This is Adam and Walter, from the 405th. Hi Adam and Walter! Adam and Walter like Halo, and they like cosplay, so seeing them dressed as Halo characters isn't that big a shock. What is a shock is the quality of these costumes! If somebody told me these were photos smuggled off the set of the Halo movie I'd totally agree with them, for a second, before remembering there is no Halo movie, then saying "aaaahhhh, ya got me".

[Thanks Walter!]

The rate things are going, they may never make a Halo movie. So that short Neil Blomkamp put together last year may be as close as you get. And these shots of the Warthog used in that short may be as close as you get to it. Built by WETA, the guys behind the special effects for Lord of the Rings, it's crazy the amount of detail that went into a vehicle built not for a movie, or even a trailer, but a cheap concept pitch. Plenty of pics at the link below.
Close Up: Weta's Warthog (Part 1) [NZGamer]

Purdy! These heavily PhotoShopped Halo pictures are the handiwork of flickr user joshuadamon. Not sure if they're just in-game screen grabs that have been reworked or pics of Halo toys that have been PS'ed or a combination of both. What we are sure of is that these sure are beautiful.

Halotography [Alice]

When the gang at MTV Multiplayer sniffed around some Microsoft job listings earlier this week, confirming that the publisher was staffing up for one of the two Peter Jackon backed "entertainment experiences," some concernedly stuttered "Bu-bu-but, what about Bungie?" Oh, they're fine with it, informs the Bungie Weekly Update. Community man Frankie O'Connor says that "having worked with him already, we are possibly more excited than you are to see what someone of Peter Jackson's imagination, talent and resources can bring to a Halo game experience."

Bungie is said to "continue to remain very much involved in multiple aspects the Halo Universe as part of our ongoing relationship with Microsoft", teasing that one of their in-progress projects will be revealed "in the very near future." Perhaps it's that Halo prequel that EGM taunted us with? Is it the future yet?!?

Bungie Weekly Update 04/25/08 [Bungie]

The newest issue of EGM, due to arrive any minute now we hope, features more than just sexy details on Splatterhouse, it also contains rumored details on Halo developer Bungie's next project. Unsurprisingly, EGM says that it will be a shooter set in the Halo universe, with a move to a third-person perspective and a setting that predates the original Halo.

The enigmatic Quarterman writes that "WETA is definitely involved in some capacity" and that we might hear more about Bungie's post-Halo 3 work as early as November, officially.

Quartermann: First Info on Bungie's Next Halo? [1UP]

At least one of the Halo-themed projects helmed by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is closer to reality, as MTV Multiplayer has dug up job listings that hint heavily Microsoft is hiring for one of its "two new interactive entertainment experiences." A confirmation from the company reveals that it's going to be developed internally and not at Halo 3 developer Bungie.

The job listings, all of which are linked to at the MTV Multiplayer report, are light on concrete details. They look to be intentionally vague, deemed "Not Product Specific" and only mentioning that they take place in the Halo universe. See if you can decipher them with your Master Chief decoder rings!

Is Microsoft Hiring A 'Halo' Team For Peter Jackson This Week? [MTV Multiplayer]

When gamers think "Halo," do they think Microsoft, Xbox 360 or Bungie? That's a question Bungie faces going into the future with its umbilical cord severed from the Microsoft machine—especially when accounting for the millions in branding dollars that tied the Halo franchise so closely to entities other than the developer. Bungie Community Lead Brian Jarrard voiced such concerns to Edge:

Not everyone that buys Halo knows what Bungie is...We want to convert Halo fans into Bungie fans and so we'll take them with us when we do the next game.

And while we feel for Bungie's situation, really, they're probably the most recognized developer in the US outside of Nintendo...to a pretty large and loyal fanbase, at least.

"We want to convert Halo fans into Bungie fans" [CVG]

Next week, April 15, Halo 3 gamers will be soaking in new, Bungie-created downloadable content, a moisturizing formula of Ghost Town, Avalanche and Blackout. Just imagine the slurs you can toss out in these new environments! I can't promise these 27 screen shots of the new Legendary Map Pack will convince you to drop the Microsoft Points on new multiplayer arenas, but I'm pretty sure fans of scaffolding and planks will be pretty darn excited to lay their rods and cones on this pic. Simply stunning in its plank-ticity.

Enterprising map makers and modders will have a handful of new toys to play with in Halo 3's Forge creation tool when the Legendary Map Pack ships. And while new scaffolding and tweaked shipping containers may get you moist, it's the new suite of visual filters that may excite Halo fans most. The latest Bungie weekly update reveals the latest Forge improvements, including funky and fresh filters that will give your map a "juicy", "gloomy" or "old timey" look. That's great and all, Bungie boys, but what we need is the ability to generate lens flare under any lighting condition. We require massive amounts of lens flare!

Bungie Weekly Update: 4/04/08 [Bungie.net]

If you can't wait for the Halo Legendary Map Pack, Bungie understands. And while they won't be releasing any maps earlier than their April 15th target, they are happy to give you a trailer to set the mood. It's a pretty decent watch (we have a particular penchant for the overtly dramatic), and it provides a solid glimpse of the new maps Avalanche, Blackout and Ghost Town.

Legendary Map Pack Trailer [Bungie] Thanks Preston!

Either there has been some impressive organization between the hardcore Halo 3 community in the Congo, Uganda and Tanzania or the boys at Bungie are pulling a fast one on us. Considering that it's *sigh* still April 1 Pacific Time, we're guessing it's the latter. Kudos to the Halo teamsters for their subtle and cheery geek map.

Bungie Online [Bungie - thanks, Bradley!]

When fans built a Master Chief model for Unreal Tournament 3 (playable on the PlayStation 3), some of us giggled. Others of us, including Business Week, didn't think that Microsoft would be too happy. Now Microsoft attorney Don McGowan is speaking up on his blog to address the situation.

Actually it's nothing more than the Game Content Usage Rules...in action. When these were developed, people all thought they were focused on machinima. The truth is that while they do address machinima they also allow for a lot of other things. Mods like this are one of them.

He continues...making things a little more personal:

The developers aren't selling the mod, they're not monetizing Microsoft's IP, they're just creating something to share their love of the Master Chief on a new platform...And no one is taking characters from PlayStation games (do they even have any games?) and putting them on our platform...

Ooh, but can a Microsoft employee say such things about the PlaySation brand?? Sony won't allow this at all!

Everyone and their mother is totally getting sued and it's gonna be awesome.

Master Chief on PlayStation? Yep, we know... [DonkeyXote via Maxconsole]

The third and final map to be included in the upcoming Legendary map pack for Halo 3 should be familiar to fans. Known as "Blackout," the map is a remake of Halo 2's "Lockout" and joins "Avalanche" and "Ghost Town" in the forthcoming downloadable. The official Bungie site has a quick Q&A with the "Blackout" design team in which much hilarity ensues. Ha ha. There are also pictures!

Legendary Map: Blackout [Bungie]

Bungie has revealed the second map from next month's Legendary Map pack that's slated for April 15th for 800 marketplace points. Dubbed "Avalanche," the map is, as Bungie's Luke Smith points out, "a lovingly crafted reimagination of Halo: Combat Evolved classic Sidewinder." Click through the gallery below for a look or swing by Bungie.net for a chat with designers Niles Sankey and Lars Bakken along with artists Mike Buelterman and Jason Sussman.

Avalanche [Bungie]

The most recent Bungie Weekly Update teases that this Tuesday will see the official word on new Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack details, including a solid release date and a look at the second of three new levels. The first, "Ghost Town," was unveiled just a few weeks ago. We think it's a pretty safe bet that the new map will be frosty, as the game's vehicles have been given a fresh snowjob, with pictures of each new iced out ride over at Bungie.net. Luke Smith also drops word that the Hornet has been given a gameplay nerf, making it "less of an airborne death machine and more of an aerial support vehicle now."

Bungie Weekly Update: 3/14/08 [Bungie]

One week ago today, a gamer named Nathaniel told the internet his story of an Xbox 360 repair gone awry. After sending in his console that was adorned with artwork and autographs for repair, it came back from Microsoft scrubbed clean. But Bungie heard the cries of a downed Halo fanboy and offered to make things right. Here's the big gift they sent Nathaniel's way—a Legendary Edition helmet signed by the Bungie staff.

Oh, but he got more stuff than that...

The full list includes:

* Legendary Edition Helmet signed by most-if not all-of the studio staff
* Halo 3 Soundtrack (two disc) signed by Marty O'Donnel (with "DO NOT ERASE!" written under his name)
* Bungie Jacket
* Bungie T-Shirt
* Halo 3 Messenger Bag
* Two Halo 3 Limited Edition Wireless Controllers (one covenant, one human)
* Halo 3 Faceplate and Skins for Xbox 360
* Four McFarlane Action Figures (MC, EVA Spartan, Brute Chieftan, Jackal Sniper)
* Halo Actionclix Preview pack (Target exclusive sticker on the front)
* Halo Actionclix Game Pack 4
* Halo 3 Wall Graffix
* Halo 3: Ghosts of Onyx Novel
* Halo Graphic Novel
* Halo 3 Wristband
* Halo 3 Hackeysack

And with these gifts, Bungie balanced the karma of the Universe/Microsoft for ever and ever. The end.

To see the whole swag package, hit the link.

Bungie Unscrews Previously Screwed Gamer [Hawty McBloggy]

The long wait for more molded plastic is over—McFarlane Toys' first line of Halo action figures has begun to arrive on retailer store shelves. The debut series includes Master Chief, Cortana, Brute Chieftan, Grunt, Spartan Soldier and Jackal Sniper, with the Spartan getting a multi-color, multi-sculpt release. That means collectors can expect to do some extra work for a complete collection.

Also at your favorite toy reseller are the Warthog, Ghost and Brute Chopper vehicles. All of these superb sculpts can be seen at Spawn.com, with details on where to find Halo series 1 and how you can win an entire set at the news item linked below.

'HALO' 3 SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES IN STORES NOW!! [McFarlane Toys]

Remember laser tag? Some of you may be too young. But with the coming of Halo 3, laser tag has been reinvigorated with licensing dollars. Last week, Jasman Toys announced new Laser Command toys co-branded with Microsoft/Bungie. This week, we have pictures of the glorious weaponry as it goes on sale at ThinkGeek (along with a few other retailers we're sure). The guns are actually pretty slick, with as much attention to detail as stickered plastic can achieve.

Hit the jump for a video of the guns in action. They are far more impressive when you see...
1. Their absurd sizes.
2. Their absurd firing kickback.

Looks like a fun enough afternoon. The pistol set with run you $80, and the rifle is quite a bit more at $130.

Halo 3 Laser Pursuit Plasma Weapons [ThinkGeek] Thanks Erik!

Today Bungie released the first screens of the first map in the upcoming Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack, due out this Spring. A general purpose map, Ghost Town is the ruins of a 24th century water processing plant built in a shallow ravine, and from the looks of these screens it is definitely my sort of map - plenty of places to hide while your teammates take care of business. Hit up Bungie for a tiny interview up with artists Vic DeLeon and Cameron Pinard and designer Lars Bakken about the inspirations behind this intriguing new map.

Ghost Town Revealed [Bungie.net]

The last moments of Halo 3 were really pretty exciting. Fast driving, over-orchestrated theme music, unavoidable deaths—sure it was a bit Halo Kart, but it was an exciting conclusion all the same. But all those polygons pale in comparison to the still LEGO version. (Hit the jump and the picture goes all mega enlarged for you viewing pleasure.) I mean, it's LEGO. Sorry Bungie. It's like a geek trump card on par with light sabers and pictures of halfway attractive women showing cleavage on the internet.

Photo [Flickr via Xbox360Fanboy]

2008 is looking to be replete with video game shoes, with Nike issuing Skate or Die and 720-inspired shoes under its Nike SB line and Adidas pumping out a Halo branded pair of kicks. The Adidas Gil II Zero Halo Sneaker is one of many Gilbert Arenas-approved designs—remember the NBA Live 08 shoe?—featuring all-over Halo 3 branding, Bungie logos and a recognizable weapon pattern.

If you want to get your dogs on these sneakers, you better call in some hook-ups, as they're limited to 100 pairs worldwide. Complex, who has detailed pics of the pair, is giving away the whole line at some point, for anyone feeling lucky. Me? I'm sticking to the Nike SB 720s (and maybe the Skate or Dies), depending on how long I feel like camping out at Undefeated.

adidas Gil II Zero Halo Sneaker [Complex]

You can't act offended if you already laughed.

My Master Chief Snowman [Hawty Mc Bloggy]

We're sure that we have more than a few sword collectors in the audience—you know who you are because on your wall you have a few ninja stars, some Conan memorabilia and a duplicate of the Highlander sword. Why do you collect these things? Where do you find the money?

On a side note, said audience will probably find this Halo energy sword knockoff (spoiler: we know it's fake because it's made of metal) interesting. At 36" long and 14" wide, its stainless steel mirror finish is perfect for seeing the reflection of your gleeful (somewhat freaky) tears. Current bidding has the piece at $124.95. Yes, that may sound high, but after all, just what are your children's college accounts for anyway?

Halo Energy Sword [via hawtymcblog]

Every now and again there comes a vacuum so appealing that we're almost tempted to clean. Samsung's SC9540 vacuum looks surprisingly like the makers of Spartan armor have been reselling their prototype molds to alternative industries. Dubbed "the strong, silent type" on Samsung's site, we're sure that the design and marketing are both coincidental...unless you start seeing vacuum cleaners popping up on Mt. Dew.

Samsung SC9540 Vacuum [via ohgizmo]

Today's NPD sales numbers reveal that Bungie's Halo 3 was the best selling game in the United States in 2007, with a whopping 4.82 million copies sold. Nipping at Master Chief's heels was Nintendo's own Wii Play. It sold through a staggering 4.12 million units to the masses.

Despite generally negative review scores, it would seem that Wii owners were consumed by the prospect of more mini-games (and a second Wii remote) nearly on par with the thirst that Xbox 360 owners had for more Halo. An impressive feat for Nintendo, but more impressive for Microsoft, considering Wii Play had a seven month head start on the first-person shooter.

The top ten best selling games in the USA for last year are after the jump.

01. Halo 3 (Xbox 360) - 4,820,000
02. Wii Play with Remote (Wii) - 4,120,000
03. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360) - 3,040,000
04. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2) - 2,720,000
05. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 2,520,000
06. Pokemon Diamond (DS) - 2,480,000
07. Madden NFL 08 (PS2) - 1,900,000
08. Guitar Hero II (PS2) - 1,890,000
09. Assassin's Creed (Xbox 360) - 1,870,000
10. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 1,820,000

That new Hummer HX concept? Totally a Warthog rip-off, we all know it. Or is it?! Yes. Of course, it is. Even though Carl Zipfel, GM's director of exterior design for the concept ride on display at the North American International Auto Show, denies finding inspiration in Halo's staple vehicle, we believe the side-by-side comparisons of the two remove any doubt that Hummer has swiped. Did anyone else notice both have four wheels? The designer even admits to being "an Xbox guy," telling mLive that several of the vehicle's designers play Halo regularly.

We will not stand for these lies, Zipfel! Give the Bungie design team their due and all associated royalties should the car come to production. We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more, etcetera, etcetera.

Hummer denies Halo influence on HX concept [mLive - thanks, DigiMish!]

Bungie, the constant tease that it is, has just lifted Master Chief's skirt half an inch for the world to see. What can we make out? Surprisingly smooth knees. And the first details on an included map codenamed "Moon Base Alpha."

To me it sounds like the most interesting Halo 3 map yet, with lots of water and unlockable areas accessible only through a deadly jump or a (surely frag-bait) switch system. Not yet ready for public consumption, even ex-Kotakuite, current-Bungieite doesn't know the map all that well yet... meaning the next Halo 3 map pack is probably a long way off. Here are some specifics from an entry on Bungie's site:

As we mention in the Q&A following this, "Moonbase Alpha" now has large opening doors and more unusually, a kind of unlockable jump over a deadly chasm. In its locked state, a jump over will almost always result in death. Unlocked, it becomes an easy jump and a simple shortcut. More and more, this map is beginning to appeal to my interests. At first I thought it was just a bit too large, but now that I know my way around it, it's brisk enough to support even one vs. one games.

Sounds promising. Who out there is still playing loads of Halo multiplayer?

Bungie Weekly Update 01/11/08 [via CVG]