The last time I created a longwinded thread to Halo Nation was quite a few years ago; specifically when Bungie still held the rights to the Halo franchise. It feels strange submitting a thread after such an extended period, but I think what I have to say will make up for the absence.
I’m a graduate in Literature/Writing (specializing in Science Fiction!) with training in business/marketing from the University of California San Diego. Ever since I was a lad, I’ve lived, breathed and dreamt science fiction. Science fiction is the only genre that inspires real world technology, ponders the future of where our race is going and offers cautionary advice that juxtaposes our rapid forward progress. I’ve worked at some incredible places as a community manager and licensing representative. Organizations like Qualcomm, XPRIZE and even Microsoft for a brief period working with Minecraft implementation into primary school’s S.T.E.M curriculum. You may be asking, “What does any of this have to do with Halo? What is this guy going on about?” Well, to put it briefly…Halo has everything to do with it. Because without Halo, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have. If you would allow me, let me take you on a great journey (hurr hurr) how Halo has influenced my life.
I remember paging through a 2001 issue of Game Informer on a very hot and muggy August. Before this time I had only heard of Microsoft’s new console from rumor mills and second hand “hush hush” sources. This was a time before large internet outlets and gaming news websites, sure they existed but sparsely. Admittedly, I was more interested in the revealing of Metal Gear Solid 2, not so much Microsoft’s black monolith of ultimate gaming domination. But something caught my eye while flipping through the thin pages. A soldier, looking forcefully at the reader as if about to give a standing military order. Of course, I obliged. I saw images of a ring world and was immediately curious. Even at twelve I was well acquainted with Larry Niven’s Ringworld series, so this curious game gave me a moment of pause and a tinge of curious wonder. The more I read the more excited I became. Super soldiers, vehicles, massive conflict and an invading alien force? What wasn’t there to like? Months down the road, I was in line at a Gamestop eagerly awaiting for my turn to receive an Xbox and of course, Halo: Combat Evolved. The drive home seemed caught in a temporal loop, it certainly felt longer than the usual four block distance. Once home, I opened the box, hooked up the system and was greeted by Xbox’s green blob of power. From the very first cinematic I became enthralled, Halo had sunk its teeth into me and for almost sixteen years hasn’t let go. I played for hours, becoming attached to Master Chief, Cortana and even the questionably intelligent, although eager, Marine allies. Once the final scene of Chief’s and Cortana’s escape ended, I wanted more of this universe. I immediately went to the bookstore and bought a copy of Halo: The Fall of Reach, which I still have to this day.
From 2002 to 2004 I eagerly awaited a squeal to Halo: Combat Evolved. I read Halo: First Strike and even the less enjoyed Halo: The Flood to hold me over. Although I didn’t have anyone whom to enjoy my passion for the Halo universe with locally, I found a thriving community of like minded Halo fanatics on Bungie.net. For a very long time I considered Bungie.net a home away from home. Bungie at that time was very committed and passionate about their community so it was not rare for you to have a direct conversation with the developers. The more I spoke with the community and staff the more inspired and welcomed I felt. I was an odd young man, while my peers were out going to parties or attempting to keep up with fads, I was at home reading about physics, space exploration and enjoying science fiction. Bungie.net and the Halo community gave me an outlet to be myself and develop my individualism, something that my home town of San Diego had no capacity for. Despite the week long Comic-Con and outside of UCSD, San Diego is devoid of nerdom or any culture pertaining to the imaginative arts. Looking back, I would like to think that some of those developers that were so kind to me, and to the Halo community back then, have found a new home at 343i.
As the launch of Halo 2 neared I was in a state of hype that probably won’t be matched by a gamer until Valve finally announces Half Life 3. I was going to 7-11 every day to purchase those special edition Halo 2 Slurpee cups, filling them to the brim with “Plasma Purple” grape flavored Slurpee slush. When Halo 2 launched, I was there at the midnight release and played into the next morning. My mother, being the supportive parent she is, let me skip school the next day to enjoy the new release. Halo 2’s narrative was much deeper and left a more lasting impact than Halo: CE. The characters had depth, and I related to the Master Chief more than ever. He seemed to be taking the entire human race on his shoulders, alone. This was also the first foray I had into online console multiplayer, the first few games were anything but disappointing. I made lasting friends, whom I still talk to today, and we were left with many memories of CTF on Coagulation…
