Pajamachievements: Halo 3
Posted by urk at
5/22/2009 9:28 AM PDT
"...armed with vodka and sass."
HBO's been scouring the Internet for groups of drunken women playing Halo 3 in their pajamas. Buncha dirty old men over there. But it turns out their search has paid off and they've stumbled upon Rooster Teeth's Achievement Hunter. If what we've described sounds like something you'd want to witness, hit the jump below and check it out.
"This week the pajama team takes on the mother of all 360 games, Halo 3. Luckily, they are armed with Vodka and sass."
Red. vs. Blue - Achievement Hunter Pajamachievements: Halo 3
The Ghosts of Onyx's Favorite Files Updated
Posted by urk at
5/20/2009 10:16 AM PDT
GoO steps back into the spotlight.
The Ghosts of Onyx are back for round two of their community spotlight. This time they're sending Furious D 18 out into the mix to give us the scoop on what went into his map, Exacted. If you want to learn more, all you gotta do is get reading.
Q. What inspired your creation?
A. I liked the flag placement on the Halo 2 map, Relic. Getting the flag off the precipice was the difficult part, but the flag was relatively easy to capture after getting over that first hurdle. I tried to imitate that in a smaller version in Exacted. From there, I tried to add elements of Lockout by making a few varied structures and many travel routes through the map.
Q. What aspect took the longest to get right?
A. I created an original aesthetic touch by placing teleporter nodes clipped into boxes so that only the lights show. Since teleporter nodes can't be set not to spawn at the start, and since boxes won't move through teleporter nodes, it took a lot of trial and error to get it right.
Q. How long did it take to create?
A. As a whole, I don't know how long the map took. But the teleporter lights I mentioned above easily took several hours. I must have used the "save and quit" technique over one hundred times. That's a lot of effort to put into an aesthetic touch.
Q. How could The Forge be improved?
A. It's been argued that Forge is a level editor, not a level creator, and that it is very successful in that capacity. I happen to agree. But while we're on the subject, I think the community's desires fall into two categories.
First, it would be nice to have greater control over object placement. Features like a specific degree of rotation tool or a group copy/paste tool would really speed up map creation.
And the second community desire is to be able to give your map a unique appearance so it stands out from the crowd. Selectable object skins, or even custom painted skins, would really let a level designer perfect his or her map. Other "environmental" effects like lights or fog with sizable boundaries would could also help orient players within the map and immerse them in the game. The red and blue lights offered in Sandbox are definitely a big step in the right direction, so thanks!
Big thanks to GoO for stepping up to the plate and providing the answers to our questions. Of course, Exacted isn't the only map they are putting on display for you us week.
Bungie Favorites have been refreshed to reflect all of their week two offerings. You should check them out.
Average Joe - VENOM MDK
Posted by urk at
5/19/2009 10:27 AM PDT
Relieving the stress of the workday.
Leading the pack this week on our way to an Average Joe merit badge is VENOM MDK. You may know the name. If not, now is the time to get yourself acquainted. Scroll down to learn a little bit about the man who first opened up the offices over at Halo 3 in The Work Place.
Q. Who are you and what do you do?
A. My name is Adam you killed my father prepare to die. Well not really about the father part. I’m currently a business analyst although I do more than what a typical business analyst does. As for my hobbies, besides playing Halo 3 I’m a Cub Master for my son’s Cub Scout Pack. I also like to spend time with my family.
Q. Ooh, family is pretty awesome. And earning badges. Double awesome. What about the username - where did that come from?
A. VENOM MDK came from two of my favorite things in my childhood. I have always liked Venom from Spider-Man. MDK was a PC game from 1997 that I, for some odd reason, could not get enough of.
Q. What online forums can you not get enough of?
I spend a lot of my time in the private group forums of Halo 3 In The Work Place. I check out the main Halo 3 forums from time to time and offer my opinion when I find a thread of Interest. I also will jump into the OTK (Owners of the Katana) group forums from time to time and see what is happening over there. I check my wonderful stats everyday over at HaloCharts.
Q. So, why gaming? Do you ever drag your family and friends into your online world?
A. I game because after a stressful day at the office it helps release that built up stress. I do game from time to time with my son Lil Venom mdk. Although he wants to play Snipers all the time just so he can beat his Dad. I really suck with that weapon.
Q. Hmm, did you ever try out the Sniper Rifle from Halo or Halo 2? Maybe you just need some more practice.
A. Believe it or not Halo 3 was my first Bungie game I played. I was hearing all the hype from G4TV and at the local game store and thought I should look into it. I am so glad I did. Since picking up the game I downloaded Marathon Durandal and Halo CE from Xbox LIVE and was even able to find a used copy of Halo 2 at the local game store. I think I might pick up Bungie's next title, ODST or something like that, this fall.
Q. ODST? Seems we've heard that someplace before. Something about Fall and 2009. Where were we? Oh yes, what about your community participation? Being in the spotlight generally means you're kind of a big deal. Are you shocked by your level of involvement?
A. By all means I am shocked at my involvement with the Bungie Community. I was able to create an awesome group with the Work Place. In the group people are always willing to help out when needed. Heck my Xbox crashed hardcore and I’m not talking about RRoD. I mean it crashed completely. Well the group came together with a fundraiser and I had a new Xbox that day and did not miss any gaming. Work Place, you guys and gals rock! Yes people, we have girls in the group. Pick your chins up off the floor.
Q. Sounds like a cool place to get involved with. Are you involved with any other entertainment-related communities?
A. Wait; there are other entertainment-related communities out there? Where can I find them?
Q. Well, this interview seems to have taken a turn down the Punctuation Super Highway. We're going to take the next exit. Anything you wanna add? Wanna make a quick shout-out?
A. I got nothing to add. I have said my peace and its time to move on to the next “Joe.”
As for shout outs, here you go:
My Wife – For putting up with my gaming addiction. Thank you and I love you.
Lil Venom mdk – I will one of these days beat you at snipers.
My Mom – For all your support you have given me over the years.
Bungie – Thanks for making a sweet game and for the advanced Mythic Map Pack.
The Deragoth – Thanks for starting that thread years ago. The work placers will get this one.
DaWhistlesGoWoo aka Eaglesofdc – Thanks for the encouragement to create the group based off a Halo 3 forum thread. Who would have thought it would last this long!
Joeski73 – Man thanks for stepping up when needed
BigCountry1369 – Keep up the good work brutha!
To the HR pirates – Warm up your fingers index finger!
FOMAN123 – Thanks for sharing CI’s limelight with the Work Place. And the input you have provided us on running a better group.
Der Todesengel – for being my Halo 3 BFF and logging over 1000 games with me.
And course the rest of the Work Place – Get to “Work Placing!!!!!”
VENOM MDK is correct. It's time to move on. We want to thank him for his time and words (and the extensive list of shout outs). We really wish we could have worked in some more Princess Bride references. In any case, if you run into VENOM MDK online, challenge him to a swordfight and see if his saber skills measure up. If you do get the best of him, please don't run him through. A good, solid knock on the head will do just fine.
Ascendant Justice - 'Ground Zero'
Posted by urk at
5/19/2009 9:28 AM PDT
"A closer look at the city of New Mombasa..."
Ascendant Justice gets their speculation on, collecting what they suspect are the clues and hints that will ultimately shape the New Mombasa experience in Halo 3: ODST come this Fall. Is any of their conjecture correct? Are their facts accurate? Well, we're definitely not tipping our hand, but you should give it a read anyway.
Ascendant Justice - "Ground Zero"
Screenshot Spotlight: Meatball O Doom
Posted by urk at
5/18/2009 11:27 AM PDT
"Too many dragons, you ask? No, I say; not enough."
Jdars and Team Pepto return for week six of their Aesthetic Artist Interview. Up this week is Meatball O Doom. If you want to see what makes Meatball do her thing, or just see some of her work on display, head over to HBO and read the interview. We'll provide the link to make it easy.
Week 6 Aesthetic Artist Interview: Meatball O Doom