- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I'm not gonna read through 275 pages of stuff when a new 1 pops up by the time I've read the previous one so if this has been suggested, I'm sorry.
Anyways, here's my take. I, too, believe it has more to do with a demo and most likely Live as well and this is my logic.
First and foremost is that the countdown's script title is countdowntoChina, correct? I think I remember reading that somewhere. I also believe that I read that Halo2's multiplayer levels are Earth locations and named after the areas they are meant to resemble (think Zanzibar being reminiscent of Africa, etc). So, a multiplayer level having to do with China? Maybe?
The distribution method may not be over Live though. As a subscriber I don't know when OXM usually hits shelves, but the 26th wouldn't be too off from the dates that I would expect a magazine to hit on.
The network throttling eroding probably is a reference to this particular site...maybe something having to do with people being redirected somewhere else or having the entire site opened for perusal? These weird occasional popups that seem to appear are probably Bungie (or whoever is running the site)'s way of showing that there's some sort of blockage....just a representation of it.
This medium mestastisizing part....mestastisizing is often used in cancer patients describing the spread of the cancer from the original site outwards. This could be a reference to the internet media (as in movies, screens, etc) being opened to it or may be what I originally suggested as the ship date of the demo discs if that date corresponds to the release of OXM issues better. If that is the case then the final countdown date is the date that the demo will actually be enable on Live so that you can play. Gives it time to get to a lot of people AND builds up a hell of a buzz and anticipation as you hold it but can't play it.
Again, sorry if any of these have been suggested and that it's so long.