Halo 2 will NOT feature online co-op!

Sadly, Microsoft announced today that Halo 2's co-op mode will only be accessible through offline splitscreen—no Live; no System Link.  The news comes as a great disappointment to fans that had been circulating the rumor of online co-op, even though neither Bungie nor Microsoft has ever hinted at such a feature.  However, 4-player splitscreen was confirmed for online multiplayer, providing some consolation for the heartbroken.  Splitscreen co-op in the original Halo was a great experience, but with the sequel's revamped multiplayer, it's hard to believe that the feature-that-could-have-been will linger much longer in our memories.