Overswarm's Not So Common Sense Guide hosted over at HBO has received a number of new updates; complete details are in the post by Louis Wu.

Cullen in the #hbo channel of irc.bungie.org pointed out the Halo 2 references in the latest VG Cats comic; the theme was hidden sexual content. (Before you ask, no, you cannot have hot coffee with Cortana--Ed.)

Frankie's latest Weekly What's Update mentions that the count of banned cheaters is above five thousand now and rising; in addition, he clears up a few things people still can't seem to get straight about how the AutoUpdate works.

SketchFactor has posted at Bungie.net that since the introduction of the modified content detection in AutoUpdate 4 yesterday, more than 2,500 permanent matchmaking bans have been issued by the "self-aware automated Banhammer". Sketch also notes that in addition to this automatic routine, Bungie will still be looking for players who use other methods like boosting and standbying, as well as searching for players who built their rank by using modified content prior to the AU's deployment. Users are still encouraged to use XBL's feedback system to report cheaters, griefers and other behavioral problems.

Bungie has rolled out the latest autoupdate-- you now have to download it in order to play in matchmaking on Xbox Live. The update includes code to detect modified content; it also (purportedly) fixes the teleporter bug on Relic. The Rampancy Cave's Internet connection has been out for the past twelve hours, so I've had no chance either to confirm the teleporter fix or comment on how well the update is fighting modders and cheaters; Bungie's own Achronos has posted in the HBO forum that the update should cause a gradual decline rather than an immediate stop in cheating.

Saiyan of Team3d, referred to by the Ogres as the most underrated Halo 2 tournament player, gave a candid (if somewhat terse) interview which is up not at Team3d.net. Thanks Louis Wu at HBO.

Major League Gaming's website notes that they will hold two Halo 2 mini-tournaments at Giants Stadium in New Jersey this weekend, on July 23. Details including prizes are in MLG's announcement.

On the eve of the autoupdate that is supposed to deal a crushing blow to cheaters in Halo 2 matchmaking on Xbox Live, there have been a variety of discussions on various sites and forums about whether or not the matchmaking model delivers on the "virtual couch" claims that Microsoft makes for the service. The latest of Narc's Retorts asks: is Xbox live creating a digital divan, or a digital divide?

Frankie has posted on Bungie.net that on July 20, 2005, Bungie will release Autoupdate 4 for Halo 2, which will detect players using modified Halo 2 content and ban them from Xbox Live Halo 2 matchmaking, permanently, with no possibility of appeal.

This includes the use of hardware mods (modchips), so-called soft mods, and game saves or game types saved using Action Replay or similar devices.

Bungie also plans to selectively reset the ranks of "cheats, rank-whorers and miscreants".

(And there was much rejoicing--Ed.)

Dyslexia at Major League Gaming interviews Str8 Rippin. Thanks Louis Wu at HBO.

Players who want to compete in Major League Gaming's Philadelphia events in Halo or Halo 2 need to register online.

Bungie.net has a couple of updates today; SketchFactor has posted that the last Humpday Challenge pitted Bungie against Team Korea where Bungie won a best four of five match; next they'll take on Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Sketch has also posted that the playlists have been updated to include the new maps.

Rumble Preview has Slayer on all the new maps except Containment, as well as some slayer variants as well as two oddball games and two hill games. The first batch of small new maps-- Turf, Sanctuary, and Warlock-- now appear in the regular Rumble Pit playlist. There's also a note about banning cheaters and the next autoupdate-- basically, until the next AU comes out, the addition of these new maps to ranked playlists will likely mean that things will "get worse before they get better".