Owm points out that Halo2.com has been updated again – the previously off-limits sections (password-protected) are now open. You can find screensavers (mac and pc), a short (15-second) new promo movie (wmp9 format), and more. Go look! (Scroll around the middle ring until you see the prophets – they’re behind that.)

For folks who want direct downloads of the large QuickTime version of the featurette we posted last night, community members have come to your rescue. Nick has posted a copy on HaloDev (though you’ll ONLY be able to access it through that link – pasting that anywhere else will lead to a redirect), and Coylter has put up a copy on Gamingmatrix (rar format, right-click or option-click to download). There’s also, now, a smaller version (320×240, 25 mb) hosted by us. The WMV links in Sketch’s Bungie.net post are still valid, for folks who DON’T want QuickTime. And yes, about a million people noticed the small clip that has Chris Butcher talking about XBL has a Blood Gulch evolution on the screens behind him. (Starts about 5:16 into the movie.) Enjoy!

Small update on the Halo for Charity drive… I think some care needs to be taken here. We got mail from KilaOne (the person who started the idea on the Bungie.net forums) saying that talks were underway with ESA, but that a little time would be needed to straighten things out – and then we got more mail from Richie McKee, who said that over on the IGN boards, they’ve already decided to go with a different charity, and they’re pushing for direct donations. It’s laudable to want to help… but unless you don’t care whether one BIG push is made or lots of LITTLE ones (less effective, in my opinion), you shouldn’t try to take over setup of this process… it looks like KilaOne and the Electronic Software Association has it under control at the moment. Thanks! More news when we know it.

A little off-topic, but… Spideroptics sent us another example of journalists cutting a few corners to make a point. His local paper, the UK Guardian, put up a couple of articles recently about GTA: San Andreas (here and here), mirroring content in the print edition. What amused him was the picture (150K) that was published in the paper with these – not only is the guy in the pic not actually PLAYING a game (he’s watching a promotional video), but he’s holding an Xbox controller – and as of right now, GTA: SA is a PlayStation2-only game. Again, the Xbox is unfairly dragged into a discussion of violence (it might actually have a PLACE in the discussion, but it should be brought in fairly, no?). Following the recent Today Show silliness, it’s making me think less and less of mainstream press with respect to gaming news.

There’s plenty more news, but it’s gonna have to wait until morning – I’ve got stuff to do. In the meantime – I have a Hi-res version of the Multiplayer Featurette for you, in QuickTime format. It’s a bit washed out when compared to the original – but I was in a hurry. 😉 We’re a bit short of large bandwidth this close to the end of the month, so I’ve BitTorrented it. If you really hate it (or you can’t use BitTorrent), there are other options – IGN has put up both a high and low res version… but they’re both HUGE. (The high-res is 640×480, 209 mb, the low-res is 320×240, 53 mb.) Gamespot, as well, has a couple of QTs up: 152 mb for the high, 71 for the low. (Thanks, JHawk.) You have to be an Insider or a Gamespot Complete member, as well, to get to those. That torrent file? It’s 51 mb. Grab it now! (I’ll have a 320×240 version – in the range of about 20 mb – up by tomorrow.)

Man… take the kids to a couple of Halloween events, the mailbox just FILLS. Many, many people wrote about the two newest pieces over at nilerogers.com – Ghosts of Reach and The Last Spartan. Again, the Listening Station is wonderful… if you’re on a fast connection – otherwise, the snippets are here and here.

Today’s Weekly Bungie Update is over at Red vs Blue, in honor of the RvB team visiting Bungie this weekend. Unfortunately, that means that a significant chunk of Halo fans can’t actually see it – because viewing posts on the forum requires that you be registered on their site… and being registered requires an email address that is NOT Hotmail or msn or other large, free provider. Because of this, we’re doing something we’ve not really done before – we’re mirroring the update so folks can see it. I think both Bungie and RvB would understand. Go read it – at RvB if you can, here if you can’t – because it’s a fun read. The team (those that are back from vacation, that is) seems far more relaxed now that the game’s in the can. The community team is busy… but then, they’re always busy. What else is new? And oh, yeah… Happy Birthday, Shishka! (I think he’s 13 now.) Update: It’s now on RvB’s front page, and so viewable by all (thanks, Ross). All you miss is the Mister Chief art.

New video, straight from Bungie – the new trailer (both long and short versions), in English, French, German, and Italian… last summer’s movie teaser… and the bonus of bonuses, a multiplayer featurette yanked off the Making of Halo DVD (high and low res, 88 or 44 mb, WMP9 format). Go watch the fantastic fllmmaking of Jim McQuillan and Film Oasis as they turn Bungie opinion and chatter into a work of art. Yeehaw! (While we’re mentioning the launch ad, we should mention that the German version is also available in DivX format from HaloUniverse.) What are you waiting for? (Mac users – we’ll do our best to get a QT version out in the next day or so. This came as a total surprise, though, so it’s not ready yet.)

According to the Digital Bulletin, Microsoft has paid FHM.com a quarter of a million dollars for a partnership, with promotion on the site the payoff. Loading times are pretty horrible right now, so I can’t actually see the Halo 2 minisite… but much of FHM’s content seems to be not safe for work. Interesting choice of venues…

The BBC looks at Killzone… and decides it’s not really a Halo-killer. Surprise, surprise. (Remember, they’re available on completely different consoles.) Thanks again, demonelite.

Eep – I keep forgetting this one. In Great Britain, there’s a Big Screen Battle tourney coming up on the 4th of December, in 5 Vue Cinemas around GB. Check the page for details. demonelite gets the first heads-up for this one, yesterday sometime.

If you live in Canada, the Xbox Limited Edition Crystal Pack is (or soon will be) available. Crystal Xbox, matching Controller S, a couple of games, and a two-month trial subscription to Live comes with it, for $250CDN (about $200 US). Play Halo 2 clearly! Thanks, Brian.

New Countdown article at IGN – ‘Five Things to Expect from IGN’s Review‘. Get prepared… or something.

New strip over at Halo Babies – philosophic, sort of. There’s also a gorgeous new wallpaper by Gruntsbane.

TeamXbox has posted a new Halo 2 wallpaper, based on Zoe’s fantastic parting gift, coupled with a screenshot. Lighting comes off as being a bit funny… but it’s nice. Thanks, Dirty Dozen.

International gaming press continues to rate Halo 2 quite highly – Official Australian Xbox Mag gave it a 10 (thanks Gossip and Pooston), Holland’s Power Unlimited gave it a 93% (they said it ‘wasn’t revolutionary’), and Belgium’s Gunk Magazine gave it a 95%. (Thanks, Herman Karper.)

Over the past few days, many, many people have sent us links to this forum post at Bungie.net. KilaOne suggests a Halo 2 movement – each person buying Halo 2 donates one dollar to the Make a Wish Foundation (he actually leaves the door open for a different charity). He contacted the Electronic Software Association (the group behind Night to Unite) and got a positive response – it’s unclear if anything can be organized this late in the game, but if it’s possible, we’ll certainly tell you about it!

Recoil points out a new set of Halo 2 figures previewed over at figures.com. They’ll be available at Musicland and Gamestop this December. Gorgeous!

Another launch party – this one in Helsinki, Finland. Details (for folks who can read Finnish) on this page. There’s gonna be an armored personnel carrier there? Wow. Thanks, Scanner Darkly.