Wow! I haven't been on B.net in months, and I can't believe this thread is still chillin' up here. Thanks for the positive feedback, gents!
I like to go back and scope out the old Halo media from time to time, just because the original concept was so vastly different from the games we're playing now, and some of the ideas in there still haven't been attempted to this day. I'd love to see a game that gives us free reign of an entire Halo installation; if anyone knows how to build a gorgeous, profoundly alien - yet hauntingly familiar - landscape, it's Bungie.
I just spent some quality time with ODST, and the distinct Marathon flavor that permeates New Mombasa has got me jonesin' for more old-school Bungie hotness.
Still waiting on that alpha build, dudes! :)