TeamXbox has an editorial up on how Bungie implemented stat-tracking, leaderboards, and RSS feeds for Halo 2, and why more gaming companies don't use XML.

HBO's Halo 2 Cutscene Library has reached the start of High Charity. (You know, that level where you say "oh no, I have to go BACK through that, but against Flood?" --Ed.)

The guys at TeamXbox have delivered Bungie their first major defeat from a wholly external group in a Humpday Challenge; read all about the suffering at Bungie.net.

Jillybean joins the Halo Story Page team; not surprising since the excellent writeup she posted on Halo 2's plot in the HBO forum.

Frankie has put up a new update on how Halo 2 has been doing on Xbox Live, numerically speaking, and it's impressive: Halo 2 is the #1 game by far on the service, dwarfing its nearest competitor by a factor of 10, according to Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, Xbox Live's Director of Programming.

There are also a few more sobering items, like the fact that Game Viewer data is being used to catch-- and ban-- cheaters.

Now that everyone is back from vacation, the gaming world is moving and shaking again. Here's a look around at items relating to Bungie, Halo, or the Xbox:

Stuntmutt notes on his blog today that his lovely lady accepted his marriage proposal this past New Year's Eve; see the community reaction in the HBO forum.

Vector40 notes the winners of the Bungie Tribute Poetry Contest over at The Junkyard; kudos to DarkTyrant, Murph MacManus and Raven3509, the #1, #2 and #3 winners, respectively.

Dolbex notes that the registration system for the DC Halo tournament that was expected on Tuesday has been delayed until Wednesday.

Quick bits of Haloverse news today:

An Associated Press article at Yahoo News notes how U.S. Marines stationed in Iraq turn to videogames, including Halo and The Sims (there's a strange combination --Ed.) during lulls in fighting. Where's Halo 2? Quick, somebody make an emergency shipment of Halo 2 to Iraq!

...might still win Game of the Year from several places, but that didn't earn Halo 2 any kudos from Game Tunnel, a site purporting to offer the "independent underground" view of gaming with their top 10 Independent Game of the Year writeup. Here's how they introduce their list:

For those who believe that the best game this year was that badly named expansion pack that they have the nerve to call Halo 2, you are about to see a different piece of gaming than you are used to. 

Sector7 is indicating that the Rumble Pit stats might have been reset. Interesting...

mrsmiley notes:

A new strip today in our mini new season kick-off series. Cortana makes her first Halo 2 baby appearance, and there's some new sketches to boot!