We are dropping into Spiral Mountain, Troopers!


The fine upstanding folks over at HBO found this pretty sweet video on the Internet.  The Spartan Cannon fashioned a ODST Drop Pod in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.  Prepared to drop?  Check it out.

AceofSpadesCard writes:

Get your Custom Game on.

The creators of the community-driven "My Halo Life" series are looking to throw down with a community custom game night.  If you want in, get up to speed on what's going down by reading the description and hitting the jump below.

"My Halo Life and the minds behind the madness, CyberlineFilms, are hosting "Game Night," a chance for the whole Halo 3 and MyHaloLife community to get together and play custom gametypes and maps.                                                                                                                      
The event will take place June 27th at 5pm Central and will be hosted by AceofSpadesCard, Chickenwaffle, and JakFireDragon.The event will be split into two parts. The first part will be pre-selected but varied custom maps and gametypes, including Infection, CTF, and Slayer variants.

The second half will be the "Total Request Live" portion of the event, where we will randomly select one person to recommend a gametype or map they have on their File Share to us, and we will download and play that map and game.

So, make sure you mark your calendars and make sure you're there to join in on the fun. Meet new people, exchange your created maps and games with one another, and just generally have fun playing with the whole MyHaloLife community.

In fact, why don't you head on over to www.myhalolife.com and join the community yourself! It will keep you up to date with what we're doing and will allow you to know exactly when we are releasing each episode of the MyHaloLife series.

Happy Gaming!"

americanista123 writes:

This race track doubles as a roller coaster.


Looking to turn your Mongoose into a mine cart?  T7 Konvicted has you covered.  Description, video, and link to a pretty wild ride below.

"T7 Konvicted continues to entertain us by making his second Halo 3 race track. The filters provide a feeling that you are underground and flying through mine shafts on your mongoose, (which should seem like one of those carts miners ride, and in the movies where people always take epic adventures on them.) There are sections which resemble ice caverns and lava flows. It's jammed packed with loads of fun and adventure!"


YouTube - Gold Rush-A Halo 3 Sandbox Race Track/Roller Coaster by T7 Konvicted

Bungie.net Map Variant

Rav Raider writes:

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your AI speaking.

A new Reclaimer comic is out today, and this is one you can actually understand (hopefully). Check it out.

Reclaimer 198 - Puzzling Things Out

The Catfish 16 writes:

Counting down. Not for the first time, nor the last.


The Catfish returns with an ominous (ish) warning.  What are you waiting for?  You're running out of time!  Click the link!

"Well Hello,

So today's episode features a location we've been to before, and provides insight into how much time has passed in the universe. Is their time running out? Well...yes as a matter of fact, nine days and something minutes and seconds left on the clock. Swing on by for this action (ish) packed episode of 2501.

71 - A Knack Gone Wrong

The Catfish"

Wrappin' it up, Bungie style.


Bungie Podcast: 6/24/09

The Bungie E3 away team gets cozy and discusses the E3 2009 Post Conference Carnage and Playlist Maestro Shishka drops in to unveil some of our Bungie Day plans for Matchmaking.

Bungie Podcast 062409 (1:17:44) [77 MB]

walshypru writes:

Ever get the feeling a caddie just won't cut it?

Walshypru whipped this up just for your enjoyment.  Would be a shame to not watch and disappoint him, now wouldn't it.  Description and video below.

"After patiently waiting for couple more render points, Walshypru's Rube Goldberg machine finally sees the light of day. Shot in one continuous take, man cannons, pallets and fusion coils help two golf balls traverse all three layers of Sandbox with some Halo architecture framing its descent.

Created, recorded and uploaded by one man alone, this minute and a half of physics- based shenanigans is well worth a look. Oh, and high quality is available, which is never a bad thing. =)"



Youtube - Walshypru's First Rube Goldberg

undr zid writes:

Now with more F's!


Last week we sent word that two Forging titans from the Halo 3 community squared off to determine who would live and who would die (or maybe just to have a little fun).  This week they send along a video that captured all the fun.  Check it out.  And if you're feeling left out, check out their groups while you're at it.

"Forge Cafe's very own member, Lanman94 threw together this little funtage highlighting some of the more memorable moments from our recent "Humpday" with Forgehub. Considering it was filmed and edited all from 3rd person perspective, it turned out really nice."


YouTube - Forge Cafe vs Forgehub Funtage

Anybody out there any good at Cryptoquips?


Episode 197 of Reclaimer is up, but there's a problem.  The three-way communique is being displayed in an alien tongue.  I think I spot a pattern though.  Can you figure it out?  Hit the jump and try to wrap your mind around it.

Reclaimer 197 - Foreign Languages

CMNeir writes:

"I didn't even know your name."


CMNeir returns to explore the more romantic side of Halo 3's Matchmaking.  Get a box of tissues (for the tears, you sick bastard) and hit the jump to experience a tale of love and loss.  And respawning.

"A casual gamer enters a game of matchmaking unknowingly getting matched up with 'the one.'  Be sure to subscribe to Neir Productions.  Filmed, Edited, and Written by CMNeir."



YouTube - The One - A Halo 3 Machinima

Hallaer writes:

Let Loose the Dog of War.


Delta Squad calls for help and the call is answered. Someone is dropping in to join the squad.  Stay tuned to find out who next week!

Chronicles of ODS Steve #30 - Let Loose the Dog of War

The Catfish 16 writes:

Computers, in my webcomic? It's more likely than you think.


The Catfish is back.  He's got short sentences.  A new comic.  And a post script.  Read it and click.

"Hello,

So Tuesday, the start of a chapter. A new episode. And maybe more. Or maybe not. More likely nothing much else. So a computer features heavily. That's about it I'm willing to divulge. Pop over and see.

70 - Zeta Delta

The Catfish

P.S. Urk: cheers for restraining from an innuendo on the last post, I think we got away with it."

SD2522 writes:

Kicking ass in 8-bit style.


Project Rooster takes a look at what Halo might look like were we all whisked away into the land of 80's gaming.  This is more of the origin story than anything else, but you can definitely get a good idea of where they are going.  Check it out.

"Project Rooster presents the 8 bit Halo series. A dark force has pulled everyone from matchmaking and the Halo universe and has thrown them into the land of 8bit."

YouTube - 8 bit Halo - Introduction

"Win Cool Stuff, Support a Worthy Cause."


Though Hawty McBloggy typically reserves her webspace for the lighthearted stuff that makes us all smile, today she sends word of The Fundfax Fairrasier.  Below you'll find a brief description of the fundraising event, links to get up to speed if you're unfamiliar with Marissa or Infantile Spasms, and a direct connection to Hawty McBloggy's website where you can browse the prize pools and make a donation.  Not only will you earn yourself a shot a winning some really great prizes, more importantly you'll be contributing to a very special and very worthy cause.

"Perhaps you remember Marissa, a 19 month old baby girl who was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms when she was a mere two months old. Her stuffed bunny Fairfax travels the world, sharing not only Marissa’s story but also spreading awareness of the serious pediatric epileptic condition that she, and other young children, suffer from. Approximately eight months ago we pulled together for a community project titled Fairfax ‘n’ the Chief in honor of her father (who is a fellow Halo fanatic). Today I’m proud to announce The Fundfax Fairraiser, a very special fundraising effort that will benefit sweet baby Marissa and those that are helping her through this very difficult fight.

The Fundfax Fairraiser gives you, the passionate gamer, a chance to win some absolutely incredible video game-related prizes. For every $1 you donate, you will receive one virtual raffle ticket that gives you a shot at winning everything from a Kotobukiya Steel Spartan 12” Figure (covered in more Bungie autographs than you could ever begin to count) to an EA Sports Pack to an autographed copy of The Godfather II to one of dozens of games spanning across the various platforms. So, you are interested in trying to win some cool stuff while helping out a worthy cause? Let’s take a gander at the things you just may find yourself the proud owner of when this is all said and done, and then we’ll get down to the nitty gritty details of it all."

The Fundfax Fairraiser: Win Cool Stuff, Support a Worthy Cause

End of the War.


Chaos Theory is coming to a close.  Episode 24 is the second to last episode.  If you've been following along, make sure to drop by the site and let the author know you want more.

Chaos Theory: Episode 24: End of the War

Pixies and mysticism.


Bounding back and forth between "Know Your Ninja" and "Average Joe" lands us squarely in Old Blighty for this week's interview.  As always we asked some straight forward questions and got some pretty interesting answers in return.  Quite the ROI if you ask me. Before you go off to google ROI, stick around and get to know a little bit about the poster formerly (and currently) known as xianoa.

Q. Who are you and what do you do?

A. My usual answer to such a question involves mystic undertones surrounding pixies. However, I feel this is far more appropriate: I am Airs.

What do I do? Music.

I write, perform, and record. I am currently studying music technology and intend on perusing a career in the recording of sound. I currently reside in merry ol' England with many others from the community. No, I don't like tea. Yes, crumpets own and i don't know the Queen nor have I fornicated with her as many lewd players online seem to suggest we Brits do.

My hobbies are gaming, music and socializing. But the latter part isn't why you're reading this. I play piano, guitar and I'm learning to play sitar and theremin. In fact, if you head on down to Marty's Army, you will find a thread where I've listed many of my instruments. If I ever get round to it, I intend to record my own variation of the Halo theme.

Q. How'd you get round to selecting your gamertag?

A. When I originally applied for a gamertag after deciding to purchase LIVE so I could "play System Link with the World" on Halo 2, the one I wanted was taken (as they always are). So, I just chose a random letter and built it from there. After a few mishaps I ended up with xianoa.

Q. Yeah, somebody's squatting urk.  Wankers.  Anyway, fast forward a bit.  You're gametag is good to go, you're online and taking on the world in Halo 3 now, so where do you go to brag about your conquests?

A. Pretty much just the Halo 3 forum.  I do lurk others and I frequent the groups I'm in such as Foto and Aberrant Designs, and I love reading some of the Whaaambulance material on the Waaahmbulance forums. It's a bit random but you'll always find me posting in user created content threads (wallpapers, machinima, etc.). They're my favourite topics. Always nice to see a well made wallpaper especially when it shows they've put effort and time into it.

Oh, I almost forgot about montage's (not the 15 minute "who the -blam!- would watch the whole thing" videos, just the short and sweet ones :] ) While on the subject of user-created stuff, you will find my work on my Googlepage and a whole thread full of user created backgrounds in CAUS7IC's User Created Background Thread.

Q. What compels you game, be creative, and get involved?

A. What compels me? THE POWER OF CHRI- nevermind. I'm not sure what it is that compels me. I really love being completely immersed in a good single player game. something that I'm finding harder to do (games not getting any better or my standards climbing higher?). Maybe just a feeling of content when I'm chillaxing with bro's in a party chat getting my ass whooped by Generals.

Nowadays I play and chat online with various members of the Bnet community I have added for individual reasons, be it because of support I was offering with a problem they posted about or just to aid someone on a Legendary playthrough. I think the most random reason I added someone was because they thought I could give them recon. If only. Before I leave the topic of strange PM's, anyone receive one from me? :P

Q. We have PM's here?  First time I've ever heard of that feature.  What was the first time you ever heard about one of Bungie's games?

A. My friend Callum constantly spoke of Halo: Combat Evolved when he got it, even based an English essay around it if I recall correctly. I was totally anti-Microsoft at this point, how childish of me. :P

Eventually he managed to convince me to play it round his house. A pivotal moment in my life! A game where not only could you shoot, melee and throw a grenade without switching weapons but there were so many weapons to choose from. BUT WAIT! It gets better.

Drum roll please...vehicles! I ended up getting a part time job for the summer just so I could buy an Xbox with Halo. I played it to death, finished the campaign on solo Legendary just before Halo 2 came out; commence system linkage almost daily. After getting online with Halo 2, I was hooked. Never been so addicted to anything.

Slowly I built up a collection of Halo stuff such as novels, posters and even a peaked Halo 2 cap. Most of this I had to obtain via a popular online market site *cough*eBay*cough* because the cost of shipping from Bungie's store to England was a tad crazy.

When I heard about the Legendary Edition of Halo 3 it was fairly obvious I had to have one. I still remember walking in the shop at midnight with about twelve people in the line behind me, walking out with my Legendary Edition five minutes later to see at least forty people lined up. I was paranoid some crazy Halo-goon was going to jump me for a plastic helmet fit only for your cat.*

*DISCLAIMER: I'm not condoning placing anything on your cat's head.

Q. Yeah, don't get your cat involved.  What about your own level of involvement in the community?  Are you ever surprised by it?

A. Yes I am actually.  I'm not even sure why I'm so involved considering how much people whine about the strangest things (how far bullets spread on a weapon in a video game? Come on now your getting petty :P ).

The whole resizing/small edits on people's screenshots to make backgrounds is the largest involvement thus far with the community. It only came about because i made a few after reading some PM's asking me to and I just decided "why should I limit it to those who PM me?".  I've not done much with that at the moment because of my work load (all the years work coming to an end, hectic!).

Q.  Do you get involved with any other online communities when you're not loaded up with work?

A. Now I think about it, my loyal fandom is pretty much static on this site, I get my 5-star-thread-posting-thrillz from here, so why would I need to seek it else where? UKG of course! (More about that below.)

Q. Additions?  Shout-outs?  More on UKG now that we're below?

A. Before I give shout-outs, I have two things to say:

1. From the United Kingdom? Want a community of players who also strive for good connections? You need to sign up with United Kingdom Gamers. Why? Well I will let the website tell you: UKGamers.

2. Help find Tiffbech and win a prize.

To my bro, fo sho ubaninja (it's pronounced "uber-ninja," not urban). Were it not for you, I wouldn't be writing this right now. Second to my co-wallpaper maker C A U S 7 I C whom I miss very much. Damn you and your real life taking you away, come back!

Prepare for a long list of usernames: Shiska, your posts are 5's always, urk <3, ash55, RampageRiot, Avistel, Verachi, Caladolen, Duardo, Gmack674, jdars1804, Burrito Senior, Kalteran, Ninjaghostdog, PKF 647, Raynerboy!!, Sai Sama, Bifftech (stuck my grenade), Scruff, Waxy, Juno, Mazz and everyone else from UKG, Foto, Aberrant Designs, and the Halo 3 forum mafia.

FYI - Verachi bought his fifty (jokes).

---

Seems the Transatlantic connection has been broken and xianoa's time is now up.  We want to say thanks for playing along.  We hope you've learned something here today.  Wait, no we don't.  We just hope you were entertained and got to know a little bit about one of the posters you might spot should you decide to spend some time around this joint.  As always, if you want to say hello to this week's interviewee, stop on into the discussion thread and say what's up (and play nice too).

j0e the r0ck writes:

"Free Refills."


The latest episode of Red vs. Blue's "Recreation" is up on online for subscribers.  You knew about the new season, right?  If not, Chapter 1 is in the archive.  Get up to speed.  Jerk.

"Simmons uses the holo-room to continue his design work while Caboose continues his own mysterious project at Blue Base."

Red vs. Blue: Recreation Chapter 2

Don't tread on me.


Hawty McBloggy dug up a pretty nice piece of chalk art from at The Pasadena Chalk Festival.  If you're weren't in Pasadena (or aren't into Chalk Festivals), you probably didn't get a chance to see it.  No worries.  All you gotta do is click.

Chalk Art: Master Chief

redm0nkey writes:

Halo 3: Smashed.


The footage never gets close up on the action, but fans of Super Smash Brothers and Halo both should appreciate the craftsmanship, even from afar.  If you like what you see, go ahead and download the Map and Game Variant and check it out yourself.  Links after the video.

Warning: Naughty Werdz

"This is the kind of video you get when you four people are very bored and one of them happens to be on Forgehub."



YouTube - Super Smash Brothers: Halo Edition

Forgehub - Sandbox Hyrule Temple

DaRK_FiOS writes:

High impact, community style.


The community over at High Impact Halo popped in some Halo 3, set everything to default, and got their jump on.  Oh, they also caught it all on film.  Check it out.

"We all had a great time landing the jumps, and this really gives some of the not so well known people time to shine. This video includes people from Jump Theory, Team Ascend, Jump Yard, Jump Vision and more, so we hope you all really enjoy it!"



YouTube - Rise Above It | The HIH Community Jump Video

Silent Dragon11 writes:

Pow pow. Pew.


Silent Dragon11 uses the implements of war on the Mythic Map Pack to make music.  Check it out.  Sing along if you're a little bit crazy.

YouTube - Sound of Mythic

CE United writes:

Twenty questions.  Twenty answers.


CE United has shifted focus.  They're now an open community as opposed to a clan website and they're running interviews with community members they call "20 Questions."  First up, Kete from The Running Riot.  Check it out.

CE United presents 20 Q’s with Kete from The Running Riot

Contraption: Reloaded.


The Wolf notified us that today's Render-to-Video Beta tweaks and enhancements are now complete.  Beta participants should find that their minutes have already been topped off.  Oh, and if you count yourself among the two million Bungie Pro subscribers who were gifted the service through one of our special offers, you've now been added to the beta mix.

Want to learn a little bit about the Render-to-Video beta service?  Get up to speed on all the details here.

If you come across any technical issues rendering your favorite films, please report them here.

UXB writes:

Shipwrecked Episode 73 - Clash of Titans


The Halo CE Chronicles Comic Shipwrecked Episode 73 - Clash of Titans - is now available for viewing. The conflict between Dominion and Gaia escalates.

The Halo CE Chronicles Comic Shipwrecked Episode 73