If you’re looking for some MLG schwag, today might be a good day to buy it; as part of the MLG Gives Back program, MLG is donating 50% of all proceeds from purchases made on LIVE or at the MLG Store to Harlem RBI, an organization that gives inner city kids a chance. (This deal is today only, so don’t delay too long.) You can buy cool game gear… and know that some of your money is helping kids. Happy Holidays! (Louis Wu 14:15:32 UTC)

Lots of Halo Wars news recently: there are some new screenshots (mixed in with older ones) at TeamXbox (thanks, Planet Halo), G4TV’s X-Play interviewed Graeme Devine (thanks, Exanubisleader), and Edge also talked to Devine (thanks, LoneRanger 2.5). It’s a surprising blast of information, given that the game isn’t going to be out for more than two months… (Louis Wu 14:14:37 UTC)

Seven new pieces for you in the Fan Fiction section today, including some well-known names. Go read!(Louis Wu 14:11:31 UTC)

Bungie’s Breaking In series continues with a talk with Noah Bordner, an animator. It’s a great read if you’re looking to break into this industry; there’s no guarantee that what worked for someone else will work for you, but having an idea of what was important for HIS successful bid for a job might help you figure out what’s important for you. (Louis Wu 14:08:58 UTC)

Yet another Top 10 video has come out – this one was made by KillPie, and covers Sniper Kills. I don’t think I’d consider them ‘Top 10’ caliber, unless we were talking about, say, Top 10 of the day or something… but they’re fun, and the video’s in HD. Thanks, urk.(Louis Wu 22:18:48 UTC)

Looks like the Double Experience Playlist this weekend is Legendary Brawl – go grab those last few multiplayer Achievements!(Louis Wu 22:15:51 UTC)

A couple of new comics went online today – The Biased, Chapter 1, Page 15 brings together some characters, and Shipwrecked Episode 47 (Protector) shows the Marines getting some unexpected (and underappreciated) help.(Louis Wu 22:13:29 UTC)

Seems that the thing to do is have screenshot contests… we mentioned the Happy Halodays contest that Halo Babies is running, and the ‘Tis the Season’ contest that Mindless Distortion is running… now word comes from urk that Real 7alk is hosting their first Homepage Contest – create a screenshot (or photoshop one, or draw one) promoting Real 7alk, win a shot at an iPod Nano. Nice! Read the contest page for full details.(Louis Wu 18:43:14 UTC)

Hawty McBloggy found a fan-made sidescroller called Mario vs Spartan: The Game, and her writeup provides you with a taste of what you’re in for if you download it. It’s PC-only, but these days, that’s not too much of a limitation – most Macs run Windows if they need to.(Louis Wu 15:17:18 UTC)

Over at 411mania.com, Greg Bruno wrote up a guide to getting your girlfriend to play video games – he’s going to work on getting HIS girlfriend to play, and then pass along the tips that worked. First up – Halo (the first one). Go see what Andi thought of the game!(Louis Wu 15:10:21 UTC)

Kiwibox.com held a contest with the winner being brought to Manhattan to meet Graeme Devine and play Halo Wars – there’s a film showing off some new campaign footage, along with lots of questions and answers. Thanks, 2900d4u. (Louis Wu 15:00:09 UTC)