Twinkie writes:

The complete list of IGN's top 100 games was rounded off today, with some interesting placements.

The complete list of IGN's top 100 games was rounded off today, with some interesting placements. Only one Bungie game made the top 100; Halo, at #30. The top 5 games are: 1. Super Mario Bros. 2. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3. Tetris 4. Sid Meier's Civilization II 5. Super Mario 64 There are many other surprising results, which you can view [url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/index.html]here[/url].

I just read on [url=http://www.digg.com]digg[/url] that today is [url=http://sysadminday.com/]system administrator appreciation day[/url]. So I suppose we better all give achronos and friends a big thank you for all of their troubles.

I mean just think of a world without bungie.net. We might all be outdoor loving, plant eating, sandal wearing hippies! Or even worse without bungie.net we may have been forced to become active members of the xbox.com forums and community! blechhch! =P

As promised, AU4 was released yesterday and includes a slew of anti-modding measures aimed at cleaning up the Halo 2 online landscape. In the past twenty-four hours, approximately 2,550 people have been permanently banned from matchmaking for using hacked or modified content online. Read on for more info as well as answers to a few questions...

The latest Halo 2 auto update was released over Xbox Live yesterday and will automatically download to your console the next time you try to play a game over Live. This update contains tools to detect and ban anyone who uses hacked or modified content online. Despite our ongoing warnings, there are people who insist on using hacks and to date 2,550 of them have been permanently banned. There has been some speculation that the update was a bluff or that it didn't work as a number of players were still encountering modders online after getting the update. This is to be expected. Modders will still exist for a short time but once detected, they will soon be permanently banned as the new self-aware automated Banhammer starts swinging. Banned players will also potentially persist on the leaderboards for a short time following a ban from Live but will be cleaned out shortly afterwards. Also, please note, that the Bungie Team will still be banning and dealing with people who use network manipulation to their advantage as well as people boosting. Also, if you used modded content prior to the AU and used it to climb the leaderboards you will still get stripped off the leaderboards and potentially banned from Live. Please continue to use the in-game feedback system to deal with behavior / poor sportsmanship issues. For more information about cheating in general, please refer to the Bungie.net [url=http://www.bungie.net/Stats/page.aspx?section=FAQInfo&subsection=cheat&page=cheat]Cheating FAQ[/url]. [b]Banhammer Mini FAQ[/b] ------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]I heard the Autoupate is ruining people's game discs!?[/b] False. Despite the fun rumors about discs mysteriously being scratched once the update was downloaded, there is no correllation between said disc damage and the auto update itself. [b]Once I installed the update I'm no longer able to load maps and/or it takes an incredibly long time. What gives?[/b] As with prior updates, once this is installed, it will clear the cache of your Xbox where the maps get loaded. This means that when you go to play, it will take longer than usual as it reloads the maps back into cache. The AU itself has not damaged your Xbox or your game. Some people are experiencing issues with maps failing to load altogether. The first thing you should do is double check that your disc is clean and free of scratches. If the problem persists, please contact Xbox Support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX or visit the [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-us/support/default.htm]Xbox.com Support Page[/url] for additional information. [b]I can't download the AU at all. It tells me there's an update avaialble and when I go to download it I get an error message. What's up?[/b] We have heard reports that people who have modified content on their Xbox may have intentionally or unintentionally altered or corrupted the program used to run the Xbox Live downloader. If you can't get the AU, you can't play Halo 2 on Live at all. If you're experiencing issues with the downloader itself, please follow the Xbox support recommendations listed above. Thank you to everyone who has continued to assist us in tracking down and removing various cheaters from our community and thank you as well for your patience as we continue to work towards making the Halo 2 online experience the best it can be.

The latest Halo 2 Matchmaking [url=http://www.bungie.net/Stats/page.aspx?section=FAQInfo&subsection=playlists&page=1]Playlist[/url] has been released on Xbox Live. This update allows owners of the new maps to play against other players in the Rumble Preview and Team Preview playlists. Turf and Sanctuary have been integrated back into the core playlists in addition to a few other tweaks.

As promised, the latest Xbox Live Matchmaking Playlist update has been released. The main purpose of this update is to integrate the five recently released maps into matchmaking via the Rumble Preview and Team Preview playlists. If you have purchased the new maps, you can enter these playlists and play matchmade games against other players. These two playlists are only accessible to people who have the five new maps installed. Shortly after the new maps become free (after August 30th) both "Preview" playlists will be removed and all new maps will be added back into the core playlists. This means the leaderboards for both of these playlists will cease to exist in around two months so please keep that in mind as you devote your life to trying to achieve the top rank. Once the two Preview playlists are removed we will begin exploring additional options like the long-awaited "Multi Team" playlist (and the highly anticipated "Phantom Lovin" playlist which is all Phantonms, All the Time.)* In addition to adding the five new maps, we've also added the last two maps back into the "free" rotation. Sanctuary and Turf are both included in appropriate playlists like Double Team, Rumble Pit, Team Slayer, etc.. [b]You will need to have all four free maps installed on your Xbox in order to play matchmaking.[/b] Lastly, we've taken the opportunity to react to some of the main feedback we've received such as lowering the weighting of Foundation games (apparently it's not a popular map anymore) and fixing bugs like the Banshee on Ascension Rifles. To see the latest gametypes in each playlist, please visit the [url=http://www.bungie.net/Stats/page.aspx?section=FAQInfo&subsection=playlists&page=1]Playlist Page[/url] of the Stats section. If you have questions or problems regarding downloading content over Xbox Live, please read [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/Story.aspx?link=C5A584D0-E81B-4FF9-B3D7-4AE35AC7C163]THIS.[/url] [b]Cheater Update[/b] We're still painfully aware of the amount of cheating/hacking taking place on Xbox Live. While we do our best to ban people as fast as we can the sheer number of people doing this is making it a slow process. People ARE being banned, it's just takes time to investigate. Until the next AutoUpdate is released we realize that instances of modding and hacking are likely to increase due to the larger number of downloadable maps available. We will continue to ban people but please understand that things are potentially going to get worse before they get better. If our current test pass goes successfully we expect to have the AU ready to release in 1.5 to 2 weeks. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, please continue to report people you find using hacked or modified content. We take this very seriously and anyone caught using hacked content will be PERMANENTLY banned from matchmaking. (nearly 1,000 people were just banned last week for hacking alone) For the latest word on cheating, what's being done and what you can do to help, please read this [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=cheatz]UPDATE[/url]. * Phantom Lovin is a joke and will never happen.

Tonight at 11:30pm PDT, there will be internal network maintenance at our datacenter. Forums, private messaging, and account creation will all be offline for approximately 30 minutes. In addition, processing of Halo 2 games will be delayed due to the outage, but the system will catch up over the next few hours after the maintenance completes.

We apologize for the downtime. Please note that other bungie.net services should not be affected, but if necessary, we may take other systems down if network performance becomes an issue.

The Halo 2 [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/halo2/downloads-maptacularpack.htm]Multiplayer Map Pack[/url] is now available! Read on for additional information about the retail disc, Xbox Live downloads and playing the new maps online...

The Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack should now be available in retail stores across the planet. The disc itself contains nine Halo 2 maps, a bonus cinematic, a behind-the-scenes documentary and all Halo 2 auto-updates. More information about the disc itself can be found over at [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/halo2/downloads-maptacularpack.htm]Xbox.com[/url]. [b]Downloading via Xbox Live[/b] Xbox Live members can download the five new maps right now for $11.99. If you have questions or problems regarding downloadble content, please check this handy [url=http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=12969333]FAQ[/url] created by Xbox Live's Major Nelson. (current version is pasted below) All five new maps will become free Xbox Live downloads starting on August 30th. The first four maps - Containment, Turf, Sanctuary and Warlock are already avaialble as free downloads. [b]Playing New Maps on Live[/b] Currently, the five new maps can only be played on Xbox Live via custom games between players who have the maps installed on thier Xbox. Our current plan is to update the matchmaking playlists on Monday, July 11th. At that time, all five new maps will be added to the "Team Preview" and "Rumble Preview" playlists. In addition, the old premium maps Sanctuary and Turf will be added back into the "free" playlists. Why didn't we do this immediately? We have to stagger the playlist update for a number of reasons but most importantly, we want to give players time to get the new maps installed. All five will be available for matchmade play in just a few more days. [b]Downloadable Content FAQ from Xbox.com[/b] The following FAQ was created by Major Nelson at Xbox.com to address common questions and issues regarding downloadable content. The original FAQ can be found [url=http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=12969333]here.[/url]
[b]Q: Help...I can't download the maps. I can download free content, but I can't seem to download premium content![/b] A: If you can download free content, and not the premium content...the problem most likely resides in your credit card or billing information you have given to Xbox Live. Specifically, the card we have on file may have expired, or your bank may have declined the authorization to purchase or your billing information is out dated. You'll need to update your credit card information with a valid credit card that can handle the charge you put against it and make sure that your billing information is accurate. Instructions to update this information can be found [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/about/accounts-manage.htm]HERE.[/url] [b]Q: I can't seem to download either the free or the premium maps. What do I do?[/b] A: Assuming that you can connect to Xbox Live and your billing/credit card information is correct (see above) then this may be a problem with your connection. Read the Troubleshooting Connection Issues [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/live/faq-connect.htm]Guide[/url] on Xbox.com for help. [b]Q: I did all that and I still can't download any premium content.[/b] A: Make sure you (or your parents) have not disabled purchasing of premium content. To enable purchases, go to your Xbox Live dashboard, then go to Account Management. Then, go to Account Settings. You'll need the last four digits of the credit card used to open this account to proceed. Once you punch in the last four digits of the credit card. You'll be able to get to the next screen. On this next screen, make sure Premium Purchases are enabled. [b]Q: I need to check my billing info, but what if I can't remember the last 4 digits of the credit card I used to create my account? I can't edit my billing information without that.[/b] A: Call 1-800-4MYXBOX. Customer Support can ask you a few questions to confirm your identity, then provide the last 4 numbers they have on file. [b]Q: I want to download only one of the maps in the premium pack, can I just get the one map? [/b] A: No, they are only available as a package. [b]Q:Can I copy the content I download to an MU to take with me?[/b] A: No. [b]Q: If I have (insert number here) Xbox's at home...do I need to purchase the content for each one, or can I copy it to them once I purchase it on one of my boxes? [/b] A: You'll need to purchase the DLC for each box you want to use the content on. [b]Q: My internet connection went down/failed in the middle of the download I purchased. If I start again, will I be charged twice ?[/b] A: No. You can go back in and continue to download and be confident that you won't be charged again (even though you had to authorize the purchase the second time when you went into, that was only to continue where you left off. ) [b]Q:My box broke, and I need to get a new one. I went to (insert favorite retailer here) and got a new box...how can I get the maps I already purchased onto the new box. [/b] A: You will need to purchase the content again. Premium content is tied to the Xbox it was downloaded on NOT the gamertag.

Halomods and the rest of the modding community are doing their best to stop modding on Xbox Live. This is an article right from halomods.com...

HaloMods Forums will close temporarily As some of you may have read on Bungie's website lately, the cheating problem on Xbox Live has grown out of control. While our moderating team has been vigilant in eliminating any information about these cheats on HaloMods over the past month, I feel the time has come for me to take more drastic measures. Starting today, I have decided to temporarily close both the files forum and the main forum until Bungie releases their next auto-update. From what I hear, this will likely be in the next few weeks. I know this will disappoint many of you, but I think it is better for the long-term health of our community. You may remember a similar situation on the HBO forums when Halo 2 was leaked. I believe the majority of our community despises what these XBL cheaters have done to ruin the Halo modder's reputation. Modding is supposed to be about being creative and adding new content to our favorite game. We will not tolerate their intrusion into our community. During this time, the main HaloMods webpage will remain up, so please do your part to help Bungie out. If you see ANYONE using mods on live, please click the "report cheaters" button on the right side of this page. You need to have an account with the main site. In addition, if you find any links with step-by-step tutorials on how to mod and get on XBL, links for warezing the new maps, or cheat ppfs, send the link to cheaters-list@halomods.com. We will forward the information to Bungie so they can take appropriate action. Even though the forums will be closed, you may still contribute stories to our main page. Our IRC channel will remain open. Again, sorry for the inconvenience this may cause many of you. Update: Thanks to all of you who are sending links to websites that are doing the following. -cheating tutorials -pirated downloads of new maps -cheat ppfs If you run one of these sites, you would be well advised to shut it down since this is what MS and Bungie are targeting. I have been pleasantly surprised at how many people are reporting this activity. Every little bit helps. On a side note, even though the forums are not accessible by the normal users, the Moderators have taken this opportunity to perform an overdue cleanup of the spam and off-topic posts, and to do a little bit of organization. When the forums do come back up, they should be in better shape. -Grenadiac PraetoriaGuard strikes back NewsWhile we wait for Bungie to release a patch to fight the scourge of modders on XBL, the Praetoria Guard clan has taken matters into their own hands by doing vidcaps of cheaters on live. Good for them. http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=621858 By the way, you may have noticed our XBL cheater report system. Simply click on the button at the top right of the page and fill in the required information. You will need to supply valid gamertags and information or the form will reject it. Your submission will be forwarded to Bungie.

Halo1lover writes:

Mark your calendars and hoard your frequent flier miles as Site Founder and Admin, Doodirock, and a bevy of Chitown 2old2play'ers, host a 25 and older LAN party Spectacular in the City of Big Shoulders, Hog Butcher to the nation, Bungie's real home... Chicago.

On August 13th, 2005 the Sears Tower will tremble and fire will rain from the sky... Or maybe we will just all get drunk and kill one another. In any event, mark your calendars and hoard your frequent flier miles as Site Founder and Admin, Doodirock, and a bevy of Chitown 2old2play'ers, host a LAN party Spectacular in the City of Big Shoulders, Hog Butcher to the nation, place a cow burned down... Chicago. If sitting in a room full of sweating geeks, who reek of liquor and the hormonal stew that comes with leaving the wife and kids at home sounds like your idea of how to spend an August morning, afternoon, evening, night and bleary-eyed dawn, then behold the wonder that is...The Chicago LAN Party Event. This event will bring gamers 25 and older together under one roof to battle it out with Halo 1 & 2 via Lan Tournament. The cost is a mere $60 dollars which will help us pay for the cost of space and TV rental. We plan to be gaming all morning and into the night with contests, prizes and plenty of accidental team killing. This is a great opportunity to meet some XBL friends and get a little face to face frag time with them as well. For more information about the event or to buy a ticket, click on the link below. http://www.2old2play.com/modules.php?name=Lan

Despite only having been released 5 years ago Gamespy has decided, on account of the Xbox 360 announcement, that the time is right to name the top 25 xbox games of all time and everyone's favourite Spartan has made it onto the list, not once but twice!

Despite being an Xbox launch title Halo: Combat Evolved made a very respectable No.6 and the armor clad supersoldier's latest adventure made it to No.1 (No great surprise there!).Head on over to see what the editors had to say about the No.1 Xbox game of all time! Read all about it[url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/628/628679p1.html]here[/url]