{"id":13549,"date":"2014-03-20T17:04:12","date_gmt":"2014-03-20T22:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=13549"},"modified":"2014-03-20T17:04:12","modified_gmt":"2014-03-20T22:04:12","slug":"the-halo-bulletin-3-19-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=13549","title":{"rendered":"The Halo Bulletin 3-19-14"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bravo brings us this week’s bulletin.\"halobulletinheader_3-19_700-0002b7d726754e499d035077146966fa\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sometimes, I skip breakfast. Monday was not one of those days.<\/p>\n

I spend most mornings (and sometimes entire days) very hungry. When I arrived at the studio Monday, I quickly realized this day would be different. Spread across kitchen tables, desks, and even the senior management board room, were colorful, leprechaun-adorned boxes of Lucky Charms. Luckily, this held me over until green bagels were delivered (note: bs angel definitely does not approve of green bagels), which held me over until green banana nut muffins arrived (she didn\u2019t like those either), which held me over until green rice crispy treats appeared. By the end of the day, I ate a ton of St. Patrick\u2019s Day-themed treats, all of which were delicious, and none of which were approved by bs angel due to their holiday hue. The important thing to note here is that holidays here at 343 are awesome, as long as you\u2019re okay with food coloring.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve got a few things to talk about this week, (one of those things features a special guest who is much taller than a leprechaun, but not much taller than an Unggoy), so let\u2019s get into the details, starting with Matchmaking.<\/p>\n

Matchmaking Playlist Update<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This week, Extraction returned to Matchmaking alongside Proving Ground, a new Battle Rifle start playlist. We got some great feedback so far, and appreciate your input regarding map pool, game types, and more as we continue to add to the playlist. Next week, we\u2019ll have news regarding Squad DLC and an update to the Flood playlist, but for now, we have a new Community Choice Poll.<\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> I can’t wait for Squad DLC. Not only is it a 6v6 playlist (which is much needed), but also a DLC playlist, which I feel is needed as well, especially for those of us who paid for the DLC. Right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Community Choice Poll: Big Team Battle<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"3-19_commchoice-3set-c4d2dac76e2a4847b25da5b17d91c60c\"<\/a><\/p>\n

HFFL:<\/strong> This one for me is a toss up between Neutral Flag and Legendary Slayer BR. The latter is closer to Halo 3 play, while Neutral Flag is always fun (for me). I think this once, I’m going to pick slayer over and objective game type though. (I not so skilled at snipers in matchmaking, so\u00a0there’s on\u00a0way will I ever pick that.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each of the above game types offer different experiences, so to help you choose, here are the details:<\/p>\n

Neutral Flag<\/strong>
\nLots of players, but only one Flag. Bring it back to your base to score and be ready to run it again!<\/p>\n

Legendary Slayer BR<\/strong>
\nBig Team Slayer with standard UNSC goodness: Battle Rifles, Assault Rifles, and Frag Grenades.<\/p>\n

Team Snipers<\/strong>
\nBe stealthy, be sneaky, but don\u2019t poke your head out too far. Because the other team will snipe it off.<\/p>\n

Head here to vote on the Waypoint forums<\/a>. Voting will be open for approximately four days. Next week we\u2019ll announce the Community Choice winner along with the Matchmaking Update!<\/p>\n

Next up, we\u2019ve got a pretty special segment from a guest writer you likely know and love. Please allow me to now hand it over to our very own bs angel.<\/p>\n

A Note from bs angel<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

My first day at 343 Industries was September 13, 2010. I completed orientation (no, I will not say inappropriate jokes while at work; yes, I will make numerous innocent remarks about balls, every single one of which will be about the game type present in Halo multiplayer) and made my way to the EMP Museum. Typically an institution focusing on music, sci-fi, and pop culture, that night it transformed into the perfect venue for celebrating the launch of a new Halo game. That\u2019s right, my first day was the day Halo: Reach launched.<\/p>\n

I spent the evening manning kiosks and watching fans play the very game that would soon be spinning in their Xbox 360s. If there was one prevalent sentiment I felt that night, it was the feeling of knowing I found my home away from home \u2013 a job where I would be surrounded by people who not only love Halo as much as I do, but also understand the power of the franchise and the fans who celebrate it with us.<\/p>\n

If I seem a little sentimental, it\u2019s because I am. I\u2019ve loved every second I\u2019ve spent as Community Manager for 343, and it\u2019s because of this love that I\u2019ve accepted a new position within the studio. In a matter of days, my new title will be “Studio Operations PM.” It\u2019s not particularly flashy nor impressive (I requested Chief Cat Consultant but was denied), but the potential impact I will have on the studio, and thus the franchise, is enticing, exciting, and, when you look at our goals, essential.<\/p>\n

I joined 343 because I love Halo, I stayed because I love 343, and it\u2019s the passion for both that takes me into my new job, where I will focus on ensuring the studio is an environment in which our developers can do their very best work. The importance of that should not be underestimated, as we are working on some incredible projects slated to release this year, next, and beyond. I\u2019ve said it before and I\u2019ll say it again: good things are coming\u2026and a lot of \u2018em, at that.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not bidding you adieu, because I\u2019m still going to be here \u2013 five desks up and three rows over from my usual spot, in fact. So, as I don\u2019t have any goodbyes to say, I\u2019m instead going to share my most bestest and memorablest experiences I had while in the role of Community Manager. And yes, bestest and memorablest are totally words. \u2018Cause I said so (clicks \u201cAdd to dictionary\u201d and proceeds).<\/p>\n

Norman Reedus \u2013 I love him for his brains\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

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It\u2019s Emerald City Comicon 2011, and I\u2019m working the booth. We\u2019re showing off Halo: Reach and get a request from a handler whose celebrity clients want to stop by and play the game. Apparently the two gentlemen are from The Boondock Saints<\/em>, which I haven\u2019t seen because clearly it\u2019s a football movie and I\u2019m not into football (I\u2019ve heard of the Saints, you can\u2019t fool me!). I spent 10 minutes or so showing a ruggedly handsome man the basics of the game, wondering the whole time if someone hid all of the world\u2019s razors, if he was half Teen Wolf\/half Chia pet, and other totally realistic scenarios that would explain the Brillo Pads of facial hair exploding out of his jowls.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to last fall when I discover the good, clean fun that is The Walking Dead<\/em>. I can\u2019t shake the feeling that Daryl is oddly familiar when it struck me: it\u2019s the dude from Comicon\u2026 the guy I taught how to play Halo! I\u2019d like to think his aptitude for headshots came from those very special 10 minutes we shared. I mean, it can\u2019t be a coincidence, right? RIGHT? (You\u2019re welcome, Norman. Call me. Wink wink.)<\/p>\n

VGAs \u2013 bs angel’s new clothes<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Three months after starting my job, I was sent to LA to cover the 2010 VGAs. I was going to be on the red carpet, interviewing the personalities walking the length of the vibrant colored path. Being the non-high maintenance person that I am, I spent hour after hour and evening after evening shopping for the perfect outfit, planning the perfect hairstyle, deciding on the perfect makeup, and selecting the perfect accessories.<\/p>\n

It was only after our video was released and I read dozens of comments on YouTube asking if I was naked did I realize that while my shimmery, strapless gown was beautiful, it perhaps wasn\u2019t the right choice for a situation when you\u2019re being taped from the shoulders up.<\/p>\n

Lesson learned, YouTube, lesson learned.<\/p>\n

Xbox One Commercial \u2013 And start feeling\u2026<\/span><\/h4>\n