Halopedia:Bungie Weekly Update 12-30-04

This is the Bungie Weekly Update for December 30, 2004, written by Frank O'Connor.

Bungie Update
A post Holiday frenzy of questions, lots of new players too, so of course, we're answering some oft-asked questions in our weekly bid to fill your informational needs.

Tons of Grinches ask,

Why hasn't Bungie.net updated in a week?

We was on vacation. Normal service will resume today-ish.

Many Bothans ask,

''I just watched a video of an instant flag capture in Halo 2. This guy simply stood by his own flag base and was able to do a one-second flag capture. It was weird. Is this happening in games? Are you guys going to fix it?''

Although it can technically happen in a game, it requires exactly as much setup and cooperation as an actual flag capture and is therefore not really being seen in Live games. That said, it IS a bug and one we intend to address, along with many other commonly seen issues. Watch this space.

Sean asks,

''Hi, just like to know if there is any way of enlarging the text on the Bungie web site as is to small to read..... cheers''

Did you by any chance press ctrl or some other modifier while using your scroll wheel? You probably did. Try doing that again to embiggen the text.

Mark asks,

A lot of players and would like it if you made some way to put custom soundtracks in Halo 2 (Xbox) to play on-line.

There are a number of reasons why that would be problematic in-game - from mic feedback to RAM to hard drive access and so-on, but the feature was never planned for inclusion in Halo 2. It will almost certainly never be added as downloadable content, and for that, we're sorry, but you might be interested to know that it was once added to a way-early version of Halo's Warthog for laughs. The technical, time and test hurdles meant it would never realistically have been included in the game.

David asks,

''I was wondering if there was any way I could get the halo music in Sheet Music form anywhere? I looked like crazy on the net but just can't find anything. Any useful information would be helpful.''

Marty gets this request a lot and he's a kindly old gent who may even consider it one day. My personal theory is that since he composes everything on a kazoo, he might need some help. We'll keep you posted.

Dorothy asks,

''I was wondering if Bungie still sells that game Marathon. It's really hard to find now-a-days.''

We don't, but you CAN download it for free from a number of places. Google it. There are even updated versions with fancy new-fangled graphics. Bungie has sorta given its blessing to this kind of thing. It's not strictly legal, but nobody's coming after you either.

Demonspore asks,

''Please answer this soon. I want to know if you can tell me how to get bungie.net behind my name. A friend told me how to do it, but I couldn't find the place he wanted me to go. He said you had to have a bungie log-in, and he said you had to look through the pages to find where it says "link your Gamertag to bungie.net" or something like that. I don't know. So, if you could, can you please tell me how to do it. Thank-you.''

First you have to be signed in to Bungie.net, which means you need to have a Microsoft Passport account and have your Gamertag linked. After that it's easy. Choose My Settings/Web Settings/ Show Bungienet User Status in Halo2. Simple!

You can find out all about Gamertag linking and Bungie.net stuff here: Bungie.net Gamertag Linking info and more!

Stephen asks,

Hey do you guys have any halo tournaments in Missouri?

Actually, Bungie has no tournaments at all. We do play weekly challenge matches against other teams for fun, but as far as sponsoring or endorsing other tournaments or events, nada at this time. That could change in the future of course, but right now the best bet is to post on Bungie.net and look for some Missouri challengers or events.

Dan asks,

''I see that my stats are available on the Bungie web site. Is there a way to hide the information so that others can't see it? I can look up games played for everyone in the system. - That doesn't appear to maintain any privacy.''

Fraid not. It's in the terms of service agreement. If you link your Gamertag, your stats are public. We have had complaints (seriously) from folks playing hooky from school or work that they can be busted by the system. At this time you link your Gamertag, your stuff is public. That may or may not change in the future.

Jaimie asks,

''I just wanted to ask when the next new content for Halo 2 will be ready. I would really love it if there were more player colors and emblems that could be downloaded.''

Soon-ish, We are working out a schedule. And think maps, not emblems.

Vivian asks,

What does you failed to load the map mean?

It means that either a dirty disc error, or a disc skip prevented you from loading a multiplayer map in time to join the multiplayer game. It is in short, a total bummer. Try wiping your disc with a dry lint free cloth.

Graham asks,

''Hello. I've an avid Halo follower and currently I am planning a website. I've read on Gamespot that you had sent them a screenshot utility. I know one exists.''

Fraid not. There is a built-in screenshot utility on the debug version of Halo, but not in the retail game.

Maz asks,

Hi There Fellas,

This may sound like a really odd question to ask you but my girlfriend has bought me a tattoo for Christmas and i was thinking about getting a 18 inch Master Chief on my back, I was just wondering if i needed permission off you to get this done and if you have any great MC pictures you could send me,

Erm, you don't need our permission, and you clearly don't need your girlfriend's. She must be very understanding. Since it is not for commercial use, it's up to you what you get tattooed on your back. Try the gallery section on Bungie.net for inspiration. And lots of tattoo parlors use Google Image Search, weirdly enough. If you get it done, send us a pic.

Jimmy asks,

''Recently at my company, my coworkers have been making fun of me playing video games at my age. Telling me, I'm too old to play them. And at the ripe ole age of 30, I don't see it that way. I see it more like 20 yrs of experience since I have been playing at the age of ten. So what is the common age of halo players anyway. Just curious.''

We find most of our players are in their twenties. I'm curious too, did your colleagues also stop watching TV because it was something they did as a child?

Arielle asks,

Hi-I have a question about Halo 2...

''I accidentaly joined a clan called Pychic Minds and I do not want to be a part of this clan. Is there a way that I can leave it?''

Thanks!

Sure. Load Halo 2, log into Xbox Live. Press Y. Scroll right to get to CLANS and press X to bring up more options. One of them is, "Leave Clan." Bingo.

Anon asks,

''In multiplayer, the screen is automatically horizontal..is there anyway to make it vertical? It's really bugging me!''

Yes, if you have a widescreen set, enable the widescreen option in your Xbox dashboard.

Tommy asks,

''Why did Ryan McCaffrey (Official Xbox Magazine) and Will Tuttle (Gamespy) say that there would be a "Game Movies" option on the main menu screen? Was it cut, or is it something I can unlock?''

They did not lie. The text "Game Movies" appeared in the UI on early versions of Halo 2. The option itself was inactive. It is NOT an unlockable feature.

James asks,

I was just curious as to why you guys chose the relatively obscure Navy rank of Master Chief instead of a more commonly known rank like Master Sergeant or Master Gunnery Sergeant?

It's the future. Master Chief is a Space Marine in the year 2552, and that just happens to be the rank he reached. He may get promoted one day. Who knows. Besides, "master" sounds a lot better than "petty," right?

Bruce asks,

''Please tell me that people who quit right in the middle of a game are being punished somehow. Today I say at least 10 people quit out of games because our teams started off losing. I would hate to think that these crybabies are able to quit and not have their points deducted for losing. Is there a way that a strict penalty can be placed upon these losers. Thanks for listening.''

Yes they are punished. They are ranked as having finished dead last in the game, so eventually their overall rank suffers.

And finally, one reader asked if Mister Chief had a ride. He does of course. It is called the Assmobile.