According to this note on the Bungie Blog, Forge Hub is hosting another mapmaking contest. Build a map designed for Conquest (a Flag Rally variant), win fame and fortune (well, fame, anyway) in the Forge Hub community. Full details in the announcement thread!(Crux Fidelis 20:29:40 UTC)

Didja think the Bungie.net tag system only worked for images of particular characters? Think again. urk shows off how you can use it to find cool Wallpapers, if the creator was kind enough to tag them correctly. Check it out!(Louis Wu 19:03:18 UTC)

Dennis Powers let us know that 14 new maps have been added to the Halo 2 Vista map archive – three of these are Halo 1 level conversions. Check out Bloodgulch, Damnation, and Chill Out. (The collection also contains conversions for Sidewinder, Gephyrophobia, Danger Canyon, Hang’Em High and Prisoner.) Go look!(Louis Wu 18:42:07 UTC)

A new episode of DigitalPh33r’s Hard Justice went up a few days ago – Bernard’s in some pretty big trouble. Thanks, urk. (Louis Wu 18:41:15 UTC)

Willy noticed a bunch of cool new LEGO stuff on Saber-Scorpion’s page – a CTF tableau, a Halo 3 Warthog, and a Mongoose. Nice! (Louis Wu 18:39:51 UTC)

TTL Demag0gue let us know that Reclaimer 135 is online; more info about the particle beam, and more info about the next Cavalcada. (While you’re there, check out the new wallpaper on the Downloads page.)(Louis Wu 18:38:45 UTC)

elpolloguapo uploaded On A Pale Horse to Rampancy.net, arranged for violins – swing by and grab a copy if you’d like to play it. (Be sure you’re logged in to see the download links.) (Louis Wu 23:33:10 UTC)

Firestorm12 told us that Halopen Films has released their first Pencast of ’09 – you can download it from Podbean. Comments and suggestions can go to their forum (there are also links to the mentioned contests there, as well). (Louis Wu 20:16:51 UTC)

Tony ‘ubald’ Marcotte sent word that he’d created a new Halo render – we’ve added it to his gallery here. Those hunters look badass!(Louis Wu 16:06:57 UTC)

LazerBlader found the True Heroes Plasma Blaster (it’s a plastic AR-lookalike; we mentioned it back in September) marketed by a different company (BuzzBeeToys), and on the shelves in K-Mart. (Front – 187k | Back – 182k) Price is a little cheaper than the first iteration – $12.99. He also ran across painted versions for sale on eBay (here, still running, and here, won last week). Entrepreneurism on display!(Louis Wu 16:04:34 UTC)

SeverianofUrth wrote this week’s HBO Fan Fic Pick of the Week – he wasn’t thrilled with his choices, but still made some judgements. Go see what he thought.(Louis Wu 16:04:12 UTC)

Hawty McBloggy ran across a series of vids called ‘Halo 3 Fails’ – folks doing stuff badly… hilariously. According to her, the fifth episode is the best so far. (Louis Wu 16:02:55 UTC)

ellpolloguapo let us know about a Christmas Eve gaming session of Hawty McBloggy forum regulars that’s been immortalized by CrazedOne1988 in a montage – check it out!(Louis Wu 16:01:18 UTC)