You didn't think it would be easy?, or Bungie's Cryptic Message Meaning

Hey,

I know, I know, the bungie thing wasn't earth shattering, or even very important. But, there were several nuggets of info tucked in there, so I'm going to briefly point them out, and then sign out for Decemberween as I play all my new XBL games (PGR2, MechAssult1, MK: Deception, UC2: Liandri Conflict, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, Mario Kart DS, Doom 3, and that's just the one I know)

The most obvious one was that by March, volume 2 of the H2 soundtrack will FINALLY be released. (i.e. Get your Limewire ready!!) But there was something else in there. Read this quote straight from the update.

"But ironically, the way we're prototyping aspects of this next game mean that even some gameplay tests, demos and experiments, are surprisingly polished and playable. We're all in the giddy position of being "forced" to play moments and elements from the next project."

I know it's not much, but their next game (Halo 3) is playable. Which means that at least their working hard on it sooner than they did for H2. Which means that maybe, just maybe, Halo 2 will be the BTTF3 of the Halo series, and H3 will reclaim the former glory of the original.

But don't count on it.

I'd like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, A Happy Kwanzaa, A Merry Ramadan, A Happy Boxing Day, A Happy Proclamation Day, and A Happy Decemberween.

Only 2 days until I rush to the games I've been waiting for since Black Friday!
-Pudge

8 Days Remaining?? Cryptic Bungie Message

Hey

A quickie update today, just passing on some news. Most of you don't know this, but I happen to be an occasional online buddy of Ninja on Fire, the Bungie person that makes playlists for H2. I was the first one to suggest the idea for Team ActionSack, as well as the inventor of the Brutality gametype. I also had a hand in getting Rumble Needlers into Rumble Armory. I logged in today to MSN Messenger and his personal message was "8 Days Remaining". I wondered what that meant, and we had the following conversation.

Pudge says:
Hey
Pudge says:
Know your busy
Pudge says:
but what does 8 days remaining mean??
Pudge says:
If you can, hints would be cool
Pudge says:
If you can't, that's ok too
Ninja 0n Fire says:
It's 8 days until December 16th.
Pudge says:
oh
Pudge says:
...
Ninja 0n Fire says:
It's a Friday, my favorite day.
Pudge says:
that's good

Obviously, something big is happening on the 16th, and he can't tell anyone about it. Maybe Bungie's new project revealed? Maybe something else? Who knows. But now I'm psyched.

Halo 3 here we come!
-Pudge

The Needler Song

Just a quick little thing I just found on the web.
The Needler Song

I was laughing so hard when I found this, cause the needler is my fave weapon on H2, and that's how my friends treat me.

So from one Needler fan to the void of empty web space, Enjoy!

Pudge

Second Verse, Same as the First, or the Xbox 360 Launch Bullshit

Hey,

I don't have an Xbox 360. Surprised? Don't be. Microsoft decided to take it's dedicated Xbox fanbase on a ride and only trickle a small amount of 360s into the states (440,000 to be exact). That might look like a big number, but considering that the average store got 10 consoles to sell to the mobs of people camping outside, it was a disaster. It's not like this hasn't happened before. The launches of the Dreamcast, and N64 were also short on consoles, and you couldn't get a PS2 until a year after it's release. But this time it's Microsoft, so it's not just a miscalculation, it's a deliberate marketing ploy. What follows is 2 weeks worth of frustration and venting about Microsoft's lame ass tactics

First, about the launch in my small town there were about 50 altogether and a lot of people didn't even get their pre-orders. I was planning on our Wal-Mart along getting 50, therefore satisfying the demand there, and then I could pick up one early morning on the 22nd. Sadly, our Wal-Mart got 15, and everyone rushed to Target, which got about 30. I didn't have a chance, and I was mad for a few days. Then I heard some of the stories and I was cheered up.

I heard from my lucky friend who was 13th on line at Wal-Mart (she got there at 3PM on the 21st) that the first person in line was a Granny. She walked in at 8AM, set up her beach chair, cracked open a novel and her knitting and sat there over 12 hours. That's dedication for ya.

I've also been hearing about several errors in the 360s. Which was bound to happen, cause again, we're dealing with Microsoft, who couldn't get a OS working glitch-free the first time if they were programming an Atari 2600. I've heard people who can't get their Live accounts transferred, people who's games are being scratched by the console, overheating issues (which dates back to the original Boxx), and all sorts of other stuff.

Look, I think that Microsoft shot themselves in the foot for doing this. They are already losing $125 a console, so why wouldn't they wanna make as much money as possible? Also, think of all the games that will go unsold, and the parents who will just get something else for Christmas instead. Plus, they knew that the 360 was gonna sell out on launch day anyway, so the ploy was unneeded. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Anyway, enough ranting. I'll get mine in January or late this month the earliest, and I'm getting several new games for Christmas to hold me over (Mario Kart DS, Doom 3, MK: Deception). And from what I've seen it will be worth the wait.

-Here's to all those dedicated grannies!
Pudge