flying across [i]Thunderdome[/i]. The new features are still in testing, but if you're an intrepid Marathoner you can grab the latest build [url=http://marathon.sourceforge.net/nightly/]here[/url] and give it a spin. Now eat it, vid bois!

Tomorrow morning, the stats system will be taken down for approximately 2 hours for some database maintenance. After it begins, no Halo 2 stats related systems will be online until the work is complete. This includes your Halo 2 emblems. All games will be recorded during the downtime, you just won't be able to see them.

You guys give the stats database quite a workout, so please excuse the occassional need for the system to be shaken down. Please remember this will only affect your ability to see your game results, data collection will not be impacted. After the maintenance, the system will restart processing of your games and will take a little while to catch up to the present, but that won't last very long.

The Xbox Live Halo 2 Worldwide Championship has already started in many countries but now we finally have more details regarding the U.S. competition. Registration began yesterday and play is scheduled to kick off next week with the U.S. champion eventually facing the top players from 23 other regions for the world title and a bunch of cool prizes.

The Halo 2 Worldwide Tournament is a global event spanning all 24 regions where Xbox Live is offered. Each regional champion will clash in a worldwide showdown for the crown of World's Best Halo 2 Player as well as a bounty of cool prizes. The U.S. qualifier portion is set to begin next week. Player who are interested in competing should hustle and get registered ASAP. Anyone 18 and over can register by either visiting a Gamestop retail store or stopping by www.GameStopStores.com. Time is ticking so hurry up and get signed up if you want a shot at the title. What's at stake? Well, besides the biggest of all bragging rights (only ONE person can ever claim they are THE Halo 2 World Champion), there are plenty of prizes up for grabs. Regional winners will receive a limited edition half-size Master Chief statue, a personalized Xbox Live Halo 2 Championship sweatshirt, a plaque, a Samsung Camcorder AND $500 in cash. WOW. The overall global champion will also receive a 50' Samsung Flat Screen DLP HDTV, a Samsung DVD Player/Recorder, a personalized Xbox Live Halo 2 World Champion trophy featuring a 24k gold Halo 2 game disc AND $1,500 in cash. Damn, I wonder if Bungie employees are permitted to enter.... More information can be found at [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0427-halo2-tourney.htm]Xbox.com[/url]. Please note that we (Bungie Studios) have little to no involvement in the actual tournament so we are unable to provide support or answer tournament related questions. We'll do our best to keep you informed of late breaking events. For now, hurry up and get yourself registered or risk missing out on this epic event.

On Wednesday morning at about 10:30am PDT, bungie.net will be going offline for maintenance. The downtime will last approximately 30 minutes.

This maintenance is aimed at reducing and/or eliminating the random "Null Reference Exception" errors that have been ruining your experience lately when accessing stats or the RSS feeds. We're also adding a few incremental things that may help with the excessive blacklisting by the Disembodied Soul. We realize how irritating that is, but we don't have a permanent, concrete fix for it quite yet. Hopefully we'll be able to get rid of that issue permanently as well, and you'll be able to go back to enjoying bungie.net as usual.

Recently, a rumor started spreading, indicating that Bungie was going to reset or clear Xbox Live Friends Lists. This is categorically untrue. We are not touching them, and neither is Xbox Live. We don't know where the rumor started, but it's complete nonsense. So don't worry.

And quit sending each other messages about it. There will be no reset of the Friends List.

Reiginko writes:

The Marathon 10th Anniversary Contest has been over for months. Reiginko has been hoarding the results for almost as long, for his own selfish purposes. Finally, the tru7h is revealed in [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=3150696&viewreplies=true]this[/url] forum post!

I'm really sorry for waiting so long before posting these. I assured Soon™ness, but it's more like Late™. So I really, really apologise to everyone who participated in the contest and helped me out with it. So read the [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=3150696&viewreplies=true]results[/url], already, and be gobsmacked by the intelligence of your peers! - Reiginko

Do you have questions about downloading content on Xbox Live? Check out this helpful [url=http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=12410872]FAQ[/url] at Xbox.com where Major Nelson provides the 411 on the DLC.

Today is a big day for Live members as we all jump online to grab some new map lovin. If you have questions about downloads and purchases don't fret, Major Nelson has got you covered. Keep an eye on this [url=http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=12410872]FAQ[/url] over in the Xbox.com forums for the latest info. (You'll need to be signed in to Xbox.com in order to view the post)

Four brand spankin new multiplayer maps are now available for download on Xbox Live. Containment and Warlock are available for free while Turf and Sanctuary can be purchased together for $5.99. Check the [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=maptacularmonday]weekly update[/url] for more info about these exciting new maps.

The wait for new Halo 2 content is over. As promised, the first four (of nine) maps are available for download today via Xbox Live. When you sign in, select "Content Download" from the Live menu and you'll see two download options. The "Bonus Map Pack" is free of charge and includes Containment and Warlock. The "Killtacular Pack" is a premium download that will cost $5.99 in exchange for Turf and Sanctuary. Both of these maps will be available as free downloads later this Summer - [b]June 28[/b] to be exact. Grab these maps and fire up some custom games with your friends and see first hand what we've been so excited about the past few months. Next week we will be updating our matchmaking playlists and incorporating all four new maps in the approrpriate playlists. And, for folks who don't have access to Live, you'll be able to get all nine multiplayer maps on June 28th when the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map pack is released in retail stores.

Good evening guys, gals, and hippo lovers! Sorry for the delay but you can finally find this weeks halo 2 tourney update [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=3110487]HERE[/url].

I had to post the update in the forum this week because of the lame 3000 or so bungie.net news character limit. Maybe next week I'll post the update as a top news story or something. Anyway remember it's not just a game and if you lose...well you are a loser. Nobody likes losers. Also don't forget that you need to submit your tourney info [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/SubmitNews.aspx]HERE[/url] if you would like to see your tourney listed in the Halo 2 Tourney update next week!

The WWU is coming to a screen near you, and here's a little something to keep you busy until then.

Like our 3d screenshots? Love them? Can’t get enough of them?! Don’t worry, I’ve got your fix. This week’s subject is the Old Mombasa map Turf. This 3d screen is also one of the last atrocities I committed against poor agdTinman! You see, Tinman thought that jumping in the hog and turning a few donuts would help him clear the street corner of Sketch and I. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quick enough- Sketch was on board to pull him out and I stuck the hog with a plasma. I did a great job of hurting all three of us, but it’s the thought that counts, right? If this is your first 3d Screenshot, please note that you’ll need the latest version of Apple’s [url=http://www.apple.com/quicktime]Quicktime[/url] software in order to view this or any 3d screenshot. With that in mind, [url=http://www.bungie.net/images/games/halo2/screenshots/turf_boom.mov]Everyone point and laugh as I kill us all[/url]. Maybe next week, I’ll make one that isn’t a hog or grenade exploding. And while I have your attention, I’ve made a gift for the forum regulars, as well! You can find him [url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/settings.aspx?page=3&avatarpage=2]on the second page of avatars[/url], fourth row down, second from the right. He dances divinely, does he not?

The first four new maps are only a few days away but if you want to get a better look at them now, head over to [url=http://www.redvsblue.com]RedvsBlue.com[/url]. Burnie and the crew recorded walk-throughs of each map and will be posting one a day the remainder of the week.

Our pals from Red vs. Blue happened to be in the neighborhood earlier this week so we offered to give them a sneak peek at the upcoming multiplayer maps. While they could have gone back and posted tantilizing notes about how they saw the new maps and you didn't, instead they opted to record videos and share them with the masses. Head over to their website, www.redvsblue.com, for a look at each map throughout the week. We also challenged them to a few games while they were here. Keep your eye on the top story spot for more info on that. : )

Our screenshot [url=http://www.bungie.net/Games/Halo2/Gallery.aspx?Gallery=Screenshots&page=6] gallery[/url] has been updated with several new shots from the upcoming multiplayer maps. Check 'em out!

Even though all of these shots originated right here, from this very computer, they somehow ended up on our own website last. Still, if you haven't seen them or you want to see them in a larger format or with a less obtrusive watermark, we've got you covered. The Halo 2 screenshot [url=http://www.bungie.net/Games/Halo2/Gallery.aspx?Gallery=Screenshots&page=6] gallery[/url] has a whole new page full of images from Warlock, Containment, Turf and Sanctuary. There are additional first person shots floating around on various game sites if you're hungry for more new map goodness. All four of these maps will be available for download this coming Monday, 4/25. For more info, check out Frankie's top story.

Maintenance is complete.

Thank you for your patience.

As usual, when things go wrong, people start jumping to conclusions. A few people were banned inappropriately by The Disembodied Soul, an automated process that detects people trying to circumvent the normal forum blacklist. Because of some other unrelated instability, and the new Halo 2 banhammer, people have been wildly speculating as to the cause of the problem.

Basically, a few hundred users were banned by our automated process that bans your account (for 48 hours) if you use it from a computer that was recently used by a blacklisted user. This prevents you from creating a duplicate account to bypass the blacklist. This morning, this process was a little too aggressive. In addition, several server stability problems have cropped up. So, tomorrow, we'll be deploying a hotfix to bungie.net that should clear up both the blacklisting for the few hundred of you that this affects, and the stability problem for everyone else. Please note that while the blacklisting will be fixed so it isn't as aggressive as it was this morning, please note that it will still ban you if you use the same computer as another banned user. So, guard your own computer, and be careful if using your account from a public terminal, like a school library or Internet cafe.

If you haven't already heard, the Halo 2 Auto Update is now available on Xbox Live. When you connect, your game will automatically update itself before allowing you to continue. Once you have the update, resist the urge to "test" former cheating methods or risk getting yourself banned!

The next time you connect to Xbox Live, you'll download a small bit of data which will update your version of Halo 2 to 1.1. This update will provide a number of fixes to existing cheats and exploits as well as a few gameplay balance enhancements via weapon balance tweaks. For more details about what the update entails, see last weeks [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=weeklywhatsapril15th&p=3014696] UPDATE.[/url] In light of the removal of many common forms of cheating and a severe change in the effectiveness of the popular "stand by" cheat, many players feel the need to "test" these results for themselves. This is a bad idea. Engaging in bandwidth manipulation and standbying can result in you getting banned from matchmaking. DON'T DO IT! Also - as we've said previously - using a "hacked" profile, save game or any other manipulated piece of data on your Xbox that is not part of the retail version of the game is also grounds for being banned from matchmaking. This includes playing in custom games or even playing on a LAN while you're still connected to Live. Halo 2 is "Live Aware" so if you're plugged in, make sure none of those files are on your Xbox. If you simply must play with these types of games, you should unplug your network cable or risk getting banned. Hacked files of ANY sort have no place on Xbox Live. In some cases, such as upcoming tournaments, you may not be ready to commit 100% to the new update. If you need to remove the udpate for any reason, you can go into your Xbox Dashboard and wipe out all the Halo 2 saved files (the root). This will effectively remove the 1.1 update but will also remove your saved games, profiles and gametypes. You can back those up to memory card if you like. If you have downloaded maps on your Xbox, they will also be erased. The next time you connect to Live, you'll then download the update once again.

Xtournaments writes:

Gotfrag and Fiend took the time to sit down with LiL Poison, along with his father and uncle, Sick Vic and Poison. We wanted a chance to get behind the young gaming prodigy and ask him a few questions.

Gotfrag and Fiend took the time to sit down with LiL Poison, along with his father and uncle, Sick Vic and Poison. We wanted a chance to get behind the young gaming prodigy and ask him a few questions. Victor Deleon III (Lil Poison) is “Superkid” according to his father, also Victor Deleon (Sic Vic). “He just needs a cape.” What may sound like the pride of a typical father, is in this case well merited. At only six years of age, his son Victor is the youngest professional console gamer in the world. To read the full article click on the link below http://www.gotfrag.com/halo/news/3218/

Updates about updates are good an all, but what about those of you that want to see more free map magic?

Updates about updates are good an all, but what about those of you that want to see more free map magic? Shish's here to help you out. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this 3d screenshot is worth 100,000 words. Eat that, Frankie! What you're seeing here is Containment, one of the two maps to be released for free. Last week, we showed you [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/Story.aspx?link=18E359B0-1336-43B1-8E27-5346714081AD]Warlock[/url], so this week we figured we'd show you the other free map! So what's happening, here? Well, agdTinman and Sketch thought they were making the perfect flag run. They threw the switch, took out everyone in the base with gauss fire, grabbed the flag, and was back out before the gate had time to close. However, Shishka had a plan. Well, no I didn't. What I did have, though was a Scorpion. And with that, I taught Sketch and Tinman about Containment's own special brand of pink death- the large land mines scattered about the level. This is a 3d screenshot, and as with all previous screenshots, you'll need to have [url=http://www.apple.com/quicktime]Quicktime[/url] installed. So, then, what are you waiting for? [url=http://www.bungie.net/images/games/halo2/screenshots/containment_mine.mov]Click here[/url] and see Tinman and Sketch's untimely deaths, frozen in time forever.

Whoa. We just got a ton of Halo 2 tourney news submissions. Instead of approving them all and having a thousand halo 2 tourney posts cluttering our news I decided to consolidate them all into a single news post. Enjoy. I'll do this again next week if enough Halo 2 tourneys are [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/SubmitNews.aspx]submitted[/url] to Bungie.net News.

Additionally, I'm thinking about doing something similar with bungie related webcomics. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/SubmitNews.aspx]Submit[/url] your webcomic's url and a short description to bungie.net news if you'd like to see it featured on bungie.net in somekind of weekly webcomic roundup. [b]Online Tournaments:[/b] [i][url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?uid=119708]HardcoreXBL[/url][/i] writes: Gamers! Hear me! Storm Gaming Ladders([url]http://www.stormgaming.net[/url]) and The Clan Wars come together to present the Halo 2 Rumble Slayer 1v1 Tournament! A cash prize is offered to the winner! Signup information can be found here: [url]http://www.stormgaming.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1189[/url] The Tourney Rules can be found here: [url]http://www.stormgaming.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=873[/url] Any questions? email: hardcore@stormgaming.net IM: stormgaming(AIM) stormgaming@hotmail.com(MSNM) stormgaming(YIM) Good luck! Daniel "Hardcore" Stull Storm Gaming Ladder ================================== [i][url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?uid=611609]IcemanLeigh[/url] writes:[/i] All UK Gamers who are sick of the latency and lag that we are constantly stuck with... There is a solution. Join [url]http://www.ukhalomatchmaker.co.uk[/url] Ukhalomatchmaker.co.uk is a site for UK players only who are looking to avoid the latency and lag probelms by playing other Halo 2 players from the UK. It is a site set up by UK gamers for UK gamers and runs mini tournaments and also an up and coming clan league. So if your from the UK and want to play other gamers from the UK check out [url]http://www.ukhalomatchmaker.co.uk[/url] ================================== [i][url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?memberID=487103&boardID=0]icky icky stiky writes:[/url][/i] [url=http://www.largerthenlive.com]We are Larger Then Live![/url], a community dedicated to online tournaments and gamers. We host free weekly tournaments of all kinds; MLG, CTF's, KOTH, Snipes, Halo 6, Wild Wild West, and Pit Style games are just some of the types we enjoy doing. We have referees that host every match to ensure a cheat free enviornment, so come check us out. Registration is free. Once you are registered, feel free to sign up for any of our tournaments that you wish to play in. [url]http://www.largerthenlive.com[/url] Any questions? Feel free to contact us at: email: admin@largerthenlive.com Admins: InsanePatient, icky icky stiky, STICKEYGREENS [b]Offline(lan) Tourneys:[/b] [url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?memberID=592900&boardID=0]EnigmaElk[/url] emailed me and told me about a Halo 2 tournament he's running at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Check out his [url=http://www.uwpwargamers.org/halo2]website[/url] for more details. ================================== [i][url=http://www.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?uid=933696]CyberHub Troy[/url] writes:[/i] Halo 2 Tournament 2v2 With cash and prizes for first 3 teams. This Sunday, April 17th starting at 12noon. CyberHub 8726 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 19057 215-946-2788 Open 2pm - 2am 8 Xboxs System linked and online for insane gaming! [url]http://www.thecyberhub.com[/url] Only 25.00 per person and tons of give aways! All day event Sunday. Well that's it for this weeks edition. Don't forget to update us with details of what happened during your tournaments, guys!