Fresh from Destructoid, this trailer for what could have been is both impressive and discouraging. Come on, Microsoft. Why you gotta hate? Eliza Gauger

Fan-made Halo real-time strategy mod Halogen was just kicked to death by Microsoft lawyers.

Last night Slip Stream Productions posted an open letter to readers on their forums saying that after three years of production with nary a word from Microsoft, the company has decided to sick their lawyers on the project and tell the development team to stop working on Halogen because they are infringing on the intellectual property of Bungie Studios.

The forums, site and Moddb profile will be shut down within a week.

Dear Friends,

For the last three years, we've worked incessantly to bring you the best Halo mod that we could. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but somehow Halogen has always managed to come out kicking. The problem with using copyrighted intellectual property as a base for a fan project is that you're very susceptible to legal action. We always figured that since Halogen was such a different take on the Halo franchise, we might manage to make it without incident. That changed today.

Hours ago, we finally recieved the words we've been dreading since the mod started to get noticed. Microsoft has decided that we are infringing on the intellectual property of Bungie Studios and has asked us to stop development on Halogen.

I was going to write a big sappy letter here, but what's the point. So..that's it then, I guess. The forums, site, and Moddb profile will all be shut down within the week. I can't say it hasn't been fun. It's a shame it has to end like this, but I suppose that's how it goes. Thanks, guys, for all the time you've spent supporting us. It's been a pleasure. We hate this as much as you do.

- The Halogen Team

Yes, I realize that Microsoft owns the rights to the IP, but waiting three years to tell a group of fans to can their work seems particularly low to me. Brian Crecente

What Goes Around [Slipstream Productions, via Destructoid]

A tipster just sent word on what a Nintendo rep said about the Wii. Some of it is rather obvious, some of it is surprising. Really surprising.

•The promotional material that the rep had with her only contained white consoles and peripherals. The Wii Classic controller was included, as well as the Zapper, as possible peripherals to be utilized at launch.
•There is concern about stores using halogen lighting. Tons of halogen spotlights scattered about may give everything a much warmer and more ambient feel. However, this particular type of lighting can throw off the aiming of the Wii controller when the lights are angled down through the path of the signal. So for people with halogen track-lighting in front of the TV, this could be a problem.
•Nintendo is aiming for an October launch. Since a number of big-ticket crossplatform titles like Madden will be coming out at that time, Nintendo doesn't want to miss them. Apparently the company wants to beat Sony out the gate, and get some buzz going about their non-traditional controller in the meantime.

For most this won't matter, but potential Wii customers with halogen lights in their living room could very well be effed. And with halogen illuminating more and more homes, this might turn into a minor prob for Nintendo. Good thing I play by candlelight, huh? —Brian Ashcraft

I may very well be the last person on the planet to see that Slipstream Productions is crafting a sweet looking Halo mod for Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour. Halogen, when complete, will include units from both Halo and Halo 2. So far the game looks amazing.

Halogen Real Time Strategy Evolved [Halogen]