{"id":23225,"date":"2015-09-29T00:12:20","date_gmt":"2015-09-29T05:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=23225"},"modified":"2015-12-23T20:35:30","modified_gmt":"2015-12-24T01:35:30","slug":"canon-fodder-truth-and-testimony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=23225","title":{"rendered":"Canon Fodder: Truth and Testimony"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BY\u00a0GRIMBROTHER ONE
\nISSUE 43<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"canonfodder-9-24-15-d4a09b1fea204b3a9d3baa8a53288a5c\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome back as always, folks! This week has been a pretty busy one at the studio, both with elements we\u2019ve recently revealed as well as secrets yet to come. This week I sat down with 343 Industries\u2019 Franchise Development Director Frank O\u2019Connor to talk about a couple of very specific topics that he\u2019s pretty passionate about: his recently-released digital short,\u00a0Halo: Saint\u2019s Testimony<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Hunt the Truth\u00a0<\/em>Season 2, which debuted this week into the eager ears of fans all over the world. Without further ado, let\u2019s hear what he thinks about all the recent goings-on\u2026<\/p>\n

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MAN BEHIND THE MISTERY<\/h2>\n

GrimBrother One: Let\u2019s start out with your own most recent addition to the Halo lore,\u00a0Halo: Saint\u2019s Testimony<\/em>. Its unique perspective and subject matter was a pleasant surprise to many fans that devoured the tale as soon as they could. Were you happy with how the story turned out when all was said and done?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Frank O\u2019Connor:\u00a0<\/strong>I was happy-ish. I am never 100% happy though and honestly, nothing makes me cringe harder than reading my own stuff, or watching myself on TV, or hearing my voice on tape. I just don\u2019t have tolerance for my own self. What I did enjoy though, was seeing my work tightened and honed by the editors here at 343, and of course the bulk of that work was done by our partners at Simon and Schuster.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Now\u00a0Halo: Saint\u2019s Testimony\u00a0<\/em>deals with a subject \u2013 the nature of AI and the nature of life itself \u2013 that,\u00a0in your own words<\/a>, has fascinated you for some time now. Can you speak a little more to that curiosity and how it served as the inspiration for this particular story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>You know, we\u2019re literally just decades away from a technological singularity. Folks will read this and scoff, but it\u2019s not like Faster Than Light travel \u2013 it\u2019s an inevitability. Eventually, we will end up with a machine intelligence faster and cleverer than us, and what happens then? It\u2019s not Skynet \u2013 I\u2019m an optimist, and I think we end up in more of Iain M. Banks Culture than in some dystopian Matrix version of the future. AI will work together to make logical, politics-free decisions about the economy, environment, basically anything you can think of. Having an objective outsider perspective can really help us get over the subjective, anthropomorphic problems we have with our own thinking processes. An AI could ape the way a person thinks, but there\u2019s also value I think, to a rational mind looking at the data and the issues and suggesting solutions.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re so short term in the way we deal with everything from the economy to the Space Shuttle. We tend to think in artificial \u201cclumps\u201d of time \u2013 four year terms for a president, for example, that stymie our ability to think in the truly long-term. So an \u201ceternal\u201d machine could help us vault that hurdle to our thinking. It doesn\u2019t have to be a \u201cmaster\u201d over us, it could simply be a consultant.<\/p>\n

And Iona is an emotional being, which is fascinating in itself, but she doesn\u2019t\u00a0need<\/em>\u00a0to be. Even BB\u00a0cares<\/em>\u00a0more than he lets on. Having AI be relatable is vital to our fictional story, but it\u2019s also useful in real-world interactions \u2013 and even our prototypical Cortana on Windows devices, reflects that anthropomorphic bent. She\u2019s easier to relate to conversationally as a result. Hell, sometimes I tell Siri or Cortana \u201cthank you\u201d when they give me directions or information.<\/p>\n

GRIM: I mean, I think it\u2019s safe to say we\u2019ve all had a few\u2026 unconventional exchanges with those aforementioned entities. So, while artificial intelligences have found a home in many different science fiction universes over the years, they actually occupy a particularly significant role in the Halo narrative specifically. What are your thoughts on the importance they have played over the years?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>To date, our AIs have served as expositors and guides \u2013 and we see that pattern in real life too. Ultimately it\u2019s a persona attached to near-infinite information. So in a video game where exploration and information are paramount, an AI makes a lot of sense. Halo 5 will be the first entry in the Master Chief\u2019s mainline story where he has to survive without that AI companion, and reflect upon what he lost when Cortana sacrificed herself.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Regarding the story\u2019s format in general, many fans seem to really be enjoying the ability to experience these bite-sized stories that have been published this year, with new digital shorts providing shorter \u2013 but perhaps more plentiful \u2013 peeks into different stories around the Halo universe. Do you think it\u2019s something that fans can expect to see more of as we move into 2016 and beyond?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK: \u00a0<\/strong>Absolutely. These are fun ways to explore dark corners of the universe, and ironically help\u00a0ourselves<\/em>\u00a0understand better, the stories we\u2019re trying to tell.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Speaking of alternative storytelling methods, perhaps one of the biggest surprises this year for fans was the unexpected impact of the\u00a0Hunt the Truth\u00a0<\/em>series, which followed 26th<\/sup>\u00a0century war journalist Benjamin Giraud and his quest to uncover the story behind the Master Chief. Looking back on the first batch of episodes that came out leading up to E3 2015, what are your thoughts on its development and reception?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>I loved the process, from inception to broadcast. We had a great relationship with Noah and the guys at Ayzenberg who helped us build it. They really \u201cgot\u201d the universe and we were able to collaborate in a seamless and fluid way. And now that we\u2019re beginning season two, that process is smoother still \u2013 and so the emergent opportunities that come from trust will make this even better than season one.<\/p>\n

GRIM: I remember listening intently myself every week, the delivery on the performances were just so compelling and immersive, it\u2019s was nearly impossible to not be emotionally impacted by Ben\u2019s journey. Did you have any particular personal favorite moments from last season?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>I think Ben\u2019s sense of betrayal, not just at the veracity of events, but at putting his trust in people he truly believed in, only to have that trust crushed underfoot, is moving. And I don\u2019t want to say too much about season two, but there will be moments that compound that sense of betrayal, but also perspectives that might convince a listener of the other side of the argument.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Going even further, a lot of community members expressed their excitement over particular story threads in\u00a0Hunt the Truth\u00a0<\/em>that connected back to the deeper lore, from Ellie Bloom (from the \u201cStarry Night\u201d trailer) to Michael Sullivan (from\u00a0Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn<\/em>). Can you talk about the balance of how to best connect those threads in ways that new fans will find enjoyable, but old fans will take some extra special pride in recognizing?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>Mostly these things have to exist in a\u00a0vacuum \u2013 you don\u2019t need to know Sully was from Forward Unto Dawn to enjoy the podcast, but hopefully if you do know that and you are paying attention, this will feel more fleshed out and rewarding as a result.<\/p>\n

GRIM: So, the 800lb g\u00fata in the room\u2026\u00a0Hunt the Truth\u00a0<\/em>Season 2. Now that fans have gotten their first sufficient taste, what can fans expect as the season continues? Anything particularly different about the way the story is told this time around?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>The story will be much more direct. Some of the curtain has already been lifted on ONI\u2019s machinations, for example, but there will also be surprises, starting even before the \u201creal\u201d first episode.<\/p>\n

GRIM: If you could give one infuriatingly tantalizing tease to whet the fans\u2019 appetite for what\u2019s still to come in Season 2, what would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

FRANK:\u00a0<\/strong>People who live in glassed houses shouldn\u2019t throw stones.<\/p>\n

GRIM: Yup, that should do it. Thanks as always, Frank.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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LET MY PEOPLE GO!<\/h2>\n

\"cfhtts2-b74e14f9e9b1427880611a9ab4c43bd3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of Season 2, just in case you\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0<\/em>had a chance to partake in the freshly brewed mystery that recently hit the airwaves, make sure you are keeping a close eye on the\u00a0Hunt the Truth tumblr page<\/em>\u00a0for all the latest developments. Already fans have been picking jaws up off the floor and tossing about wild and excitement-laden theories back and forth to each other on our forums, as revelations about FERO, Ben, Petra, and many others, are incredibly hot topics right now. And if you\u2019ve got some crazy theories of your own just begging to be let loose, don\u2019t hesitate to\u00a0share your thoughts as well<\/a>! We\u2019ll be having more to talk about in the coming weeks as the story progresses, and the intrigue increases. In fact, I\u2019m not even so sure that we\u2019re entirely done with the\u00a0first\u00a0<\/em>week of surprises. But who knows? Either way, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll all have a ball trying to figure it all out.<\/p>\n

ABSOLUTION<\/h2>\n

\"cfescalation22-dc00f5caa1f74f3db61b8303cb10091d\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In case you missed it,\u00a0Halo: Escalation #22 just came out this week<\/a><\/em>, and the action at the Absolute Record is heating up to say the least! As our friends at Dark Horse Comics puts it\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Absolute Record\u201d Part 4<\/strong>\u2014On a hidden world, Spartan Commander Palmer and the fugitive Dr. Catherine Halsey go head to head for control over the ultimate trove of Forerunner secrets. The six-part sequel to\u00a0Halo 4: Spartan Ops<\/em>\u00a0ratchets up to its explosive conclusion in this thrilling issue by Duffy Boudreau and Douglas Franchin.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been following the exploits of Palmer, Thorne, Halsey, Glassman, \u2018Mdama, \u2018Sevi, and the rest of the gang, you are definitely going to want to pic this one up. The end is nigh, and the stakes are high. Go check it out!<\/p>\n

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION<\/h2>\n

\"cfredsword-2c69ff635e6c4d44aaf9c91d41818c86\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Legobrick1000: In\u00a0Halo 2: Anniversary\u2019s\u00a0<\/em>multiplayer, a red Type-1 Energy Sword is presented. Is it canon? Can the sword’s color be altered by the owner or manufacturer?<\/strong>A:<\/strong>\u00a0The red-colored energy sword is not only canon, but has been visualized long before\u00a0Halo 2: Anniversary<\/em>\u2019s multiplayer and Forge modes. In Jon Goff\u2019s\u00a0Halo: Evolutions<\/em>\u00a0story, \u201cHeadhunters,\u201d a special breed of Sangheili commandos utilized blood-red tinted energy swords. Fans got their first visual glimpse of these in the motion comic adaptation of the same story. While much less frequent, there have been (and continue to be) instances of particular Sangheili groups or individuals wielding specially-crafted blades of varying colors, the Prophets’ Bane being another such example.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n
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And with that, we\u2019ll successfully sign off for another spell. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more truth to hunt, and if you need some additional Halo story goodness to pass your time, check out our\u00a0breakdown of this week\u2019s big media drop<\/a>\u00a0on what to expect from\u00a0Halo 5: Guardians<\/em>\u2019 upcoming campaign!Until next week\u2026 Live well, play Halo, and\u00a0Shine Bright<\/a>.<\/p>\n

-GRIM<\/h4>\n

NEW UNIVERSE ARTICLES THIS WEEK!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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BENJAMIN GIRAUD
\n<\/a>Benjamin Giraud is a reporter and civilian contractor for ONI. In 2558, Giraud was asked to conduct a series interviews for a PR campaign about the Master Chief.<\/h4>\n

PETRA
\n<\/a>Petra Janecek is a civilian war journalist and investigative reporter who has dedicated her life to documenting events and people that some would like to remain secret.<\/h4>\n

HOLLY TANAKA
\n<\/a>Holly Tanaka serves as the engineering and electronics expert of Fireteam Osiris.<\/h4>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

Source Link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:\u00a0 BY\u00a0GRIMBROTHER ONE ISSUE 43 Welcome back as always, folks! This week has been a pretty busy one at the studio, both with elements we\u2019ve recently revealed as well as secrets yet to come. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-halo-waypoint"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23225"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25125,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23225\/revisions\/25125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}