8:15 PM: The once-vacant room has started to fill again, only this time with people that we’ve never seen before. Usually, at events like this, you see a lot of the same people from various websites, magazines and blogs. Our very own OXM peeps are in the house, along with fellows from GameSpot and 1Up, but suddenly there’s an influx of people no one seems to know. They look like football players invited in to see what’s what. Hey, no problem. Plenty of monitors for all, just strange to see them here.
8:35 PM: As for Halo-specific updates, it really seems like the auto matchmaking wants to gravitate towards the Snowbound level, Land Grab play type. We’ve tried vetoing many of these matches but for some reason people love fighting in the snow. This particular level, which we’ve played a dozen times by now, also has turrets outlining the perimeter so you can’t go walking through the frozen wilderness. Plenty of Ghost-driving lunatics have been zapped by these turrets, thinking they can fly wherever they damn well please.
8:45 PM:We’ve also noticed the Spartan Laser is a whole lot cooler when you’re getting shot by it instead of shooting it yourself. It takes a while to actually fire, so waiting for all the doodads to link up and shoot is a downer. Overall though, a pretty exciting night. People are enjoying themselves, lots of hooting and hollering, plenty of drinks and food around, it’s a very welcoming atmosphere. We’re not gonna lie, it sure feels like Halo 2 with some new guns, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun.
