That Halo Fanon contest we mentioned a few days ago has gotten easier to enter. (Plus, you can vote for their Fourth Annual Halo Fanon awards while you’re over there.) Read Grizzlei’s post for details. (Louis Wu 18:08:53 UTC)

OXM UK posted an article that tries to nail down why Halo is more important than other Xbox shooters. Not sure I buy it all – but it’s an interesting read. Thanks, ElzarTheBam. (Louis Wu 18:07:32 UTC)

Last night, very late, the Halo Bulletin hit the web (thanks, ZaneZavin). Amidst tips to improve your Halo gaming experience and a photo montage of 343 employees participating in Movember, you’ll find details of the changes set to come to Halo matchmaking next week. Warning: the overwhelming sentiment on our OWN forum is disappointment – you might find some of the changes surprising. This is, as always, available in our own Halo Bulletin Archive (with added features like real lists and such). (Louis Wu 15:40:06 UTC)

The second match of the Rooster Teeth Office HORSE Semifinals was posted recently (AchievementHunter.com | YouTube) – Michael faced off against Marshall, who apparently has some Halo skillz he never admitted to. The competition goes all the way to round 9 – who’s moving on to take on Kerry in the Finals? Watch and see! Thanks, hezekiah.(Louis Wu 15:34:19 UTC)

So Metalingus627 stopped in with a request for 343 – he wants to see the Battle of Earth given its due in fiction form. One of the responses to his thread came from Leviathan… who already had this idea, and may or may not actually follow through on it! (Even if he doesn’t, the splash art is fantastic.)(Louis Wu 15:31:23 UTC)

HC Redemption has a new challenge for you – this one is a part of the HC Community Challenge Series, and it features GrifballHub. The lower difficulties seem reasonable… but things get pretty tough near the top of the scale! Do you have what it takes? Go see! (Crux Fidelis 15:28:59 UTC)

New comics are coming from Marvel – Halo: Fall of Reach – Invasion debuts early next year, and IGN has some cover art to whet your appetite. Thanks, Leviathan.(Louis Wu 15:25:20 UTC)

kornman00 let us know that Game Developer magazine’s December issue has an interview with Bungie’s Hao Chen – which led Hedgemony to point out a short but intriguing preview for that interview at Gamasutra. What have they learned about game engines from Halo – and how will that translate to their next (multiplatform) product? Check this out!(Louis Wu 15:23:23 UTC)

Evil Otto stopped in with word of a Halo mod for Empire at War – it’s a total conversion, including new models, effects, sounds, music, gameplay mechanics, and more. If you like what you see, voting for Mod of the Year is active!(Louis Wu 15:16:03 UTC)

SEspider put together a few Halo characters in a new style. Adorable! (Louis Wu 15:13:14 UTC)

Frank O’Connor spoke to OXM UK recently – he was surprised by the love for Master Chief (to the point where folks were unhappy he wasn’t in Reach). Thanks, ElzarTheBam.(Louis Wu 15:07:52 UTC)

Hey – it’s not Halo news, but we’re still the most active bungie.org subsite, so this is a fine place to mention that Bungie is once again reminding people to sign up for their Beta testers list… you never know what sort of goodies you’ll earn!(Louis Wu 17:25:56 UTC)

Daniel ‘Tyrant’ Morris finished off his final video for his LASO Challenge Walkthrough – Pillar of Autumn has now been posted online! Just over half an hour, lots of new tricks. Go watch!(Louis Wu 17:14:46 UTC)

Enter the Lab. 

Enter the Lab. 

Heh – this made me laugh. Thanks, bs angel.(Louis Wu 20:46:49 UTC)

Rockslider has STILL not finished with Jun’s Falcon – stop by our forum for the latest details. I’d hate to be a mouse living in his house; I’m betting there’s NOTHING left on the plates when he’s finished.(Louis Wu 20:41:55 UTC)

Interesting – if you’re eligible for Verizon FIOS internet, check out a new deal that gives you Halo Anniversary and 12 months of LIVE for signing up. Thanks, ElzarTheBam.(Louis Wu 20:39:00 UTC)

In October, 2007, our Halo 3 Cutscene Library went live, and a year later, we upgraded it with HD versions of the scenes. Due to limitations in recording equipment, however, audiophiles have always been shortchanged… until now. Cody Miller has graciously re-recorded all of these cutscenes in full 5.1 surround sound – gorgeous! (If you don’t have the hardware to appreciate this, it should degrade nicely to standard stereo.) Anniversary upgrades… coming before too long!(Louis Wu 15:58:42 UTC)