XyonsWrath has an interesting suggestion for all those players like me who spend their time in Halo 2 running around like chickens with their heads cut off, waiting for the next player to come along and kill them while trying to ineffectually pepper targets with SMG fire. That suggestion is: pick a nice spot and stay there. Camping, you say? Crazy? Perhaps. But it beats dying. By a lot. Thanks Louis Wu at HBO for the heads-up.

Something new and exciting is happening to the way you experience games. On February 12, Xbox® is teaming up with Old Spice to bring you Xbox Rewards and the Old Spice Experience Challenge.

Xbox Rewards offers casual and hardcore gamers alike the chance to earn actual rewards for doing what they enjoy—playing games, earning achievements, and having fun. Xbox Rewards is a free program, but in order to register you will need to have a valid Windows Live™ ID with your Xbox Live® gamercard linked.

The program is launching in the U.S. only, and you must be 13 years or older to participate.

For some Xbox Rewards Challenges, you will need to have access an Xbox 360â„¢ console with a memory unit or a hard drive, an Xbox Live Gold or Silver-level subscription, and specific Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games. Check out http://www.xbox.com/live/memberships for more information on Xbox Live memberships.

Participation
After registering, you will automatically be placed into one of three Rewards Levels based on your current gamerscore. Your level will determine the rewards you are eligible for during each Challenge. The more you play, the higher you can advance, and the bigger the pay-out.  

• Level 1 (0 – 4,999 annual Gamerscore): You are developing your skills and gaining experience. Take some time to get used to the program and learn your way around. The Challenges will typically be easier and the rewards smaller.
• Level 2 (5,000 – 9,999 annual Gamerscore): We are going to turn up the heat a bit. You have proved that you know how to play and are willing to put in the gaming time to reap the benefits. The Challenges will get a bit more difficult. Never fear, the reward value goes up as well.
• Level 3 (over 10,000 annual Gamerscore): This is an arena filled with the who’s who of gaming. We don’t want to claim that Level 3 is an exclusive club, but if you find yourself winning Challenges here, you’ve obviously pulled out the big guns, so enjoy while it lasts.

Xbox Rewards is not a hall of fame, and there are no honorary life members. In order to maintain your Rewards Level, you have to continue to play on top. Rewards Levels are based on how many Gamerscore you gain each calendar year.

Xbox Rewards Challenge 1: Old Spice Experience Challenge
Old Spice is teaming with Xbox on the first Xbox Rewards Challenge to prove that Experience is Everything. Starting February 12, you will be challenged to increase your Gamerscore by 1,500 or more before April 12. Successfully complete the Challenge and get a Rewards Package*, and Old Spice will give you the gift of experience—all Level 1 and 2 participants will receive a level upgrade for 2007. 

Ready to get your Rewards Package? The first step is to register for Xbox Rewards and join the Old Spice Experience Challenge. Then, it’s up to you to complete the task within the time limit. You can’t register until February 12. Some of the rewards within the Rewards Package are limited in quantity, and will be distributed to those who complete the challenge the fastest, so be quick about it.

The Rewards Packages listed below are unique to the Old Spice Experience Challenge. Each new Challenge will bring new rewards.

• Level 1
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami (Retail Value $5.00)
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 1 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
  An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 2
  
• Level 2
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 2 Xbox Rewards gamer picture
  100 Microsoft Points
  An experience upgrade to Xbox Rewards Level 3
  
• Level 3
  The popular Xbox Live Arcade game Contra (rated: E10+) from Konami
  Exclusive Old Spice Level 3 Xbox Rewards gamer picture    
  200 Microsoft Points
  Old Spice T-Shirt (Estimated Retail Value $10.00)
  A copy of Fuzion Frenzy 2 game (rated: E10+) (Estimated Retail Value $50.00)

More to Come
Xbox Rewards is not just about playing online and racking up your Gamerscore—you don’t even have to be an Xbox Live member to participate and score some great rewards. As the community responds, the program will grow and new challenges will be announced. Some will be open only to certain Rewards levels, some may be specific to certain games, and others won’t even require you to turn on your Xbox 360.

Foul Play
Xbox will be monitoring the Challenges and taking the necessary precautions to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience. The Xbox Rewards terms and conditions will detail the eligibility requirements. Check back after February 12 for official terms and conditions. Cheaters need not apply. 

Get Involved
On February 12, visit www.xbox.com/rewards for more information and be one of the first to register for Xbox Rewards and the Old Spice Experience Challenge.

* The Old Spice Challenge is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (includes D.C.) age 13+ who are Xbox Rewards members. Limit one (1) Rewards Package per person.  This offer expires on April 12, 2007, while supplies last. For Xbox Program Terms & Conditions, check back here after February 12.

This audio-less and anti-climatic video gives a brief glimpse of some of the weapons in Halo 3 (alpha build). The MA5C assault rifle is here, replacing the MA5B, and has a slower rate of fire, presumably at the benefit of more damage per round. The M6D pistol is also back (from Halo 1) with fewer rounds available per magazine. We also get a glimpse at the new ATV, the Mongoose.