Author: Halo Conceptor

From CruelLEGACEY:

Welcome to the Halo Waypoint Community Spotlight! The Halo community is, without a doubt, the most active, creative, and talented group of gamers in the world. This series will be covering some of the best and brightest our community has to offer: from forgers to machinima makers, podcasters, bloggers, artists, writers, and much more. Get to know some of your fellow Halo fans, and you just might grow to appreciate the games in a whole new way!

Today’s feature is all about a wonderful new Podcast called Dust and Echoes.

Coming to us from across the pond, Dust and Echoes is hosted by Tom and The Woaf, two friends who spend entirely too much time thinking about Halo. Who am I kidding, there’s no such thing as too much Halo!

Dust and Echoes quickly became one of my favorite podcasts for a variety of reasons. Tom and Woaf’s discussions are both thoughtful and entertaining, and there is a natural chemistry between the two that is always enjoyable to hear. There is also a level of polish and production value to the show that many podcasts lack. Plus they’re British, so everything they say sounds both smarter and funnier than anything I say!

I recently sent Tom and Woaf a list of questions about Dust and Echoes, and they were kind enough to share their answers.

CruelLEGACEY: It’s very clear to anyone who listens to your show that you are both very passionate Halo fans. What made you decide to do a podcast together? More specifically, what is it about podcasting that you found appealing over something like starting a blog, community site, or YouTube channel?

Tom: I’d been thinking of doing a podcast for a while, mainly from a newbie’s perspective for other newbies as I’ve only been playing Halo for a couple of years and I’m constantly learning things about how to play and the universe. Obviously Woaf was up for recording one due to his obsessive fanboy love of the franchise, so it made perfect sense to team up with him. Plus, he’s my friend and I like talking to him so I knew it would be fun.

I like the idea of a podcast because there’s an “in the moment” element to it that can often spark a hilarious moment or lead us towards a topic of conversation we wouldn’t have otherwise chosen. There’s a spontaneity element to it as well. I’ve redrafted this paragraph a few times because I have the luxury of doing so. Whilst we will do retakes of certain things if they don’t work (like the intro), it’s usually a case of “once I’ve said it it’s out there” and that sometimes brings the truth out in you. So I might be very inarticulate whilst discussing The Arena in Reach because I haven’t drafted what I’m going to say, but I know what I say will be genuinely how I feel. But that’s not to say we might not branch out into other areas in the future…

Woaf: For me it had to be a podcast. I’ve been into podcasting as a listener for a very long time! I work five nights a week doing a very dull, repetitive job that requires roughly a third of a human brain to do well. I need 37 and a half hours of aural stimuli each week, and I can’t afford to buy that much music.

The first podcast I discovered was the Bungie podcast in the run up to Reach. From there I discovered all the Halo fan podcasts, as well as podcasts on other topics I found interesting. It was awesome and after a while, I really wanted to get my own voice out there. I didn’t want to do it on my own, though! And I didn’t think anyone I knew in the real world would be up for it.

So, years later, when Tom actually suggested doing a Halo podcast, I jumped at the chance. We’d both had a bit of experience on a Doctor Who podcast I do with a bunch of mates, so we thought we knew what we were letting ourselves in for! We were wrong!

CL: In your own minds, what do you feel sets Dust and Echoes apart from other Halo podcasts? What makes it unique? I have my own answer to this question, but I want to hear yours first.

Tom: We don’t mention it often, and you might not have even noticed, but we’re British folk from a little island known as Britland. The majority of our listeners (or at least the ones who have made themselves known to us) seem to come from outside our country, and I think they enjoy what I do about American podcasts – a fresh perspective. It also helps that we automatically sound like James Bond and that makes us cool. No? Balls.

The other thing that works for us is our positive outlook. From time to time, there will be things we don’t like or are unsure of but usually we’re pretty open-minded about everything because we LOVE the franchise and everything that comes with it.

Woaf: Erm…editing? I spend a long time on post-production for each show. I cut out most of the coughs, sneezes, belches and awkward pauses. Maybe it’s that. Or perhaps it’s the English accents? Some people seem to think we know what we’re talking about, and I think it might be because our accents lend us authority.


CL: After listening to Dust and Echoes for the first time, I was struck by the conversational nature of the show. Most Halo podcasts have a very heavy “news” focus. Your show definitely covers the latest Halo news, but you also take the time to share your Halo experiences from the past week. Is this a conscious decision?

Tom: To an extent, it is. We definitely wanted to give our personalities a chance to shine through as I think you can enjoy a podcast more if you feel a connection with the people talking (or at least I do). We enjoy covering the news, especially going into Halo 4, but at the end of the day, as long as we’re talking about Halo, we’re happy, so partly it comes from that. Whatever topic we find most interesting to talk about at the time of recording is the one that we’ll run with. The “My Week In Halo” thing was Woaf’s idea, and it mimics how we talk to each other in real life really. If we’ve not spoken for a while, it won’t be long after meeting up again that we’ll start talking about matches we’ve played or things we’ve read on HBO. It just kind of carried over to the podcast, I guess.

Woaf: That started as time filler, I think! But it didn’t take long to become my favourite part of the show! What I love about Halo is the stories. Not just the canon of the games and novels and whatever else, but the fact that each play session has its own narrative if you pay attention. The best Halo stories are the ones that involve me, my friends, and the domination of either aliens or real people wearing a different coloured armour. I think that’s just as important as finding out the name of the mysterious forerunner planet or if there’s a BR in Halo 4.


CL: When you’re not playing Halo, what are your favorite branches of the community to explore? Do you enjoy watching machinima, participating in forums, reading fan fiction, etc?

Tom: Personally, I’m a big video guy. I love watching YouTube channels filled with tips, tricks, and fails. Machinima is something that I have massively grown into. When Woaf first showed me Red vs. Blue, I thought, “This is pretty lame!” Last night I ordered the 1-5 box set from the Rooster Teeth website. The more I explore the universe and the creations that the community have been inspired to bring to life, the more open-minded I’ve become. I’m not a big forum guy, though. I’d love to be, they’re a great way to meet friends and discuss your passions, but I struggle to deal with the negativity. I’m pretty sure I’d be banned early on for offensive language!

Woaf: I’ve never really been a forum guy myself. I’ll read ‘em, but I’ll rarely post. I love watching machinima. Tom and I would quite like to try our hand at that, but it could be a way off. I have to admit I’ve never read any fan-fic, unless you count Leviathans “Fistful of Arrows”.


CL: You’ve both expressed a love for the social aspect of playing Halo. What is it about playing with your friends that changes the experience so much for you?

Tom: For me, it’s the dynamic of working in a team. I like to talk when I play because it helps me focus and I don’t have the best situational awareness, so having a team that I can talk to and can get directions from is a big help to my K/D spread! I love using call outs and controlling a map, but it’s hard to do with randoms. I love the feeling that comes from sprinting across a map to save a friend from getting team killed. Most of all I love my friends, and there’s no better way to enjoy the game I love than with the people I love.

Woaf: I have to go back to my story answer from before. Saving a silent random teammate from impending death by headshotting his harassers is cool, but chucking a sticky onto a Warthog and flipping the thing before it can gun down your buddy, who is now clear to splazer that irritating Banshee to oblivion. That’s a different shade of awesome!


CL: Blackadder or Fawlty Towers?

Tom: It’s a tough call, but it’s got to be Fawlty Towers because Basil Fawlty is essentially the typical British male; snobbish, fairly pretentious, and full of repressed anger! Also, I do an excellent Manuel impression. “I know nothing!”

Woaf: BOTH! Don’t make me fight you! But if I could only take one to a desert island, it would probably be Blackadder. It appeals to my sense of irony (and goldy and indeed bronzey).


CL: We’re starting to get some substantial information on some of the new features coming to Halo 4. Which of these new features are you the most excited about? Which are you the most curious about?

Tom: I’m very excited to see how Cortana develops over the next three games. I was introduced to Cortana in Halo 3, where she became the bane of my life by interrupting me every five minutes and making me move at the pace of a snail. Since then, I have obviously expanded my knowledge on her and she has become one of my favourite characters. The AIs in Halo fascinate me, and I have a feeling she won’t be the only one making a reappearance…

I’m also hugely excited by the Spartan Ops system (besides the name). Anything that encourages team play in multiplayer gets my thumbs up, but this seems really ambitious and I love the fact that 343i are doing something that could have a massive effect on how games retain players after the initial purchase rush.

Woaf: It’s always the campaign that’s the biggest deal to me. That’s the meat in the delicious multilayered sandwich of a new Halo title! I can’t wait! The most exciting new feature has to be Spartan Ops, though. Really can’t wait to make my own unique Spartan IV and meet these new characters.


CL: Aside from the podcast, do you have any other projects you’re working on? Any projects you’d like to work on?

Tom: I’ll probably get into Halo videos soon. I have a few ideas that are kicking around this melon-shaped head of mine, so we’ll see. I’ve also had an idea for a series of written fiction based on the fall of Reach. I have a writing background so it would be fun to put some of those skills to use. If I can find the time I’ll expand my horizons, although virtually everything I do at the moment is Halo-related.

Woaf: I’m really excited by machinima, so I hope we get to try our hand at that somewhen! It’s going to take a little bit of money, though, so I’m going to have to do some saving!


CL: Anything else you’d like to share about Dust and Echoes?

Woaf: Erm… Just that if anyone reading hasn’t given us a listen yet, I’d love if it if you did. Then let us know what you think!

Tom: We both record in the nude. That is all.


I’d like to thank both Tom and The Woaf for taking the time to chat with us about Dust and Echoes! Please visit daepodcast.blogspot.com to check out their show. And thanks to all of you for taking the time to read about them!

Discuss Dust and Echoes here.

Nominate someone for a Community Spotlight Feature here.

Stay tuned for more Community Spotlight features coming soon!

– CruelLEGACEY
www.cruellegaceyproductions.com
www.playtimeshow.com

From Alex:

This is a cinematic Halo tribute, put together by Aveng3dS3venfold, to honor the passing of his father and celebrate the Halo franchise that we all know and love. It is a combination of Halo cutscenes and other Halo-related footage set to the song “Archangel” by Two Steps from Hell. Enjoy.

Archangel – A Cinematic Halo Tribute

From Forward Unto Dawn:

Here you will find an exploration of each of the levels from Halo 3: ODST. Hindsight: ODST is not to be mistaken for a walk through tutorial or gameplay guide; instead you will find a thoughtful tour of a beautifully crafted game and the encounters, easter eggs, and fun found within.

Read about Romeo’s battle high above the streets of Mombasa in NMPD HQ.

Hindsight: ODST – NMPD HQ

From petetehduck:

Forge Quacks are bite-size videos that demonstrate some of the quirks that exist in Halo: Reach’s Forge editor. If you have a suggestion for a Forge Quack video, use the form on this page to submit it: http://idleduck.com/?page_id=1061.

Forge Quacks 2 – A Halo: Reach Video

From Node:

This is a video game dub of the Halo 4 live-action trailer, done by Jaboody Dubs. Enjoy!

Halo 4 Live-action Trailer – A Video Game Dub

Author: Gunter Fett

From Tashi:

Regular hosts Tashi0106, Domino Theory, and ncsuDuncan are joined by guests Demoncarnotaur and mastrbiggy to discuss the latest Halo news. (80 minutes. Recorded 08/10/2012.)

0:00:35 – Segment 1 – Games we’ve been playing. (Halo: Reach, Halo 3, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Battlefield)
0:24:13 – Segment 2 – Discussion of Halo 4 marketing and the UNSC Weapons video.
1:03:43 – Segment 3 – A roundup of Halo News. (Arena Gaming tournament, Halo Bulletin, PAX plans, Bravo at 343)

Download MP3
Listen on YouTube
Subscribe in iTunes
Podcast RSS Feed

HaloGAF Radio 7 – Demoncarnotaur and mastrbiggy

From petetheduck:

Courtesy of 343 Industries, I’ll be giving away a Halo 4 Concept Art Xbox 360 Dashboard Premium Theme to the player with the fastest time in completing the FNC: Freestyle 2 map in Halo: Reach. I’ll also be giving one to the two runner-ups, for a total of three winners.

Here is how to participate in the contest:

STEP 1: Download the map variant and game type “FNC: Freestyle 2? from forgewithpete’s File Share in Halo: Reach.
STEP 2: Using the map variant and game type “FNC: Freestyle 2?, destroy all 10 fusion coils as quickly as you can.
STEP 3: Upload the saved film of your fastest time to your File Share.
STEP 4: Submit your saved film by midnight on Sunday, August 26th 2012 via this form.

Think you’re the fastest player in Halo: Reach? Time to prove it!

petetheduck’s FNC: Freestyle 2 Contest

From @Macca_Chief:

I finally finished my Master Chief sketch! Love the new Halo 4 armour…

The Master Chief – Halo 4 Fan Art

From Kri77ical:

This is the first episode in the Rube Goldberg series I will be creating. Big thanks to TheHartAttack for throwing the grenade!

Kri77ical’s Creations 1 – A Halo: Reach Rube Goldberg Machine

Some people show their love for Halo by playing the games. Others get a relevant image permanently placed upon their body. Enjoy this particular example of a Halo-related body modification, and if you have a picture you’d like to submit for possible future inclusion, send it to bsangel[at]halowaypoint.com!

Halo tattoo, as seen on Kyle

Author: Apollo Creed 01

Our little blue friend just noticed we hit 117k Twitter followers. Many thanks if you’re one of them!

*Image drawn by Senior Concept Artist Gabriel Garza

Every Monday, we feature a community member who does one or more of the following things: routinely goes above and beyond for their fellow forum members, is a positive and active member of the community, and/or sends me mass amounts of cat pictures. This week our Community Member of the Week is erickyboo. Read a little more about him below, then hit his profile to learn more about Waypoint’s official squeaker!

Gamertag: erickyboo.

Current clan/community: Halo Wars community.

Halo game(s) you are currently playing: Halo: Reach, Halo Wars, and Halo: Anniversary.

Favorite map, game type and playlist: Sandtrap, Sword Fight (Halo 3), and the Anniversary playlists.

Least favorite map, game type and playlist: Asylum, vanilla Reach, and MLG.

Preferred control scheme: Default.

Halo playing style (offense, defense, sniper, driver, etc.): Air assault, driver/pilot, and sniper.

Favorite character: Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting.

Favorite book: Halo: Primordium.

Favorite Halo quote: All of ’em.

Anything else we should know? Classified!

Get to know erickyboo here!

From BravoMLG:

A Halo 4 UNSC weapons breakdown like you’ve never seen before…

Bravo’s Halo 4 UNSC Weapons Breakdown Video

From Dust Storm:

On our latest show, we have GrimBrother One, CruelLEGACEY, and Greenskull drop by to give us the rundown on their trip to Vancouver on the set of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. We go over some of the interviews they did with the actors and dive a little deeper into the production and the story that the series portrays.

Podtacular 301 – Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

From CyberlineGames:

My Halo Life makes a refreshing comeback with new videos, new clips, and new music. This isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill montage or top five but instead features fun and entertaining clips put to upbeat music.

Do you want to be a part of the next episode? Then send in your clip with the newly renovated File Share from Halo Waypoint. Just use our submission form to give us a link to your file, and if we like it, we’ll put it in!

http://www.cyberlinegames.net/submit.php

My Halo Life 1 – A Halo: Reach Montage