New views of McFarlane Series 1 Halo 4 figures.

McFarlane has released different views of the figures I posted previously. CHeck them out (as always click to make bigger):

First up is our main hero: Master Chief

This armor has really grown on me. He’s svelte, yet still looks like he could kick your ass. The packaging really highlights him too.

Next we have this AWESOME Elite Zealot.

Just check out the detailing here. Spikey thorns coming from his back, horns from the back of his helmet. The Elite looks MUCH more like a Demon. Odd, since that’s the name Elites have for Master Chief. I LOVE this new look. They look badder, meaner, more terrifying.

Our loveable Grunts all grown up and MEAN:

This look is a bit different from what we know as typical grunts. While the methane tank on the back is close to some of the grunts in Reach, it’s the delivery system to the grunt itself that is different. Gone is the mouth mask, replaced with a nose hose. Also, the skin has certainly change. I think for the better. I like the enemies mean. Though I’ll miss some of the goofy stuff the grunts have said in past Halo games.

Now we have our first multiplayer “War Games” Spartan. It’s the Red Warrior class Spartan. There is also a Blue one in this wave, however McFarlane Toys have not yet released photos of that figure.

I like this armor. New, yet somewhat reminiscent of the typical Mjolnir armor we know.

Finally the first boxed set of this new series of Halo figs. Master Chief and his Cryo tube.

Looks like the same Master Chief as in the single carded figure. However notice this one has the new Sticky grenade pistol, while the carded one has an Assault Rifle.

I think the packaging for the box set looks a little bland, but I’ll for sure get one. (I open almost everything anyway, so packaging almost never matters to me.)

These are due in August, 2012. MSRP is around $12-13. Check your local retailers and e-tailers for prices.

-HFFL

Competitive vs Casual: Developers Don’t Care!

Here is a great article posted on “The Spartan Force”

Competitive vs Casual: Developers Don’t Care!

I have to completely agree with the writer. I’m not at all a fan of the MLG Pros who feel it’s their right to dictate how a game is designed. I’ve said it before, they are such a SMALL minority of gamers. If MLG fell off the map today, it would in no way affect the vast majority of gamers.

Also, those MLG folks need to understand that there are a lot more people who would be all to happy to take their place in tournaments. Imagine if those MLG folks started getting banned from competing because they are dissing the very game they are playing? I think most of them would change their minds REAL quick.

If I loose people over this, sorry. I’m just not a fan of MLG and never will be.

Wow, yet more pics of upcoming Mega Bloks sets!

Yet more pics of upcoming sets, both Boxed and opened are out. I got these following a link from bloks.hyperboards.com then to a retailer sit.

Really good shots here.

I’m looking forward to this set. While I want the Banshee, it’s really the Turret that is the draw for me. Hmm, maybe I’ll have a contest for a Space Banshee in the future?

Text from retailer website: Sounding just as frightening as its land counterpart, the Orbital Banshee is a one-man space craft of the Covenant. The Orbital Banshee is armed with twin Heavy Plasma Cannons and the devastating Fuel Rod Cannon for ship-to-ship dogfights. A singleAutomated Point-Defence Turret is the UNSC#s only hope in defending against this enemy. Features UNSC defence Turret included along with two micro action figures: Elite Pilot and EVA Spartan. Features Buildable Banshee including a display stand.

A new color Prowler and it comes with SIX figures. I like this wine color.

Text from retailer website: Establish your army, build and expand your units with the Halo Brute Prowler Attack! Three Crimson Brutes converge on UNSC forces in their Brute Prowler, a heavily armoured ground support unit with a turret capable of a 360-degree field of fire. Organising a counter-attack, a UNSC Spartan leads two Marines on a mission to take the Prowler and trap their Covenant enemies. Features buildable Brute Prowler, 3 Brute Crimson figurines, 2 UNSC figurines and accessories and weapons. For Ages 8+

This beast of a tank (Rhino) looks awesome. Mega Bloks did a wonderful job interpreting it. Also, I’m really glad they are including Forerunner structures with some of their sets. It really adds to the feeling of “Halo.” Only thing I’m not so fond of is the Yellow color on the grunts. I wish they’d stick to Campaign accurate colors for them.

Text from retailer website: The M145D Rhino is a UNSC artillery tank and is meant to be a building destroyer! As the Covenant hide out in an old Forerunner structure, the massive UNSC Rhino tank is called in to eliminate the base and keep the ancient technology out of enemy hands. The UNSC Rhino is a massive 6-tread artillery tank armed with the prototype Zeus 320mm Cannon that rotates a full 360 degrees, and capable of a lock-down mode to aid in long range bombardment. Features The UNSC Rhino has six independent treads, rotating cannon and two functional hatches. Comes complete with UNSC Scout in red armour, UNSC Marine, and two Special Ops Grunts and weaponry. Includes buildable terrain with Forerunner structure. Approx 800pces. For Ages 8+

While the build itself looks great, I’ve said this before that the color isn’t right. Almost all of it should be in the wine color. Look at the cockpit top and those other color pieces on the side of it. The whole Seraph should be in that color. I’m happy with the choices of minifigs. Oh and the base of the set looks pretty sturdy.

Text from retailer website: The Covenant Seraph is the multi-role fighter of the Covenant and is a highly maneouverable ship that goes head to head with the Sabre. Armed with a pair of Heavy Plasma Cannons and protected by an Energy Shield, this superior craft is incredibly versatile. The Seraph comes complete with buildable display stand, opening cockpit and all NEW indigo colour. This set includes the Covenant General in gold armour, Elite Pilot and Combat Elite micro action figures. For Ages 8+

Finally, we have a new Wraith. This one’s build is slightly better. However, it’s the color that is much more improved. It’s much closer to the game accurate color. Again, I’m very happy with the additional Forerunner structure. The color choice for the elites are perplexing though.

Text from retailer website: Introducing the Anti-Air Covenant Wraith. New design with new armaments, plasma mortar and a brand new colour! Includes 3 figures and battle damage terrain. Approx 350pcs. For Ages 8+

All in all, these are great looking sets and I highly recommend getting them all. They will vastly expand your collection. They bring quite a boost to your Covenant army as well as a powerful punch in the Rhino.

-HFFL

Halo 4 Swag.

Spartan Ops designer on Halo 4, David Ellis tweeted the following pic of some new Halo 4 swag:

It’s not yet known if these will be available on the official HaloWaypoint.com store, though it’s very likely.

I especially like the water bottle.

More sneak peeks of Mega Bloks Halo sets!

Community manager at Mega Brands, Brendan Sera-Shriar posts the following on their blog:

Hey guys we just finished shooting a video of some really cool new stuff from our Fall 2012 collection – hosted by the amazing digibomb – me :) I’m pretty stoked about these new sets so I thought I would give you a sneak peek.

The video will air soon here on the blog, the Mega Bloks Halo blog, andWaypoint.

If you follow us on Twitter and Facebook you’ve probably already seen some of the leaks from this week as we prepped for this shoot – if you not a fan yet make sure you like and follow, or signup for the Bloks Brigade to stay in loop.

Enjoy!

(There are a few more shots at their blog)

Suffice to say we have some really good stuff coming up. That first pic shows the Snowbound tower set nicely. It’s TALL. Likewise we get a little better shot of the Battlescape III set. The Sabre set’s box looks HUGE!

I’m excited to see these sets for real!!

McFarlane Halo Universe Series 1 pics!

HaloWaypoint.com has posted new pics of the first series of Halo 4 figures!

Text from HaloWaypoint.com:

MCFARLANE TOYS BRINGS THE NEXT HALO GAME TO LIFE WITH HALO 4 ACTION FIGURES!

This fall, McFarlane Toys is offering brand new products based on the highly-anticipated video game, Halo 4, created by Microsoft Studios & 343 Industries. The Halo 4 action figures lines will bring all-new, never-before-seen characters, weapons, accessories, and vehicles from Halo 4 sure to excite video game fans and action figure collectors worldwide.

Releasing before the game launches, Halo 4 Series 1 will offer fans a look at some of the characters from the new game. Halo 4 marks the return of the most popular character of the Halo universe, the Master Chief! He was last seen at the end of Halo 3 entering into a cryonic sleep and telling Cortana to “wake me, when you need me.” Halo 4 begins with the Master Chief waking up ready to face new threats and mysteries.

Additional characters releasing in Halo 4 Series 1 include Elite Zealot, Storm Grunt, Spartan Warrior (Red), and Spartan Warrior (Blue). This first series also includes a Deluxe Figure box featuring Master Chief in his UNSC Cryotube (as seen in the initial Halo 4 trailer). These figures will all hit stores in August 2012.

Teabagging Returns in Halo 4

Via kotaku.com

Tea Bagging will return in Halo 4, but with a twist. While the folks at 343 prefer to call it a Victory Crouch, we all know what it really is. To help circumvent that you get instant respawn. This wasn’t intentionally meant as a way to not see yourself getting the BAG. But it works.

Here’s the full article:

Halo 4 Teabagging

-HFFL

UK TV Ad featuring Live Action Master Chief.

Most of this has already been seen in the E3 trailer. However, if you skip to near the end, you will see a LIVE -Action Master Chief. (Also note the reflection in his visor, I think some of the film crew is in there…)

Look at the visor (top middle right of visor). Is that the crew?