I found it very easy to get outside of the map and snapped off a few shots. Feel free to use them for wallpapers if you wish. (Click to make bigger)
Coming soon, pics from outside of Vertigo!
-Sal
Monthly Archives: August 2013
HFFL to soon have its own Podcast!
I was going to keep this secret until after my LAN party as I’ve been revealing so much about the expansions to HFFL. However, since I had the opportunity to be on the Post Game Carnage Report’s podcast. I made mention of it then.
The podcast is slated to be a mix format of new (the previous week in Halo) as well as any hot topic that may come up, and any future Halo related events, be they HFFL or community related.
After about an hour session with my soon to be two co-hosts (this after several weeks of talkign it over with one of the co-hosts then being prompted further by the other co-host), we came up with the format, responsibilities and the name. We had about a dozen names. One of the co-hosts, Zach, gave another name when all of the sudden it hit me. Spirit of Fire.
This is a perfect name for the podcast as it means a few things. The ship Spirit of Fire was lost in Halo Wars and drifts about. I feel that parts of the Halo community are like this at present and need to get back to being Halo centric. As well, the name denotes the FIRE (passion) that I have for the Halo franchise and the community at large.
So given all that, I based the logo for the podcast off of the Spirit of Fire’s ship emblem from Halo Wars. I think it turned out pretty darn good.
As for when the first podcast will be out, we’re working out technical difficulties with audio. We hope to record this Sunday, but it might be a solo act for now (me) until we can fix the audio issue. Further, once we feel comfortable with the format, we’re going to LIVE stream this over Twitch.tv. For now, I do have a twitter account for the Spirit of Fire (SoF) podcast. We can be found at: https://twitter.com/SoFPodcast or simply @SoFPodcast.
I’ll also be tweeting about this on my HFFL twitter feed as well.
Whew, as I said, LOTS of stuff being added to HFFL.
• Newly christened Gaming Group
• Soon to be forums
• Podcast
• Halo Ricochet League
• “MaC” Rounds web series
As well of course continuing with the bblog. So there is something for just about every Halo fan out there.
-Sal
Cortana/Halo on Jeopardy!
Jen Taylor, voice of Cortana, tweeted the follow pic of a Halo question on the long time game show Jeopardy.
Nice to see Halo in the general public.
The Halo Bulletin 8.21.13
First up in this week’s bulletin Bravo does the majority of the write-up. He starts with asking fellow 343ers about which parts of the CHampions BUndle pack they like the most. Here’s BS Angel’s for example:
He goes on to ask others with graphics for them posted as well.
Waypoint has been updated to include the new armor and if you have Kinect you can check out your new armor in Spartan Reflection.
Next up the Halo 4 Global Championship.
Before I get into this part of the bulletin, I want to state how dissatisfied I am with how this has been run. The whole controversy over Connor White (aka Giggle Monstat aka ChilliestName48) has been avoided and trying to be swept under the rug. Shame to all parties involved for not dealing with this issue head on.
Okay, now back to the bulletin:
“Only the most dedicated players can say that they’ll be heading to Seattle in just over a week.” Um, sorry folks….not dedicated unless you mean most skilled or who cheated their way in. I’d consider myself pretty damn dedicated to Halo. Am I going? Nope. Didn’t get an invite either. sigh…
A list of the names of confirmed winners from weeks 2-4 are liste. Week 5 winners will be notified shortly.
Good news if you’re already attending PAX, Waypoint will be giving away 10 final spots to the championship invite bracket via Twitter. I’d love to win that. Doubtful I’d be picked though.
Gamescom details:
A quick note about when/where you can participate in the in-person portion of the Halo 4 Global Championship is given. If you’re there, I hope you play and make it in. I’d love to see a HFFL reader in the finals!
Halo 4 Global Championship Finals
This is follow up info we mostly know, like where it’s being held at. They will be streaming this: http://www.Twitch.tv/343Industries
On Sunday, you will be able to view the championship via XBOX LIVE. This starts 7pm EST Sept 1. Hosts for the tournament will be Marjor Nelson (Larry Hyrb), Blair Herter and Jessica Chobot. Goldenboy and Bravo will be doing the color commentating, post-match interviews and highlights.
In amongst all of this will be XBOX One exclusives, Rooster Teeth shorts, music acts and more. Those spectating live at PAX can win either an XBOX One or UNSC themed Surface Pro via a RvB Sweepstakes. You can also enter via twitter using the hashtag #Halo4GC
Matchmaking Playlist Update
Already Ricochet is getting an update. Scoring will go to 200. Good move, IMO. Games can be way too short with only 150, given the current scoring.
We will be getting a Ricochet specific playlist starting Sept 3. Limited time only though 🙁
The following maps will be available to play in the Ricochet playlist:
• Pitfall
• Monolith
• Skyline
• Haven
• Adrift
• Solace
Ricochet will also be coming to Multi-team on Sept 3 as well.
Playlist Consolidation
As previously mentioned Regicide has moved to the Rumble Pit playlist and now Legendary Slayer will move into the Infinity Slayer playlist. Legendary BRs will be part of this. YEAH!!!
Finally the weekly Screenshot Spotlight. This week’s subject, the Mongoose.
To read the complete bulletin, go to the official site HERE.
-Sal
HFFL’s gaming group now has an official members roster!
You may or may not have noticed that I added a new tab to the menu bar just below the header. It says “HFFL Gaming Group Roster.” This is to show who is officially a member of the gaming group. Anyone not on that list saying they are a part of the group are simply NOT telling the truth.
Check out the members and info if you want to join by clicking on the tab above or HERE.
Toy PREVIEW: McFarlane Toys – Didact
I’ve written about this figure before and shown a “pre” preview. Now McFarlane has released more images of the Didact action figure, so it’s time to share them with all of you!
The level of detail is exquisite! Paint application looks superb. One thing I’m noticing too is that the joints seem to be fairly well hidden. That is a HUGE plus too me.
Here’s a shot of the Didact in it’s packaging:
Can I say that I am SUPER excited that McFarlane Toys included an alternate head with this? So extremely happy they did this. For much of the game we see the Didact with his helmet off, however there are those time where it’s on. I think it’s great that McFarlane is giving US the choice of how we want to display the Didact figure, rather than coming out with one helmeted then later down the road another without. That said, I’d still like to have two of these to display both ways!
As you can see on the package shot there are armor and weapons skins. I previewed those previously as well, but just in case you missed it, here are what they will look like in the game:
The Venator armor already looks like a form of Forerunner armor to me. So adding the Didact’s color scheme/accents is freakin’ AWESOME!
Now THIS is how all the Forerunner weapons should look! (IMO)
I’m quickly finishing up my Suppressor commendation, but I’m going to hold back a bit until I get this figure so I can rock the new skin!
Here is the official text blurb from McFarlane about this figure:
Paint: original paint
Scale: 9-inch
Format: action figure
Packaging: boxed
In scale with our standard 6-inch figures, these deluxe boxed collectibles bring the larger characters and accessories of the Halo universe to your toy collection.
Our Didact action figure captures every detail of the Master Chief’s powerful nemesis, from the wicked spikes of his metallic armor to the glowing lines tracing along every piece. Figure stands approximately nine inches tall, includes 29 points of articulation, and includes a code that unlocks exclusive Halo 4 video game content – Refractive Venator Armor Skin and Refractive Suppressor Weapon Skin!
There is no retail price listed, though it’s been reported previously that it’s expected to be $29.99.
To view on McFarlane’s official site go here.
-Sal
Found a forum hosting site. HFFL Forums coming soon!
Getting up early this morning, I had an e-mail from a friend letting me know about a forum hosting site. After checking it out for a bit, I think this will work for HFFL. I’ll be working on the layout/design, etc., for the forums over the next few days and hope to have it ready very soon. Meaning end of the month if not sooner.
In the meantime, I’d like to know what forum sections you’d like to see in these forums.
If you look to the right in the categories bar, the forums will have a similar set-up. So anything already listed there will be in the forums. Anything else you all can think of that might need adding?
This forum is for YOU, so please let your ideas be known. Either reply below or send me an e-mail at sal@halofanforlife.com. I look forward to your participation.
-Sal
Halo Avatar items on sale 50% off!
Halo Avatar items on sale 50% off!
You can find them all below or through the Marketplace on XBOX Live.
Halo 4 Achievement Guide: Champions Bundle Achievements
MixMaker117 brings you this vid showing how to get all new achievements in the Champions Bundle Pack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Wies7EFDs&feature=player_embedded#t=417
Special thanks to @HaloDiehards for tweeting the link to the vid.
-Sal
Halo Ricochet League settings and rules coming along. NEED PLAYTESTORS!
I’ve been hard at work creating preliminary settings for the Halo Ricochet League (HRL). I’m also writing the rules/regulations for the league and hope to have that completed by this weekend.
This Friday from 8-10pm EST HFFL will have it’s normal Halo Fan Friday League, where we will be playing nothing but Ricochet. Some in matchmaking and some on the HRL map I created.
So if you’ve bought the Champions bundle pack and would like to have an opportunity to get involved early with the HRL, let me know. You can e-mail me at sal@halofanforlife or by sending an invite request on Friday night at the times stated above.
I will need lots of play testors for this, so the more the merrier. Feedback after matches will be welcome. Please be constructive in your criticism though.
Thanks and hope to see you then!
-Sal