Cracked.com has a feature showing off 26 ads for products that must exist in video games. One of these hits close to home. Thanks, Revenant1988. (Louis Wu 16:10:24 UTC)

Dennis Powers sent word that Chapter Nine of Fearless is now online. Regrouping, replanning – it’s all about alternate approaches. (Louis Wu 16:10:09 UTC)

Looks like Microsoft is planning to host launch parties for Halo Anniversary at its brick-and-mortar stores. There aren’t very many of them (14, actually, spread out across 8 states) – but if there’s one near you, you might want to check it out – multiplayer, snacks, grab bags for the first 100 guests in each store, grunt plushies. Thanks, Sqorck.(Louis Wu 10:56:04 UTC)

GrimBrother One found what might just be the oddest promotional tie-in I’ve seen with the Halo franchise – a Halo pizza. Only in the UK, unfortunately. Check GamePro for details.(Louis Wu 10:47:47 UTC)

smiichy came by yesterday with a picture he’d finished – situation looks dire! (Louis Wu 10:42:46 UTC)

Leo S. sent us a pic of his friend in a Master Chief costume… with a rather odd accessory. (Louis Wu 10:40:55 UTC)

Firestorm12 let us know about the next issue of War (or War) – “On The Topic Of Killing People“. Need advice on this subject? Maybe the Officer can help.(Louis Wu 10:36:59 UTC)

…it makes for such a quiet office. HBO HQ went offline again for a few hours this afternoon – the main site (and, in fact, most web-based assets) remained up, but email and the forum were inaccessible. It’s not clear that the problem is actually fixed yet – but we’re live again for now, and that’s good. Fingers are crossed…(Louis Wu 22:13:17 UTC)

Lord Friendship it putting together a BOB Video Guide – Part 1 answers the questions “What is a BOB?” The information is well-presented, and pretty extensive – go watch and be educated!(Louis Wu 16:56:05 UTC)

nairB noticed a Maker Faire video about Shawn Thorsson, a propmaker who builds a lot of Halo armor. We’ve mentioned him before (actually, we accidentally mentioned a single blog post twice – once in July, once last November) – but this is footage from the Bay Area Maker Faire gathering last May, in which Thorsson discusses how he makes his outfits. Check it out!(Louis Wu 13:36:32 UTC)

GodlyPerfection is back from a break (instigated by the birth of his son last summer) with a new Forge Lesson – this one is designed to help you advertise your creations. (Louis Wu 13:35:24 UTC)

Nak3d Eli put together a video to show you how to get the current Weekly Challenge in as little as 13 minutes of gameplay. Now THAT’S a pretty easy 30,000 cR!(Louis Wu 13:33:31 UTC)

Rooster Teeth released Episode 18 of RvB Season 9 last night (thanks, Ibeechu) – some serious plot movement on this one! Things are beginning to come together… and some old friends are back.(Louis Wu 13:32:33 UTC)

Ty_Coker stopped in with word of ‘Return to CANADA!!!‘ – a BCP Halloween special. Spooky!(Louis Wu 13:32:03 UTC)

HC Redemption had this up at HaloChallenges in time for Halloween yesterday – but our connectivity troubles kept us from seeing it before today. Nevertheless, it’s a fun-looking challenge – so swing by and see if you’re up for their Living Dead Challenge! (Louis Wu 13:30:57 UTC)

Dani’s been busy finding previously unseen Halo concept art and adding it to the Forward Unto Dawn Concept Art Gallery – new work from Ryan Demita, Halo Wars stuff from Marco Nelor, a whole new Halo Wars section, and, in this NeoGAF post, a couple of Noble Map Pack concept pieces that look seriously cool. Go explore!(Louis Wu 13:28:18 UTC)

SonGoharotto pointed out that Halo (specifically, conventiongoers in Master Chief armor, and a Gunnery Sergeant you might know) plays a significant role in Season Five of The Guild, the long-running webseries that made Felicia Day a (geek) household name. If you haven’t been watching recently… pick it up again! Update: man, I’m doing this a lot lately. We mentioned this stuff back in August. Sorry. (Louis Wu 13:26:32 UTC)