Two newcomers to Bungie, Zoe and Claire of the online team, have contributed new themes for Bungie.net's skinnable fansites; Zoe, an artist and designer, created "Euphoria Station", while Claire developed "Shotguns".
Two other themes were created by fans: H2 by Qbix, the creator of the earlier "Legendary" theme, and "Thieves in the Night" by Strykerman.
Steve from Forerunners.org has reported that he, dolbex and Dark Helmet have arrived in Dallas, and has promised to post some pictures later as the events begins.
SketchFactor over at Bungie.net has posted the results of the "Ask the Cananimators" feature interview, with answers by anim8rjb and bentlama. While the majority of the answers were with tongue placed firmly in cheek, and related to the genesis of Canadian Bacon, the relative coolness factor of the OHL and the CFL, and the prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, some Halo info did creep in there from time to time:
NW: We actually use IK for most of our animation. IK on the arms and legs, feet and other areas. For the most part we are really used to animating with IK. We use FK for the spine, neck, head and wrists and toes. Our animation rig is a mix of a lot of things, and through the power of MEL, it is simple to use and quick to animate with...those are the most important features of any animation rig. Thanks for asking, and please keep posting more questions like this.
Be sure to give it a read. Thanks to Louis Wu at HBO as usual.
The History of Bungie
DATELINE-- July 7, 2032, Bungieopolis
In the Era of Bungie Subsidized Time, the Year of the Zeus Class Fusion Pistol (revised), this being the seventh year of Bungie World Domination, many have forgotten the humble origins of the organization that now holds sway over much of our daily lives and holds our future securely in its grasp. But few suspect the truth, that such humble beginnings are little more than scurrilous rumor. Now, at last, the tru7h can be safely revealed. Please avert your eyes, retina damage may result from looking directly at the tru7h. Eyes averted? Okay. Are you sure? All right, well, on with it.
This screenshot caused massive consternation for awhile on several Halo forums due to a reflection on the visor which resembled a skull.
This shot of a Covenant Elite shows a form very similar to what appeared in the shipping game. Earlier shots had models that were much more grey than purple, and more closely resembled slightly less muscular versions of the Skaarj fighters from Epic's game, Unreal.
The hat of the marine on the right here earned him the name "Fishin' Bob".
Narcogen sporting one of Hamish Sinclair's 77 Marathon Story t-shirts at a "black dress only" party held by the CEO of MicroStrategy in northern Virginia, 2001.