As time marches ever forward we grow closer to Halo salvation. The launch of Halo: Reach is the light that all Halo fans stretch their arms up towards, grasping for something solid. As more information becomes available we inch closer to the light and closer to understanding. Yet it is the faithful of forge; the ones dedicated to that aspect of the Halo religion that are left in the dark. These fans, who are members of our site, grasp for anything that shall bring them closer to their transcendence. However, ye forge faithful should be without fear for you walk with the prophets of Forge Hub. We are here to deliver you unto your fate. A fate filled with the wondrous light that shines brightest from Forge. You will not be forgotten and you will not be left behind. Soon all of your minds shall become enlightened. But probably not with this update.
Well that was quite a spiel huh? I bet you are all ready to join my cult now and I am to become your adorned leader. Or perhaps you just are getting really annoyed and want to read this super awesome and fun filled site update? Yeah, I think it’s likely the latter.
Damn Shapeshifters…
Dastardly buggers are always changing their faces. One minute they’re grey, the next they're brown or purple, then they’re green. Wait what? Green, there is no green. Okay never mind, anyway we’ve been keeping track of them for you so they don’t happen to slip under your radar and surprise you from behind. First up we have Sir Death Yoyo (who would like to kindly remind me that the second Y is most definitely not capitalized). This cunning linguist has transformed from a member of the anon movement into a beautiful purple butterfly. For all of his hard work and dedication to the Review Hub, Death Yoyo has been promoted to loyal. On top of that we have two young upstarts wreaking havoc on the Forge scene with their crafty creations. For their superb winning entry into the Foreign Treasures contest, members Vyctoriouz and The Sir Toppum Hat have been promoted to the rank of Premium. As well, members Loscocco and LD have been allowed to bravely sport the purple for their exceptional work in the Testers Guild. As if that wasn’t enough… well actually it is and too bad if you don’t like it.
Another Closed Book…
With the wrap up of an excellent contest comes the inevitable, continual mention of its closing and results (as well as much necessary praise for its most excellent and honorable judges, of course). So as is customary we once more remind you that Foreign Treasures was completely amazing and yielded some of the best maps Forge Hub has ever seen. To give you a quick recap: the game was close, 24 to 2 in my favor. As I rushed down a hallway I encountered Shad0w Viper. I knew my only option was to pointlessly jump off the map while pulling a 360 degree no scope to win the game. And I did. Oh sorry, you wanted to hear about the contest recap? Well of course then. Coming in first and foremost was Sentinel, bringing us two new premiums by the names of Vyctoriouz and The Sir Toppum Hat. In second place with all its epicness was MetaWaddleDee's Shipment. Honorable mentions go out to MickRaider and Bloo Jay’s Campgrounds, jakob hunter’s Halfghan and LD’s Kingdom. For those of you who hadn’t already heard, first place received a lovely Sumo Lounge Omni bean bag chair. For the full contest result article, please see here.
Something About Reviews or Maps..
As has become tradition with the Site Updates we would like to direct your attention to the Review Hub's path of death and destruction. If you didn’t know your map was reviewed I am sincerely sorry I ruined your day. However, if you would like to hear their thoughts on all the latest maps out and about the forums, you can take a look at the list below. If you’d like to throw your name in the hat to become one of their evil minions, you should take a look here.
Anchorage : 6.6/10 - Death Yoyo
Reach : 5.4/10 - RedNeck
Static : 5.5/10 - Death Yoyo
Missed Reviews from Previous Cycle
The Pool : 6.3/10 - RedNeck
Secrecy : 7.4/10 - Death Yoyo
Axolate : 8.5/10 - Bloo Jay
On A Happier Note…
The Testers Guild is making member after member happy with their efforts to improve maps before those evil Reviewers can take any more innocent lives. If you hadn’t heard already, the Testers Guild is back in full swing over at the TRC Guild. If you recently submitted a map to be tested, you should check out the Feedback forum to see if feedback has been left on your map, or to just get some ideas of what you can do to improve your own map. If you would like to join the Testers Guild it is as simple as just saying so, and you can do so here.
The Two Forges
Before I get the now-Site-Update-customary "what about Forger Hub Favorites" garbble garbble angryface, I'll tell you that it is coming this week. No more false promises or delays, the final Forge hub Favorites will be coming Tuesday. Yes, that it is right I said the final one. However, it is not for lack of good reason. If you are familiar with Forge Hub's history then you know we ran a once annual contest known as Best of Forge. It was basically a large Forge Hub Favorites encompassing all of the best maps and voting them in on the basis of categories. You might also have noticed that we opted to forgo the previous Best of Forge time period in anticipation for this. Coming very soon will be Best of Halo 3's Forge and it will be the final Best of Forge for Halo 3, encompassing every forged map from the beginning of time. As Best of Forge and Forge Hub Favorites are so similar in nature, but Best of Forge is more prominent, it will usurp FHF for the remainder of Halo 3. We would very much like all your attention dedicated to the up coming Best of Forge. With the launch of Reach however, Forge Hub Favorites will return as it was, though likely with minor changes to reflect Halo: Reach. So yeah, maybe final was too absolute of a word. But most importantly: get to finding your nominations! A Best of Forge article will appear very soon.
When Will We Be Delivered?
If you paid half a mind to my babble at the beginning of the update (or half a mind to anything on the site) you will have noticed that Bungie has been particularly quiet on the subject of Forge in Halo: Reach. However, it appears as if their silence may break this coming Thursday, or so it seems from the tantalizing remarks they've been throwing about. If you hadn’t heard, Bungie will be attending the annual event known as Comic Con (Westboro Baptist Church will also be in attendance). As stated in numerous instances by Bungie themselves, some big stuff is going down on Thursday. It has already been confirmed that Forge has been shown to multiple press sources and it is confirmed that Campaign won’t be shown again until early August. One can only hope that all this speculation will come true as Bungie unveils Forge on Thursday. So make sure you float around Forge Hub, Bungie and their Twitter to catch by the minute updates of what is going on at Comic Con.
Now for the Fireworks…
I do have to apologize for being so nasty to you these last few weeks. Update after update I have teased and referenced things I wished I could fully unveil to you. I know your mouths have salivated at the mention of unknown wonders and soon additions. To truly show you how sorry I am I’ve decided to let down my guard and a bit and with the blessing of my superiors I have been given the green light on a date for the skin. Just let me check my notes here… I think it should be sometime around next March. Oh no sorry, that’s my dentist appointment. Ah, sorry that’s right. It’s right now. Yes, that is correct; now, as in the current time. Not tomorrow or next week but right this minute. Don’t believe me? Well, see for yourself - it’s under your quick skin selection choices. However, do note one thing: it is a beta. As this is something we hold very dear to us, being that it is our new official skin, we want it to be perfect. Being that you will be the primary users of this skin for some time to come we would very much appreciate your feedback. Thus we have opened up this thread for all your complaints, er... constructive feedback on the skin. Enjoy, my devout Halo Forgians.
Activate Reach Dark (Fluid)
Activate Reach Dark (Fixed)
Almost Time for an Advent Calendar…
The close of another update means another two weeks closer to Reach. If you can’t tell: I’m excited. I hope you all are as well because it’s a pretty monumental shift in the Halo franchise; the last game of our beloved Bungie. It is a game that will have to last us for much of the future, or at least until we go get a real job. Yeah whatever, I’m gonna stick it to the man! Anyway, now that my rebellion is over I’d just like to say thanks for being awesome and reading all of my pointless words shabbily constructed into what I think they call sentences? See you in two.
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