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This topic has moved here: Subject: Official Xbox Magazine Article - Last Days of Halo 2 - Help Needed!
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Subject: Official Xbox Magazine Article - Last Days of Halo 2 - Help Needed!

Hi, I'm a journalist for Official Xbox Magazine in the UK, and I'm currently writing a feature on the final days of old Xbox Live from the point of view of game communities. I have a few questions about Halo 2 that I hope some of you will be able to answer for me, would really appreciate the help and it's a good chance to get your name in print.

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?

Everyone feel free to chip in, the more answers I get, the better the article will be! If you want to email me, my work address is ben.talbot@futurenet.co.uk

Ben Talbot
Community Editor OXM
www.oxm.co.uk

  • 04.15.2010 8:24 AM PDT

I am Katsu Kage, an assassin trained in the art of stealth. I was on a recon mission when I discovered a blue box hidden among some rubble. Once I entered the blue box it had taken me to a land far away. It was strange and fantastic! There I met PatikaVoom, the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. She showed me this land, then returned with me to the blue box. She called it a TARDIS and seemed to know how to work it. We left together and have been on many adventures, with many more to come!

1) The final days have been good, My favorite part was getting all my friends to play Halo 2 again one last time.

2)Yes it has been easyer to find a match with all the extra people.

3)Not as mutch as I would have liked...

4)Yeah I played Halo 3 for a long time, when I came back to Halo 2 i forgot how AWESOME it is!!

  • 04.15.2010 8:28 AM PDT

mehhh

1) its been awesome, met some nice people, havent slept in over 24 hours cause ive been playing it

2) yes the servers have gone up dramaticaly

3) only every now and then, wish i had played more before

4) and yes i had it, sold it and then bought it again a few months back

  • 04.15.2010 8:29 AM PDT

Gaming Rig Specs:
Coolermaster HAF X // XFX Pro 850W XXX PSU // Corsair 16GB Vengeance RAM (1600MHz) //
Corsair 120GB Force GT SSD // Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB HDD // Intel i7 3770k CPU //
MSI Z77A-GD65 Mainboard // MSI GTX 680 Twin Frozr III OC Edition Graphics Card -- Runs BF3 on ultra at anywhere from 60FPS to 130+FPS.

|| Average Joe ||

Let's have a look-see:

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

-Fantastic. The community on Halo 2 has always been a treat to play with, but in these past few days, it's just been good game after good game. A favourite moment of mine was on Coagulation in Big Team Battle. I jumped off of our base, and boarded a Banshee right as the rocket that was chasing it hit home. We were both killed, but the laughs coming from my headset told me it was priceless.

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

-I'm not sure I would say that's true. I've seen around one thousand players online in Halo 2 even on less active days, so there shouldn't have been any issues with the servers.

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

-Not often enough as I've now found out. In '06 when I got Xbox LIVE, I played it loads. Then Halo 3 came out in 2007, and my Halo 2 activity died down a load.

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?

-Well, I have. Does that count?

=P

  • 04.15.2010 8:31 AM PDT

Furry At Heart,
Furry Forever óÓÒò

Supreme mastery therefore, is not to be victorious in all your battles; supreme excellence is to be victorious without fighting.

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. "

1) The last days have been the best I've had in a long time. The best games I've ever had on Live. Favorite moment would be my last game. Assault on Zanzibar. All but three of the other team quit, so we all made peace and fooled around the rest of the match. I got on top of the base so I could literally finish on a high note.

2) I have been able to find matches quickly and without much lag, so I guess.

3) I did not play much before yesterday. I regret that rather strongly.

4) Last time I played was a while ago. I'm back in full now. Wish I had more time to play.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 8:43 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:32 AM PDT

1) Really good so many people staying up at ridiculous times just to play one final game.

2) So many more people have started playing Halo 2 for one last game it's unreal.

3)This was one of my first online games I ever played and I was shown the hard way how much better people are on xbox live.

4) Yes I went back to this when i heard it was being turned off and have kept playing it till the last day.

  • 04.15.2010 8:33 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Elder Legendary Member

Yes, I am a hypocrite, and I'm sorry. I really do mean well, but I'm not running on all cylinders.

Everytime someone buys a copy of Halo 2 Vista, a puppy dies.

1) Busy. Better attitude than usual. Less trash talk.

2) Way busier. The number of Halo 2 players surged.

3) Used to play all the time. Lost my old GT which had most of my games.

4) Yes.

  • 04.15.2010 8:35 AM PDT

1) The final days have been great, everyone that is playing seems to be playing the game for fun, since ranks don't matter much anymore. I have to say my favorite moments have to be from being able to play with my friend on Halo 2 again. I remember when we played it over his house all the time before I got LIVE.

2) Well last time I played before the ending date (like back in February) I had a hard time finding games since there was like only 500 people on at once. But last night the servers went over 12,000 players at once.

3) Before I had LIVE I played the campaign so much I memorized every piece of dialogue from the cutscenes and in-game talk (i.e. Cortana or the Gravemind).

4) I think I played the game like once a year after Halo 3 came out and now I realize I love Halo 2's maps, they are just better in every way. I'll continue to play it on Windows, but it's not ever close to the same experience.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 8:36 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:36 AM PDT

Intoxicated Warthawg driver for Hire
Posted by: AquaBlader
CTF is god. Praise his name. For the flag is his holy messiah.

Posted by: Bricypoo Nobody quotes me and puts me in their signatures It makes me sad ... :(
My third montage!

1. The best moment was during a BTB match on Relic. I was working towards a killing frenzy when after being killed I dropped the sword. While waiting to respawn one of the three players that killed me said this "NO NO that's MY sword I'm playing the Elite!"

2. Haven't played today so I don't know honestly.

3. Sadly I wish I had played it much more than I did. Some of the matches I played in were loads of fun.

  • 04.15.2010 8:37 AM PDT

~Foo

1) The final few days have been filled with Nostalgia. I played the final night with a bunch of friends whom I met through a Halo Community website (HighImapactHalo.org, a site specializing in tricking and glitching the Halo series) about 4 years ago. We have loads of memories in Halo 2. My favorite moment from the final days was when we launched four Warthogs to the top of an uber-tall building on Headlong. It was great.

2) Yeah I've noticed a huge increase in people.

3) Halo 2 was my middle-school life. I ate, slept, and breathed Halo. Literally every day. And I owe that all to the great community. Halo has hands-down the best community in gaming. I consider the guys I'd play with regularly to be some of my best friends. Without the community I doubt I'd have stuck around this long :P

4) Yes, many people. Last night was a reunion of sorts. Everyone came back to pay some final respects to Halo 2. :)

  • 04.15.2010 8:37 AM PDT

The Stig is dead to me
-Carrick

1) The community has really shined as everyone i've played with is there for the same reason, and to say a final goodbye.

2) it's a bit quicker to find a game, not much though. Games are getting more full up though, i only used to have like 3 on 3, but now it's the full package

3) i was really gonna get into it, but then i got halo 3, and on the odd occasion i went on halo 2, it took about half an hour to find a decent Team Deathmatch.

4) when i heard it was being turned off...on the final day (yeah sucks i know) i wapped in the disk in and havent stopped playing since. i'm gutted that i didnt play the game more often in the past...and now it seems too late to make up for it.

Goodbye Halo 2 <3


[Edited on 04.15.2010 8:44 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:37 AM PDT

poop

Posted by: OXM Monobrow
1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?

1) Yes, I played Tower of Power in a full party for over an hour. That, my friend, is priceless.

2) I haven't experienced any problems.

3) Probably the game I've spent most time on, exept Halo 3.

4) Yes, I have.

  • 04.15.2010 8:38 AM PDT

Posted by: Duardo
I'd love to be a 10 year old and tell my mom I'm going on an adventure out into the world catching Pokemon, with her full support. Never mind the fact that there are rapists, criminals, and murders out there, or the fact that I may get killed by a Pokemon.

Luckily I have Pikachu.

1) The final days could have been a little better with a playlist update, but it was fun. I have alot of memories with this game and it is truly sad to see it end this way.
My favourite moment was a match on Lockout in Team Snipers where my party faced a team of Superbouncers. We dominated them them the whole match.

2) More than likely, it has been much quicker finding matches in the game than it was a year or so ago.

3) I played Halo 2 alot even before I got Xbox Live. It was the game to play before Halo 3 was released in 2007.

4) Of course, but not anyone I know personally which was a downer.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 8:40 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:38 AM PDT

Tank beats everything!!!

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

They have been awesome it reminds me why Halo 2 was such a generation changing game. My favourite moments are that today the game is about fun not winning or losing.

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

Im not sure but i think so because people will want to pay there final respects to the game

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

I played alot of splitscreen before i had xbox, i didnt play this online until recently, i regret not playing this more because i love it.

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?

Yes i am one of them, such an awesome game, shame to see it go

[Edited on 04.15.2010 8:50 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:38 AM PDT

Pioneer and Enthusiast for Halo 3.

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

For me Halo 2 has become very sad to play, especially knowing that Halo 2 could have shut down the servers all of the sudden. I would at least want to say the last goodbyes to everyone in the game. Although, every game I can get into. I appreciate greatly. Ether I lose or win. It doesn't matter. They're all special moments.

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

Most definite. You can find people to play with in a matter of seconds and even in the lower playlists who have clearly no one playing at the time before when everyone knew about the shutdown. Its really been a nice party just like back in '04.

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

I didn't have XBL for my original Xbox. This didn't stop me. Back when I had my Original Xbox, I lived in a apartment. I was about 9 years of age. Their were plenty of kids to play Halo 2 with, and also not to forget Halo CE.

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?

Too be honest, I see more people who have stuck with the game, rather than have left the game, and then went back to it. People are loyal to what they love. Although, I have seen a couple people talk about how they are coming back for Halo 2. I mean, it's Halo 2. Its also the end times for Halo 2. Most people probably appreciate the non-competitive part since its going down April 15th.

  • 04.15.2010 8:41 AM PDT

three of the samurai creeds Polite Courtesy Compassion and Complete Sincerity OTK is all of these.

1) its always been great, Got as many people from my group (OTK) as i could for the last blast. If I didn't have to work I would still be on - im hoping that it will still be there after I get home I really want to be there at the very last

2)It seems like it although it has fluctuated a lot though the night. Now @ 875 - Im siting at work monitoring the player count to keep my hopes up.

3) not as much as I should have been and now its becoming a "don't know what you got til its gone" feeling. I feel like im losing a friend because I didn't pay attention when they asked for help.

4) I had it for the original xbox but never got serious about playing online until I became hopelessly addicted to Halo 3. At that point I had to have all things halo and got serious about playing H2 online.

  • 04.15.2010 8:41 AM PDT

1) Its been great, this game is so retro now (in a good way) :)
2) Yeah there are lots more people playing now
3) I hardly played it in the past, with halo 3 and COD but I have really enjoyed it recently
4) I only ever played it on my original Xbox console (it was the only game I ever played) but I never had online, so this is my first time on live with it. All the people playing are really nice as well, from a great community.

  • 04.15.2010 8:42 AM PDT

My old Halo 2 account is Devil brothers

1. The final few days have been brilliant for me. It was like playing the game in it's hayday and every lobby you got into there would be people talking to each other about their favourite moments and overall there was a friendly atmosphere in nearly every game you landed in. Something you don't see on recent games.

2. Before they announced the shutdown of the servers I would say there was a stable community of about 1000 people playing but when it was announced that it would be shut down i'm pretty sure the amount of people playing would have shot up. On the final day this website displayed over 11000 people playing!

3. Well I originally bought the Xbox for Halo 2 and that's the only game I ever owned for it. When I found out about Xbox live I managed to get a one year subscription in early 2006 and constantly played it right up until Halo 3's release. Over the two accounts I used I managed to clock up over 8700 games and 59000 kills.

4. Ever since Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 came out I pretty much stopped playing Halo 2. I would go back on it every couple of months for a few games. But since they announced the shutdown of Original Xbox live support I started playing Halo 2 full time.

  • 04.15.2010 8:44 AM PDT

Posted by: OXM Monobrow
1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?

3) How often did you play the game in the past?

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?


1) The last few days have been a blast playing with some awesome people from the community. One of my favorite moments was hearing someone on proxy chat claim they'd never complain about the Assualt Rifle from H3 again.

2)All day on the 14th the number of players online just grew and grew, it was pretty amazing to watch.

3)A friend and I both picked the game up on the release date and for the longest time it the the goto game of choice. Neither of us had plans on a Friday? Let's call up some pals and get a 16 player Halo 2 LAN going. It was shortly before me moved away that we would discover Xbox Live (neither of us having high speed internet much before this time) and the joy it would bring connecting us even if he was 100 miles away.

4)When Halo 3 was released I moved on, like most people. Before the 14th the last time I played Halo 2 was in 2007. It was quite a nostalgia rush going back.

  • 04.15.2010 8:45 AM PDT

My DeviantArt Gallery - For my Photoshop stuff, go have a look!

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?
Wonderful really, sitting down for a few hours on such a monumental game brought back that sense of wonder when I first played it. With tons of players jumping into the experience for one game night. The nostalgic feeling of vehicular warfare on Coagulation, intense firefights on Lockout and being killed by the obscenely fast train on Terminal.

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?
From what I've seen definately, with Bungie offering a 'visual flair' in Reach to anyone who plays Halo 2 on the final day giving players a little boost of motivation to play. I might not have experienced the nostalgia of playing once again if bungie didn't remind me in their most recent weekly update, and 64,000 unique players in the last 24 hours isn't bad for a game half a decade old.

3) How often did you play the game in the past?
Not all that often, I used to play Halo 2 as a guest at my friends house a lot before Halo 3 came out. I got an Xbox 360 and Xbox Live myself just as Halo 3 was released, so I rarely played 2.

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?
I'm sure a lot of us have, and you really notice the differences between 2 and 3 when you do play. Both in gameplay and graphics.

  • 04.15.2010 8:49 AM PDT

I wish I was still legendary.

1. Great, I loved playing on Headlong one last time. I haven't had the experiences other people have had though, like a ceasefire at midnight PST.

2. Definitely. 42,000 players yesterday and it's normally much lower.

3. I used to play campaign and splitscreen a lot, but not any MM - I didn't have live for a long time.

4. Yes - my H2 disc has been badly damaged since 2007, so I went and got it repaired just for this occasion.

  • 04.15.2010 8:49 AM PDT

1) The final days for me have been filled with Section 8 and Borderlands. However in the final day I had a really great time with a lot of great people....well a few great people in Halo 2. We laughed, we cried, and we even tried to have one last big team group hug as the clock struck midnight on the final full day of Halo 2's life.

It's been a great ride, but one, I must admit, that's best comming to an end.

2) Probably.

3) In 2005, all the time. 2006, some of the time. 2007-2010. Rarely, if even ever.

4) The last time I played Halo 2 (xbox) was back in December 08. Playing it again felt suprisingly natural, though. Everything was just as I remembered it, for better or worse.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 9:04 AM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 8:49 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
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1. They've been awesome, I've had so much fun, and played with so many pleasant people, I'm never going to forget hearing 16 grown men sing Yellow Submarine, and share Halo 2 stories. It's also beensomewhat emotional as I was onlie for the games launch and I'll be there for it's death.

2. The players online has skyrocketed in the games final days.

3. I played Halo 2 religiously from the moment it came out until the day Halo 3 was released, over the years I've racked up 4898 games over 196 pages worth!

4. I came back after a bit over a 2 year long break after Halo 3 came out to be there for it when it died.

-Zach G

  • 04.15.2010 8:59 AM PDT

I'm 23, I have a house, dog, girlfriend, job and I have no interest in any fanboyism so if you're thinking about sending me a childish PM, don't be surprised when I don't call back.

Posted by: L0ne Darky
OMFG we're gunna be famous!!


Lay off the caffeine buddy.

  • 04.15.2010 9:01 AM PDT

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