Watch this first…
Folks, these are quality maps within the Forge pallet. I definitely recommend downloading them. I have and will showcase them during tomorrow’s Halo Fan Friday League.
Shout out to Addicted Cha0s who did a fantastic job of voice-over on this! At first she sounded like Cortana…
Oh, I should add, the maps are FREE! You can download them HERE.
-Sal
Bravo writes this week’s bulletin and it shows. It’s concise, to the point and chock full of Halo without the added fluffery.
He starts off with an article about the conceptualization to completion of the Halo 4 Global Championship event stage design.
Bravo then segues nicely to the announcement of Spartan Assault on both XBOX 360 and XBOX One.
Halo Spartan Assault
Three key points of interest in this article are:
• A brand new online Co-op mode with new missions featuring the Flood (Very cool. I’ll be looking for folks to game with me in this!!!)
• The Operation Hydra DLC expansion pack (Looks like this will come with the game immediately without further purchase)
• An expanded arsenal that brings you more weapons, armor abilities, and upgrades (In the Win8 device version you had to pay real money to upgrade to the rocket launcher. Looks like you may not have to in the console version. YEAH!)
Bravo added these two graphics to use as wallpapers if you’d like. Click to make MUCH BIGGER! Right click to save.
He mentions again about the “Smashin Punkins” playlist only available until the end of today. I played it a few times yesterday. It’s okay. Worth play a few games for the fun of it.
Guilty Spark Emblem Unlock
Okay, now THIS is pretty cool. 343 will be unlocking the Guilty Spark emblem for FREE on Nov 6th ONLY. So long as you complete just ONE game in either War Games of Spartan Ops matchmaking, you’ll get this emblem!
So will you tell your friends who haven’t played Halo in awhile about this? Or keep it to yourself so you can brag when they come to game with you in Halo 4 from time to time?
Also, on Halo 4’s anniversary there will also be a 24 hour special playlist. No further details on that at the moment.
Team Slayer Update
Text taken directly from the bulletin:
As I mentioned earlier, I sometimes have the pleasure of working on projects from beginning to end. Since the conclusion of the Halo 4 Global Championship, one of the things that we’ve been working on is the Team Slayer CSR program that I’ve been detailing over the past few weeks. In conjunction with designers such as Josh Menke and Quinn DelHoyo, we’ve been developing a program that highlights and showcases the top-ranked players in the Team Slayer playlist. We’re planning on launching this program within the next month or so, and we’ve got some new details about the update:
We’ll also be evaluating other playlist details (voting options, map / game type offerings, and more) as we look to optimize this playlist and program. We’re really excited to discover which players will step up and prove themselves in the Team Slayer playlist. Be on the lookout for more details and the launch date in upcoming Bulletins.
Community CHoice: Multi-Team Game Types
Okay before I report further, I have to say Multi-team is one of my FAVORITE playlists. So I was bummed when 343 took it away only to have it come back in the rotational playlist.
The good thing is we get to have a vote in which additional gametype will be included for those two weeks when it’s the playlist of choice in the rotational playlist.
Folks, I’m going to ask, no BEG that you vote for Multi-Regicide. Regicide is barely found now except in BTB or Rumble Pit. Snipers is already it’s own playlist. And Rock and Rail can easily already be found in Action Sack. Besides, imagine 12 people having rockets and railguns? Okay at first that may sound fun, but imagine 10 rockets coming at YOU… Not so fun.
So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, vote for Multi-Regicide! Additionally, this will help me with getting the webseries “MaC Rounds” moving along as it will allow me the opportunity to unlock that Kinglsayer emblem faster. So you’ll be helping ME out by swinging a vote in that direction. Thanks to all of you that do vote for Multi-Regicide.
You can go HERE to vote for Mutli-Regicide. I have already voted. And yes, for Multi-Regicide!
Instead of a Screenshot Spotlight, Bravo shows some pics of Halo Halloween related pics. Some they’ve posted over the course of the week. But for those that haven’t seen them, there’s a nice selection. Here are some the ones I liked from the gallery.
That’s it for the bulletin. A good one this week, I have to say. To read the full bulletin, go here.
-Sal
Spartan Assault Trailer for XBOX One and 360.
Nothing really new here except Co-Op mode for the XBOX and a FLOOD mission.
The Flood mission breaks canon to all hell, but what the hey, glad to finally have the game to play on XBOX. So in this specific case, I’ll take the good with the not so canonical.
-Sal
OMG, FINALLY!
I don’t know if it was the amount of backlash they got from fans or the lack of money made from this on windows 8 devices or that Halo 4 isn’t doing so well right now. Whatever the reason for the decision, I’m ECSTATIC that Spartan Assault is coming to XBOX!!!
Here’s the official announcement from HaloWaypoint about this!
Grab your controller and prepare for the Flood; Halo: Spartan Assault is poised to storm living rooms around the world this holiday! Today, 343 Industries in conjunction with Vanguard Games announced that Halo: Spartan Assault will be available worldwide for digital download this December for both Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Halo: Spartan Assault for Xbox One and Xbox 360 will pit gamers in a galactic-scale war against a persistent and overwhelming enemy from long ago – the Flood. With over 30 stimulating missions at your fingertips, play longer than ever with the all-new online Co-op mode and the Operation Hydra expansion that delivered an action-packed addition to the single player campaign.
Also Halo Waypoint has additional info for the game now with XBOX content. Most importantly is a new Co-Op mode! SWEET!!!!!
Coming December 2013!
-Sal
Thanks to a tweet by GoBeyondEntertainment, I got wind of this job posting from Microsoft. In it, they are looking for someone to fill a role in “future episodic storytelling endeavors in the Halo universe.”
Hmm, sounds like Spartan Ops to me. What do you think? Spartan ops or something else? If Spartan Ops, do you want to see that come back in the next Halo game?
I for one most CERTAINLY do! I loved this game mode. I enjoyed the vid clips of the story, the missions and most of the commendations. (That Crawler Sniper one was a pain in the arse though…)
-Sal
Now available on the XBOX Marketplace for your avatar are from left to right:
“Attack and Defend”
The includes an energy sword and hardlight shield. The marine costume is not included. That just happens to be what I have my avatar wearing at the moment…
Gek ‘Lhar Costume
The ill-fated Gek Lhar met his demise at the hands of Spartan Paul DeMarco. But you can bring him back to life with this costume for your avatar.
Jul ‘Mdama Costume
Jul is the leader of the Storm Faction of the Covenant and now you can be too with this Avatar costume of the newest Covenant baddy!
and finally..Mister Chief Costume
The ill-begotton artistry of Frank O’Connor somehow makes it as an avatar costume. Well…at least it’s a dollar LESS than the others…
You can find these and more (though older) Halo avatar items on the marketplace HERE, or alternatively check them out through the marketplace on your XBOX 360.
-Sal
Arena Gaming League (AGL) has decided to cancel thier next Halo tournament, just a WEEK before the event.
CRIPES. What about those folks who have paid for hotels, airfare, etc?
It’s bad enough AGL changed the event from being Halo 4 to a mix of Halo 3 and 4.
There was supposed to a guaranteed prize of $10K with 1st place likely to get $5,500 and the rest to be awarded on down.
Instead of ANY of this, AGL just cans the whole event.
So much more I want to say, but you know what, it just isn’t worth it. The same league that brought you Conner White….’nuff said.
AGL’s credibility? GONE!
-Sal
Every week I check Pinterest for new Halo art and share them with you folks. Here are this weeks finds (and as always you can check my pinterest page for more here as well as click on the link through the blogroll on the right of the homepage.
Some really cool stuff and varied. Stained glass, art, cosplay and cake!
As always, credit to those who made these are on Pinterest when available.
-Sal
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. The first part (here) is just a smidge over 3 hour, 20 minutes long, with this second part 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:
Download here:
Whew, again this was a doozy.
I hope you enjoy and please feel free to comment below!
-Sal
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:
Download here:
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
Amazon posted this listing that the next Halo will be released on Dec 31, 2014.
If to be believed, this is the first confirmed date of release.
No word from 343 if this is legit.
-Sal
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
Okay, 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
Monolith
Skyline
Ragnarok (as opposed to the misspelled Rangarok, LOL)
Exile
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.
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
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.
Oddball by CAT WOLFEST
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.
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
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
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!
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
