Author Archives: Sal

About Sal

I’ve got tons of experience with Halo gaming and collecting. I feel I have something to offer to the greater Halo fan community. Posts along the way will be about tips and tricks in the games as well as collecting and many more Halo related things. I’ll also repost interesting articles from the official site, Halowaypoint.com, or from fellow Halo fan sites. As I continue this blog, I hope to help gamers who want advice on the games, as well as any collectors with regards to where to find collectibles as well as deals, coupons and so on. You can also follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/HaloFanForLife or Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/halofanforlife11. Welcome to my blog and I hope you’ll come back again and again. -Sal

The Spirit of Fire podcast MULTI-Cast part 1

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Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

This week’s podcast is a doozy. I partnered up with Robowski from Post Game Carnage Report to bring a multi/simulcast of our podcasts. As well, my co-host Zach live streamed it on his twitch channel ( twitch.tv/thehaloarray ). I’m proud to say from now on, the Spirit of Fire podcast will be live streamed on Zach’s channel, so you good readers/listeners can chime in through the chatbox. We may even give out prizes in the near future through the stream…

Also, this week marks the Spirit of Fire being put onto iTunes. So if you don’t want to listen below or download from the blog, you can now go and subscribe HERE to listen on iTunes!

Anyway, so we teamed up and also invited others to join in. Robowski brought along two of his co-horts. Er co-hosts…LOL. I of course brought in Zach. Robowski invited Justin Bryce from Drunken Halo Podcast and I invited in Addicted Cha0s from HaloDieHards.net.

Not knowing the software I use to record the podcasts had a limit, this episode had to be broken down into two parts. This first part is just a smidge over 3 hour, 20 minutes long, with the second part (here) being 1 hour 4 minutes long.

Myself and Robowski take turns bringing up topics of discussion as well as asking our panel to respond to the topics. We jump all over from topic to topic talking about Halo 4.

Now before you listen, I want to make clear, this will for all intents and purposes be the last time I criticize Halo 4 in a podcast. Well, at least as a major portion of the podcast. After this marathon multi-cast, I kind of grew tired of saying the same stuff over and over and am about fed up with 343’s non-response… So from now on, we’re just going to report Halo as it is and not as we wish/want it to be. That is…until Halo 5 comes out!

Enjoy and don’t forget the second part to this.

Listen here:

      SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 1

Download here:

SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 1

Due to the technical restraints of my software, about 10-15 seconds were cut off from this first portion of the podcast at the end of it.

-Sal

 

Halo Mega Bloks Pelican taking longer than expected…

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Well, I had hoped to have this done yesterday. However, it’s taking a bit longer than expected. I’m at step 50. There are just over 140 steps in the building of this. So I’m a little better than 1/3 of the way there. It’s looking good so far. I have much of the main body done.

MB Halo Pelican New-hffl

I’ll be working on this today and will hopefully have it finished before tonight’s Halo Fan Friday League (HFFL’s community Halo night).

-Sal

 

HFFL’s own podcast Spirit of Fire is now on iTunes!!!

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Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

The Spirit of Fire Podcast is now on iTunes! – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/halofanforlife-spirit-fire/id731546815

So now you’ll have THREE ways to listen. Here on the blog, download and listen later or through iTunes!

This is a BIG step for the podcast. I look forward to what this may mean for HFFL, the community and the Halo franchise in general.

Now, at the moment, the artwork isn’t up, nor my name as the author. As well, it says this is ‘clean’. Folks, I think you know we DO cuss on the show, so as soon as I can get that changed I will. I’ve already shot off an e-mail to them asking how to fix all of the settings.

In the meantime, PLEASE spread the word about the podcast!

-Sal

The Halo Bulletin 10.23.13

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halobulletinheader_10-23-13Okay, really, no offense to whom ever wrote this week’s bulletin, but I don’t really care to hear about a pie throwing contest. Even if it was done to raise money for a charity. There are better ways to do so than to waste food. Sure not as ‘fun’ but still. Not to mention some employees might actually not have wanted to participate in having ‘pies’ thrown in their faces. Yea, I’m sure I sound like a stick in the mud there. Point is, there are better things 343 could be doing with their time than smearing whipped cream pies in their co-workers faces. Um…like FIXING Halo 4 or developing the next Halo game. Totally for charity donations yes, heck, I’m sponsoring a donation page with extra-life.org to raise money for children.

Honestly, I want a Halo bulletin that is all and ONLY about Halo. Maybe I’m in the minority there though.

Anyway, on to the actual Halo news.

Matchmaking Playlist Update
Neutral Flag! YES, it’s about time. Now we can only hope one-flag won’t be too far away?

So Neutral Flag is coming next week to the following maps:

Pitfall
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Monolith
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Skyline
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Ragnarok (as opposed to the misspelled Rangarok, LOL)
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Exile
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Also, Abandon and Meltdown have been removed as maps from CTF. I’m happy about Abandon going. TOO unbalanced IMO. Meltdown, I was MEH on.

Next up is the next two weeks of the Rotational Playlist changing to the Community Forge Ricochet gametype. There’s a letter from one of the community cartographers (fellow community members who decide if your map is good enough for consideration for matchmaking). One screenshot of each of the six community maps are shown. While this gametype is active, there will be a contest going one, with winners to be announced on November 13.

In addition, Shotgun Ricochet won the community choice poll. It’s said by a small margin.
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Players are equipped with Shotguns, Plasma Grenades, and Thruster Packs in Shotgun Ricochet.

A special very limited time gametype will be added just in time for Halloween.
Smashing Punkins
punkins
Text from the bulletin:
Here at 343, we support smashing things, especially when it comes to pumpkins (we affectionately refer to them as punkins) and Gravity Hammers. This Haloween, it seemed logical to create a game type in Halo 4 that would unite these two things. Smashing Punkins will be a limited time playlist, available for October 30th and October 31st. The game type will be FFA Oddball, and if you pick up the ball, you’ll immediately turn “punkin orange,” which is a gorgeous gourd-like color currently not available in Halo 4. Those trying to smash the punkin will be a shade of green that we estimate to be the exact color of a healthy pumpkin (sorry, punkin) stem. Players who have the ball should run, and players who do not have the ball should find the punkin, and then smash it. We look forward to celebrating the holiday with some Oddball fun. 

Next month is Halo 4’s anniversary of release and 343 promises some things planned. There may be a CSR reset coming soon…
Text from Bulletin:
Lastly, while we messaged that we expected our update for the Champions Bundle known issues would fall this month, we’ve unfortunately encountered unexpected issues and we’re still actively investigating these issues. We realize that Loadouts resetting is a painful experience and we’ll be sure to provide more information when things are closer to being solidified. 

So…once again, 343 can’t figure something out for a bug in their programming? Whew, gotta love that… sarcasm yes. Come on folks, you are part of Microsoft. I’m genuinely perplexed that they can’t figure this stuff out.

Lastly, the Screenshot Spotlight for this week is Oddball to coincide with gametype ending in the Rotational Playlist on Sunday. I liked a couple of these.
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Oddball by CAT WOLFEST

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Competition by Gothic Lucy

Next week’s Screenshot Spotlight will feature the ODST Helmet. Tag your screenshots with “ODST” and “Halo Waypoint” for a chance to be featured in the bulletin next week.

Next week is the Halloween special of the Bulletin.

For the FULL bulletin, go to Halo Waypoint.

 

So that order from Wal*Mart for Halo Mega Bloks sets…

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So that order from Wal*Mart for Halo Mega Bloks sets…they messed it up. Yep, couldn’t get a 2 item order correct.

We ordered the Mega Bloks Pelican and Red Spade set. What did they bring out? The Pelican and Brute Prowler set. Up folks, look at my e-mail receipt, look at what the box is you brought out? Doesn’t match up….

Thankfully, they did take the prowler off the order and refunded the money back onto my wife’s card. But still…kind of ridiculous that a simple order got messed up.

Ah well, so I won’t have the Red Spade set review as hoped for. But I will have the Pelican set. That will definitely be tomorrow though. I haven’t slept in more than 30 hours and I have a 4+ hour podcast to do tonight. So yeah…building this tomorrow instead.

-Sal

Okay…it’s ON! LOL!! Help me help KIDS! Extra Life Fundraiser

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In a friendly contest to see if I can reach my goal faster than Zach’s, I just signed up HFFL to participate in the “Extra Life” charity event for kids!

Here’s my donation page:

http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=62498

Extra Life Fundraiser logo
Donate what you can folks. $1, $5, more. Anything helps and it ALL goes to kids.

I was a child in need way back when, so I’m MORE than happy to sponsor a donation page for them. My charity is the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. I’ve been there on more than one occasion in the past doing charity or cosplay events for the kids.

So please give. Thanks!

-Sal

Gamer charity fundraiser for KIDS!

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My friend of more than 4 years and now fellow co-host of HFFL’s official podcast, the ‘Spirit of Fire’, Zach Jacobs, is helping to raise money for kids.

He’s taking part in the “Extra Life Fundraiser.” Please show your support for a wonderful cause by clicking on the logo below. It will take you to his page there where you can donate. He’s already raised $50 of his $200 goal. Let’s all help him top that goal for KIDS!
Extra Life Fundraiser logo

Here’s the text from his donation page:

Dear Friends and Family,

I’m on a mission to save kids and I need your help.My local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital treats thousands of children each year, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. These kids are facing scary stuff like cancer, cystic fibrosis, and injuries from accidents to name just a few.

On November 2nd, 2013, I’ll be participating in this huge worldwide celebration of the social impact of gamers of all kinds from video games to board games and tabletop RPG’s!It’s my sincere hope that you’ll find it in your heart to support my efforts with a monthly pledge or one-time gift that will go directly to my hospital.

Your donation is tax-deductible and ALL PROCEEDS go to help kids.

Last year, Extra Life raised more than 2 million dollars to save kids, but in 2013 our goals, just like the needs of the kids we serve, are much, much higher. I can’t do this without your help. Donating online is safe and easy! To make an online donation please click the “Support This Participant” button on this page.Thank you for caring for our kids!

Also, please give Zach a follow on twitter at: https://twitter.com/TheHaloArray
and check out his twitch stream here: http://www.twitch.tv/thehaloarray

-Sal

Tonight the BIG Halo Multi/Simul-Podcast!

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Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

Tonight’s Podcast will be LIVE for the first time ever.

As well, it’s a VERY SPECIAL podcast as it will be simulcast on twitch, and recorded by no less than two (maybe three) Halo podcasts.

I’ve teamed up HFFL’s official podcast, ‘The Spirit of Fire’, with ‘Post Game Carnage Report’ AKA PGCR for a special simulcast. We’ll both be recording at the same time and releasing our versions on our site within the next couple of days. In the meantime, you can listen LIVE starting at around 9pm EST at: http://www.twitch.tv/thehaloarray

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This podcast promises to be a long one as Myself, Robowski (Host of PGCR) and a panel of other Halo podcasters, and Halo forum owners talk about the state of Halo, in specific Halo 4, Halo Waypoint, and 343.

We’re going to discuss everything from Campaign to multiplayer to Spartan Ops, to Forge, Theater and all points in between. As well, we’ll touch on Halo Waypoint online as well as through XBOX and the smart phone ap. During all this, we’ll also be talking about our observations of 343 and their handling of the Halo franchise thus far.

Likely there is going to be some strong criticism as well as strong language folks, so be FOREWARNED.

I’ll say this, all of us in tonight’s podcast LOVE Halo. However, we’re displeased with the current state of the game and franchise. For my part, this will be my last big rant on the subject as I tire of bringing up the same points over and over. If 343 chooses to ignore us, and by us I mean the greater Halo community, not just we in this podcast, then that should serve as a clear indication as to their thoughts on we the most loyal Halo fans.

-Sal

Halo Mega Bloks Pelican for $68 at Wal*Mart (GREAT PRICE)

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As a fan of Halo Mega Bloks, you folks know I love the sets. I love them even MORE when they can be found for a great price.

While perusing Wal*Mart’s site this morning, I found that the Pelican set was being sold online for $68 and change. Folks, that’s $40 LESS than Toys R Us. While I’m a strong supporter of TRU, $40 less just can’t be beat. Normally this would be $100 at Wal*Mart anyway, so it’s a great deal no matter how you slice it.

Here’s a screenshot for proof (that shows that time stamp in the upper right corner):

MB Pelican GREAT priceNow, you’re mileage may vary, so check the site. Hopefully it’s the same nationwide. (Can’t speak for the rest of the world though…).

My wife got a bonus last week, so I asked her for this, especially since it was a great deal. She obliged in fact saying I could get the Red Spade set (shown in the bottom right corner). She’s a GEM folks! I love her DEARLY.

I chose the ship to store option so I could have this later today. Now, all this said, that price MIGHT be what it is in stores as well, but I can’t confirm this at the moment. So either call up your local store, or go there. But why waste gas or bother them with a call (when you sometimes won’t get the best customer service). Instead, get this online. BTW, it’s also FREE shipping. Not just to the store, but since it’s over $50 free to ship to your home. Sure, it will take a few more days, but again, if you want to save on gas…

Anyway, once I found this price, I KNEW i had to pass it along to you my good readers.

I’ll be a HAPPY builder later today! Look for the reviews for each in the coming days (barring some screw up with Wal*Mart – crosses fingers in hope there isn’t a problem).

-Sal