Australia, New Zealand, and the East Coast of North America have now passed through the terminator into November 9, 2004, officially Halo 2uesday. Before you go off to get your copy, take a gander at BOLL's gorgeous Halo 2 countdown timer.
Because they know there's really nothing else to do this week, Red vs Blue is releasing a total of three episodes this week. First up, episode #41 is on the Videos page.
Today's Penny Arcade looks over the smoldering ruins of IGN's review of Killzone, a PS2 shooter once billed as a "Halo killer". While hostile to what they called the "repetetive" nature of Halo 1's campaign, Gabe and Tycho have warmed to Halo 1's multiplayer and to the promise of Halo 2. They had this to say about the hype around Killzone now that the game is out:
If Killzone was hyped, perhaps even over-hyped as you appear to claim, well, you can't point at Bob and say it was all Bob's doing. That's something everybody did. On the other hand, I was there when they announced it as well, and it seemed at the time like a good vessel for the hopes of that system. But Halo Killer? Be serious. There's only one Halo killer, and I'll tell you this much: it's not on the PS2.
Gee... wonder what game they are talking about there?
Apparently fearing that the release of Halo 2 would mean the end of the Weekly Updates, as well as the trepiditious Mister Chief, a special Mister Chief site has been opened to keep him alive and in the public eye. Thanks again Louis Wu at HBO.
Crack the code in today's Penny Arcade to find out what game they think is really good. Thanks Louis Wu and KP.
However, be sure to read the news post, too, because there's some more about Halo in there:
I will tell you what my favorite thing about Halo 2 Multiplayer is. There are things that anyone would like, as holding two needlers and unloading them is sort of its own reward. Of course, it's nice to have the same power to create your own gametypes that you've enjoyed at home taken online with bountiful new options. Customizing your character - Elite or Spartan, with insignias you create with an in-game tool - that's appreciated, certainly. Not my favorite thing.
It's not whiskers on kittens or brown paper packages tied up with string, either. Read the news post to find out what.
Today's new Halo Babies strip reminds us there are very few shopping days left before Halo 2 is released. mrsmiley also writes to let us know about their Halo Gamers Against Piracy campaign; read all about it and perhaps use their banner (as we have) to proclaim your site a supporter of Bungie against software piracy.
And as if that wasn't enough, they've got an interview with Junpei and Murph MacManus, makers of the MCandCortana comic.
Eric Trautmann notes in his blog that he got his last payment for his work on The Art of Halo just recently-- and ahead of schedule, at that. Also, it seems, this means the book may be out soon:
I'm also given to understand that the book is due to arrive in Del Rey's warehouse system very soon now, which means I may actually see it soon. (A variety of Bungie folk decended on it during it's layout phase and I opted to stay out of the way; this is cool from a stress-reduction standpoint, but not so cool from a "Hm...I wonder what the hell the book looks like" standpoint.)
[Checks watch, waits to see how long this tidbit takes to get onto a Halo fansite...]
Eric: about three hours. Sorry for being so slow, we'll do better next time.
UPDATE: Eric added another update; he's actually received his copy of the book now.
Lots of new stuff at Halo Babies over the past few days; a new strip, two new fan strips, new 3-D desktops and 3-D fan strips. Thanks mrsmiley.
Fun taunting Halo 2 fans shows up in today's Ctrl+Alt+Del cartoon; thanks goatrope who pointed it out.
mrsmiley sends word of the latest update on the Halo Babies site: new fan art, Halo furry art by Tina "Jaxx" Leyk, homework by Gruntsbane, and a thread of 3-D art.
Halo Babies has a new comic today, as well as new concept art for the Baby MC's new suit. Thanks mrsmiley.
FrogBlast makes an appearance (sort of) and Baby Master Chief gets a Halo 2-style makeover in the latest Halo Babies comic. Thanks mrsmiley.
mrsmiley from Halo Babies writes that the latest strip marks the end of Mister Chief. Oh no!
Louis Wu at HBO notes that the Cover Design Contest run by Blade ends today, September 9th.