MCC Feburary (2019) Update

This is a repost from HaloWaypoint:

By Postums

After a mild start to winter here in Western Washington, “Snowpocalypse 2019” decided to show up and really bring that MCC winter-themed background to life! Scoops tweeted out one of our Warthogs stuck in the snow in front of the studio last week, asking people to take a stab at recreating the in-game menu on their own. Wanting to show off his artistic side, community member Vosico took to the challenge and made the following!

The February update for MCC is bringing some fun additions that many of you have been asking us about for quite some time. This update touches on nearly all areas of the Halo community from casual, to just for fun, all the way up to die-hard competitive. Continue reading

Halo 3 Settings Update

This is a repost from HaloWaypoint:

Since Halo 3 has come back into the competitive scene in a big way, we’ve been keeping an eye on the competitive settings from both a player and viewer’s perspective.

For the HCS Invitational at SXSW, we’re planning to make some minor changes but we’re looking for your help in collecting data and providing feedback. With Oddball on Guardian and King of the Hill on Construct, we’ve been noticing many “dead man walkingscenarios where, at the end of the game, one team is so far ahead that it’s mathematically impossible for the other team to come back. This is especially true for Oddball on Guardian. For viewers, this often leaves the match in a weird state where some players are still playing, some have put their controllers down to celebrate, and perhaps some have even taken to Twitter to announce their victory. In matchmaking, we believe these scenarios, where the outcome is decided before the game actually ends, is also causing players in matchmaking to quit rather than finish out the remainder of the match. Continue reading

Helmets and Armor sets of Halo 5 Guardians, the FINAL tally. Which should stay or go for Halo Infinite?

If you’ve been following the blog the last two weeks, you’ve seen my articles on all of the helmets and armor sets that are currently in Halo 5. Which ones I think should stay, go and some I’m unsure of. Today consolidates all of those into a few collages to make it easier to see at once.

Before we see those, here are the links to those previous articles.
Helmets:
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3
Armor:
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4

Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 4 of 4, “Standard” and Thin Armors

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 4 covers 26 “Standard” and Thin armors.  Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 3 of 4, Character Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 3 covers 24 “Character” armors.  Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 2 of 4, Bulky Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 2 covers 22 “Bulky” armors.  Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 1 of 4, Angular Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 1 will cover “Angular” armors.  Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 3 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 3 will cover No or Limited Visor and Thin Visor Type helmets. Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 2 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 2 will cover Large and Medium Visor type helmets.  Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 1 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 1 will cover “Astronaut”, Bungie Era, and named Character helmets.  Continue reading

Halo 3 Memorial Day

Today marks a sullen day for Halo 3 fans. The day in which a memorial was created. A day in which we thought the Master Chief dead…

To observe our fallen heroes of the UNSC, Lord Admiral Hood pronounced this site to be a memorial.

3-3-2553 Tribute 1

The Memorial3-3-2553 Tribute 2

The Wall of Heroes3-3-2553 Tribute 3

21 gun salute3-3-2553 Tribute 4-1

A final salute to the fallen.3-3-2553 Tribute 5

You have my thanks for sticking by him ’til the end.3-3-2553 Tribute 6

In Memorial3-3-2553 Tribute 7

Halo/Ghost in the Shell Forge Contest!

halowc-gits-motd-0a8106b0a4e448069b9ba4c0af7c6348

With each month that passes, the Halo community continues to surprise us with the unique maps created in Halo 5’s Forge mode on both Xbox One and Windows 10. To celebrate the Halo World Championship, we’ve partnered with Paramount Pictures and the upcoming film Ghost in the Shell, and are excited to reveal the Forge community’s next challenge – the Ghost In the Shell Halo 5 Forge Contest! Continue reading

Split Screen to be in ALL future Halo FPS games!

Today during 343’s segment at the DICE 2017 summit, Bonnie Ross, 343 Studio Head, stated during a very sincere moment that all Halo FPS games going forward would have Split-Screen.

Before that, she reiterated 343’s learning experience from the failed launch of HMCC as well as not including split-screen in Halo 5.

 

This is great news!

Atriox Halo Wars Pixel Art Billboard!

I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make a billboard for Halo Wars 2 using Atriox’s face. Given that we are limited in pieces in Halo 5’s Forge, I knew ahead of time that this was going to look pixelated at the end. So I used my math skills to determine how big the pieces needed to be to relatively fill a Billboard piece in Forge, then went to work in Photoshop creating the necessary pixels turn greenscreen pieces.

I took this reddish image of Atriox: hw2-atrioxblogbanner-6a261a742ef643d6bd74cca6e7534620

Blew it up so that it was mostly his face and some of his shoulder armor.

I posterized this so as to give me just 8 colors.

From there, I broke it down to large squares that when translated to Forge pieces would be equivalent to 2X2 greenscreen pieces. Pixelated Atriox Continue reading

343 Team Spotlight: Simon Gordon

The following is a reblog from Halo Waypoint: 

By Grim

This week’s spotlight shines bright on the Halowaypoint team and software developer Simon Gordon who has been hard at work bringing the Halo Wars 2 companion experience to life on the web.

Hey Simon, welcome to the Team Spotlight! To kick things off, can you tell us a little about yourself? What’s your current role with 343?
Simon Gordon: I am a software developer on HaloWaypoint.com. My main focus has generally been to work with other internal teams on showing stats and delivering an out-of-game companion experience for the Halo games.

How long have you been with the team? What prompted you to join 343?
SG: I have been on the 343 team for three and a half years. My wife and I moved to Seattle and while I was looking for a job, I heard about a job positing at 343 for a web developer. Having just worked on developing a website, I figured it was a natural fit.

What’s your background prior to joining 343?
SG: I earned a Bachler of Science in Computer Science at Washington State University. I had an internship while at college and several years of job experience before applying for the job at 343. Continue reading