Some of you may have noticed some problems on the forums lately. Well, we know about it, we have a good idea as to what is wrong, and when it will be fixed.

Apparently, the story starts with the Webmaster and some bees. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say there is honey and tequila everywhere, and the database that houses the forums seems to have taken a beating. Corrupted caches, indexes, and something about a curse... according to the Webmaster, anyway. I wasn't really listening - he was rather drunk. At least we got a new letters page out of it. Or, well, we did after some well placed kicks... Anyway, the point of this is that we're working on the issues, and we have a fix currently being tested. Since the fix is so substantial, though, we're going to be testing it over the weekend. We'll get it posted to the live forums by Tuesday of next week. There will probably be a short downtime early Tuesday morning. Thank you for your patience. That is all.

About time too. He may not be as lazy as last year but [url=http://www.bungie.net/Inside/CustomPage.aspx?section=LettersToTheWebmaster&subsection=Main&page=15]The Webmaster[/url] is still pretty freaking lazy. Go read his [url=http://www.bungie.net/Inside/CustomPage.aspx?section=LettersToTheWebmaster&subsection=Main&page=15]letter responses[/url] now.

And this time, [url=http://www.bungie.net/Inside/CustomPage.aspx?section=LettersToTheWebmaster&subsection=Main&page=15]The Webmaster[/url] has actually included some reader art and scarification.

Back to normal after last week's very nice break from my dumb ass, but here it is, the new [url=http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=468323]Bungie Weekly Update[/url], hosted by the good fellows at HBO, and also at [url=http://www.the7threvolution.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=194]The 7th Revolution Forums[/url] who're new to hosting the Update (but do require registration.

So what are you waiting for? Get your butt over to [url=http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=468323]HBO Forums[/url] to see what happened this week at Bungie Towers.

It's a sad day in Bungie Land today as Zoe, our contract artist extraordinaire, is wrapping up her tour of duty with our Studio and moving on to new assignments. As a special farewell treat to our fans, Zoe is leaving behind what is (in my opinion) her most badass creation yet. Here's a quick explanation of how this project came to be... (prepare to start drooling)

Over the past 9 months Zoe has been in the trenches with us here at Bungie helping out with a number of cool projects. She created all of the visuals on this here website along with a whole slew of badass screenshots, comics, wallpapers and other things you won't even see for a few more months. Naturally we're sad to see her leave but lucky for us, she's left behind this awesome reminder. Here's a word from Zoe about what this wallpaper is and how it came to be: [i] A few weeks ago I put up a poll in my 7th column chapter “Zoetest” hinting at a project I was working on. The idea was to do a concept rendering of the Masterchief in an alternate paint scheme, something really –blam!-ing cool for all the fans who support Bungie. At first I was keeping it secret so as to not get things too riled up, but my 2nd hand man MakaVeli4LIfe1 decided that just wouldn’t do and got things going. Within a matter of hours Zoetest jumped from a few members to around 80. Well today is my last day with Bungie =( -sniff- and I’ve worked my ass off to complete my crowning artistic contribution to the Bungie fan community. The results of the poll had ranked “battle damage” and “desert camo” as the most desired alternate paint schemes for an art piece, so I decided it would be even better to combine the two together. Keep in mind of course that this is just a concept art piece, so don’t too hyped up expecting to see this version inside the game, but you’re more than welcome to keep it on your desktop as long as you like… I insist >^-^< Zoe, [former] Bungie web artist and Freaky cat girl gamer[/i] Please Note : In case you didn't read it above - this is a purely fictional creation, done for fun for our fans. This has NOTHING to do with Halo or Halo 2. This is not a picture from Halo the movie, it's not a screenshot from Halo 2, there is no desert camo in the game... this is purely a work of art inspired by Halo and the feedback of our fans. But you gotta admit.. this is totally badass! (it's in the Halo 2 wallpaper gallery because it does use the underlying 3d model of MC from Halo 2, that's all) Head over to the Halo 2 [url=/Games/Halo2/gallery.aspx?gallery=Wallpaper&page=1]wallpaper gallery[/url] and scroll down to the bottom and prepare to be blown away by [b]Desert Brigade[/b]. Thanks Zoe!!

Since Frankie is still out on an expedition in the Yucatan, we have a very special guest author this week... the [i]Bungie Princess![/i] Prepare yourselves for the most mind blowing, in-depth and fact-filled update yet from a totally fresh perspective (ok, maybe not). Our latest update can be found in the Bungie.net [url=/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=509037]Halo 2 forum[/url]. Enjoy!

Frankie might be gone, but that doesn't mean the Weekly Update won't go on... The Bungie Princess has stepped up and taken the reigns this week as she delivers her own unique insight into the world of Bungie and Halo 2 development (not to mention a few fashion emergencies). For the sake of ease and simplicity we're sticking to our own turf today... Though, I was considering introducing the Princess to the nice folks at the Penny Arcade forums. Maybe next time. Let's all pray that Frankie makes it back in one piece from his Yucatan adventure and we'll soon get back to the juicy game tidbits you've come to love. Until then, enjoy the Bungie Princess special edition update! [i]*Actual experience may vary.[/i]

The [url=http://store.bungie.com]Bungie Store[/url] is closing! Don't worry, we do have a new store in the works and we'll be launching it soon...but before we can do that, we need to clear out all our remaining inventory. Take advantage of special clearance prices and you can not only help us out, but you can own a piece of Bungie history as many of these products will never be produced again.

It's been a good run but the times are changing... The Bungie Store that you currently know will soon be no more. On August 31st, the Bungie Store will be closing it's doors. To help clear out what's left, prices are being slashed and we'd love it if you wanted to buy a few things to help our cause. Almost everything in the store will soon be a rare collector's item as none of this will be produced in our new store (we've got other, newer, cooler things in mind). Act fast, there's not much time left... And, thanks to you all for your continued support of our store the past few years. We'll have more to say about our NEW store very soon. Stay tuned.

We're kicking it over at [url=http://forums.videogames.co.nz/index.php?act=ST&f=9&t=5126]VideoGamesNZ[/url] today, which if you didn't already figure it out, is based in New Zealand. New Zealand is a land of Fjords, valleys, meadows, forests, beaches and of course, Mount Doom. [url=http://forums.videogames.co.nz/index.php?act=ST&f=9&t=5126]VideoGamesNZ right here![/url].

But [url=http://forums.videogames.co.nz/index.php?act=ST&f=9&t=5126]head over to he VideoGamesNZ forums right now[/url] to find out what we've been up to. Lots of news on animation, art, production and engineering and more, and all you have to do to read about it, is [url=http://forums.videogames.co.nz/index.php?act=ST&f=9&t=5126]Click this link[/url].

goweb writes:

If you live in the UK, then you'll be able to get your grubby mits on Halo 2 at this year's [b][url=http://www.gamestarslive.co.uk]Gamestars Live[/url][/b], running between 1st September and 5th September at London's ExCeL centre. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

If you live in the UK, then you'll be able to get your grubby mits on Halo 2 at this year's [b][url=http://www.gamestarslive.co.uk]Gamestars Live[/url][/b], running between 1st September and 5th September at London's ExCeL centre. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the door.