It's definitely not you.

Yup, something is totally busticated. Top Men are investigating the issue so we can get you back into the action as soon as possible. Apologies for the outage.

Repairs are in. Thanks for your patience. Now go play some games.

Grunts Gone Wild.

Over the weekend B.net user Ktan Dantaktee asked me why I hadn't featured Grunts yet via our weekly All Star community competition. Patience, KD. We were just letting everyone build up a big, juicy Grunty Thirst™.

You want Grunts? You got 'em!

1. Take a screenshot (or create some custom art) themed, "Grunts Gone Wild."
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, June 9th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 20” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for attachments is 10MB. Include a preview image and a link to the original in your file share, or an external host for artwork.
5. One submission per player. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email so I can reward you for your work, if necessary.

Feet don't fail me now!

urk writes:

Access...DENIED!
[Override issued]
Access... Granted!

Anything that requires, sign-in (including forums, private groups and messaging, etc.) will be offline for a few hours today while our online team performs some "scheduled maintenance." Remember that cheeseburger you stuffed under the couch cushion? Yeah, we have to clean that up.

As soon as our systems are back online and fully functioning, we'll let you know. Until then, please continue to stare blankly into your monitors.

edit:  As "a few" people might have noticed in the past several hours, we're fully-functional again.

I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.

After a two week hiatus, I'm back feeling fresh and reinvigorated. I hope you are, too, because this week we want you to make us an offer we can't refuse using screenshots or your own custom content.

1. Take a screenshot (or cook up some custom art) that really sells one of the vehicles in Halo: Reach. UNSC or Covenant both work, as long as you capture the essence of what makes your selection worth a hefty down payment and a usurious interest rate.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, May 26th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 18” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for attachments is 10MB. Include a preview image and a link to the original in your file share, or an external host for artwork.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

If you just want to take a screenshot the showcases the vehicle of your dreams, feel free. I'll just screenshots and artwork separately. Just tell us what we need to do in order to get you in one of Halo: Reach's vehicles today. Or by next Thursday. (You know the deal.)

Finders keepers.

HBOer FyreWulff is taking it upon himself to collect all our official map and game variants, and put them all in a fancy collection so you can easy finger the merch. If you've been looking for that one incredible game variant you played in matchmaking, but forgot to save off to your hard drive, drop in using the link and see if you can't find what you've been searching for.

Reach MM Maps/Gametypes Repository Project

Details inside.

If you already read the update on 4/22, none of this will catch you off guard. Otherwise, details are below, courtesy of Jeremiah. (Who is really into instant arm for Assault.)

Action Sack

• Shotty Snipers: Shotguns and Sniper Rifles… don’t forget to bring marshmallows.
• Splockets: Spartan Lasers and Rocket Launchers. It’s like getting punched in the face repeatedly, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR THIS?!
• BOOM! Ball: Play Oddball (Hot Potato) with Grenade Launchers and infinite ammo.
• Hog Potato: Get to the Warthog! Ride it around for points, pile your teammates in for more points. Does anyone else smell gas?
• Shotgun Assault: Play Neutral Bomb Assault with only your trusty Shotgun.
• Dino Blasters: Elites + Concussion Rifles + Bottomless Clip + Jetpack = 42
• Rocket CTF: Play Neutral Flag CTF using Rocket Launchers. Yes you heard me, Neutral FLAG.
• To The Death!: Duel to the death… swing, clang and deliver the final blow with no recharging shields.

Squad Slayer

Squad Slayer is a new 5v5 playlist featuring Squad Slayer (AR/Magnum) and Squad Slayer DMRs (DMR/AR) game variants. Both game variants will be 75 kills to win and offer Sprint, Hologram, Jetpack and Active Camo abilities. Big Party Restrictions will be enforced on parties of 4-5 players, allowing them to only match with other big parties. Maps include Condemned, Uplink, Tempest, Unanchored, Asylum, Uncaged, Ivory Tower Reflection, Countdown, Boardwalk, Powerhouse and Arena Zealot.

• Team Size: 5
• Max Party Size: 5
• Big Party Size: 4-5
• Max Local Players: 4

Team Classic

We’re adding Classic CTF, Neutral Bomb Assault, Crazy King and Oddball game variants to the Team Classic lineup. Additionally, we’re changing starting grenades for all game variants in the Team Classic playlist to 1 frag starts and the Overshield will now give 3x up from 2x. We’ve accepted updated versions of a few maps and added objective gametype support to others.

• Classic CTF: Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Assault: Magus, Noble Creek, Prophet
• Classic King: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Oddball: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet, Rat Trap

Living Dead

The dead rise again! Significant changes are being made to the Living Dead playlist. First and foremost we’re increasing the player count to 12. Next up we’re going to start using the Alpha Zombies game variant as our core offering, but the traditional Infection game variant will remain available for the time being. Alpha Zombies features Sprint for everyone including Zombies, while Alpha Zombies also have infinite equipment usage.

Big Team Battle

Assault is being added to Big Team Battle! In addition to adding Assault, we’re also adding several community maps. The following maps have been considered and some are still being playtested so this is not a final list, some of these may or may not be added.

• Abridged by Schmittler 5000 (Forgetacular BTB winner)
• Wayont by FDL iGet Down (Original map from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Utopie by FDL FiFTy I (Paradiso rebalance from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Renegade by x black kn1ght
• Trident by x black kn1ght
• Temptation by tkblingx2

The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team

Always subject to change, blah blah blah… let’s just assume this is always the case and get on to the good stuff? OK! The following community maps are being considered for integration into The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team where appropriate. Due to the inclusion of community maps, the Team Slayer playlist will be restricted to a maximum of 2 local players. For you wild and crazy split-screen fans, please see the Squad Slayer section above for where you’ll get your 3way and 4way action on.

• Affinity by GodlyPerfection
• Enclosed by Kymicals
• Kingdom by Sikamikanico
• Synapse by HWM BlacKnight
• Treasury by JoeSki73

It's a bird, it's a plane...

Sorry for the late start this morning. I got caught in a little bit of Monday morning traffic. If only I'd have had a Jet Pack.

1. Take a screenshot (or make some art) featuring the Jet Pack in action. Spartan or Elite, it doesn't matter a bit. Just make sure you capture the miracle of flight.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, May 5th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 17” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for attachments is 10MB. Include a preview image and a link to the original in your file share, or an external host for artwork.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Fly, you fools!

P.S. Yeah, we kinda already did the Jet Pack as a secondary offering for Week 8. Thing is, it kinda got steamrolled by the Chickenpede. Make it your primary focus this week and don't rehash a screenshot you've already submitted. I'm hoping to hand out a whole mess of stars this week.

Better late than never!

After speaking with what seemed like an army of Amazon.com support representatives, Christine's epic tenacity has finally paid off...three days before our charity drive for Japan Quake Relief officially ends. If you're one of our international fans who have been patiently waiting for your opportunity to wrap our band around your wrist, now is the time!

Hit the link below to add a wristband to you cart, and we'll send the proceeds to the Red Cross, earmarked for Japan.



Note: This is the only item in our store that you can ship internationally. If you add anything else to your cart, you'll be forced to remove it at check out.

Back and better than ever!

If you’re interested in spilling your guts about your gameplay habits, the possibility of learning about our next game first, or even being recruited for bona fide beta testing, you should participate by clicking “Beta Tester Signup” from the Games menu above, or by clicking on the fancy new status bar in your Bungie.net profile.

Taming of the Hunters.

I didn't get a whole lot of screenshots featuring Hunters last week. That makes me sad. You want me to be happy, right?

1. Two categories this week. Snap a screenshot with one or two Hunters in the shot (more is okay, too). Or, if you'd rather cook up your own creation, go ahead and crank out some custom art featuring the same sunject material. I'll judge both categories independently.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, April 14th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 14” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for attachments is 10MB. Include a preview image and a link to the original in your file share, or an external host for artwork.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Keep in mind that I've seen plenty of existing Hunter screenshots. New stuff only for the competition, please. As always, we'll have stars ready for the winning submissions.



Go!

This elevator stops at all the floors.

I was tempted to skip the competition this week, my consideration owed to superstition around the number 13. After consulting the bones, and sucking back a cup of coffee, I came to my senses. Here's this week's task:

1. Since many of you will already be making a run through Long Night of Solace this week, go ahead and snap a screenshot along the way that showcases any awe-inspiring aspect of the Covenant forces on the ground, or high above Reach (no, you don't have to confine yourself to this one campaign space).
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, April 7th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 13” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit is 10MB. Include a preview image and a link to the original in your file share.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

I will accept custom work, but screenshots will be heavily favored when it comes time to place judgment. Wort, Wort, Wort, and all that mess.

Permanent relocation.

It's not too often we make news items for content relocation, but Leviathan's work warrants special attention. I'm going to drop you into page one instead of the latest panel, just in case you're not up to speed. And if you're not up to speed, now is a great time to dig into this wonderfully unique fan creation.

A Fistful of Arrows

We have a winner!

Looks like they're having a really hard time giving great stuff away over at Marissa's Bunny. It's really heartwarming to see such generosity on display. If you want to see it first hand, or you just want to win great prizes, hit the link and check it out at the jump. Thanks to HBO for keeping us up to speed.

Marissa's Bunny: Grandma Gives Back

Go on a Spawn Spree!

I read a forum post last week that recommended we stop doing these All Stars competitions on account of keeping the Star Nameplate ultra rare. No dice! In terms of raw percentages, the Star is in no danger of becoming tarnished. Besides, how else am I gonna pad out the updates?


Here are this week's rules:

1. Head into Forge and lay down spawn points to fashion your greatest work. You can utilize standard Forge objects as accent pieces, but spawn points must be the main event.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, March 24th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 11” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for attachments is 10MB. Make sure you attach the screenshot itself, and include a link to the original in your Bungie.net File Share.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Boop!

Let's rock!

It's hard to believe that we've already hit double digits for Bungie All Stars. We built on solid ground and we're showing no signs of erosion. Are you ready to keep on rockin' for week 10?

1. Using the rocks in Forge World (or Tempest) as your building material, create an awe-inspiring sculpture worthy of an art museum and take an in-game screenshot featuring it from the best possible angle.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, March 17th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration (and public ridicule) to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 10” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for preview attachments (required) is 10MB and you should use your best judgment and discretion in terms of the nature of the content you choose to submit. Fig leaves, if required, are not optional for your rendition of Michelangelo's David.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

(Apologies for the puns in the opening paragraph. Now go and make awesome.)

Their good deeds. Your great prizes.

A few weeks back we mentioned a stacked giveaway in support of Marissa's Bunny. Bad news, someone won and it probably wasn't you. There's good news, though. The winner kindly donated the prize back, and now you have another shot.

We think charitable people are the best kind of people. Drop by the site and count yourself among them.

Marissa's Bunny

It's a bird, it's a plane...

I'm still reeling from last week's submissions, so I'm going to make sure you don't have the option to make me nauseous this time around. We're going back to in game screenshots. But we're not leaving the field of aviation behind.

1. Take an epic screenshot of the UNSC Falcon doing what it does best.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, March 10th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 9” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit for preview images, which you should include, is 10MB. Make sure you also link to the original in your File Share.
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

That's it. Get to work!

Making the ends justify the means.

Power and powerful solutions are explored in Wednesday's Reclaimer.

Reclaimer: Rationalization

Learning to fly.

Something tells me I shouldn't do this, but here goes. Here's your mission for this week, should you choose to accept it:

1. Using any medium you can digitize and send via email, whip up some fan art of what you think the Chickenpede looks like. If you don't have art skills, send a Halo: Reach screenshot featuring the Jet Pack instead.
2. You have from this very second until Thursday, March 3rd at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to [email protected].
3. Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 8” without the quotation marks.
4. The size limit is 10MB and you should use your best judgment and discretion in terms of the nature of the content submit. Make sure to include a preview image, and a link the original screenshot in your file Share (if applicable).
5. One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Good luck in whichever route you choose. And may God have mercy on your souls.