For all you Halo fanatics out there, this week may have presented some very interesting news for you. According to the December ‘08 issue of Game Informer, once Halo 3: Recon is released to the public everyone will have the opportunity to win the all-coveted ‘Recon Armor’ to wear in the Halo 3 multiplayer.  

First of all if you’re not in the know, Halo 3’s multiplayer experience lets you change your wearable armor permutation (changeable helmets, torso armor and shoulders) so players can take a small sense of pride and individuality in customizing their online Spartan.  These pieces of armor are unlocked to the player by completing various in game achievements, making it even more pride based seeing as how you have to earn it.  ‘Recon Armor’ however is only available to Bungie employees (as well as a select few who have won special Bungie-sponsored charity events and contests).  

Now, due to the kindness of Bungie (or their weariness of constant “can I have recon????” emails, OR as a sign of good faith to all the fans after their recent splitting from Microsoft) they are offering Recon armor to anyone able to complete all of their new ‘vidmasters challenge’ achievements, which include challenges like:

- Enter into any ranked or social playlist with 7 EXP on the 7th of the month
- Complete Halo on 4-player Legendary LIVE co-op, with Iron, and everyone in Ghosts.

It’s reasons like this that Bungie is one of my favorite companies in gaming.  After releasing a game as big as Halo 3 they don’t simply just drop everything and move on to their next project, they still manage to think up fun ways to keep the gamer entertained and challenged (WHILE working on their next project).  To all the companies out there, take notes, and to everyone else, have fun earning that Recon.

Last night the Best Buy near Times Square held “The Official Midnight Launch” for the new World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King expansion. The event officially kicked off at 8p.m. The first person in line was “Pete” a student at the Stevens Institute of Technology. He had been in line since 12a.m Wednesday morning; a full 18 hours before the event began. One of the crowd members did give his phone number to one of the Blood Elves; but I doubt he will be getting a call. Mike Morhaime the president and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, along with several members of the development were in attendance and were signing copies of Wrath of the Lich King for those who waited throughout the night. Geoff Keighley was the MC for the night and he helped invigorate the crowd. There was a dance contest, prizes, and a fans Q&A with vice president and co-founder Frank Pearce.

Rod Fergusson – Senior Producer, Epic Games Inc.

Rod Fergusson is the Senior Producer for Epic Games’ blockbuster “Gears of War” franchise (see www.gearsofwar.com).  After guiding the development of the 2006 Game of the Year, “Gears of War” for Xbox 360 and PC, Rod is currently working hard to ensure that its highly anticipated sequel, “Gears of War 2,” is bigger, better and more bad ass – and in gamers’ hands this November.

Rod joined Epic in 2005 after a 10-year career with Microsoft, which included seven years as a Producer within Microsoft Game Studios.  While there he produced a number of game projects including “MS Train Simulator,”  “Blood Wake” and “Counter-Strike” (Xbox). (Rod Fergusson Biography provided by Epic Games Inc)