Today's comic is posted below. We've also posted a bunch of sponsor only comic content, including the first "sponsor only" comic. Sponsors can get it here. As Gus mentioned yesterday, Episode 84 is out, there's a holiday sale, and he has a stinky...
Archive for November, 2006
RT: Gus is ugly and dumb
November 29th, 2006RT: Open Letter of Apology to Mr. Dallas Clark
November 29th, 2006
Dear Mr. Clark,
First, let us begin by saying you are an incredibly strong and handsome man. When we created the "Biggest Hit Ever" Madden '07 commercial featuring your virtual likeness, it was never our intention to portray you as anything...
First, let us begin by saying you are an incredibly strong and handsome man. When we created the "Biggest Hit Ever" Madden '07 commercial featuring your virtual likeness, it was never our intention to portray you as anything...
Species – Episode 2 (Renewed)
November 29th, 2006
Koethe, from the MjR37 Team, wrote to say that Episode 2 of their series, Species, is now available for download from Mythica.org. QuickTime format, 14 minutes, 37 mb. Funny stuff, nice use of mods (though I'd have to say, if HaloNinja was anywhere near me, I'd stuff a rocket launcher in his mouth). If you haven't seen Episode 1, watch that first. Episode 3 is on its way, apparently! (Louis Wu 17:16:52 UTC)
Issue of the week – Turret
November 29th, 2006
PEZ writes to point out that over at halowiki.net, they've started up a new feature - Issue of the Week. This week's focus is the Halo Turret - go read about it!(Louis Wu 17:06:34 UTC)
Goovies? They couldn’t come up with a better name?
November 29th, 2006
At bit-tech.net, there's an article entitled 'Goovies: Why games'n'movies don't mix' - and they look at Halo for insight into the future of this genre. Thanks, JPOGDNA.(Louis Wu 16:49:12 UTC)
Inside Microsoft – at the Escapist
November 29th, 2006
Issue 73 of the Escapist covers Microsoft, in detail - every major article is about them. Two hit Halo in more than a passing note - The Number of the Beast discusses the I Love Bees campaign, and The Perception Engineers talks about Human Factors psychologists, and how they helped Bungie make Halo more fun. As usual for Escapist articles, they're well-written and entertaining. Thanks to Wolverine Monkey for letting us know.(Louis Wu 16:40:26 UTC)
Spotlight: LordGideon
November 29th, 2006
I hate it when real life gets in the way of fun. Sorry for the update delays. Last night, KP posted a new Community Spotlight on Bungie.net - this one focused on LordGideon, the guy behind PraetoriaGuard, Halo2Cheaters.com, Halo2Gametypes.com, and the soon-to-be-opened HaloEverywhere. (Okay, so his friends do all the work - he just makes it look pretty. But don't tell anyone.) Go read about what makes this busy guy tick! Looks like DHalo was the first to tell us about it.(Louis Wu 15:58:33 UTC)
League Of Extraordinarily Gentlemanly Halo Players
November 29th, 2006Spartan Jag got matched up with a bunch of quitters in Team Slayer on Xbox Live, but came away with a heartwarming tale of good sportsmanship and good manners involving a group not unknown to HBO's readers-- the Tied The Leader Gunslingers. A good read, check it out.
Also be sure to check out TTL, according to HBO they've got a lot of new content.
League Of Extraordinarily Gentlemanly Halo Players
November 29th, 2006Spartan Jag got matched up with a bunch of quitters in Team Slayer on Xbox Live, but came away with a heartwarming tale of good sportsmanship and good manners involving a group not unknown to HBO's readers-- the Tied The Leader Gunslingers. A good read, check it out.
Also be sure to check out TTL, according to HBO they've got a lot of new content.
Best Of The Worst
November 29th, 20061Up.com obviously didn't get enough Bungie in their "three weeks of Halo 3" coverage, because now the company is getting a mention again-- this time for Marathon.
Unfortunately, it's not a flattering mention. Marathon 2 is featured in their Best Worst Ads 3 feature, on page six, which shows their ad from 1996 that compares video games to a skinner box.
Best Of The Worst
November 29th, 20061Up.com obviously didn't get enough Bungie in their "three weeks of Halo 3" coverage, because now the company is getting a mention again-- this time for Marathon.
Unfortunately, it's not a flattering mention. Marathon 2 is featured in their Best Worst Ads 3 feature, on page six, which shows their ad from 1996 that compares video games to a skinner box.
Submit stuff for episode 91: Halo PC/CE roundtable!
November 29th, 2006You've heard about the customization available in Halo CE. But have you wondered how it works? Wondered how finding a custom game works? Wondered which part is free and which isn't? Wondered about if and how clans work? How about custom vehicles, character models, machinima, custom weapons, and lag? Well now's your chance to ask the experts. We'll be talking about this on the next show with plenty of informed responses from the experts. Just click submit news and tips on the right side of the page and send us your question or comment with your gamertag. If it's good, we'll mention it on the next show!
Deadline is Thursday night at 5:30pm EST so get your questions in early! This show will pave the way for our new 4-show structure. Thanks guys!
Submit stuff for episode 91: Halo PC/CE roundtable!
November 29th, 2006You've heard about the customization available in Halo CE. But have you wondered how it works? Wondered how finding a custom game works? Wondered which part is free and which isn't? Wondered about if and how clans work? How about custom vehicles, character models, machinima, custom weapons, and lag? Well now's your chance to ask the experts. We'll be talking about this on the next show with plenty of informed responses from the experts. Just click submit news and tips on the right side of the page and send us your question or comment with your gamertag. If it's good, we'll mention it on the next show!
Deadline is Thursday night at 5:30pm EST so get your questions in early! This show will pave the way for our new 4-show structure. Thanks guys!
FASA Head Wanted Bungie Kept In Chicago
November 29th, 2006The Escapist has a nice piece on how Microsoft has gone from being a puppy to a big dog in the computer and console game space, and how often that has been achieved through acquisitions. To do so, they spoke with Bruce Shelley of Ensemble Studios, best-known for their Age of Empires series of RTS games on the PC, but now working on the Halo Wars RTS for the Xbox 360; and Jordan Weisman of FASA Interactive, makers of the MechWarrior franchise, and often used as an object lesson for how to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Of most interest to Halo and Bungie fans is the advice Weisman gave Microsoft on the Bungie acquisition:
When we were involved in the Bungie acquisition. ... It was kind of eye-opening. We spent a bunch of time talking about how, if indeed we were going to go through with this acquisition, the best case was to leave them in Chicago. If that fails, we have to create an isolated situation: They're not a part of Microsoft HR; they're not in the way of that part of the org chart; they're in a totally separate, isolated room. There's that locked box that you leave them in. Because otherwise the same thing will happen to their team that happened to mine.
With the Halo franchise almost standing alone as the system-seller for the Xbox, and Halo 3 poised to do the same for the 360 next year, it seems like the same thing didn't happen to Bungie that happened to FASA.
FASA Head Wanted Bungie Kept In Chicago
November 29th, 2006The Escapist has a nice piece on how Microsoft has gone from being a puppy to a big dog in the computer and console game space, and how often that has been achieved through acquisitions. To do so, they spoke with Bruce Shelley of Ensemble Studios, best-known for their Age of Empires series of RTS games on the PC, but now working on the Halo Wars RTS for the Xbox 360; and Jordan Weisman of FASA Interactive, makers of the MechWarrior franchise, and often used as an object lesson for how to kill the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Of most interest to Halo and Bungie fans is the advice Weisman gave Microsoft on the Bungie acquisition:
When we were involved in the Bungie acquisition. ... It was kind of eye-opening. We spent a bunch of time talking about how, if indeed we were going to go through with this acquisition, the best case was to leave them in Chicago. If that fails, we have to create an isolated situation: They're not a part of Microsoft HR; they're not in the way of that part of the org chart; they're in a totally separate, isolated room. There's that locked box that you leave them in. Because otherwise the same thing will happen to their team that happened to mine.
Community Spotlight: LordGideon
November 29th, 2006
This week we have a chance to talk to LordGideon, leader of PraetoriaGuard. Read on to get the scoop on what they're all about, their many endeavors and what's coming up for him and his partners.
TTL – more than just a pretty gun
November 28th, 2006
It's Tied the Leader Tuesday! That means XerxdeeJ stops by our forum to point out all the cool new stuff you can find at TTL this week. This week contains a 22 Questions interview with Dolbex (who'da thunk he wanted to be a tour guide?), a clan profile of the Halo2Junkies (stats rule), and a very cool announcement of the launching of the Tied the Leader Foundation; 30% of the proceeds of store sales (and 100% of direct charitable contributions) collected by the Foundation will be "donated to organizations that insure fighting men and women who are wounded in action receive the extra help they need in rehabilitating themselves to a fruitful and productive life once they return stateside." Nice! Get to buying! (If only their Baseball T's came in XXL...)(Louis Wu 16:47:49 UTC)
JB Halo – 2D Sidescroller
November 28th, 2006
Mukelo, from Invalid Mob, wrote to point out a new 2D scroller created by allbowdown, and downloadable from their site. Has features like weapons zoom, grenades, and sword lunging. Executable for Windows - 2.5 mb, go grab a copy.(Louis Wu 15:57:54 UTC)
Making it all happen
November 28th, 2006
IGN did a one-year retrospective on the Xbox 360 - high and low points of its first year, as well as a look at what's coming. Halo gets a number of mentions, as you might expect. Thanks, Grey Wolf.(Louis Wu 15:53:53 UTC)
Halomega wants an intro
November 28th, 2006
Wow, seems like the 'offer some cash for video content' idea is getting around - Halomega is running a contest to produce a video intro for their site, with a $50 prize. (They're also offering video hosting for any vid - check this page for details.)(Louis Wu 15:21:41 UTC)
