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Bungie asking Halo 3 players to show their hearts for Haiti
If you haven't got any cash to donate to charitable organizations who're currently lending a hand with recovery efforts in Haiti, don't fret -- Bungie's organizing a free method for you to show your support. All you have to do is change your Halo 3 (or ODST) emblem to the heart seen in the image above, and play any of the games' online modes this coming Wednesday and Thursday. Bungie's donating a dime for every person who does so to the Red Cross (up to a maximum donation of $77,000). Check out Bungie's blog for more information about the event. If you're wanting to make a slightly larger contribution, you could also purchase a special version of the Superintendent t-shirt from the Bungie store -- all of the proceeds from which will also go directly to the Red Cross.
Confused school district fires sysadmin for running SETI@home: 'As an educational institution we do not support the search for E.T.'
We've dealt with a number of confused and outright foolish school administrators in our time, but it seems like Arizona's Higley Unified School District might be run by the most bonkers of the bunch: they've fired IT director Brad Niesluchowski for running SETI@Home on some 5,000 of the district's machines. Why? According to confidently-underinformed superintendent Denise Birdwell, Higley Unified "certainly would have supported cancer research," but does "not support the search for E.T." Well, that's just peachy -- except that her flippant dismissal of SETI belies a complete ignorance of one of the oldest and most respected distributed-computing projects in the world, and what it's actually looking for. Oh, but it gets worse: Birdwell thinks SETI@home -- which primarily runs as a screensaver -- was somehow slowing down "educational programs in every classroom," and magically estimates that it's cost her district "$1 million in added utility fees and replacement parts," with a further huge cost required to remove the software. Completing her transformation into the worst-possible stereotype of a school district superintendent, Birdwell's even got the local cops on the case. Yeah, it's idiotic, but it could be worse -- we can only imagine the hell that would have broken loose had Higley's machines been a part of the renegade Engadget Folding@home team. Update: So there's apparently more going on here as well, including allegations of stolen equipment and -- inevitably -- downloaded porn, but none of that explains why Superintendent Birdwell is giving press conferences where she slams SETI. Check the more coverage links for the full story, and make sure to hit the source link for the video.
Bungie talks Recon, Forge, achievements and confirms new weapon
Recently, we asked you -our loyal X3F readers - to submit questions for our interview with Bungie's own Brian "Sketch" Jarrard. And boy did you come through! After sifting through hundreds then choosing a few questions, we digitally sat down with Jarrard to clarify questions about Halo 3: Recon, discuss the Mythic Map Pack and chat about other Bungie related topics. Let's just say we learned a lot! In the interview, Jarrard confirmed that Halo 3: Recon will feature at least one new weapon and a brand new soundtrack, also confirming that the blue / red Covenant outline featured in the Recon trailer is "true to the spirit of the actual game." We also discuss what Recon's Forge won't be and why Bungie chose not to go the route that Far Cry 2 did. As if that wasn't enough exclusive info, we discuss Recon matchmaking, Vidmaster achievements, the Mythic Map Pack maps and even pie. We even snuck in some Humpday Challenge smack talk. Make the jump to read the complete interview.
Bungie: Maddie reference not related to missing British girl
When Bungie released its teaser trailer for the upcoming Halo 3 related whatever it is, the video was quickly picked apart by fans and editors alike. One particular frame in the teaser displayed an image that read, "Maddie, where are you?" While some brushed off the frame as another cryptic Bungie message, others took it as a reference to the highly publicized disappearance of three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann last year while on vacation with family in Portugal. As questions regarding the reference poured onto its forums, Bungie quickly responded citing the name as an unfortunate coincidence. "As always, all of the characters in our games are fictional. Any similarities between real life and the characters in our games are purely coincidental," community manager Luke Smith wrote. "That said, this is both an unfortunate and untended coincidence." Looking for more information on the recently released teaser? Check out X3F's complete analysis of the video. Gallery: Bungie 'Keep it Clean' Halo 3 teaser
Date discovered in Bungie teaser, possible 1/6/09 release
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Date_discovered_in_Bungie_teaser_possible_release'; After analyzing the recently released Bungie teaser with a fine tooth comb, eagle-eyed tipster LiquidThunder noticed a date in the trailer's "reboot text". The date, about 37 seconds in, is "01/06/09" which instantly makes our overly enthusiastic fanboy brains think, release date! But, as with the teaser itself, we aren't exactly sure what the date means. Let it be known that January 6th, 2009 is in fact a Tuesday and in the States, Tuesday is traditionally the day new releases make their way to store shelves. Keep that in mind and KEEP IT CLEAN.[Thanks, LiquidThunder]
Bungie's big reveal teased: A Halo 3 campaign expansion
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Bungie_teases_possible_Halo_3_expansion_Xbox_360_Fanboy'; UPDATE: According to Xbox Live the mystery is a new campaign experience. The trailer download page on Live includes the text, "High action and deep mystery await players in this new Halo 3 campaign experience. Prepare to Drop!" This is getting interesting!After an unfortunate false-start at E3 2008, Bungie has finally revealed its hidden agenda for world domination. Today at 7:07am PDT, Bungie teased what appears to be a story expansion to Halo 3. Details are scarce but the trailer begins with falling escape pods onto a city landscape that seems ripped right out of Halo 2's infamous E3 in-game demo.The trailer showcases a giant explosion that levels the clean city into a burning pile of rubble ending with the tag lines, Halo 3. Prepare to Drop.If you ask us, this screams ODSTs! Not that we're swayed by the itchy typing fingers of hardcore fanboys and girls but we're all excited for whatever this title or expansion could mean for the Halo universe! Expect every morsel of information here on X3F as soon as it becomes available. Gallery: Bungie 'Keep it Clean' Halo 3 teaser
Rumor: Bungie set to release 'next game' teaser trailer [update]
Update: We may have jumped the gun on this one as we have not been able to verify or duplicate this Halo 3 pop-up. In other words, it could have easily been faked. So, we'll tag this story with a fat "RUMOR" tag until further notice. Original blog is as follows;As the Superintendent countdown ticks the seconds until Bungie's early morning surprise, we're pretty confident tomorrow's announcement isn't going to be a new Halo 3 map pack reveal. Instead, we'll be we may be treated to the official unveiling of Bungie's next project. The in-game Halo 3 screen grab that you see above, surfaced over on the Bungie.net forums (the thread has since been closed) and is supposedly a Halo 3 pop-up notification that has been seen by gamers in certain time zones. The pop-up (similar to the one used to announce the second title update) is promoting the big Superintendent announcement with instructions to "Download the teaser for our next game" at Bungie.net or the XBLM. We're nearly certain this Halo 3 ad wasn't meant to pop-up until tomorrow morning, but someone's mistake is our knowledge gain. Get ready kids, because Bungie is set to unveil their latest project and we only have a few hours to wait![Thanks, Alex H.]
Here we go again: New Bungie.net countdown expires 7:07 a.m. PT tomorrow
Bungie's website has a new teaser front page and a countdown on it -- and wouldn't you know, it's the exact same teaser from the now-infamous E3 debacle. The countdown expires at 7:07 a.m. PT tomorrow (that's 10:07 a.m. Joystiq Time), which is unsurprising given the developer's fondness for the number 7. Also of note: the page is called "defaultsi", the "si" possibly being a reference to The Superintendent (and again, the same URL from before).As for what the reveal could be, we've got a handful of ideas. Two teaser transmissions on the other main Bungie page, including one from The Superintendent that talked about Tokyo (it should be noted the Tokyo Game Show is next month) and another from a soldier under fire. We know Bungie is working on at least "three distinct projects," although one of those could've been the recently-released Halo 3 Title Update 2. One of those is a new Halo game unrelated to the Peter Jackson project (could it be Halo Recon Advanced Warfighter?). Other potential candidates include HaloCon, a Superintendent Xbox Live Arcade title and/or the Mythic map pack dates. Or could it be something completely different. Or it could be nothing at all. Again. Let's hope it's anything but the latter. Update: Commenter Edward Dean below shows us what is purported to be a picture from inside Halo 3 that teases a teaser for a new game tomorrow. We're trying to confirm its validity at the moment. Picture after the break.
Bungie.net updated with Superintendent countdown
Here we go again. Bungie.net has just been updated with a nifty little Superintendent splash page with a rotation of random phrases and a little countdown timer in the bottom right corner that's counting down to tomorrow morning. Specifically, Thursday, September 25th at 7:07AM pacific which is also the one year anniversary of Halo 3. And with all the Superintendent talk that has been going on and the mysterious achievements popping up, we're under the impression that we're counting down to the delayed E3 announcement. Or maybe not. One thing we're sure of is that we'll have our browsers refreshing Bungie.net early tomorrow morning. Now get excited![Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Bungie's Superintendent sighted, announcement hinted at
We find it indicative of the quality of the past Electronic Entertainment Expo that the biggest piece of news out of the event was not a new high-profile game, or a console redesign -- but rather, the "major" announcement that was not actually announced. We speak, of course, of the Bungiegate pseudo-scandal, in which the announcement of a new project (teased by the Halo developer in the weeks leading up to E3) was pulled from the Microsoft presentation, and was promised to be revealed at a later date. Judging by a recent update on Bungie's site, we're guessing that date is quickly approaching.The enigmatic Superintendent, whose tidy countenance appeared in the pre-E3 teases for the new project, recently reared his head in a Bungie news update, along with a few Howard Hughes-esque demands to "KEEP IT CLEAN." Between the reappearance of the immaculate mascot and hints in the developer's latest weekly update that "dawn is about to break," we think it's safe for the Bungie fanatics among us to ready their anticipatory fingers for a lengthy F5 session. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Halo Superintendent is back, special news incoming
He's baaaaaack! The Superintendent has once again graced Bungie.net with his plumbing presence warning Halo fanboys to "KEEP IT CLEAN!" You know, because he's the Superintendent and he says so. If you recall (more info here), Bungie's little green box known as the Superintendent made his presence known during E3 when it became pretty clear he was somehow tied to Bungie's next big project reveal. Sadly, politics happened and Bungie didn't get to announce their project and the Superintendent went into hibernation. But now he's back and with Bungie's Weekly Update hinting that "the night is darkest just before the dawn" and that "dawn is about to break", we have a hunch that the BIG Bungie announcement is coming soon. In the meantime, please, keep it clean.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Superintendent still lives, hiding on Bungie.net
Keen sighted fanboy Skandil just informed us that Bungie's plumber friend, the Superintendent, has not totally disappeared from Bungie.net following the big E3 let down. He's actually still chilling on the homepage. Per the screenshot above (which we needed ninja-like reflexes to capture) you can see that the Superintendent appears on the top left hand corner of Bungie.net where Bungie's logo sits. Though, he only appears randomly and when he wants to. So, does this Superintendent appearance mean anything to us, Halo, Bungie or the secret announcement? Maybe, but probably not. Our Superintendent friend is just chilling ... chilling on the Bungie.net homepage.[Thanks, Skandil]
Video: The Superintendent's Sorrow
Poor Superintendent. You were a mysterious little character, one that promised a new Bungie project and one whose countdown was prematurely ended. Last week, we thought we would finally get a chance to know about you, your plunger and why you were so adamant about cleaning up. We know you aren't gone forever, instead you are just gone for now. We wait patiently for your return and in your memory, we posted a tribute video after the break. Long live Superintendent ... we miss you already.[Via HBO]
E308: Bungie responds to 'hoax' speculation
Bungie.net has been updated. No, nothing was announced. That was canceled, but the update has come in the form of a quick-n-dirty Q&A regarding the situation. Responding specifically to internet claims that Bungie was masterminding a plot to trick fans only to later reveal an 'OMG-megaton,' Bungie's Luke Smith posted an update today -- and please, really listen. "As much as fans wanted to believe otherwise, this is in fact, the truth and not a cruel hoax or prank. E3 is winding down and there are no plans to make a surprise announcement later this week," Smith wrote. Smith does assure fans that everyone at Bungie is aware of their disappointment and even share in it as "a metric ton" of work was done to create and showcase something special at 7:07am this morning. Smith also does well by the community by answering some of the more controversial questions later last night. Smith revealed that Bungie learned of the postponement near 7pm and for the sake of tradition timed the release that that time. The splash image was not removed for people who were not online during the situation and went to Bungie the next morning looking for details. Finally, Luke Smith assured fans that former tester Harold Ryan is the current president of Bungie LLC.
E308: Theories mount on possible Bungie announcement
Update: Corrected the date and time in this post.With no information released during the Microsoft Press Conference yesterday many assumed Bungie's hints at an announcement were teased to the community with no real purpose. However, as we reported earlier, Bungie.Net has been taken over by the mascot dubbed the Superintendent promising to clean up the server. A counter also appeared on the splash page that expires at roughly 7:07AM PT (10 AM EST) on Wednesday, July 16.More teases at an announcement have been discovered since then. The image in Halo 3's Bungie Favorites has been updated with a corrupt file that displays a sadder looking Superintendent and the numbers 12:05:37:14 and a group of lights on the world map on Bungie.net seem to be shaped like the Superintendent logo near the district of Mombasa, Kenya -- a city with ties to the Halo universe.For theories and speculation on the countdown, jump in!
E308: Halo 3, Bungie speculation continues
As we patiently await the Microsoft Press Conference a big question looms over the show, will Bungie showcase something new. Gamers and game sites everywhere are speculating on the company's recent activity and have some theories as to what they have in store for Xbox 360 owners. The most popular theory is that Bungie will announce a new third-person shooter set in the Halo universe where players take on the role of ODSTs (Orbital Drop-Shock Troopers) during a Covenant attack on Earth. Two possible storylines include a game based on the events between Halo 2 and Halo 3, also seen in the Neill Blomkamp short film Halo Landfall, or showcasing the initial attack on Earth. Both theories ultimately end the game with an epic battle reminiscent of the famous Halo 3 diorama. According to a reliable source, GameSpot says a tactical shooter is likely and considering former Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter creative director Christian Allen is the lead of Bungie's next project it makes sense. Another theory after the jump.
Speculation: Bungie to debut XBLA title tomorrow
Based on their overt teasing, we're willing to bet Bungie is announcing a new game tomorrow. An unverified tip to Joystiq said that whatever game is announced Monday will be out this year. Assuming this isn't Halo Recon Advanced Warfighter or Peter Jackson's Halo project, one potential candidate for such a title with a short development time would be Xbox Live Arcade. A recent countdown rumored to be connected to Bungie (and once counting down to tomorrow) has changed to now end on August 7 just after 7:00 pm PT, although a WHOIS query of the site doesn't add credence to the rumored connection.Compounding the rumor is Bungie's mysterious fixation with "The Superintendent." Who's the superintendent? We're glad you asked. He's the icon shown above who as far back as May has been popping up on Bungie t-shirts, in their news posts and forums and in the recent Bungie Day gamerpics pack as the unacknowledged eighth gamerpic. So are we barking up the wrong tree? We'll find out for sure tomorrow.
Happy Bungie Day, Cold Storage available now! [Update]
Update: To clarify, the Legendary playlists within Halo 3 now require all downloadable content. So to continue playing on Legendary playlists you'll need the free Heroic pack, the Legendary pack (which you'd need to play on that list anyway) and Cold Storage. After Bungie Day the playlists that utilize Cold Storage are playlists that require all downloadable content. Effectively making Cold Storage apart of the Legendary Map Pack after today.Good morning ladies and gentlemen and a good Bungie Day to you. To help celebrate this, surely soon-to-be National, holiday the Xbox Live Marketplace has been overrun by Bungie related content. Available for download are a free gamer picture set and dashboard theme, both wrapped in Bungie-branded love. Also, if you're interested, 'Cold Storage' -- the new map for Halo 3 that re-envisions Halo's 'Chill Out' -- is online for the low price of free. There are a few limitations to 'Cold Storage,' specifically you must have both previous map packs to add the new map to matchmaking, but so far the map looks hot. Or cold. Whichever works for you.Don't have the Heroic or Legendary Halo 3 map packs? Heroic is still available for free and as of today the Legendary map pack has been discounted to 600 MS Points. Oh and also, we're offering 10 X3F bonus points (which don't mean anything) to the first person to spot any Superintendent related hints in the map. Happy hunting!
Bungie's next project, something to do with a Superintendent?
We recently stumbled across some very interesting Bungie related news over on the NeoGAF forums that we've A) never heard about and B) feel ashamed for not not having heard about it previously. It's news that (allegedly) pertains to Bungie's next super secret project and the possibility that they've been dropping subtle hints these past few months. Odd and confusing hints that all point to the little janitor-looking "Superintendent" character you see above.As the story goes, way back in May of this year, this mysterious (and adorable) Superintendent artwork has been making appearances on Bungie posts, has been seen on employees' tshirts, has been spotted on the Bungie.net forums, has appeared on the Bungie webcam and has even been seen in the latest Cold Storage ViDoc with text reading "KEEP CLEAN". What does this all mean? Does this really have to do with Bungie's next secret project? If so, will it be a janitor sim? Will the Superintendent character grace Monday's free Bungie Day gamer picture pack? Why is the Superintendent giving us a thumbs up while holding a plunger? We have no idea, but hopefully next week's celebration of Bungie Day will make things more clear. In the meantime, take the jump to look over the timeline of Bungie's Superintendent shenanigans and see if you can put the puzzle pieces together. You know, Da Vinci Code style.
