This is just to note that downloads of the now infamous Warthog Jump movie from Rampancy.net have just passed 17,000. And not to worry, we won't be pulling this mirror for any reason as long as there is demand.
Truth & Reconciliation has had a couple updates today, beginning with an interview with Rob McLees. Some may be unfamiliar with his name, but McLees is a veteran Bungie employee who has contributed many art and story elements to the company's fantastic game library. McLees can be thanked for creating the majority of Halo's weapons; check out the interview for loads of information about the process behind this.
As if an interview wasn't enough, the concept art section has had a seventh gallery added that features some of McLees' Flood art.
Matt posted an item in HBO's forum about the impending reopening of the Bungie Store, as well as the Halo Soundtrack:
At this point we are willing to nip a few things off our opening lineup in order to reopen the doors sooner, so we may have a mere trickle of new swag right at the start rather than the raging rapids we originally planned. But we can always add new swag to the store over time.
Matt also pointed out he is currently in possession of a Halo Soundtrack CD, so hopefully that is set to arrive soon as well.
TeamXbox is reporting that the IGDA (International Game Developers Association) has announced the nominees for their 2001 Game Developers Choice Awards, which will be awarded March 19 - 23 in San Jose, CA.
Halo was nominated for Game of the Year as well as for excellence in Audio and Programming categories. Halo was conspicuously absent from the visual arts category.
Another gaming site I had no idea existed before now, Four Fat Chicks, has posted a Halo review by Dan Benge. Here's what Benge has to say in conclusion:
Halo is a classic. It's one of the best games of 2001 and a good shot in the arm for 3D shooters and the Xbox. It's another addition to the latest trend of computer games that let you use your own style. It's replayable, as the AI makes everything almost completely unpredictable each time you play it. To top it all off, the graphics are excellent.
Under the verdict in the review is a smiling star... I have no idea what it is supposed to represent (or if other games receive more than one) but the review itself is glowingly positive. So there you have it... even fat chicks like Halo.
Thanks VoodooExtreme.
By now you've certainly seen Randy Glass' Warthog launch video and may have even attempted to emulate his performance yourself. Without instruction, this may be more difficult than you would expect. Fortunately for us, RaSMG3030 has posted the twenty step guide to performing the Warthog launch in TeamXbox's forums. Some have already reported success, so give it a try and make a Kodak moment of your own.
Bungie has posted No7orius's walkthrough of Pillar Of Autumn on Legendary difficulty at Truth & Reconciliation. No7orius has beaten the level in under eighteen minutes, which is not too shabby by any means, and has written the instructions (complete with pictures) so you can, too.
HBO has finally finished setting up its press scans section, which features scans of forty magazines from all over the world. The press scans basically serve as an archive of older Halo material, such as previews and reviews, so they don't get lost in the void of time.
It's Cortana Day over at www.bungie.net. The first item of interest is an interview with Jen Taylor, voice of Cortana. Head over to the Truth & Reconciliation site and you will find that the storyboards for the X60 cutscene (which feature Cortana) have been added. Finally, check out Jen Taylor's brand new voice outtakes during Halo's creation.
Randy Glass has put together various clips of him messing around with Halo's physics in the hands-down funniest video on the Internet. I'm at a loss of words, so I'll just provide you with links to the video:
The video requires Apple QuickTime. (Thanks HBO)
Skeletor noticed over inthe HBO forum that the Truth and Reconciliation site has been updated; specifically, voice outtakes for the Grunt characters by Joseph Staten as well as a new Bungie Soapbox Rant by the same, entitled, Joseph Goes to the MS Company Store (Or, How I survived 2 hours in line with the entire European 'Windows' sales team )
You know what to do.
There has been an awful lot of talk about playing Xbox (and other console) titles on a VGA monitor. So, to save you the trouble I've rounded up at least three solutions which may please you... even if little Timmy may not be able to get his braces this month. Funny how these things have a way of adding up, idn't it? ;-)
Or.... some would say that you could just wait for the Mac/PC version to get VGA play. Maybe, but can they avoid being spoiled to death before that time? ;-)
This also in from ConsoleWire: The NPD Group has just released information on the top-selling Xbox titles.
NeoBob pointed out to us that awhile back the promised Jason Jones Interview went online at the Bungie.net Truth and Reconciliation site.
In the meantime, most of the R.net staff is still on holiday; however, one of the consequences of said holiday for myself has been the acquisition of an Xbox, which affords me the opportunity to actually play Halo (fancy that).
There will, of course, be an in-depth reaction forthcoming.