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[Blue Ninja]

That was how I felt about Cryptum. I'm a bit into Primordium now.

:\

Overall, I feel like Bear's done some admirable work on his Forerunner trilogy, but part of me feels like he's also made the Forerunner story way too convoluted. Before, Forerunners were mysterious but we knew the overall connections they had to the story happening in 2552. And then Bear's trilogy comes around and throws everything we know around.

I dunno, I like the books, but part of me wishes Bear could've told an interesting story based on the stuff we already knew instead of throwing in ghosts and duplicates.

In terms of overall quality, Contact Harvest is the best Halo book, hands-down. It's just a shame he ended it with that cringe-inducing sex scene (and that was after he went on the Bungie podcast to talk about how he wanted to avoid cliches...)

True. All true.

 

[Enfinit]

In terms of overall quality, Contact Harvest is the best Halo book, hands-down. It's just a shame he ended it with that cringe-inducing sex scene (and that was after he went on the Bungie podcast to talk about how he wanted to avoid cliches...)

It did leave a sour taste in my mouth. If you just don't read the last chapter, the novel's nearly flawless.

 

[Ramirez]

Yea, Contact Harvest is my favorite Halo book. How can you not like Lighter Than Some?

 

[Swarmerr]

I don't know why people are so critical of the books. Sure the books could be more exciting at times but honestly for me I get nerd chills by being given the ability to connect with characters from past halo games (campaign). To me its like going on an archaeological dig and discovering things about different characters that not only puts them in new lights but explains their actions and why certain things happened in the campaigns.


Then again I am far more picky when it comes to multiplayer so for me to criticize people about being choosy with their books is just a tad hypocritical no?

Basically I feel you have to have the above mindset when reading the halo books, where you are reading the books for information which in turn provides entertainment, rather than trying to just find entertainment within the books. (especially the forerunner saga)

 

[HiredN00bs]

Joe Staten is the man.

I might be getting hacked soon.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Man, even though the bonin' at the end is silly, I don't really have a problem with it.

I don't know why people are so critical of the books. Sure the books could be more exciting at times but honestly for me I get nerd chills by being given the ability to connect with characters from past halo games (campaign). To me its like going on an archaeological dig and discovering things about different characters that not only puts them in new lights but explains their actions and why certain things happened in the campaigns.


Then again I am far more picky when it comes to multiplayer so for me to criticize people about being choosy with their books is just a tad hypocritical no?

Basically I feel you have to have the above mindset when reading the halo books, where you are reading the books for information which in turn provides entertainment, rather than trying to just find entertainment within the books. (especially the forerunner saga)

If it's just for the information, why not read a fact sheet on Wikipedia?

They're fully critiqueable pieces of entertainment.

 

[Talents]

Joe Staten is the man.

I might be getting hacked soon.

Aww snap son, he got your IP, he gona hack yo shit.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Aww snap son, he got your IP, he gona hack yo shit.

I always love the wannabe nerds who throw out some technical language and pretend like they're the shit.

 

[Poker Face]

Joe Staten is the man.

I might be getting hacked soon.

i doubt he knows what an IP is.

 

[kittens]

Spoiler

I only read the first few pages of the sequel, but if I remember right it takes place a couple thousand years after Dune, the main character of Dune is dead, and his mother is commanding armies or something. I was thoroughly put off, but I hear it's still good

Thanks for the spoilers? I had a feeling the books may go that direction, and it's exciting to hear, but I could've waited, lol. I tagged it all just in case someone else wants to not know.

Edit : Those are Dune spoilers, not Halo.

 

[Enfinit]

i doubt he knows what an IP is.

Can someone do me a solid and explain to me how one can even get someone's IP address from an Xbox Live message? Not to mention what the hell you'd do with it if you managed to get it?

 

[Poker Face]

Can someone explain to me how one can even get someone's IP address from an Xbox Live message? Not to mention what the hell you'd do with it if you managed to get it?

you can't get someones IP from an XBL message. i don't what's the policy on discussing things like this on Gaf, I know that security is alot better than it was when XBL was first launched, and 99% of the time unless you give someone your account details they can't do anything to your account.

 

[Hydranockz]

Can someone do me a solid and explain to me how one can even get someone's IP address from an Xbox Live message? Not to mention what the hell you'd do with it if you managed to get it?

Easy. Have them send their IP in an XBL message, either text or audio. Boom. IP acquired.

 

[Garrett 2U]

Can someone explain to me how one can even get someone's IP address from an Xbox Live message? Not to mention what the hell you'd do with it if you managed to get it?

I'm sure messages are routed through Xbox Live's servers before you receive them, so you wouldn't be able to get an IP from a message.
But you could from being in a chat party, or in the same lobby on a game.

And what would they do with it?
Find out your provider and the location of your provider.
They could also ping you. (scary, huh?)

And if they are really lonely and have access to a network of computers (unlikely), they could flood yo bandwidth and take you off of the internets.
(as was done to the halo council)

 

[Overdoziz]

Let's not forget that each map in Halo 4 was apparently designed for a specific gametype rather than making simple structures that work for many.

I'd rather have maps specifically build to be great for a certain gametype than be mediocre at all gametypes. This only really works if you make a good amount of maps (more than 10), though. And it also means that 343 shouldn't force us to play gametypes on maps that aren't fit for it like Bungie has done for so many years.

 

[Swarmerr]

Man, even though the bonin' at the end is silly, I don't really have a problem with it.


If it's just for the information, why not read a fact sheet on Wikipedia?

They're fully critiqueable pieces of entertainment.

I mean of course, I find that the information for me is first and the entertainment merely a compliment.

Plus by reading the books I am forced to actively think, where if I instead just read wikipedia it would be different.

 

[Enfinit]

And if they are really lonely and have access to a network of computers (unlikely), they could flood yo bandwidth and take you off of the internets.
(as was done to the halo council)

Ok, yea, that would suck if someone actually went through with it. I'd say 98% of the people on Live don't have access to a network of computers, so I can sleep easy at night.

I heard the old "I got cho IP address now, u just wait kid!" spiel while playing GTA IV, was just curious if any real damage could be done.

 

[IHaveIce]

Great read about your theories with the Geas and so on.

Also I think Contact Harvest was a good book, I didn't liked the parts from the view of Johnson. The Parts as Prophet of Truth or Lighter than some are great and also deliver some cool information about the lore.

 

[ElzarTheBam]

In 5 mins, I'm heading online for H3 BTB, join me if you want.

 

[Hypertrooper]

I still don't have a real clue what the big revelations were in Primordium. The book seemed to be leading up to some massive bombshells and then fucking nothing happened.

Revelations(BIG Primordium spoilers of course):

Spoiler

- The Librarian lives
- Guilty Spark-02 lives, takes control of an unknown UNSC ship to find the Librarian
- The Flood chooses who to inflict or not; Ancient humans had no cure against them
- The Primordial/Timeless One is a Gravemind + more content about him
- Guilty Spark and/or other Monitors were Humans.
- There are more Arks
- ONI has interest for the Didact -> creating the theory if there are more than one Didact?

Pretty big revelations in my opinion. Unfortunately the most happens at the last 1/3.

 

[_Computer_]

Joe Staten is the man.

I might be getting hacked soon.

Getting a IP on Xbox Live is a very easy thing to do. If he has it, Ask him where do you live? He should know. The most he will be able to do with your IP is flood your bandwidth with the denial of services handshake protocol. You can go off line for 5 min to a few hours depending on how many shells (infected website servers) or zombie pc's he has in a botnet. They spread the infected malware through downloads like torrents and once you have it then you are part of his botnet. Now your pc can be told to attack and flood the bandwidth with the DDOS protocol (the ping of death) of any IP he chooses along with hundreds of other pc's that have been infected.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

I don't know why people are so critical of the books. Sure the books could be more exciting at times but honestly for me I get nerd chills by being given the ability to connect with characters from past halo games (campaign). To me its like going on an archaeological dig and discovering things about different characters that not only puts them in new lights but explains their actions and why certain things happened in the campaigns.


Then again I am far more picky when it comes to multiplayer so for me to criticize people about being choosy with their books is just a tad hypocritical no?

Basically I feel you have to have the above mindset when reading the halo books, where you are reading the books for information which in turn provides entertainment, rather than trying to just find entertainment within the books. (especially the forerunner saga)

Wait, do you think people are down on the books because they think there shouldn't be books??? Where have you read anyone say that?

I think for me, im down on the Forerunner books, and Glasslands because I didnt think they where great books, being able to connect with the characters and all that is awesome though, I just wish the books where on the same quality level as some of the older ones.

 

[Stinkles]

I'm sure messages are routed through Xbox Live's servers before you receive them, so you wouldn't be able to get an IP from a message.
But you could from being in a chat party, or in the same lobby on a game.

And what would they do with it?
Find out your provider and the location of your provider.
They could also ping you. (scary, huh?)

And if they are really lonely and have access to a network of computers (unlikely), they could flood yo bandwidth and take you off of the internets.
(as was done to the halo council)

And if you have a normal ISP, the only possible thing you could do once he started attacking your IP, is reset your machine. And get a new IP address. May as well burn it all down.

 

[Rickenslacker]

And if you have a normal ISP, the only possible thing you could do once he started attacking your IP, is reset your machine. And get a new IP address. May as well burn it all down.

I miss having a dynamic IP, but I get unlimited bandwidth and more than double the speed for the same price with my current one. Ah well.

 

[Thagomizer]

And if you have a normal ISP, the only possible thing you could do once he started attacking your IP, is reset your machine. And get a new IP address. May as well burn it all down.

 

[User 73706]

Your punishment must be more severe.

Practiced some Reach MM last night, came out successful:

I need to film some of this match, got some glorious snipes.

Got two people to rage quit in Action Sack. :lol

 

[Swarmerr]

Wait, do you think people are down on the books because they think there shouldn't be books??? Where have you read anyone say that?

I think for me, im down on the Forerunner books, and Glasslands because I didnt think they where great books, being able to connect with the characters and all that is awesome though, I just wish the books where on the same quality level as some of the older ones.

No not at all, sorry if I gave that impression. It was more of an explanation of how I read the books. (the reason why I started to read them was to learn more about the halo universe, as nerdy as it sounds that is the entertainment for me) I think while I am reading the books I am just more focused on the info and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Lol it sounds rather dry now that I say it.

 

[CyReN]

Tonight, we ply through the competition.

 

[MaximumFlipFlop]

Alright, so the HaloGAF logo I made is getting finalized. Stalker did some touch ups and I sent the near final PSD to Devo. She should be able to get it tshirt ready and looking great. I'll post the final logos here, but I will need all of your feedback on logo color, shirt color, positioning and logotype. Right now there are 4 different versions of the logo, but from the feedback I received, the logo with the Halo font looks off (I agree). So I am thinking of only submitting 2 different designs, 1 with HalGaf in a nice clean text and the O for Halo is the Halo logo. The banner text will be in both BELIEVE and BELI343 flavors. Is that cool with everyone?

So the final logo will look like this. The NeoGAF logo will be cleaner, and the Halo logo will be larger.

 

[kittens]

Looks awesome!

Edit : I'm hopping on Reach, dong party impending.

 

[Swarmerr]

Impressive guys!

Proof or just being sarcastic? Because IMO it seems to be otherwise.. We only know of Haven, Adrift and Longbow and all of them look like they can fit well for many gametypes.

I don't know about you guys but I just hope that there are an even amount of small, medium and large maps.

 

[Blueblur1]

That's good, slt. I like that one.

 

[TCKaos]

I'd rather have maps specifically build to be great for a certain gametype than be mediocre at all gametypes. This only really works if you make a good amount of maps (more than 10), though. And it also means that 343 shouldn't force us to play gametypes on maps that aren't fit for it like Bungie has done for so many years.

Though I figure any map designed for two sided objectives is sufficient for Slayer (Blood Gulch, Sidewinder, Battle Creek, Highlands), and any one side objective map is usually sufficient for Territories, CTF and Assault (Highground, Headlong, Zanzibar).

Almost no maps devoted to Slayer properly play any Objective (Prisoner, most of Reach's maps).

If the playlists are managed properly you can get lots of utility from relatively few maps. It's just that, y'know, we didn't have much to start with then the little we had got run in to the ground...

 

[FUNKNOWN iXi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BsP...ok like they can fit well for many gametypes.

 

[Bregmann Roche]

Joe Staten is the man.

I might be getting hacked soon.

Did he just try to insult you by saying you have "normal intelligence"? Isn't a 90 IQ still considered normal? If that is the case: magnificent troll. Fantastic. 3/10. --Marty O.

 

[heckfu]

Tashi, Duncan, I have emailed Tashi the final take/splice job for the podcast. Use that one if you dont mind.

 

[User 73706]

Did he just try to insult you by saying you have "normal intelligence"? Isn't a 90 IQ still considered normal? If that is the case: magnificent troll. Fantastic. 3/10. --Marty O.

100's average, I think.

 

[Caja 117]

Proof or just being sarcastic? Because IMO it seems to be otherwise.. We only know of Haven, Adrift and Longbow and all of them look like they can fit well for many gametypes.

He is not been sarcastic, I think 343 stated something along the lines, but just because a map was made with an specific gametype in mind, doesn't mean other gametypes are not going to work on the maps.

I support 343 initiative of making maps with specific gametypes in mind, now I know i will have a map for every objective type, including oddball.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Mixed with:

~You get to finally play your own map in matchmaking~~

You unlocked:

- Stupid teammates

- teammates that are driving the other team around in your gauss hog

- Did I mention the stupidity, like a teammate driving a mongoose around.. without anyone on the back

that was enough Halo for tonight. fucking trueskill, why do you give the other team competent people and leave me with people that are probably chewing their controllers

Its funny, I swear I get that map all the time.

Dear mother of fuck

In the halo cea terminal 1

343 guilty spark says this "this ring contains significant dangers and even with your assumed legacy, I must confirm the presence and pitch of your geas before allowing full access" (while chief is on screen)

I never realized he was saying geas (I always pronounced it differently in my head)

When the human imagery is flashing on screen spark says "curious"

When master chief is on screen he says "curious indeed! After all these years"

This stuff is almost backing up my theory

Oh. Wow, I never realized he said 'Geas'.. Interesting.

It is really bugging me that I don't have all the achievements in Halo Wars, ODSt , and Halo 3. If any of you are up to it or need those achievements let me know.

I still need a bunch in Halo Wars, but I have the rest in ODST and 3.. Although I do need the anniversary zombie one in Reach.

I got that as well. If I'm hearing correctly, it was,

Spoiler

"Master Chief and his Spartans are two unmixed sets of DNA - one of which is embedded in one of the characters in Halo Cryptum."

If so. Yikes.

Edit: Decided to spoiler tag that...

I wonder what that even means.

 

[Striker]

Almost no maps devoted to Slayer properly play any Objective (Prisoner, most of Reach's maps).

Many in 3 made no sense, either. And note I'm talking strictly default, no MLG settings or variants. Construct, Guardian, Isolation, Snowbound, and Epitaph had no objective based ideas in mind. They tried Oddball for many of those, and more often than not it was poor because of shield doors or lift central. Isolation was in contention for CTF and Assault, and once you take a look at those bases for a good 2 seconds, you can easily manage that was a poor excuse of an attempt.

What hurt some of Reach's default map launch maps for this method is primarily how Bungie mismanaged loadouts and bomb/flag placement. Boardwalk is one noteworthy map that should be a better one built for 1-flag and 1-bomb, but it's simply not fun. The Cage was one not really built for anything except slayer, but that comes to no surprise. Same for Swordbase. I don't think either game was well structured map wise for objectives in mind, but instead just slayer.

If the playlists are managed properly you can get lots of utility from relatively few maps. It's just that, y'know, we didn't have much to start with then the little we had got run in to the ground...

Which I described in their attempts at maps like Boardwalk. You push the idea in there and think it works, then allow camo/jetpacks in CTF games, and put the flag spot in a wide open grenade path, and that's what result you get.

 

[TheOddOne]

Just got back from Dark Knight Rises. Best. Movie. Ever.

 

[NobleGundam]

Just got back from Dark Knight Rises. Best. Movie. Ever.

One thing that was confusing about Nolan's Batman Films is that the universe of it was set in "Earth 2" which explains why it's different. DC is notorious for Multi-Verses.

 

[Tashi]

Tashi, Duncan, I have emailed Tashi the final take/splice job for the podcast. Use that one if you dont mind.

Actually we should just splice in your constant laughter

 

[Swarmerr]

Getting on at 3 est gonna try and play some h3 or if we have to reach..

What game types?

Idk, what did you have in mind?

 

[heckfu]

Actually we should just splice in your constant laughter

You know I'm giggly when I drink, I'M SORRY.

 

[_Computer_]

Getting on at 3 est gonna try and play some h3 or if we have to reach..

What game types?

 

[Stinkles]

Did he just try to insult you by saying you have "normal intelligence"? Isn't a 90 IQ still considered normal? If that is the case: magnificent troll. Fantastic. 3/10. --Marty O.

On Youtube comments, maybe.

 

[Tashi]

Guy in Bravo's Comic Con-tage video Halo Reach, CoD in Space. lolwut

 

[kittens]

Need 5 for BTB.

 

[Swarmerr]

Need 5 for BTB.

Halo 3 or reach?