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Wednesday, November 28, 2001 |  |
Story conjecture...
FriendlyFire writes about some of the issues brought up in our recent Halo Review, specifically the storyline. I'm going to break with tradition, and quote a boatload of his note, because it's pretty intriguing stuff:
[...] some dialog in the game makes me think that the Master Chief's appearance on Halo is beyond coincidence. I'm refering to comments by 343 GS in more than one location in the game. Once you return to the control room with the Index [sounds an awful lot like Codex doesn't it ;)] and Cortana reveals to you the true purpose of Halo, 343 says something odd. I can't remember the exact phrasing off-hand but he said something along the lines of, "Well of course that's the purpose of Halo...But you already knew that...I mean, how couldn't you?" At this point the camera zooms in for affect installing a sense that there's someting peculiar about his comment. He also says something about "the last time you were here" but we're fairly certain the Chief has never been to Halo before.
Furthermore, in the last level of the game, on-board the Pillar of Autumn, when you're running around the engine room trying to trigger a Fusion explosion, 343 keeps referring to you as "Reclaimer". He also mentions something along the lines of, "this is not the plan".
This lead me to two possible conclusions:
- 343 is mistaking you for someone - or something - else.
- You are in fact who 343 thinks you are.
If 2 is true, then how is this possible? How could you be part of a plan for a ring construct which you've never been to before and never even heard of? One possibility comes to mind but it is, of course, only conjecture: perhaps we're dealing with a Time Paradox. Perhaps at some point in the Chief's future, he enters 343 GS's past. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Of course, it's just as likely that 343 is mistaking you for someone else but that raises other questions: How could he mistake you for someone else? I think he knows you're human. Also, if he is mistaking you for someone or something else, who or what is he mistaking you for? A Forerunner, perhaps? Questions, questions and more questions....
Good stuff... comments are always welcome. Once again, it looks like it's time for a Halo Story section (either forum or moderated pages)... (Louis Wu 16:52:36 UTC) (permalink)
PA gets tired of Halo
Heh - the boys of Penny Arcade seem to be over their infatuation with Halo; today's comic (and indeed the news) suggest that they never want to see it again:
I've heard people say it's too short. That's a hard case to argue - in fact, quite the opposite is true. This is a game that feels as though it was unduly lengthened by committee, affixed to some perverse device, warped and stretched to near infinity. I'd put forth that a game is only too short when you still want to play it by the end. [slight spoiler snipped - go read it at PA] I've never actually groaned before when a game's protagonist implies there will be a sequel. That's something I can't say anymore.
Thanks to R.net, for catching this one first. (Louis Wu 16:42:37 UTC) (permalink)
See the sea...
Razorback sends in another nice drawing - useable as wallpaper, or just to look at. We've added it to our Miscellaneous Art section. (Louis Wu 15:55:34 UTC) (permalink)
Tamte on Mac Halo
Spanish Macintosh site Macuarium has posted an interview with Peter Tamte that talks about Macintosh gaming, his company Destineer and Bungie.
I've been to Bungie's new studios inside Microsoft. They're filled with Macs. And, they're also filled with people who love the Macintosh. Please be assured that Microsoft and Bungie plan to bring Halo to the Macintosh. They love the Mac just as much today as they did before being acquired by Microsoft.
It's short but a nice read. Pax. (Crux Fidelis 10:14:05 UTC) (permalink)
New Fiction to read
"This is most likely your last chance to get out of this alive," said Kent in a commanding voice. Edwin didn't respond; he just continued to sit against the wall, staring wildly around the room, and whimpering between his rapid breathing.
Our first Fan Fiction submission in two weeks, Aragorn819's Prologue to 'The Sceptre' is now available in our Fan Fiction section. Check it out! (Louis Wu 03:32:18 UTC) (permalink)
New T&R content and JJ interview, coming up!
Hot on the heels of an accusation that Bungie doesn't care about its fans, the Online Team has updated the Tru7h and Reconciliation site. New concept art (don't look if you're anal about spoilers), a new section of the multiplayer guide (vehicles), with three GORGEOUS new screens (you'll find 'em in our Screenshot database, as well), and maybe most interesting of all - information about a fan-conducted interview with Jason Jones.
Here's how it will work. Think up a question for Jason (no huge lists, please) and send it to haloqna@microsoft.com. We'll accept submissions for the rest of this week, then pick the best ones and hand them to Jason. We'll return with his answers next week.
If all goes well this may be the start of a semi-regular feature wherein you can ask questions of a variety of people from the Halo team. So think up a good question and ask away!
Remember - this guy doesn't talk much... so this is a huge opportunity! (Thanks to Vector40, who pointed out how slow we're being on reporting this.) (Louis Wu 03:15:27 UTC) (permalink)
Hearing Cortana on a stereo TV
Sometimes, if you're polite enough, you can get people to correct mistakes you make instead of just telling you what an idiot you are. (Or maybe they call you an idiot when you're not around, then correct the mistake for you - I'm not sure.) In any case, Marty O'Donnell, stung by my unfair appraisal of Halo's audio in the review I posted recently, wrote to correct some misconceptions.
I have heard the problem you are describing and it is due to the way some people have their TV audio setup. Some TVs have weird faux surround or enhanced stereo settings and that can change the mix on Halo.
I'd complained specifically that Cortana's speaking parts seemed to come directly from the central speaker, and so were lost in a stereo setup - not so, says Marty:
As a matter of fact, Cortana's dialog is specifically split equally left and right.
How to fix this?
The Xbox needs to be set on "stereo" and the TV should be set on normal stereo not surround or enhanced or anything else like that. No one should be missing any of the dialog.
So there you have it - make sure both your TV and the Xbox are set to standard 'Stereo' sound if you don't have a surround sound setup. (The Xbox sound controls are only accessible if there's no DVD in the drive, so dump that Halo disc.) Thanks for the information, Marty! (Louis Wu 02:45:29 UTC) (permalink)
Tuesday's news in brief:
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HBO reviews Halo GameKult reviews Halo More internet options for Halo The GIA wants to hear from YOU VE talks to Matt Soell IGN's Strategy Guide now complete More pics from the Launch Party |
Monday's news in brief:
