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This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo Fest 2011: Swag, Guests, 343, Panels
  • Subject: Halo Fest 2011: Swag, Guests, 343, Panels
Subject: Halo Fest 2011: Swag, Guests, 343, Panels

I realize Halo has shifted over to 343 Industries but since it is Halo-related I thought I would post here on the Bungie forums since a large number of Halo fans are posting here. My purpose mainly is to share with everyone what Halo Fest 2011 was like especially for those who were not able to attend. Since I don't post often here, if I am violating any forum rules, my apologies in advance.

What did everyone think of Halo Fest at PAX this year? Me personally I was very impressed with it, not only with the layout but with the 343 staff, and even a few Bungie guys as well. All were very professional and courtesy to the fans that attended. Unlike the main PAX hall, where lines were 2-4 hours long to play a game, at Halo Fest, they had enough game systems up and running that wait times were but a few minutes at best.

Long lines to get into Halo Fest typically began about 2-3 hours each morning before opening at 10am. There were exclusive swag items for those lucky enough to get in first. For those who didn't attend, and those collectors who want to add to their collection here is a breakdown of what I saw being made available:

Each morning, by the time the doors opened, the line was typically over a 1000 people deep, stretching around buildings, down the street, etc. Once the doors opened, the majority would quickly enter into Halo Fest and then quickly make for the exit, because there is where you would find friendly staff handing out a limited edition Halo carrying bag and inside a Halo Fest exclusive Warthog made by Megablocks. I believe only 5000 total were given out over the three days of the convention. Some fans would simply leave, while others would actually go in and enjoy Halo Fest.

The second exclusive item was the Cortana Chip XBOX Live Avatar code card. To obtain one of these you would have to go inside the main entrance to the kiosk and ask for one. These were strictly limited to Halo Fest as stated on the card, and generally an employee would put a hole punch in your Halo Fest badge that came with your PAX badge.

Upon entering they had a full size Warthog, various people in costumes, full-size statues, lots of game stations where you could play Halo Anniversary, various challenges to win prizes, charity game play events, Megablock building whereas whatever you built you would take home with you for free, Megablock bagged figures for free (I believe 3 different ones that were also stamped Halo Fest exclusive on the packaging), a small theater that featured panels discussing the games, past and present, the toys, etc.

On Saturday, McFarlane Toys and comic book artist extraordinaire Todd McFarlane was there for a signing between 12pm and 1pm, however it seemed a lot of people didn't know he was going to be there, but when word spread a line formed about an hour before he arrived. Todd was incredibly nice to all the fans, chatting with them, signing items you had, and overall being very gracious to everyone. He had a special Halo Fest print of the toys he was signing and giving out to everyone in line as well.

The Halo store was stocked quite heavily with Halo-related items, including a very beautiful large Halo Fan Fest print by artist Eddie Smith. They were hand numbered and only 300 were produced, and like similar Halo prints by Eddie, they were professionally done with a certificate of authenticity and bagged. It was entitled "Smoking Indoors" and featured Master Chief on it. Eddie also was at the store for a one hour signing on Sunday from 2pm to 3pm, an incredibly nice guy even staying pass 3pm to make sure everyone got their item signed. Because the Halo Fest print originally only came numbered, there will be some out there that are signed by Eddie as he signed some of the prints people purchased while he was there.

Microsoft/343 really wanted to hear feedback from those attending Halo Fest and if a person stopped at one of the computer terminals towards the exit and completed a survey online, they were given a code card good for an Elite sword prop for their XBOX Live Avatar. Also on Sunday, towards the end of Halo Fest/PAX, they wheeled out about half a dozen boxes of the McFarlane Toys exclusive gold-colored Master Chief figure that was originally only obtainable via the Halo Points redemption program (500 points originally got you one of these figures when first offered under the program). They handed them out to anyone who wanted one (or two) while supplies lasted about a half hour before the show ended, along with a few other smaller items.

One other thing I noticed was inside the Halo store, besides having a number of items for sale, Gamestop had a presence there and if you pre-ordered Halo Anniversary edition (not paid, just pre-ordered for pick up when it is released at the Gamestop of your choice) you got a specially Halo Fest print which was numbered as well.

While I wasn't able to attend the panels, they did feature a number of them inside the Halo Fest area that anyone could either sit or stand watch. One of the final panels dealt with the Red vs. Blue phenomenon which saw hundreds of people attending, and afterward, the creators lined up and signed for everyone as they left.

Overall Halo Fest was very well done, organized with the fan in mind, with all of the staff being quite warm and gracious and appreciated the fans for coming out. Nice swag, very friendly special guests, and a great atmosphere. Bungie too has been very gracious in the past with their Halo events they have had here in Seattle, hopefully the trend continues when their secret project is revealed. :)

** I will see if I can add to this thread some images of the exclusive items, etc if people want me to.

[Edited on 08.29.2011 11:58 AM PDT]

  • 08.29.2011 11:51 AM PDT

Non facete nobis calcitrare vestrvm perinaevm.

Posted by: Achronos
You imply a level of control over Halo: Reach matchmaking that we no longer have. Or, in your vernacular, it isn't our shiznit anymore.


Active 9/1/11, Heroic 12/25/12

Great read, would love some pics!

  • 08.29.2011 12:29 PM PDT

Hello! You may also know me as Ijnekono. How you have made your way here I do not know, but welcome. (:

Thank you for this info! Wish I could have gone.

  • 08.29.2011 12:40 PM PDT

Thus I refute thee

Yeah would be great for some pictures, thanks for posting this even if it is in the forum it doesn't matter that much

  • 08.29.2011 12:48 PM PDT

XBL: l Sonic l
PSN: Sonic_343


Posted by: Kr1egerdude
Great read, would love some pics!

Let's just say that I saw some celebratory crouching.

[Edited on 08.29.2011 1:19 PM PDT]

  • 08.29.2011 1:18 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Mythic Member

Great writeup! I'd have loved to get a Cortana avatar item.

  • 08.29.2011 1:40 PM PDT

Thanks for the kind words everyone, yeah I know some seem to get rather upset it appears when people post about Halo 4 or anything 343 is doing, however Halo Fest centered around the entire franchise by both Bungie and 343, with an emphasis on the upcoming Halo Anniversary Edition. I will try and get some photos posted here as well, I am kind of rusty on this forum so need to make sure I do it correctly.

K5

  • 08.29.2011 2:58 PM PDT

Unfortunately the forum won't allow me to post images for some reason, if there is another way to post the images, let me know.

  • 08.29.2011 3:34 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Mythic Member


Posted by: Kinsella5
Unfortunately the forum won't allow me to post images for some reason, if there is another way to post the images, let me know.

Embedded images aren't allowed, but you can just link them!

  • 08.29.2011 3:37 PM PDT

The beta is super awesome. RogueAssassin27 is now the person who got my Totodile's nickname. Hoo-hah! Relevant.inb4lock

There's a ton leftover in Cryptic's PAX Quiz Giveaway.
Posted by: Atsumi
Great writeup! I'd have loved to get a Cortana avatar item.

  • 08.29.2011 4:16 PM PDT