Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Halo 3 ARG Updates

http://206.16.223.65 now takes you to a new page with "Server 5" rotating around. If you click on certain parts of the server it opens up a StarImage1 file and Slide_Ref070107 file. Also Halo3.com now has one of the 5 server silhouettes filled in with an actual image. The BNet forums are going crazy with post about theories and new discoveries. What does this all mean? That I stayed up late to see a flash video that displayed the following text:

"THIS IS MY FINAL ENTRY, AND I AM LEFT WITH ONE HOPE
THAT ONE DAY, SOMEONE, ANYONE IS AROUND TO WITNESS THIS WARNING
{//}
KNOW THAT A THOUSAND OTHER PLANS WERE TRIED AND FAILED
{//}
KNOW THAT ENERGETIC AND TENACIOUS AS LIFE IS
IT HAS AN ANTITHESIS JUST AS POWERFUL
IT IS THAT THING THAT WE MUST OBLITERATE"

Edit: Also clicking around on it will bring up an Array Recorder Data text file and a Log Transcript text file(which contains the above transmission).

2 comments:

Slartibartfast said...

Ok, so I decided to finally write something to you guys. I’ve only been an XYBA listener for a few months (although a veteran of other gaming podcasts), and I wanted to impress upon all of you how much I really like the loose style and freeform feel of the show.

I have an issue with a rant one of you began (I do not know names of the DJs yet)—a rant about Second Life. It’s amazing how much negativity is spread about SL. But really, it all stems from ignorance. You can’t just jump into SL, get past Tutorial Island, and then search for porn, sex, nudity, gambling, and dance clubs…you have to open your eyes. The “grid” (the world, which is incredibly massive even by Oblivion and WoW standards) is so vast, and so unique, one could wander for years, and never scratch the surface. And EVERYTHING is user created! There in lies the magic. And with clever scripting, design, and art, one could pretty much…create anything!

Of the many graphical things I work around, I’m a 3d modeler, and texture artist by nature. When I first came into SL I was blown away, completely intimidated by how much content was already created. I had briefly explored VRML in the mid ‘90s, but had no idea it had come so far when I came across Second Life. After a few weeks, I left and didn’t come back for a year. On my return, I decided to really have a look around, and to think outside the box. The truth is, SL is overflowing with incredible talent—you have to look past the same shit you have to look past in real life. In the real world do you wake up in the morning and head out to a strip club to have sex with strangers? Even if there were no consequences, and it were free, and no one would know your real identity, would you do it? If the answer is yes…that’s all there for you in SL…but if you have no interest in that in real life, then you won’t in Second Life either. There’s something for everyone.

Not only is it amazing just being surrounded by this unbelievable talent, you can also get involved and be an active participant in creating the world around you—if you play your cards right, and have a skill or trade to offer. And not only are the options grand, but I don’t have to pay a fee to be involved (if I don’t want to, if you want to own land, you have rent and such)…in fact, Second Life pays ME now! After heading home from real-life work, I spend a few hours a night working freelance (I run Glowbox Designs in SL) for a company in-world that builds entire “sims” for new film releases We just finished the Die Hard 4 sim, which was a huge success. Even Bruce Willis himself made an appearance in a Q & A that was run through a streaming audio service similar to Shoutcast.. Huge contracts guys…people have no idea what’s going on in Second Life…the current project were are working on is awesome, however, I can’t tell you what it is. From my little time I put in daily—time I’d be spending anyway—I bring home $300 legitimate US dollars a week. The guy I work freelance for who’s a cool 30 year old entrepreneur with ambition, works solely on these projects, fully supporting himself.

Basically, it’s what you make of it. Now, understand, I’m not just some computer graphics VRML geek…I’ve been a hardcore gamer since Wolfenstein and have worked for several gaming companies in the past…so I’m sure we can relate. Just don’t judge it by the shit that seems to reign there (just like in real life) porn and gambling. That’s life…AND Second Life…

Thanks guys. Love the podcast.
www.myspace.com/m1chaelreed
www.oddfellowmag.com

Jester013 said...

slartibartfast - Appreciated the comments(and the Hitchhiker's Guide name). I wasn't actually at the last podcast(vacation) so I went and listened to Bryan's rant. And yes, he does say he only spent a little bit of time in Second Life so I spent part of the day exploring Second Life. It was a very interesting experience. I had joined it like a year ago but never left Tutorial Island.

I wandered around today, and yes, it is freaking HUGE! And yes, there are crazy sex stores and clubs there, but there were a lot of cool things(other than the sex). I spent some time playing around in a recreated Zim's House from Invader Zim. I spent some time in Washtown created by Firefly fans with a replica Firefly class ship at the spaceport. In fact, the world is so big, it's somewhat overwhelming to try and explore.

But yes, I agree that many times the media and the public tend to focus on the negative. And we are guilty of the same(especially when it's something we can make a quick joke about without having all the information).

I hope to do a more in-depth piece on Second Life here sometime so hopefully it will be more fair. Thanks again!