Halo is an ever-expanding universe that inspires us each and every day, and your creations tell us that we’re not alone. This particular series, Fan Art Focus, showcases the amazing artwork created by talented members of our community. Enjoy these lovingly-crafted homages, and if you have work that you’d like to submit for possible future inclusion, send it along with your Gamertag to community[at]HaloWaypoint.com.

Chief

Author: Almighty Cutie

As loyal readers know, the weekly Halo Bulletin has typically released late on Wednesday evening, around the same time that the sun can be seen setting over Lake Washington. Recently, I’ve been working with the community team (which includes many talented, fancy individuals who fix all of my typos and create pretty graphics) to get the Bulletin out to all you earlier for several reasons. One is that although the third floor multiplayer lab provides a beautiful view of the neighboring snow-capped mountains during the sunsets, we like to, when possible, leave work while the sun is still up. More importantly, though, is the fact that we like to get you each week’s update as early as possible, especially because we know many of you live to the right of us, and are reading from the Midwest, East Coast, or even – gasp – the UK, where Bulletins were typically published in the wee hours of the morning. Moving forward, we’re looking forward to bringing you each Bulletin at a most reasonable time. We hope this will be helpful as we begin to discuss future adventures, as we’d like for the Bulletin to disrupt the fewest sleep schedules possible.

One of the added benefits of pushing out the weekly update earlier was the ability to occasionally join the 343 indoor soccer team in their battles at the local sports-dome-complex-facility. Week after week, I’d receive emails about the team, and I’d always have to explain that Wednesday was Bulletin day, and that I wouldn’t be able to make it. Last week, though, we got the Halo Bulletin out early in the afternoon, while the sun was still high in the sky, and I made my way over to the game and prepared to defend the 343 goal with honor, integrity, and 343 spirit. The good news is that after 40 minutes of play, the team had done just that, while also scoring quite a few goals of our own, and we went home with a win. The bad news is that I had my elbow stepped on in the process, and also took home an injury along with the win. As such, I sit here now typing away with only my left hand, and my right arm in a rather uncomfortable sling. It is difficult and time consuming, as is eating lunch and brushing my teeth, but the hardest thing is not being able to playtest future Halo experiences that are being built within the studio walls. That part sucks.

I’ve got a full month before I can pick up a controller again, but was it worth it? Yes. The 343 team was victorious, and that’s really all that matters. AXIOS!

This week, we’ve got a few cool things to talk about, including Spartan Lasers, tournaments, and more.

Spartans, it’s time to vote on what you’d like to see in Matchmaking! We have listed three different game types below, and after tallying all the votes from the Halo community, YOU will decide which game type is playable on May 12. So, vote for your top choice, and stop by next week’s Bulletin to read which option is the winner. This week, we’re asking you which game type you’d like to see added to Action Sack.

Team Ninja Assassins

A 4 vs. 4 version of Halo 4’s most popular Free-For-All game type! All of the sniping, sneaking, slicing, but this time, you’ve got ninja teammates who will (hopefully) assist with the assassinations.

Stickyball

Sticky Detonators, Plasma Grenades, and an Oddball. Side effects may include explosions. Sticky ones.

Shotgun CTF

Similar to Shotgun Ricochet, Shotgun CTF equips players with Thruster Packs, Plasma Grenades, and a standard issue M45D Tactical Shotgun.

Head here to vote on the Halo Waypoint forums, where voting will be open for approximately four days. Check back next week to find out which game type is the winner!

Below, you’ll find the top 200 players in the Proving Ground Playlist as of 4.28.14. To participate, head into Proving Ground and start playing! You can track your CSR (Competitive Skill Rank) for the playlist by visiting your Halo 4 Service Record. To learn more about CSR, head here. Only CSR 50 players will have a progress bar next to their ranking, which will allow for direct comparison between other CSR 50 players. We are currently in Season 1 of the Proving Ground Top 200, which ends on 5.12.14. Check back next week to see if you made it into the Top 200!

Rank	MVP	CSR
1	Bi0h
2	FlawlessNSP
3	ElBurgerWeiner
4	DHGBR0 821543
5	Twissted Mindss
6	Skiperior
7	Infinite sweat
8	ZeuCifer
9	Sour Onion
10	GooN iZz BacK
11	Gamble007
12	Alanimaul
13	Honest Paradox
14	Smoke Yadig
15	Dirtying
16	xXBOXx L1VE
17	I Shoota I
18	WhyIsMyButtSore
19	MISS SKIP
20	MileyCyrus21343

Every two weeks we update Halo 4 Matchmaking with exciting new game types, playlist changes and more. You can see what we have planned in the months ahead by visiting the Matchmaking Playlist Calendar, but below you can get details on what’s now available in today’s Halo 4 Matchmaking Update.

Heavies

Heavies was one of Halo 4’s most popular featured playlists. There’s something special about Spartans, heavy vehicles, and heavy weapons meeting in the middle of a wide open battlefield, and we’re not surprised that the playlist was so frequented. Heavies is now a dedicated playlist in Halo 4 Matchmaking!

The following game types will be available in the playlist:

•          Heavies Slayer
•          Heavies King of the Hill
•          Heavies Capture the Flag

Multi-Team

Multi-Team is back! The playlist features four teams of three players each, and offers a mix of game types, including Infinity Slayer, Legendary Slayer BR, Oddball, KotH, SWAT, Regicide and Ricochet. The playlist will be available for two weeks, until May 12.