=DFA=HK HUNTR-KILLR writes to point out that PC Magazine included Halo PC in their roundup of the best products of 2003 (games category) in the January 2004 issue. (It’s the only pure first-person shooter on the list.) An article showing a small review of the game is online; you’ll have to buy the mag for the rest.

Richard White Jr sent us some information about the 2004 toy lineup from JoyRide, straight from its distributor (he’s a retailer). We have no way of confirming this information right now – but it seemed reasonable… It’s too big for a front-page news post, so you can find the list in our MIscellaneous section.

It took a little while, but the kinks have been worked out – and HBO is very proud to announce the presence of two more HBO Halo PC dedicated servers! Thanks to Homelan, those looking for the somewhat different flavor of gameplay on the HBO servers (no-shields BC Shotties, anyone?) can find what they crave at Homelan_HBO_East and Homelan_HBO_West, so named because of their geographical location. Try ’em out, see how good the gameplay is; low ping, low lag – these servers rock! (As with other HBO-branded servers, you can see a status report by clicking the link at the top of our main page. We’ll be setting up a 32-seat Ventrilo server in the next couple of days, so that players can always jump into voice chat when they want to. Come Play With Us! (And don’t forget to let Homelan know that they rock.)

Today we have another Miniature Halo for you from SESpider… the plot thickens. So much so, in fact, that he needs your help in advancing it.

There’s a new collection of letters. Argh.

Obsidian CZ writes to point out a new build of a Halo 2 mod that’s been under development for a while by NiTrOuSoXiDe; it brings a gravity gun, a covenant sniper, SMG, faster warthog, and a powerful plasma cannon (turret) to the game. You can grab a copy from this thread in the Gearbox forums. (The listed server is no longer running this mod, but the mod still works.)

Halo: Resolution says… whoa.

(GT)Juggler has posted GT6 – It’s a Boy!, the newest in a series of tricks/glitches films. This one is full of really early stunts; grabbing the banshees on AotCR, color glitches, unlimited ammo… I felt like a younger man, watching it. (Well, okay, only a couple of years younger, but…) It’s a 33.4 mb 3ivx-encoded MP4; go grab it from HaloGT.com!

IXIGhandiIXI points out that over at 343gs.com, there’s a new wallpaper in the Downloads section (I find it to be a pretty impressive picture, though I doubt I could ever actually use it as a desktop), and a new Art section has opened up (though only one of the two images shown is actually viewable). Check ’em out!

Wow, I’m not doing very well; I managed to forget yesterday’s Guest One One Se7en strip. Rather than simply skip it, I’m posting it anyway – along with today’s main strip, from Stuntmutt. Yesterday’s, ‘Fr@med’, was Guest number 77, and was created by Someone2die… while today’s, entitled ‘Insult to Injury’, might explain why the MC doesn’t always take as much care saving those marines as he could…

Finally, after dozens of man-years in development, the long-secret title from Bungie has been revealed!

Behold, the Quest for the Crown!

Yes, this is a spoof!

For those looking for a decent price on Halo PC, Best Buy currently has it on sale for $39.99; about $10 off its regular price. (Thanks, Opie.)

Battleground: Halo has posted an interview with PTM, of Halo Online. And stuff.

Lots and lots of links:

• UGS is expanding – vote for Halo
• Generals Halo Mod – C&C mod
• RF Halo Mod – Red Faction mod
• analytical delusionist – Halo 2 info
• PtO – Xbox Halo clan (LOUD)
• Halo 2-Hub – Halo 2 info

Whew – I’m sure I forgot a few, but that’s the bulk of recent ones.

new1nab113 stopped by our forum to mention a comic he’s created called Parasite. I keep remembering some advice my mother gave me…

A couple of movies folks asked us to tell you about: First, a movie that MereCatfish wanted us to announce a couple of weeks ago; we managed to miss the email. It’s called ‘Fun, Yet Useless’, and it’s a Halo PC glitch/stunt film – title pretty much covers it. It’s hosted by nukedude in WMP9 format (26.1 mb). (Apparently, there’s also a DivX version at www.blam-halo.co.uk… but the link passed on to me doesn’t work, and navigating the site directly turns up nothing.) A second movie comes from SpaceGhost2k, and is hosted by a buddy of his from the TeamXbox forums. it’s called ‘Halo Music Video‘, and weighs in at 50.6 mb in WMP9 format; it’s stock footage from the two Halo 2 movies (almost uncut), set to Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’. Um… okay.

Today’s Calvin and Halo strip was mentioned on our forum, sort of, last week. Having young children myself, I hardly find this funny. In fact, I may have to sue Warbow for the return of this twitch in my eye…