Chronique:Halo Bulletin 09/11/2011

9 novembre

Original

No news is good news. Or so they say.

When faced with revealing what could previously only be described as a gaping flesh wound of doom (also known as a paper cut in certain circles), some people choose to lift the cloth bandage slowly, opting to be subjected to a lower level of pain over an extended length of time. Other people, though, without the slightest hesitation, take a firm hold of the adhesive strip and rip it off in one swift motion, oftentimes letting out a yelp of protest that dissipates almost as quickly as the pain. This week, as it pertains to the Bulletin, I’ve decided to take the latter course of action. That’s right, you don’t get a long, rambling, barely coherent introduction today. You get a short, rambling, barely coherent one instead.

Yes, I’ll wait a moment while you give thanks.

….

Now, back to business. Much of the studio is out today. A bustling place that was once full of life, laughter, and the odors only the most manliest of (wo)men are capable of emitting now stands empty, reduced to a near-silent cluster of computers being kept alive solely by the soft glow of standby. That’s because your friendly, neighborhood Halo team is currently getting a head start on mashing their potatoes, creaming their peas, and stuffing their soon-to-be-engorged turkeys. Oh yes, it’s the small things in life. And by small, I mean edible. And, of course, delicious.

Because of the short work week, and also the food-induced comas that will undoubtedly follow, there is no news dropping today. I don’t have the details of December’s Halo: Reach matchmaking playlist update (that’s coming next week, more than likely before the next Bulletin). I also don’t have the specifics regarding ATLAS (although, considering it’s launching next month, I should probably get on that). I do know, however, that we’re thankful for you, the community, which takes me to the subject of this week’s Bulletin….

How do we love thee? Let me count the ways.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the Halo community is the most talented, passionate, and amazing group of gamers out there. The things you make, whether they're in-game or in real life, never cease to amaze. To celebrate the masterpieces you, the community, manage to put out at an unbelievably fast rate, I’ve compiled the top ten things that have caught our eye over the past year. Keep in mind this is not meant to be an all-compassing list, but more of a poorly written ode about why we are so thankful for each and every one of you.

That being said, buckle up because it’s going to be quite the ride! And a long one, at that….

1. Gametypes and Maps

Forge, by definition, is a mode that allows you to edit multiplayer maps. For people like me, that means, on a good day, I can drop a tank onto the ground, sometimes without even killing multiple teammates. For the more creative types, though, the skybox is the limit. From Duck Hunt to Speed Halo to faithful recreations of practically every Halo map ever released, the game types and maps you have made are nothing short of astounding. Here are some examples from the past year that completely and utterly blew our minds (and yes, each incident was as messy as it sounds).