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Have you had an opportunity to see the comic books/graphic novel I created from the Spartan Ops CG series? If not, PLEASE take a look. The following link will take you to the Spartan Ops section of my blog where you can find all the comics and most recently a link to download the complete series as a compiled graphic novel.
As well, I’ve been a guest host for podcasts with “Podtacular” another popular fan site. podtacular.com
There we’ve discussed each CG episode and it’s corresponding 5 mission chapters. As we progressed with the story doing a podcast per episode, the discussions got longer. This due in part to the added details of the story and the new spaces to game in with the later chapters. As well, we both became far more acquainted with Spartan Ops and had so much more to talk about with regards to how it crossed the bridge between the game, novels, and other story telling outlets.
-Sal
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Monthly Archives: April 2013
Here’s a couple of Daybreak (Castle Map) screenshots I snapped earlier today.
Woot, I had a blast earlier messing around in forge with the Castle maps.
While on Daybreak, I snapped these two screenshots (in theater mode). (click to make bigger)
That Darter is freakin’ AWESOME! I hope Mega Bloks makes this a set and/or McFarlane a Micro Ops set.
In the meantime, the view out towards the planet’s star is nearly breathtaking.
-Sal
Jen Taylor (voice of Cortana) at 343 today…interesting.
Jen Taylor was spotted at 343 today. Want proof?
So this begs the question…why? Hmm, doign voice-overs for Spartan Ops season two perhaps???
-Sal
Fathead Trivia Contest #2 (of 4)
This second trivia contest questions is for the Elite “Junior” set from Fatheads.
There are three NAMED Elites in Halo 4’s Spartan Ops. What are their names?
Remember, you have to be registered on the blog and reply on the blog to have an eligible answer.
Don’t forget folks that coming April 13, I’ll have a 30% off code good for all Halo Fathead products. So even if you dont’ win this one, it can still be yours and for a great discount!
-Sal
Castle Map Pack code-CRACKED!
So you want to know the code for the Castle Map Pack? Here ya go!!!
This awards you XP, but better a great gallery of Castle Map concept art. Can’t view it via Waypoint? I could you covered there too!
-Sal
Halo 4 Extra XP challenges!
From HaloWaypoint.
We’re about to turn up the heat with new extra XP challenges throughout Halo Week: Drop Shock, allowing you to rank up your Spartan faster by playing online. With 14 daily and six weekly challenges, you’ll have the opportunity for extra XP by competing in any game mode, be it War Games, Spartan Ops, or Campaign. Daily Challenges can be earned once a day, all week long, so be sure to try and earn as many as you can each day!
| To Be Precise | Get 20 kills with a Precision Loadout Weapon. | 5000 XP |
| Removalist | Win 3 Matchmaking Extraction matches. | 7500 XP |
| Rolling Thunder | Earn 2 Killing Spree medals. 5000 XP | 5000 XP |
| Baller | Win 3 Matchmaking Oddball matches. | 7500 XP |
| Deadeye | Kill 20 Players with a headshot. | 5000 XP |
| We are the Champions | Win 3 Matchmaking Slayer matches. | 7500 XP |
| Deft Hand | Earn 2 Combat Skill Medals. | 5000 XP |
| Raise the Flag | Win 3 Matchmaking Capture the Flag matches. | 7500 XP |
| In Your Face | Earn 2 CQC Medals. | 5000 XP |
| Take the Hill! | Win 3 Matchmaking King of the Hill matches. | 7500 XP |
| Got Backup | Get 20 kills with a Secondary Weapon. | 5000 XP |
| Dominator | Win 3 Matchmaking Dominion matches. | 7500 XP |
| In the Back | Assassinate 2 Players. | 5000 XP |
| Your Majesty | Win 3 Matchmaking Regicide matches | 7500 XP |
| Spray and Pray | Win 3 Matchmaking Regicide matches. | 6000 XP |
| One, Two, Three, Four… | Get 200 kills with an Automatic Loadout Weapon. | 10000 XP |
| Requiem for a Friend | Earn 50 Multikill medals. | 12000 XP |
| He is Made of Iron | Complete any Campaign Mission on Heroic or higher difficulty with the Iron skull. | 18000 XP |
| Destroyer of Grunts | Kill 100 Grunts. | 10000 XP |
| I am the 99 Percent | Kill 50 Elites. | 15000 XP |
That is some serious XP folks!
-Sal
Spartan Ops challenge/Avatar reward!
Starting April 11 at 2:00 a.m. PST and ending April 12 at 2:00 a.m. PST, play and complete any 5 missions of Spartan Ops and receive an exclusive Avatar tee*. You can also replay your favorite missions from Spartan Ops Season One as Matchmaking for the entire season begins anew, starting with the first episode on April 8, 2013.
*To receive avatar item, you must play and complete 5 different Chapters of Spartan Ops on Halo 4 standard edition while connected to Xbox LIVE, any time between April 11 2013, 2AM PST and April 12 2013, 2 AM PST. A download code will be sent to your Xbox LIVE messages inbox associated with your Xbox LIVE account by June 1, 2013; Limit one avatar item per gamertag. Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for Halo Infinity Multiplayer (sold separately). Offer available to users 17+, in all Xbox LIVE countries except Italy, and is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and cannot be combined with any other rebate or offer. In New Zealand, only adult accounts (18+) can download or stream content over the Xbox LIVE marketplace. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Download charges may apply as set by your ISP. For Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and system requirements, see www.xbox.com/live. Offer provided by: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052.
Halo…Now with Competitive Skill Rank (and CSR challenges!)
From HaloWaypoint.
Your Competitive Skill Rank (CSR) measures your performance against other players in Halo 4 Matchmaking War Games. You will have a CSR specific to each active playlist. Your best CSR is shown on your Player Card and Service Record, as well as Player Compare. Your Competitive Skill Rank can be seen on all screens of Halo Waypoint and measures your performance against other players in Halo 4 Matchmaking War Games. It is a number from 1 to 50 (higher is better) which will go up and down based on match outcomes. You will have a CSR specific to each active playlist, and your best CSR is shown on your Player Card and Service Record, as well as Player Compare.
Competitive Skill Rank is a brand new feature for Halo 4 and to celebrate, we’re issuing you a challenge: Play in the Castle DLC playlist from April 8th at 2am PST to April 22nd at 2 am PST, reach CSR level 35 or higher at any point on or between these dates, and you’ll receive an exclusive avatar tee!*
*To receive avatar item, you must play Halo 4 standard edition and achieve a CSR rank of 35 or higher on the Castle Team DLC Playlist while connected to Xbox LIVE, any time between April 8 2013, 2AM PST and April 22 2013, 2 AM PST. A download code will be sent to your Xbox LIVE messages inbox associated with your Xbox LIVE account by May 13, 2013; Limit one avatar item per gamertag. Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for Halo Infinity Multiplayer (sold separately). Offer available to users 17+, in all Xbox LIVE countries except Italy, and is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and cannot be combined with any other rebate or offer. In New Zealand, only adult accounts (18+) can download or stream content over the Xbox LIVE marketplace. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Download charges may apply as set by your ISP. For Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and system requirements, see www.xbox.com/live. Offer provided by: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052.
Weclome to Halo Week: Drop Shock!
From HaloWaypoint:
You’ve probably noticed that we’ve been building up to the launch of Castle Map Pack, the third Map Pack from the War Games Map Pass. In addition to that, we’d also like to welcome you to Halo Week: Drop Shock, a full week of Halo 4 contests, challenges, giveaways and brand new stuff for your viewing, playing and listening pleasure.
Toy Review: Jada DieCast Warthog
Here’s the fourth of my four part reviews of Jada Die-cast toys.
The Warthog. An Iconic, no, THE iconic vehicle of the Halo franchise.
As I’ve said before regarding packaging, Jada does a really good job of showcasing their product within. Front and center is the Master Chief, along with a UNSC Marine.
With the outer box removed, you can see the set has a backdrop to it, upon which the machine gun turret sits. I’m going to take an educated guess here, that given the design of the toy, it’s likely Jada will rerelease this, but with a Gauss cannon turret or Rocket Launcher turret instead of the machine gun turret.
As with previous sets, this one also comes with a base screwed into the bottom of the inner packaging through to the toy.
You’ll note in the pic above that again the underside of the vehicle is well detailed. Though again is made of plastic.
A close-up of the turret still on the backdrop of the inner packaging.
Apologies for the slightly fuzzy pic above. This is what you get in the set. The minifigs are well sculpted, however lack definition in the paint applications. Perhaps some weathering or shading would have helped to greatly accentuate them. I may just do that myself and revisit these articles at another time.
Finally, as seen above, the set with the turret attached and the minifigs in place.
The wheels move and the turret rotates. No other moving parts. I was a little disappointed with the position of the top mounted light (the black square along the windshield). I tried to reposition it, but it wouldn’t budge and I didn’t want to break it, so I let it be. Again, just a minor disappointment though.
The detailing on this set is fantastic. Mine is the “matte” version. I see by Jada’s website that there is a “glossy” version too. I’d rather have had that, but am not sure if that was an exclusive or just along side the other warthogs. Again, my wife got these for me though, so I’m happy to have them, regardless of what version I got. She’s a dear.
This set costs around $20 and I’m happy to say, it’s worth it. While I’ve expressed previously that you shouldn’t expect the minifigs to “make” the set and I agree with that here too, since this set includes Master Chief, it makes it all the better.
One thing to note from the above pic. The minifigs can’t actually hold onto the turret. I had to reposition this a few times to get it to stand properly for the shot. So in that respect, I have to say this is a display piece rather than a “play” piece (or toy).
-Sal