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Subject: Official Xbox Magazine Article - Last Days of Halo 2 - Help Needed!

Beat you to it mate :P

  • 04.15.2010 11:52 AM PDT

1. It's been an amazing few days. The famous Halo community spirit has come to a head and is positively fizzling with a poignant excitement. My favourite moment so far has been in a Big Team Battle game on Relic when the whole team tried to fit on one Warthog.

2. Definitely, I'm finding games quicker than ever. In recent times it's been hard to scrabble together enough players for a game but now there's a rush of panicked players trying to get a last memorable game before they pull the plug.

3. I never owned the game until fairly recently, but 5 years ago I'd take any opportunity I could possibly get to play it. Be it going over to friends houses or investing entire afternoons in LAN games at the local shop.

4. In it's glory days, I was an avid player and recently I've been trying to get back into it, but the playlist populations were so low it was next to impossible to get a game. But now all the loyal fans have turned out to give this fantastic game a remarkable sendoff.

  • 04.15.2010 12:01 PM PDT

( \ / ) The Bunny
(O.o) Add him to your signature
(> <) Help him rule the world
/_||_\ Prosper at his side

Seriously, check this out.

1) The final days of Halo 2 have been a great nostalgia trip. After playing for more than 3 years straight of Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE and getting the chance to go back with friends and play all the great maps over again has been awesome. Specifically, a match on Coagulation in Big Team Battle. We already established that this was the end of Halo 2 in the pre-game lobby so everyone just rode around in all the vehicles having fun...

2) Of course, games are a hell of a lot easier now that hundreds of thousands of people are playing to get that last game in. It hasn't slowed or anything though...

3) For 3 and a half years straight I played nothing but Halo 2. Before school and after school all the time. Even when I got my 360 I still went back to Halo 2...

4) Well, if this counts yes, but other than that not really. After playing for more than 3 years you tend to get bored of the game. As much as I love Halo 2 it did get boring. But this experience last night was awesome, I will always remember it along with my 3 years of Halo 2...

Thanks for asking the questions, I was glad to help.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 12:06 PM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 12:03 PM PDT

Posted by: Emperor Erno
Beat you to it mate :P
Oh lol! I just realised - I read your name as Emperor Emo!

  • 04.15.2010 12:07 PM PDT

Posted by: XtremeSpartan1
Posted by: Emperor Erno
Beat you to it mate :P
Oh lol! I just realised - I read your name as Emperor Emo!


Yeah, I get that a lot xD

  • 04.15.2010 12:10 PM PDT

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

It's been a new experience. You can really see why the community loved this game so much, how people could play ~5000 games of this and still have an itch for more. Everything about Halo 2 seems to feel complete, especially on the multiplayer side. It's a shame to see it go.

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

Honestly, never. I never had Xbox LIVE until the era of Halo 3, and I had played Halo 2 once online at a friends house. After clocking in ~1000 Halo 3 games, I heard 2 was going to be shut down, so I went and bought my first copy of Halo 2, to play it online for the one day. I wish I had started this back when it launched, and scrounged up the money to buy an account and play over a slow internet connection; this game has legendary written all over it, and I'm so glad I got in the few games I will of my life.

  • 04.15.2010 12:19 PM PDT

xypher the dark angel

<3 bunige intell i die ;) lol

1) The final days have been good, My favorite part so far was gettin two play some last ever custom games with my mates :(

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

3)i played a lot around my mates house on 4 player split screen. But i have not played a lot of games since halo 3 and ODST come out but its nice to play halo 2 a gen. I wish i just played it more now.

4)yeah all my mates have digged out there old halo 2 games to have last games. (The good old days) Its been a game thanks bungie :)

  • 04.15.2010 12:20 PM PDT

Posted by: mmmmmmmmmmmmort
Anybody consider that it's going so slowly because we are all trying to access it and it's not even supposed to be public yet?

Also, if that is the case, it means it's also slowing down for the employee...he's probably going to just get up and go to Outback for a nice Bloomin Onion and we're gonna all be left sitting here wondering what the heck just happened to our mystery man

1) They have been awesome. I don't know if you would call this a moment, but my favorite has been seeing the community come back to play a 6 year old game.

2) When I rented it a few months ago, it was rather hard to find a match, but know it takes a few seconds for me.

3)Acutally, I bought the game a few days ago. Now I really wish I would've bought it way before.

4)I haven't. (See answer to 3)

  • 04.15.2010 12:25 PM PDT
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well whats more to say than not saying anything at all in the world we knew.

1) Well it has been good, it kinda brings a tear to me eye now that Halo 2 will be gone on LIVE.

2)Yes

3)I never realy got to play halo 2 on live untill 2007 when I got live. However since Halo 2 came out I spent so much time playing system link with friends. That is what I realy did. and That had to be some of the most memorable times I have ever had with my friends. The game brought us closer, and we had so many laughs. Infact almost every saturday night our pastor Let me and my friends use the Youth minstry building for our lan Parties. We would have 24 to 30 guys in the building with tv's and xboxs everywhere. And that is How I remember Halo 2.

4)Yes. I havnt played that much in some time. especialy since halo 3 came out.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 12:32 PM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 12:31 PM PDT

Stupid ass washing machine...

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

The final days have been nothing short of epic. Everybody has been so nice, really very friendly, often a lot of cease fires and just friendly banter on the beaches of Zanzibar and Relic. I think my favourite moment was when we were playing on Relic, and on the count of 7even, everbody on both teams knelt down and fired 7even shots into the air, follwed by 7even tea-bags and a 7even minute cease fire.

That's a lot of Bungie 7evens. And we did it for you, Halo 2.

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

YES. A few weeks ago the most players I'd ever seen in a playlist was three. Now? Getting games is a piece of cake.

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

I never had LIVE as a kid, but I'd play it constantly. Myself and my friends lived and breathed Halo. We'd have sleepovers, LAN parties, the lot. Outskirts was always my favourite campaign mission, and Relic was and still is my favourite map.

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

Myself. When Halo 3 came out, I snatched it straight up. Halo 2 was put on the shelf, not forgotten, but not played. Recently, Halo 3 has become old, and stale and boring. In the 3 years between Halo 2 and 3, Halo 2 never became boring. Ever. Even without Xbox Live.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions, Ben :)

  • 04.15.2010 12:33 PM PDT
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1) Everything was great. The players were far more friendly, and we all had fun. Nothing like what is currently going on in Halo 3 now. It's honestly the most fun I've ever had in a multiplayer game in a long time.

2)I started playing again when Bungie first told us that the game was going to be turned off. When Bungie first said that not many people were playing, and it took awhile to find matches. But, these last couple days the matches only take a couple minutes to get a match setup.

3) I used to play the game often back in 2005 and 2006.

4)I came back after not playing the game for three years.

  • 04.15.2010 12:36 PM PDT

1% Onyx S9
2% Onyx S8
20% Onyx S7
LW 50
TS 50
TD 50
SWAT 50

I initially was not sure what to expect when I returned to Halo 2. I thought my nostalgia was making it sound better, yet when I returned for my last games I had genuine fun. I was able to recall many memories from years ago, good and bad.

The last game I played was a good game to end on. It was team rifles on Colossus, and I was playing with one of my best friends from high school, the same guy I played with back in Halo 2's prime. Colossus is actually the first map I remember playing on at my first Halo 2 LAN party, so it felt like a complete circle from beginning to end.

I finished the game 21 and 8 with the game winning kill. I then said my final goodbyes, and it now feels like a slow, painful death waiting to see when old Xbox Live goes offline forever.

  • 04.15.2010 12:38 PM PDT

Thanks for reading my signature!

1) Been great to come back to this game.

2) 40,000 players, a few days ago it was less than 100.

3) Played campain all the time, but only recently played multiplayer alot

4)some friends had not played for months, but came back for final days

  • 04.15.2010 12:40 PM PDT

Don't Pm me for groups, Cheers!

1) The last few days have been amazing, only at the end of an era can you truly appreciate the effect its had.

2) Over the last couple of days we've seen the player count rise over 10,000, its been a long time since its been that high.

3) I played this game all the time back in the day, it has inspired alot of the features we see on Xbox Live today.

4) I hadn't played in a few years, it certainly is nostalgic.

  • 04.15.2010 12:44 PM PDT

Received my Recon 7/7/2009 for First Game in Bungie vs The World.

Posted by: OXM Monobrow
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



1) Well, the final few days of Halo 2 have been fun for me. After a long break from it, it feels good to get in a few final games before it ends. As for favorite moments, mostly I've had a good time playing some of my favorite older maps such as Headlong and Coagulation.
2) Yes it has. A large flow of people that want to get in a few final games have come back to play again.
3) Halo 2 used to be the only game I played online on the Xbox. Until Halo 3 it was how I spent my weekend nights for a while. After Halo 3 came out I still went back occasionally, but not nearly as much as before Halo 3.
4)I have gone back after a long time away. It was like meeting an old friend again, and I enjoyed it a lot. To bad it's because the game is going offline.

  • 04.15.2010 12:45 PM PDT

"Reach out with thy blades, and smite"

Hey! Before I start, just to let you know that I absolutely <3 OXM and think that you guys are bloody fantastic :D

First, I'll tell you that it's become a billion times easier to find a match online. The population surge has been tremendous over the last few days, and spiked back up today, the 15th.

I've stayed up for about 17 hours solid playing now, caffeine truly saved the day (And night, especially).

I'm enjoying the online aspect a whole lot more than I used to. Everyone I've played on Halo 2 these past few days have been really layed back compared to those of MW2, Halo 3 and the other few online FPS'S I've played recently.

Overall, I would say that it's a big shame that Halo 2's being dropped, as it clearly still has an alive and kicking fanbase. Let's just hope that Reach is just as good.

Thanks for letting me give an input, and I can't wait for the next issue.

-Ty <3

  • 04.15.2010 12:45 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member
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Oh hey look a new Halo game. This is pretty fun. Oh what does thi-STFU N00B U SUX JUST STOP PLAYING CAUSE THERES NO POINT >=( RAAAAAAAAAAGE....

Ah the online gaming world. Lol.

1)Its been interesting. The majority of the online players haven't trash talked or anything. It's really been a pleasant place in these last few days no matter what kinda player you are. As far as any good recent memories theres just to many to say!

2) The increase in people really helps. Definetly getting matches faster like in the good ol days.

3) Well seeing as it was my first console game online and I was about 15 or so when I got it. Never stopped playing consistantly till I got my hands on Halo 3. 20 Years of age now mind you.

4) Oh yes MANY people have gone back. I myself went back and played a load of multiplayer and campaign. Even now since the servers aren't down I'm logging in a few games here and there!

[Edited on 04.15.2010 12:48 PM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 12:46 PM PDT

1. its really saddening. it feels like im sitting next to an old friend on their death bed. but with that said it feels good to be there in the last moments. but my favorite moment was in btb on coag' i got a half way across map no scope on a full shields guy so that means headshot. it felt amazing.

2. duh.

3. everyday split screen after school. who am i kidding even before school. unfortunately i didnt have live till after halo 3 came out so i never got to experience it in its prime.

4. it makes me wish halo 3 never existed.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 12:53 PM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 12:48 PM PDT

Posted by: A Bit Of Zero
This thread would have appealed to me more if it was written with crayons.
Posted by: King Dutchy
I broke one of the cords for my X11s because I couldn't get past the final American course in Doritos Crash Course.

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

The best thing about the past 2 days playing halo 2 is everyone knows its their last time playing. Its probably one of the first times on live everyone has had a propper laugh without being -blam!-s to each other. Everyone seems to be playing for fun and not just to improve their stats! I think more games need to be canceled!

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

Yep! I was finding games last night faster than I would be in halo 3!

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

Years ago I was playing alot, like myself I think this was a first taste of online play for a lot of people and it was hard to put down. Then new games came along and i stopped playing. In the past month though I have been playing quite regularly.

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

I think there was about a good 2 or 3 year gap in my halo 2 games list.

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


Ha ha, hey monobrow, I get your mag from time to time (being from scotland), cool to see you on here! my answers are in the quote - keep up the good work!

  • 04.15.2010 12:49 PM PDT

Twitter | Raptr | Facebook
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1) They've been crazy! I've never had so much fun in my life, it's like a big reunion!

2) Hell yes!

3) Not often, maybe a few times every 3 months.

4) Yeah, many times.

  • 04.15.2010 12:53 PM PDT

1. Pretty much the same it always was, with some parties of people who haven't played the game in years mixed in. A long, solid streak leaves little peaks.
-Killing three snipers with a long-range rocket apiece in quick succession.
-Sneaking to the enemy side of the map, stealing their rockets and rocket ammo, taking the 5-man flag return squad out with 5 rockets without any team support, and capping the flag.
-Driving an enemy around in a warthog until I got too immersed in the job and splattered my teammate, leading to mass laughter and a boot. It wasn't that serious.
-We meleed all the boxes off the main structure of Relic during a slayer game.
-On the countdown-end, I was doing a suicide run to the enemy position, got their sniper, and dashed for a final no-scope only to be bluescreened. When the game went back online and LIVE still worked, I got that no-scope.

2. The population definitely went up, enough for the long matchmaking waits of the regular 2010 Halo 2 to become even shorter than Halo 3's.

3. Post-25907 I usually played a bunch of BTB games after every Halo 2 legendary run, and those happened at intervals of about 4 months. 2 months before this day, I started playing long nights of H2BTB once per 2 weeks, often with a bunch of players who still played nothing but H2.

  • 04.15.2010 12:54 PM PDT

E4web

1) It's been an amazing experience, not just limited to pure nostalgia. I've had to relearn the ropes, but it's still as fresh as it was back then, although it does show you just how far Bungie had progressed when they released Halo 3. Favourite moment has to be Gulch Wars on Coagulation.

2) I would have to say yes, by a very great margin; Matchmaking was just as fast as it used to be back in the day.

Bungie stats
Unique Players (Last 24 Hours):41,535
Matches Logged (Last 24 Hours):62,187


That's more than there has ever been since everybody migrated to 360 only titles such as Gears of War and Halo 3.

3) I played the game as much as I could. I logged 5500+ games before 18th November 2007, which is when I stopped playing.

4) If you mean before the shutdown, then yes I went back to it for one game of Team Slayer in 2009, but I confess that was about it in terms of multiplayer; I did play loads of Campaign after I stopped playing multiplayer though. If you are referring to any of my friends on my friends list going back, then I can only say that one of them went back for a final play today. Such a shame.

  • 04.15.2010 12:59 PM PDT

Good players work together...and no matter how good you are, you're not physic. - blade6321

1) I've gotten my last few games in just for nostalgia's sake and it's been pretty awesome. My favorite moment has to be my last game. "Good Game -That word for a female dog that the forum censors-" Great way to go out if I do say so.

2) Back in its' prime, I either played Halo 2 more than anything else really. Usually an hour or two a weekend.

3) When my xbox got the RRoD, I instantly went out to buy Halo 2 vista for my PC. Didn't run to well, but it brought back some of the same feelings that I felt yesterday.

4)A few of my online friends would catch a game or two every month just for old times sake. I myself had moved on though

  • 04.15.2010 1:05 PM PDT
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1) I've done really, really good. Better than I used to be.

2) Yup, much quicker. I would play it here and there before these last few days, and it would take 10-15 minutes to find all the players for big team. Now, it's almost instantaneous.

3) I played extremely active in 2005, and was still pretty active up until 2007. Since then, I'd play once in a while, but that's it.

4) Until these last few weeks/days, not really. I wish I could've, but oh well.

  • 04.15.2010 1:06 PM PDT

1) What have the final few days of Halo 2 been like, any favourite moments so far?SO much fun. I wasn't very good at Halo 2 when I played it before, but I took Halo 3 more seriously and used the theater features to improve my game, and now I can say I'm pretty good at Halo 3. My new skills have definitely transferred back to Halo 2. I've gotten three "ninjas" in the past two games (a ninja is where you jump over someone's head and assassinate them for a one-hit kill) and I'm otherwise going very positive in each game.

2) Have the servers suddenly got busier than usual because old Xbox Live is being shut down?It's not like it was in the Halo 2 hayday, but it was way better on the 14th than, say, the 11th.

3) How often did you play the game in the past?Halo 2 defined Xbox Live for me. I played it all the time. It wasn't until the 360 came out that I branched out to other online games, but I still played H2 regularly.

4) Has anyone gone back to the game after a long time away from it?Before this past week, I hadn't played online since 2007, right before Halo 3 came out. It really took Halo 3 to replace Halo 2.

[Edited on 04.15.2010 1:10 PM PDT]

  • 04.15.2010 1:10 PM PDT

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