halo 2
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Blood Sport: Having fun in the arena
Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? C. Christian Moore, multiple rank 1 Gladiator, examines the latest arena strategy, trends, compositions and more in Blood Sport. My internet is down this week (lame!), so I'll be writing about a topic near to my heart: having fun in the arena. I was originally going to write about how to make the best use of your time in WoW when you don't have much of it, but then I thought two things: Everyone spends time in game differently. Some people like PVE, some PVP, some prefer the auction house, and others (mindbogglingly) enjoy reputation grinding. For me to throw out a list of how to best use your time would be madness, absolute madness. Considering we are WoW players, making the best use of your time might not be the most well-received article.
Half-Minute Halo: An Interview with Jaime Griesemer
"In Halo 1, there was maybe 30 seconds of fun that happened over and over and over and over again. And so, if you can get 30 seconds of fun, you can pretty much stretch that out to be an entire game." Or maybe even five games. The succinct secret to Halo's success, that half minute of fun, has long been a mantra repeated by developer Bungie, repurposed by game critics, and presumably whispered by Master Chief himself before he tosses a plasma grenade into a gathering of grunts. It's inoffensive, catchy and it sounds about right. Doesn't it? "Yeah, it's probably the most famous thing I ever said," says game designer Jaime Griesemer. "For some reason it really resonated with the community and got quoted and repeated to the point where I would hear it from people that didn't realize where it had come from in the first place! Especially with journalists." Like many of you, Griesemer has heard the phrase on podcasts (yes, including The Joystiq Podcast) and read it in several articles, such as Clive Thompson's examination of Halo 3 playtesting in Wired. "Some of the guys at Bungie were calling me 'Mr. Thirty Seconds' for a while ... heh." If only we had paid attention to Mr. Thirty Seconds for about, oh, 30 seconds longer.
Bungie discusses the Halo beyond Halo
Even if you've never touched a Halo game, you're likely familiar with the basic story. But as only the devout know, there's another, deeper fiction behind Bungie's baby that predates even the series itself. Today IGN encapsulates that daunting mythology in a new feature that's well worth a read.
Watch a full match of Team Slayer on Halo: Reach's Reflection map
For being a remake of Halo 2's Ivory Tower, Reflection doesn't look like it's changed much. Aside from giving it a graphical overhaul, the map's layout in Halo: Reach is pretty much what we remember. Large open area, some tight hallways and that elevator -- we call it the "deathvator" because, let's be honest, anybody riding that thing is going to get murdered. Head on past the break and soak in five minutes of what the latter half of your September is going to be like, courtesy of 343 Industries. [Thanks, Glenn]
Halo Elite costume sets the bar for DIY
Oh, you've made your own assault rifle from Halo? That's cute. Wait, you've made your own Spartan suit? Meh, it's okay, we guess. See, the dudes at Peter Mander FX have ruined us forever, because they've produced about the best homage to Halo one could ever hope for: the ultra-realistic Elite suit you see above. Largely comprised of plastic, TLC and dark magicks, the suit not only looks impressive, but it's animatronic. We can't imagine the blood, sweat and/or tears it took to produce such a lifelike recreation of this Covenant class, but we can get some idea from the video documenting the creation of this behemoth, which you can find past the break. [Image source: Device Magazine]
Halo 2 still kinda alive, thanks to some fans
When the sun set on the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games on April 15, some Halo 2 players decided they just didn't want to let go. So they've been in-game and have left their consoles running past the designated April 15 shutdown, staying in Halo 2 for almost two weeks now. They're going to flip when they see their electric bills! This thread over on the Bungie forums lists the numerous individuals still online in Halo 2, the last few people able to play the game online ever. Determined not to abandon it until they're forcibly removed by Bungie or Microsoft (or their consoles blow up, which is a very real possibility), you can clearly see each individual's commitment via their profile page on Xbox.com: Agent Windex APACHE N4SIR sherlok 1 Rob2D Lord Odysseus11 xxMAKDADYxx H2o Shoagie DirtyCajun HiredN00bs You gotta give it to these guys for their perseverance. Sometimes, you just can't accept something coming to an end. That's why we've never gotten around to watching the series finale of Who's The Boss?. [Via CNET]
Master Chief Sings: a 19-disc set of John 117's best
With all of that space travel going on, there's got to be plenty of downtime for the last Spartan in existence. Sure, Master Chief can just hop into a cryo-chamber and saw some wood between Halo games -- but every now and then, when nobody's around, MC likes to exercise the old pipes. You would not believe how dynamic his range is, clearly exhibited in the video past the break from IGN. Oh, and before you watch the video (and inevitably call that number to order your own set), know that we think we've finally figured out John 117's identity: Michael McDonald. [Via LazyGamer]
GamePro looks at Halo's influence on gaming
We'd explain that Halo influenced gaming in that it influenced many to play it, but that's hardly a secret. It's a cash juggernaut; an epic tale of dudes in space suits that cost more than it does for us to go to space right now. And, of course, bags of tea. But GamePro offers its own, more poignant analysis of Microsoft's biggest franchise. There are the obvious effects of Bungie's success -- such as regenerative shields and the popular control scheme mimicked by many of Halo's successors -- but one of the biggest is the emergence of online multiplayer in the console FPS. The series has helped pave the way for some of console gamers' favorites. We can't help but point out that GamePro is neglecting one crucial item: Theater mode. Before Halo 3, just about everyone's crazy stories of conquest or humiliation were suspect and impossible to prove. Now every console player on the message boards can see how awesome you are, and you can't really put a price on that now, can you?
Reminder: Original Xbox games lose Live support tonight at midnight PT
Just a heads up for those who long for Halo 2's embrace: as of midnight PT tonight, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Live support for original titles. As of this publication, you have a little less than seven hours (as of this writing) to get in a few more rounds of Capture the Flag and Oddball with your friends of old, before having to go out and pick up an used copy of Halo 3 -- at least there's 400 MS points in it as a consolation prize.
Bungie bids funny farewell to Halo 2 online multiplayer
Click image for more lulz As today is the last full day you'll get a chance to enjoy Halo 2, Bungie has apparently gone and pulled the joke lever. In preparation for tonight's festivities, we went online to download all of the extra maps for the game and get a round of practice in, only to find a few peculiar messages -- like the self-esteem booster you see above. For the most part, the messages are pretty jovial, though there are a few odd ones that take it a bit too far. Head into the gallery below to check 'em all out. %Gallery-90846%
X3F Game Night: Halo 2
Did you hear? Microsoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games, like, tomorrow, so we thought it'd be a good idea to say goodbye in style. Specifically, in the style of playing some Halo 2! So tonight, Wednesday, the 14th of April, we're asking readers to log on and frag with us! I'll be online at 7PM ET, ready to rumble; merely send me an Xbox Live message (Gamertag: KnifefightYaDad), and I'll do my best to get you into the game, as space permits. Tell your friends, tell your mom and, uh, tell your mom's friends! This is the last time we'll get to play together before the servers are shut down tomorrow. Note: You may want to download all of the extra maps before joining us online, if you don't have them already. It'll save time and hopefully get us gaming together as soon as possible. Finally, we're hoping to turn X3F Game Nights into a regular thing, so if you keep showing up, we'll keep hosting -- all you have to do is ask! What: Multiplayer Halo 2 send-off Where: Your house (or wherever your Xbox/Xbox 360 is set up) When: Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm ET until ... dark! Why: Because Xbox Live won't support original Xbox games after April 15 How: Jump into Halo 2, send KnifefightYaDad a message and wait for the invite
Bungie looks back on Halo 2 development
Speaking to Eurogamer as part of a look back at the development of Halo 2, several Bungie staffers shared some revealing thoughts on the game's development. The end of development "crunch" was particularly difficult, with Chris Butcher noting that he would show up for work early and leave after 11pm "seven days a week, for months and months." He added that, while crunch time at Bungie has improved significantly, "The crunch on Halo 2 was, 'Oh my god, we're f***ed. We're all going to die." The stress stemmed from a solid release date, which would see the game released just prior to the last major holiday season for the original Xbox. Still, Butcher said he prefers a deadline to the Blizzard / Valve "when it's done" philosophy. "The problem with 'when it's done' is that it would never have been done," said Butcher. He elaborated that the team was cutting features from Halo 2 within four months of the deadline. Concerning the ambition of the original scope of the project, Butcher offers an interesting anecdote. "There's a famous drawing that someone did on a whiteboard in the team's space that shows a plane on fire trying to land on a runway, and people are jettisoning cargo crates out the back of the plane in order to try and get it on the runway," Said Butcher, adding, "Every crate has the name of a feature we had to cut .... In the end, we ran out of room on the whiteboard for all the crates." Be sure to read Eurogamer's full piece, which covers plenty of other topics, including the reaction to the Arbiter and, of course, Halo 2's infamous cliffhanger ending.
PSA: Last weekend to play Xbox 1 games on Live
This is it. Cue The Doors record, because next Thursday, April 15th, Microsoft will be turning out the lights on the servers that run original Xbox games on Xbox Live, which means that this weekend will be the last non-workdays you've got to play Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Crimson Skies, or Halo 2 online. If it's any consolation, remember that the reason for the shutdown is that older hardware on the service is keeping Microsoft from being able to update things like the friends list limit, so in this case, change should bring some welcome progress. But as for us, we'll be vegging out all day on Sunday playing Conker: Live and Reloaded. We just called Aunt Emma to tell her this weekend's visit will have to wait -- something more important has come up. [Thanks, Chris!]
How online gaming can change the world
Jane McGonigal (a 10-year game designer of projects such as the I Love Bees ARG for Halo 2) has a self-professed "crazy idea" -- that gamers have the potential to change the world for the better by doing what they're already doing. At her speech, people chuckle when she first says this, but twenty minutes later they're giving her a standing ovation. She begins by stating the obvious: we are a gaming culture that flees the "broken" world to a virtual one that offers a better and more rewarding collaborative environment. "When we're in game worlds I believe that many of us become the best versions of ourselves," she said. "The most likely to help at a moment's notice, most likely to stick with a problem as long as it takes, to get up after failure and try again."
Xbox Live termination ends in a consolation goodie bag for Halo 2 owners
As Microsoft prepares to pull the plug on online gaming for the original Xbox, it's decided to act benevolently toward the undoubtedly grief-stricken Halo 2 loyalists and has rewarded them all with some consolation prizes. A free three-month Xbox Live membership awaits, accompanied by 400 MS points and a place on the Halo: Reach beta, should you wish to accept it. For a console that's nearly a decade old, it's understandable that online gaming support would've had to end at some point, so you might as well just transfer all your energies into being a good guinea pig / tester for Microsoft's latest cash cow. Steve would just love it if you did.
Halo 2 players getting Reach beta invites via email
This is what you get for being loyal to Halo 2 If you're one of the die-hard Master Chief fans that just can't let go of Halo 2, there's a chance that you've got some good news waiting in your inbox. Microsoft is currently sending out emails to Xbox Live users, specifically those who insist on clinging to the old ways. As the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games will shut down next month, Microsoft is offering Halo 2 fans quite a severance package. All told, OG Xbox gamers will receive three months of Xbox Live Gold, 400 Microsoft Points and an invite to the upcoming Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. Granted, it's probably not going to console those who have yet to upgrade to an Xbox 360 -- or those loyal to games other than Halo 2 -- but it's certainly better than nothing. And hey, jet packs, right? [Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Major Nelson: Original Xbox DLC back online
After telling Joystiq just yesterday that it was working on a fix for unavailable original Xbox DLC, Microsoft has restored the content to Xbox Live. Major Nelson made the news known via his Twitter account. We popped a copy of Halo 2 into the ol' Xbox 360 and, sure enough, all the map packs were once again available for download. Ninja Gaiden worked as well. So, if you need any DLC for your dusty old Xbox games, you'd best get it before the original Xbox Live servers shut down permanently on April 15 (just in time for taxes!). Also, don't forget to snag the old Halo 2 maps for Bungie's final online farewell to the game on April 14. You really should be there to play one last time. It's got dual-wielding!
Microsoft 'actively working' to restore Original Xbox DLC
Earlier today we reported that Original Xbox downloadable content had been taken offline, presumably in an early effort to turn off online support for the classic Xbox; however, according to Microsoft the unavailable DLC is only an error. In an email to Joystiq, a Microsoft representative said: "We are aware that Xbox v1 users are currently unable to access downloadable content via Xbox LIVE, both for the original console and Xbox Originals on Xbox 360. The team is actively working on resolving this issue so that the Xbox v1 community can continue downloading content until April 15." No time frame was given for a fix to the disconnected servers, but it looks like Microsoft wants gamers to enjoy every element of the original Xbox's connected experience until April 15. Now we can all go back to ignoring these server shutdowns and stop acting like it's such a big deal. You know, because it's 2010.
PSA: Original Xbox games' DLC already offline
Plans to disconnect Xbox Live services for original Xbox games have apparently already begun, as DLC servers for Xbox titles have been quietly taken offline. According to numerous forum threads and our own tests of an assortment of Xbox titles, attempts to download original Xbox game content are now fruitless. Each title tested yielded the message: "Could not download content list. Please try again later." (The image above was taken from our test of Halo 2.) Last Friday, Microsoft announced online support for original Xbox titles would be discontinued on April 15, but made no mention of disconnecting DLC servers earlier than that. Some forum users claim that the DLC servers for Xbox titles were taken offline as soon as the announcement was made last week. So, if you've continued to put off your infiltration of the Kola Cell in the original Splinter Cell, you'd better have already downloaded the mission. [Thanks, Bren]
Pour one out for Halo 2 and the original Xbox with Bungie on April 14
The plasma party may be almost over for those of you still gripping tight to your Xbox 1 and copy of Halo 2, playing game after desperate game before Microsoft shuts the online servers, but Bungie is looking for fans to join staff members in a last hurrah on April 14. Community manager Brian "Sketch" Jarrard proclaims on Bungie.net that, "We're all saddened at the realization that an era is coming to an end," before asking fans to "mark your calendars now - on April 14th let's all rally to go online for one last hoorah." And sure, he might not explicitly mention the emptying of various malt beverages from 40 ounce glass bottles, but that's why we read between the lines. It's right there, people!
