Author: halo@bungie.org

A few weeks ago, we mentioned part one of an interview with Colm Nelson, Halo 3’s Interaction Designer. Part two has now been posted (thanks, Nidonocu). It’s got some really interesting information about how the social interaction portions of Halo 3’s AI were built – I hope other game designers read this, because very few…

2900d4u pointed out new updates at the Halo Wars website – new buildings for the UNSC, new buildings and units for the Covenant (the Vampire looks pretty cool!). It’s all a Happy Holidays bonus to you from the Ensemble team. (Louis Wu 14:20:39 UTC)

AvatarAang pointed out a promo for an upcoming episode of Inside Halo – live-action Chief working out? Ooookay…(Louis Wu 14:16:13 UTC)

Ze master is away from his desk for the next day or two. Carry on!(Ding 06:26:10 UTC)

The Bungie Weekly Update is up early this week (thanks, mendicantbias00) – and in honor of the holidays, it contains some goodies for you. Tasty details on the progress of Halo 3: ODST, hints of things to be posted in the coming weeks, a very cool holiday card (usually, the public doesn’t get these puppies,…

It was posted to the web a week ago, but the Bungie Blog is still the first I’m hearing of a new Bryan Simon song, ‘Master Chief Under My Christmas Tree’. If you’d rather have an audio-only version, you can grab an MP3 from us (2.9 mb).(Louis Wu 21:47:00 UTC)

Pete Cooper stopped by our forum with an update on Operation Chastity, an upcoming Halo live-action fan film. Looks like a website will be live by January, some concept art will be coming soon, and (and this is actually rather surprising) Al Matthews, the man who played Sgt. Apone in the movie ‘Aliens’ (a character…

Doom dropped us a note to let us know that the 405th Forum has temporarily opened registration (until January 1). If you’re interested in getting involved in a community that builds lots of really cool Halo armor and weapons, this is your chance! Go sign up.(Louis Wu 21:36:22 UTC)

TTL Demagogue popped in to announce that Reclaimer 126 is online – and Ferial is revealed to be something other than what we thought.(Louis Wu 16:30:54 UTC)

Willy, from CE United, stopped by to point out an article he’s written about the Halo Warthog, and how it compares to its earth-bound namesake (and other inspirations). The page background might give you a headache (it did me), but it’s got a lot of info. I’m surprised that there’s not a single Lion King…

Seems there are some Far Cry 2 mapmakers with a real love for Halo; some Halo 2 and 3 levels have been rebuilt with an astounding attention to detail. This video flies you through Turf, Burial Grounds, Sandtrap, Narrows (intriguing mancannon solution), and Last Resort, while this one gives you a tour of Headlong, Ascension,…

Raulboy created a cool image for a t-shirt for his brothers – but is happy to make it available to you if you’d like to print up your own. I think it’s fantastic! (Louis Wu 14:19:50 UTC)

To celebrate the holidays, Hawty McBloggy is calling on you to do something creative and Halo-related. Swing by for suggestions (but feel free to come up with something unique) – she’s going to give some cool custom New Years cards to a few participants. Have fun! (Louis Wu 14:18:17 UTC)

Cody Miller pointed out that High Speed Halo is running another tournament on Xbox LIVE – no prizes, no real competition, it’s just plain fun. Swing by and ask questions if you’ve got ’em! The festivities take place on December 28.(Louis Wu 14:17:34 UTC)

If you’re looking for some MLG schwag, today might be a good day to buy it; as part of the MLG Gives Back program, MLG is donating 50% of all proceeds from purchases made on LIVE or at the MLG Store to Harlem RBI, an organization that gives inner city kids a chance. (This deal…

Lots of Halo Wars news recently: there are some new screenshots (mixed in with older ones) at TeamXbox (thanks, Planet Halo), G4TV’s X-Play interviewed Graeme Devine (thanks, Exanubisleader), and Edge also talked to Devine (thanks, LoneRanger 2.5). It’s a surprising blast of information, given that the game isn’t going to be out for more than…

Seven new pieces for you in the Fan Fiction section today, including some well-known names. Go read!(Louis Wu 14:11:31 UTC)

Bungie’s Breaking In series continues with a talk with Noah Bordner, an animator. It’s a great read if you’re looking to break into this industry; there’s no guarantee that what worked for someone else will work for you, but having an idea of what was important for HIS successful bid for a job might help…

Yet another Top 10 video has come out – this one was made by KillPie, and covers Sniper Kills. I don’t think I’d consider them ‘Top 10’ caliber, unless we were talking about, say, Top 10 of the day or something… but they’re fun, and the video’s in HD. Thanks, urk.(Louis Wu 22:18:48 UTC)

Looks like the Double Experience Playlist this weekend is Legendary Brawl – go grab those last few multiplayer Achievements!(Louis Wu 22:15:51 UTC)