New Halo Pinterest finds!

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

The Spirit of Fire podcast MULTI-Cast part 2

Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

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:

      SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 2

Download here:

SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 2

Whew, again this was a doozy.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to comment below!

-Sal

The Spirit of Fire podcast MULTI-Cast part 1

Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

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:

      SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 1

Download here:

SoF 10-22-13 Multicast part 1

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

 

Halo Mega Bloks Pelican taking longer than expected…

MB grey logo

Well, I had hoped to have this done yesterday. However, it’s taking a bit longer than expected. I’m at step 50. There are just over 140 steps in the building of this. So I’m a little better than 1/3 of the way there. It’s looking good so far. I have much of the main body done.

MB Halo Pelican New-hffl

I’ll be working on this today and will hopefully have it finished before tonight’s Halo Fan Friday League (HFFL’s community Halo night).

-Sal

 

HFFL’s own podcast Spirit of Fire is now on iTunes!!!

Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm

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

The Halo Bulletin 10.23.13

halobulletinheader_10-23-13Okay, 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
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Monolith
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Skyline
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Ragnarok (as opposed to the misspelled Rangarok, LOL)
rag_660

Exile
exile_660

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.
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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
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.
10-23-13_01a
Oddball by CAT WOLFEST

10-23-13_12a
Competition by Gothic Lucy

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.

 

So that order from Wal*Mart for Halo Mega Bloks sets…

So that order from Wal*Mart for Halo Mega Bloks sets…they messed it up. Yep, couldn’t get a 2 item order correct.

We ordered the Mega Bloks Pelican and Red Spade set. What did they bring out? The Pelican and Brute Prowler set. Up folks, look at my e-mail receipt, look at what the box is you brought out? Doesn’t match up….

Thankfully, they did take the prowler off the order and refunded the money back onto my wife’s card. But still…kind of ridiculous that a simple order got messed up.

Ah well, so I won’t have the Red Spade set review as hoped for. But I will have the Pelican set. That will definitely be tomorrow though. I haven’t slept in more than 30 hours and I have a 4+ hour podcast to do tonight. So yeah…building this tomorrow instead.

-Sal

Okay…it’s ON! LOL!! Help me help KIDS! Extra Life Fundraiser

logo

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

Extra Life Fundraiser logo
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

Gamer charity fundraiser for KIDS!

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!
Extra Life Fundraiser logo

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