Bungie Universe
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Subject: Wake Me, When You Need Me

"Wake me...when you need me."

I posted this thread once a long time ago. I thought with the news about the expansion of a Universe that Bungie created, crafted and nurtured, it would be appropriate to edit, revise and re-post this topic.


The Spartan floats to a cryotube and as he climbs in, Cortana comments

"I'll miss you."

He replies

"Wake me, when you need me."
--------------------------------------------------------------
I hope those who read this are able to understand where I am coming from.

People need you Chief.

We will always need Master Chief Petty Officer John-117.
We need him for the same reason we need Han Solo, our fathers, Michael Jordan and any number of other heroes we have, be they real or fictional.

Quoted from: Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson
People need heroes Chief


We need characters like the Master Chief because people need heroes. People need something to aspire to. People need a goal, an ideal....an example. From a young age into adulthood, people need heroes. Bungie has given us a remarkable one.

This thread will probably be more meaningful to those of you whom have read the novels but all the same, the Halo story is one of struggle, desperation and valor. Against hopeless odds the Master Chief brings humanity back from the brink of extinction. Back from annihilation. He just wants to win. He is the finest of all the Spartans ever trained. He wants to complete his mission. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He is driven, selfless and motivated. He is strong and courageous. He is brilliant, lucky and daring. In a word - a hero.

I am 34, married with kids. I run a small chain of video game stores in the deep south. I am an average Halo MM player but really enjoy playing. I am well adjusted and am quite aware that the Master Chief, along with Han Solo are fictional characters. All the same, they are heroes.

I can remember being a little boy and wanting to ride with Han Solo across the galaxy, or wanting to be a pilot of one of the Voltron lions. Why did I want that? The same reason all little boys want something like that. We want to be heroes. We want to be like our idols. We aspire to be the best we can be. Sometimes life gets in the way of that. It becomes difficult to remember. It becomes harder to see through the fog of age and real life responsibility.

As I have gotten older, I have had the great privilege of watching my children do the same thing with their heroes as I did with mine. It is an honor and a joy to watch my kids take up a toy light saber and fight off the forces of evil in their imaginary world. In their minds, they are becoming the heroes they idolize. These are the reasons we will always need the Master Chief.

It was extremely bitter sweet watching the last scenes of Halo 3 and Halo Reach. I have really enjoyed playing in the Halo universe with quite a few new characters. Sgt. Forge, from Halo Wars, was impressive. The new guys in ODST were compelling and had great back stories along with excellent doses of humor. It was another great story full of heroes.

Halo Reach showed that Bungie had not given up on story with the excellent narration of the plot of Noble Team. The entire team was different but unified and presented a great cast with which to watch the unfolding horrors on Planet Reach.

Still, it is hard to top Master Chief Petty Officer John 117. Noble Team was great. The ODST unit was awesome. But The Master Chief is the primary hero in this universe and I think most people know that. I think it is great that Bungie expanded the Halo universe though. It is among the finer fictional settings around.

I for one, hope Bungie remembers the Master Chief even during their new projects. I am sure that Bungie Aerospace (whatever it may be) will be yet another awesome universe we all come to know and love.

I am confident and hopeful that 343i will do him justice.

We do need you Master Chief. We need our heroes and you are among the greatest of all time. We will always need you.

Welcome back.


[Edited on 06.26.2011 3:28 PM PDT]

  • 06.26.2011 3:11 PM PDT

Posted by:ScubaToaster
Posted by: HipiO7
This man, this man right here put it so eloquently that I actually cancelled my own 2000+ word long post.
/slow clap for respect


:)
The person who said participating is important, not winning, obviously never won anything.

As long as we dont see his face, I'll be happy.

  • 06.26.2011 3:32 PM PDT

"Wake me...when you need me."


Posted by: HipiO7
As long as we dont see his face, I'll be happy.


I could not agree more. I'm also not big on the armor changes they made in the trailer but I suppose there is still time to change that.

Also, did his head seem a little bit big to you?

  • 06.26.2011 3:33 PM PDT

Posted by:ScubaToaster
Posted by: HipiO7
This man, this man right here put it so eloquently that I actually cancelled my own 2000+ word long post.
/slow clap for respect


:)
The person who said participating is important, not winning, obviously never won anything.

Posted by: Swamptik
Posted by: HipiO7
As long as we dont see his face, I'll be happy.


I could not agree more. I'm also not big on the armor changes they made in the trailer but I suppose there is still time to change that.

Also, did his head seem a little bit big to you?


Indeed. The Chief's new armor looked pretty disgusting. I cant wait for 343 to explain how his armor changed while he was in cryo the whole time. Halo 3's Mark VI was perfect the way it was. But it seems 343 isnt really good at making MJLONIR armors, I mean, I hated the Halo Wars design, I absolutly hate the Combat Evolved Anniversary re-do of the MARK V and I dont like the new MARK VI (If that's what it is)

His head? I didnt really notice, I only watched the trailer around two times, did not really like it that much. God, I hope they dont change the Chief and make him more emotional, that would destroy him.

  • 06.26.2011 3:37 PM PDT

*applauds* Very excellent OP. I couldn't agree more, no character has had more influence on the Halo universe than Master Chief, while all of the characters are important and each play their own part, I think it is safe to say that Master Chief is the one who by far has impacted it the most. It's kind of bittersweet to see Bungie's final departure from the Halo series, it's been an excellent ten years of fun the community has had with them and I look forward to many more years with their new universe. I also really look forward to 343i's first voyages into Halo's vastness and can't wait to see what new material they can come up with to breathe fresh air into Halo.

  • 06.26.2011 6:25 PM PDT

It's bittersweet knowing that Bungie won't be making games with the Chief anymore but it's great knowing that he'll be making another appearance soon.

  • 06.26.2011 6:40 PM PDT

Excellent post. While I currently live in the Seattle area, I sit here typing in a Tennesse Volunteers t-shirt. When I read "deep south" and see your elephant logo on a crimson background, I can't help but think of ol Rockytop laying a beatdown on the Crimson Tide. I hope we can set aside out differences for the sake of Halo :)

I'm only a few years younger than you and I agree. Children have vivid imaginations it is important that they are exposed a broad range of stories in book, television/movies and games. Master Chief is a great hero, but I wonder if he is a little lacking on personality for kids to relate to.

  • 06.26.2011 8:46 PM PDT

"Wake me...when you need me."


Posted by: BigLanceLS
Excellent post. While I currently live in the Seattle area, I sit here typing in a Tennesse Volunteers t-shirt. When I read "deep south" and see your elephant logo on a crimson background, I can't help but think of ol Rockytop laying a beatdown on the Crimson Tide. I hope we can set aside out differences for the sake of Halo :)


That beatdown hasn't happened in quite some time now. Roll Tide! ;)

Posted by: BigLanceLS
I'm only a few years younger than you and I agree. Children have vivid imaginations it is important that they are exposed a broad range of stories in book, television/movies and games. Master Chief is a great hero, but I wonder if he is a little lacking on personality for kids to relate to.


Agreed friend. See you on the Third Saturday in October!

  • 06.27.2011 5:43 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: Dustin 6047
Thank everything that not a single person stopped after you said Reach was awesome. It is awesome and I'm glad we're keeping away the critics who have nothing better to do.

I strongly dislike Reach, but I have valid reasons to.

Anyway...I agree with everything you said, except for the Reach part, and hope 343i does a good job with Master Chief and the story overall. I really look forward to seeing how it all plays out. But, most of all, I can't wait to have our hero back.

  • 06.27.2011 6:13 AM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.

Wow, that's another viewpoint that I'd had not considered. I agree OP. But I do question the comparison between Han Solo and the Master Chief. One rich with character and the other not so much. But you're right they are both Heroes in their own right.

Every kid should have a Hero!

  • 06.27.2011 6:14 AM PDT

"Wake me...when you need me."


Posted by: ninjakenzen
Wow, that's another viewpoint that I'd had not considered. I agree OP. But I do question the comparison between Han Solo and the Master Chief. One rich with character and the other not so much. But you're right they are both Heroes in their own right.

Every kid should have a Hero!


Did you get a chance to read any of the Halo books? They really flesh John out. He is a fairly complex character in many ways. If you get a chance, many used book stores will have The Fall of Reach which is about John-117 and the legendary Spartan-II program. I enjoyed it and it really adds quite a bit of character to John.

  • 06.27.2011 6:33 AM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.


Posted by: Swamptik

Posted by: ninjakenzen
Wow, that's another viewpoint that I'd had not considered. I agree OP. But I do question the comparison between Han Solo and the Master Chief. One rich with character and the other not so much. But you're right they are both Heroes in their own right.

Every kid should have a Hero!


Did you get a chance to read any of the Halo books? They really flesh John out. He is a fairly complex character in many ways. If you get a chance, many used book stores will have The Fall of Reach which is about John-117 and the legendary Spartan-II program. I enjoyed it and it really adds quite a bit of character to John.

Hehe. Yes I've read the majority of the Halo Books and comics/graphic novels.

Me personally, I don't think he has much of a character. But that's excusable because he's a soldier bred for war and nothing else.

[Edited on 06.27.2011 7:22 AM PDT]

  • 06.27.2011 7:08 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: Dustin 6047
Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9

Posted by: Dustin 6047
Thank everything that not a single person stopped after you said Reach was awesome. It is awesome and I'm glad we're keeping away the critics who have nothing better to do.

I strongly dislike Reach, but I have valid reasons to.

Anyway...I agree with everything you said, except for the Reach part, and hope 343i does a good job with Master Chief and the story overall. I really look forward to seeing how it all plays out. But, most of all, I can't wait to have our hero back.


I hate how people dislike games because they lack the imagination to fill in the blanks of the game and what was previously told. The only thing I can find that are valid complaints is how they have put up better music and types of graphix, but that doesn't mean it's bad, just weaker than other games during parts and that's okay because not every game can take first for everything.

And "f" you for doing the opposite of what I hoped.

I think you should accept other peoples opinions and not get worked up just because somebody doesn't like a game that you do.

  • 06.27.2011 7:35 AM PDT


Posted by: ninjakenzen
Wow, that's another viewpoint that I'd had not considered. I agree OP. But I do question the comparison between Han Solo and the Master Chief. One rich with character and the other not so much. But you're right they are both Heroes in their own right.

Every kid should have a Hero!


Meh, I've always considered Chief a strong and well developed character for the character type they've given him. Even from the games alone. I don't really think he needs to be developed anymore, but that's just my opinion. More character development in Halo 4 is fine of course as long as they proceed along the lines of what's already been established. What won't work though is what I've found a lot of people in the community have been proposing, I don't think it would really fit what has been developing over the last ten years.

  • 06.27.2011 11:29 AM PDT

Excellent topic.

I think that's exactly why 343 Industries have created a new Halo trilogy. To show that John can't be a hero forever. That he can't keep saving people from death, and preventing evil from sweeping across the Galaxy. He's too tired to save the Universe. Decades of constant military service has left him frustrated, angry, and eerily psychotic. He probably has nightmares of the deaths of Miranda Keyes and Sgt. Johnson; and the horror of losing Cortana, and her ever increasing Rampancy.

John can't be a hero forever, and at the end of Halo 6, he's going to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Just my thoughts on the topic.

  • 06.27.2011 11:37 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.


Posted by: Physco Mandez
Excellent topic.

I think that's exactly why 343 Industries have created a new Halo trilogy. To show that John can't be a hero forever. That he can't keep saving people from death, and preventing evil from sweeping across the Galaxy. He's too tired to save the Universe. Decades of constant military service has left him frustrated, angry, and eerily psychotic. He probably has nightmares of the deaths of Miranda Keyes and Sgt. Johnson; and the horror of losing Cortana, and her ever increasing Rampancy.

John can't be a hero forever, and at the end of Halo 6, he's going to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Just my thoughts on the topic.

I think he'll die at the end of the series too. Seems logical. Also, he probably I wouldn't doubt he has nightmares every single time he sleeps of all the atrocities he had to see. It's realistic that he's a little messed up. I'm glad 343i announced him having personal baggage. I just hope they display it well. Jun supposedly had PTSD, but did it ever show? Nope. So, I hope 343i handles it right.

  • 06.27.2011 12:45 PM PDT

Posted by: Swamptik
We do need you Master Chief. We need our heroes and you are among the greatest of all time. We will always need you.


You don't think any of what you just posted was a tad bit melodramatic?

[Edited on 06.27.2011 1:08 PM PDT]

  • 06.27.2011 1:07 PM PDT
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"Wake me... When you need me..."

Best, reading, of all time. Seriously, It really struck me when I was reading this. Master Chief always was MY hero, imaginary or not. I'm a proud 17 year old guy that LOVES Halo and Master Chief. I love my life, my friends, my family, even my new (month and a half old) dog. And I will sure as hell love to tell my kids one day about this great hero. I don't care if it's a video game, but hell, it's on GODAMN AWSOME VIDEOGAME (series).

Welcome back, Chief.

[Edited on 06.27.2011 1:15 PM PDT]

  • 06.27.2011 1:14 PM PDT

Suck it Red!

I've read all the books and played all the games but still...people need heroes? I agree with you but why not look to people that actually exist and not cyborgs that only exist in-game?

  • 06.27.2011 1:16 PM PDT


Posted by: Physco Mandez
Excellent topic.

I think that's exactly why 343 Industries have created a new Halo trilogy. To show that John can't be a hero forever. That he can't keep saving people from death, and preventing evil from sweeping across the Galaxy. He's too tired to save the Universe. Decades of constant military service has left him frustrated, angry, and eerily psychotic. He probably has nightmares of the deaths of Miranda Keyes and Sgt. Johnson; and the horror of losing Cortana, and her ever increasing Rampancy.

John can't be a hero forever, and at the end of Halo 6, he's going to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Just my thoughts on the topic.


Funny, I've never seen anything to indicate any bit of what you've said about Chief. I never saw any hint of anger or frustration from the Chief from the war as a whole exemplified by Chief throughout the series, and I've certainly never got any readings of being a psychopath! I'm honestly not even sure where you got that idea :/

And while I'm sure that Miranda's and Johnson's deaths, more especially so Johnson's, were wrenching to him, Chief really doesn't strike me as the type to stress out much over friends who have passed on. Cutting his losses was part of his training from the beginning.

  • 06.27.2011 7:26 PM PDT

"Wake me...when you need me."


Posted by: HappyMeals
Posted by: Swamptik
We do need you Master Chief. We need our heroes and you are among the greatest of all time. We will always need you.


You don't think any of what you just posted was a tad bit melodramatic?


No, but I think you missed the point. :) Don't sweat it though. Not everyone is going to be able to get it.

  • 06.27.2011 7:37 PM PDT

"Wake me...when you need me."


Posted by: Caboose042
I've read all the books and played all the games but still...people need heroes? I agree with you but why not look to people that actually exist and not cyborgs that only exist in-game?


Re-read the topic. Take your time. Read it and really try to grasp all the nuance in the topic. I clearly demonstrate real heroes in the topic, alongside fictitious ones.

You missed the point. The point was the hero. Not his or her actuality. The point was the effect of the hero on the 'regular' person.

I think it's pretty clear you missed the point, but I hope you go back and re-read the post and are able to grasp it as many others have.

Hope that helps! :)

  • 06.27.2011 7:39 PM PDT

Yeah, we still believe in all the things that we stood by before.
I know, to everything we've seen here, maybe even more.
I know we're not the only ones and we were not the first.
And unapologetically we stand behind each word.

For some reason this thread went along exactly with my thoughts. Master Chief was a hero. He still is. I grew up with that guy. It's good to have him back.

  • 06.27.2011 7:42 PM PDT

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