Anton P Nym's blog

Just found out via Kotaku: Major Nelson has announced that Stubbs the Zombie is an Xbox Original as of May 19th. Those who haven't nibbled their ways through Punchbowl, PA can download that zombie-controlling goodness direct to their hard drives for 1200 Microsoft points (~$15 USD). Cheap at twice the price!

Don't be a Commie pantywaist; get Stubbs any way you can!

-- Steve

I just picked up my Limited Edition. Well, let me correct that; I picked a Frankensteinian blend of the Limited Edition case and bonus disc, plus a substitute game disk from a plastic case. Out of three metal cases opened at the counter, only one had a bonus disc that wasn't scratched... and all had at least some scratching on the game disc, one to the point that it was certainly unreadable right out of the shrink-wrapping. On top of that, I've had the case in my possession for an hour and a quarter now, and it's already more scuffed than my Halo 2 metal case; it's like they didn't laquer the outside to make it scratch resistant. (Still no dents in it, though.)

I think Bungie was very poorly served by the case vendor here, and this may come back and bite them in the butt. Perhaps even to the point of having to make a second pressing of bonus discs to replace damaged copies.

Can't wait to play the game, though, and the Bestiarum is a great little read.

-- Steve now has to crank out a day's worth of production before 3pm if he wants to leave early. *crank, crank, crank*

A big title for a small subject really, but it's a recurring thought I've had on and off for the past couple of years and I haven't seen mention of it elsewhere. So, to get it out of my head (and scavenge a last-minute opportunity before Halo 3's release to appear to be a seer of tru7h) I'll scribble it down here.

Why, specifically, do Covenant creatures refer to the Chief as "Demon" or "Devil"? What part of their dogma led to this? Was it the Prophets labelling Humanity's greatest defenders as unwholesome abominations?

Whatever the reason, ONI's suit-designers (aka Bungie) gave Covies at least one hook to hang the accusation on; the Chief has horns. Two of them. Well, you could see the split-peak on a MJOLNIR helmet as two protrusions starting at the temples.

-- Steve's wondering if this was indeed a part of the art design, or if he's just seeing nails to bash with his imaginary Gravity Hammer.

http://www.physorg.com/news109430733.html

Real photographs show Sol to be a "no trih xeem" zone.

-- Steve's hoping this isn't just the sleep deprivation talking.

It's unconfirmed for now (see the "rumour" category) but Pro-G is reporting they have unofficial news that any GamerTags with Halo 3 play associated with them before Sept. 25 could end up with their Live account banned.

Heads up, for those tempted by stores breaking street date... even playing offline may result in getting booted once you hook back up.

-- Steve'll keep an eye out for something more reliable than rumour... and isn't certain whether he hopes it's true or it's false.

edited 12:46 EDT: Looks like Pro-G has just amended their report; MS is now saying that the ban will only apply to MS employees violating street date.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Pro-G, as well as other sites that carried this story, have since backpedaled twice, saying first the bans applied only to Microsoft employees, and then that there will be no bans at all.