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[urk]

I can see that. At the same time they'd probably be about as happy with their employees spending time on a gaming forum.

There are levels of survival we are prepared to accept.

 

[ShinAmano]

There are levels of survival we are prepared to accept.

Woah...

 

[Chinner]

so i'm guessing that keanvu reeves is getting ready to star as a nerd (possibly a SA goon) in his next movie? look at that fucking neck beard

 

[HugBasket]

SA goons can't grow facial hair, they photoshop it on

 

[Chinner]

being a goon myself, i take offense to that. we grow the finest neck beards found on the internets

 

[HugBasket]

i've seen musicians with better neckbeards

 

[Blueblur1]

Some fun times with my GAF buds: EazyB, Blood, Domino, Dirtbag, Juices, Ramirez, and Thermite.

http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Sniping_my_friends/847566

Nice performance. But its an oldish game right? I see that Thermite shows up as Decamus.

 

[Sai-kun]

being a goon myself, i take offense to that. we grow the finest neck beards found on the internets

xdxd neckbeard.



...oh god. >_>


Bungie needs to announce their new stuff already :<

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Ok, story time.

The Great Escape, By: CrazedArabMan

I don't feel like typing it so I'll give you a video instead, and yes the guy at then end of the video who is chasing me is the one with 48 points in the game. I recommend watching the 1st person one then watch the 3rd person one to see how it all went down.

1st person
http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Escape_Artist/846366

3rd person, you can actually see the escape better, this one is a much watch other than the 1st person one
http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Escape_Artist_3/852846

Enjoy and The End.

 

[fin]

Any Halo GAFers getting NHL 09?

 

[Cuckooo]

anyone got any idea what the double exp is for tomorrow?

 

[Thermite]

.

 

[LukeSmith]

Any Halo GAFers getting NHL 09?

YES

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Any Halo GAFers getting NHL 09?

I'll need to trade in 08, but I'll get it eventually,

Spoiler

Go Wings!!!

 

[fin]

YES

I'm going to pick it up at noon.
That would be rad if we had enough people for a Halo team.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

I'm going to pick it up at noon.
That would be rad if we had enough people for a Halo team.

could be possible and it would be a ton of fun. I might have to pick it up when I go home from college one of these upcoming weekends.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Ok, story time.

The Great Escape, By: CrazedArabMan

I don't feel like typing it so I'll give you a video instead, and yes the guy at then end of the video who is chasing me is the one with 48 points in the game. I recommend watching the 1st person one then watch the 3rd person one to see how it all went down.

1st person
http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Escape_Artist/846366

3rd person, you can actually see the escape better, this one is a much watch other than the 1st person one
http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Escape_Artist_3/852846

Enjoy and The End.

Wow. That was epic.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

even though it was in a rumble pit, I still felt like they at least should of killed me.

 

[LAUGHTREY]

I can see that. At the same time they'd probably be about as happy with their employees spending time on a gaming forum.

The term NSFW as a acronym means more than work, it means stuff that isn't appropriate. It doesn't matter if I was at work or at home, you shouldn't post stuff like that you dipshit.

 

[urk]

even though it was in a rumble pit, I still felt like they at least should of killed me.

That jump from blue room the landing below and then across the gap was ballsy.

 

[ShinAmano]

That jump from blue room the landing below and then across the gap was ballsy.

Wow...how?

 

[The Crawf]

So I looked back at that earlier game I mentioned against "Deranker" and not only did he get 3 "headshots" 2 of which were in my arm and 1 in my leg!, he gets a headshot with this! (he is red)

 

[Dirtbag]

The term NSFW as a acronym means more than work, it means stuff that isn't appropriate. It doesn't matter if I was at work or at home, you shouldn't post stuff like that you dipshit.

So what does STFU mean?

 

[Pein]

so can I just add some of you guys or you can add me?

my tag is nyccapo

 

[GhaleonEB]

That jump from blue room the landing below and then across the gap was ballsy.

I would have plunged to my death. No questions asked.

Well, maybe "why the fuck did you try that jump?"

 

[Deleted member 21120]

So what does STFU mean?

:lol

 

[CrazedArabMan]

I would have plunged to my death. No questions asked.

Well, maybe "why the fuck did you try that jump?"

I wasn't really thinking, I just took the ball and jumped, landed and jumped again (if you look I jumped over someone) landed ran underneath middle to bubble shield (the elite chasing me got killed by a grenade that was intended to kill me) then ran like there was no tomorrow with the actual leader in the game on my tail. But in the end the escape was successful.

Oh, if you guys want to add me on live GT: CrazedArabMan.
since I see most of you play together, I might as well throw my GT out there for random strangers to become my friends.

 

[Captain Blood]

The term NSFW as a acronym means more than work, it means stuff that isn't appropriate. It doesn't matter if I was at work or at home, you shouldn't post stuff like that you dipshit.

I am not entirely sure why you are calling Jironimo names when the same picture he posted is Domino's avatar lol. So every time Domino posts the thread is NSFW?

Spoiler

Note that I don't have a problem with your avvy Omlet

 

[urk]

Wow...how?

Watch the vid! Also, somebody give me some props on the pun, dammit!

 

[GhaleonEB]

Watch the vid! Also, somebody give me some props on the pun, dammit!

I was going to follow up with that was an odd, but ballsy, move, but decided it was too obvious.

 

[Falagard]

even though it was in a rumble pit, I still felt like they at least should of killed me.

That clip shows how ineffective plasma rifles are, even when duel wielding. They take down shields quickly but can't finish someone off.

 

[urk]

I was going to follow up with that was an odd, but ballsy, move, but decided it was too obvious.

Didn't have the stones, eh?

 

[CrazedArabMan]

If you liked that, I have many more vids, just there on my box at home and not on the one I'm using at college.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Didn't have the stones, eh?

I have the stones, they're just too weird to put on display.

 

[xxjuicesxx]

Some fun times with my GAF buds: EazyB, Blood, Domino, Dirtbag, Juices, Ramirez, and Thermite.

http://www.gamevee.com/viewVideo/Halo_3/GeeVee/Sniping_my_friends/847566

Holy crap that game was from mad long ago.

I was gunna say I haven't played a game with you guys since I don't get invites cause EazyB hates me lol.

Friggen awesome spree though. Such solid headshots.

 

[GDJustin]

Not sure what to think about Ensemble. Halo Wars was SUPER fun and polished at E3... the team finally pulled off what devs have been claiming to do for like 10 years: They made effective console RTS controls. I was as skeptical as anyone, but they setup they've devised really worked.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Not sure what to think about Ensemble. Halo Wars was SUPER fun and polished at E3... the team finally pulled off what devs have been claiming to do for like 10 years: They made effective console RTS controls. I was as skeptical as anyone, but they setup they've devised really worked.

My big question is - when is this thing coming out? If most of the staff just got laid off or moved, how close to being done is it? The monthly updates said they're in crunch mode. I think this would come as a rather big distraction as they try to wrap the project up.

 

[urk]

My big question is - when is this thing coming out? If most of the staff just got laid off or moved, how close to being done is it? The monthly updates said they're in crunch mode. I think this would come as a rather big distraction as they try to wrap the project up.

I believe they offered incentives for critical staff to stay on through launch. I can't believe they would enact layoffs at crunch. The money, time, and resources have already been invested.

 

[Sai-kun]

The term NSFW as a acronym means more than work, it means stuff that isn't appropriate. It doesn't matter if I was at work or at home, you shouldn't post stuff like that you dipshit.

NSFW = Not Safe for Work

XD fail

What you're talking about would be "NLS", or "Not Life Safe",you dipshit.

 

[Jironimo]

The term NSFW as a acronym means more than work, it means stuff that isn't appropriate. It doesn't matter if I was at work or at home, you shouldn't post stuff like that you dipshit.

What's appropriate is very subjective, lots of people had no problem with it. If you have a problem you could have just said so and I would have linked, thrown nsfw tags on it, whatever. Instead of course you act like a child and hurl insults at me like you're crazy or something when it's not even that serious. Grow up.

Back on topic. Gamesindustry.biz posted the Phil Spencer email regarding the closing of Ensemble.

"Today, we shared with our employees at Ensemble that we have plans to close the studio after Halo Wars RTM. Such a decision is never easy. Like any business, we’re accountable for making tradeoffs and the right level of investments that will drive profit and future growth. However, as we reviewed our first-party portfolio and where we need to invest and divest our resources to achieve our long-term strategies, it became clear to us that closing the studio and redeploying those resources to other more scalable ventures is the right thing for our business at this time.

"Unfortunately, our decision to close Ensemble will adversely impact many of the studio's team members. Following the closure, the Ensemble leadership team will form a new entity and have agreed to partner with Microsoft to develop future products and provide support for Halo Wars post launch. While the new company will be hiring a portion of the Ensemble employees, its size and resources prevent it from offering positions to the entire Ensemble team. We hope to integrate much of this creative talent into MGS or the broader IEB team, where we have relevant openings.

"Ensemble Studios has produced many notable games over the years – including the Ages franchise – that have helped MGS become a leader in interactive entertainment. And now, Halo Wars is already proving to be a hit by people who have seen and played early versions of the game. The Ensemble team is committed to continuing its development, testing and support of Halo Wars through to the completion of halo wars. We're also working closely with the studio’s leaders to ensure a smooth launch of the game in early 2009 and continuing support thereafter. We will support the studio in every way possible as they work to deliver this highly anticipated game.

"This action notwithstanding, I want to emphasize that the overall investment Microsoft is making in video game development is not diminished, and we will continue to bring in talent to work on titles and franchises where we'll see the most ROI. Our priority is to continue to nurture the creative freedom that allows us to successfully drive our business strategy forward. Meanwhile, we're launching some outstanding games over the next few months. We've just launched Too Human and Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, and soon we'll see many other games hit retail store shelves, including Scene It! 2, Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Lips and, of course, Halo Wars.

"I want to thank you for your hard work and focus as we head into the next few months and make this a blowout year for first-party games. Please be supportive and respectful of our Ensemble colleagues as they go through this tough time.

"Phil"

 

[soldat7]

Wow, way to make it NSFW asshole.

I find these images inappropriate as well. Nothing like scrolling through the GAF Halo thread and having your wife walk in at just the right moment. :lol

But everyone is at different stages of life and everyone has different tolerances on what they and those around them find awkward. *shrugs*

 

[Sai-kun]

Back on topic. Gamesindustry.biz posted the Phil Spencer email regarding the closing of Ensemble.

That last paragraph is heartbreaking. It's like "You're closing, oh and BTW here are all these really cool games coming out that you're not making! "

 

[urk]

Nice that the official communication dealing with the layoffs comes complete with timely PR message tacked on.

Stay classy, Microsoft.

"We are sorry for your loss, but would like to point out that we have coffins for sale."

 

[GhaleonEB]

I believe they offered incentives for critical staff to stay on through launch. I can't believe they would enact layoffs at crunch. The money, time, and resources have already been invested.

Makes sense. I should clarify that when I said distraction, I meant just that, though. It's gotta be tumultuous right now, regardless of incentives.

it became clear to us that closing the studio and redeploying those resources to other more scalable ventures

That confirms what I was speculating about yesterday - Ensemble became too big, too costly to run between projects. Need to pull it apart and scale the team to the projects as they ramp.

That last paragraph is heartbreaking. It's like "You're closing, oh and BTW here are all these really cool games coming out that you're not making! "

The line about ROI is the killer for me (probably since I'm in finance). Hearing that is a gut punch. Telling someone there's an unacceptable ROI on their project is about as cold as you can get.

 

[Sai-kun]

Makes sense. I should clarify that when I said distraction, I meant just that, though. It's gotta be tumultuous right now, regardless of incentives.

That confirms what I was speculating about yesterday - Ensemble became too big, too costly to run between projects. Need to pull it apart and scale the team to the projects as they ramp.


The line about ROI is the killer for me (probably since I'm in finance). Hearing that is a gut punch. Telling someone there's an unacceptable ROI on their project is about as cold as you can get.

ROI?

Return on Investment

oooh that's rough, then :x

 

[ShinAmano]

ROI?

Return on Investment

 

[GhaleonEB]

Return on Investment

Yeah. It's shorthand for saying something isn't worth the money you put into it.

 

[Walshicus]

Return on Investment

Republic of Ireland.

 

[fin]

MS has been giving up developers left-right and center: Bungie, Bizarre Creations, FASA, and now this. They also let EA snatch up Bioware last year. They must be investing alot into this new internal Halo team. So Lionhead, Turn 10 and Rare are the only in-house developers making console games for them?

 

[GhaleonEB]

MS has been giving up developers left-right and center: Bungie, Bizarre Creations, FASA, and now this. They also let EA snatch up Bioware last year. They must be investing alot into this new internal Halo team. So Lionhead, Turn 10 and Rare are the only in-house developers making console games for them?

Those three, plus the new Halo team plus whatever Ensemble morphs into.

And to to think a short time ago they had:

Rare
Lionhead
Bungie
FASA
Ensemble
Turn 10


And then outside partners:

Real Time Worlds
Bizarre Creations
Bioware
Epic
Silicon Knights

I have a feeling SI is next on the chopping block. Shane Kim and company did an atrocious job at growing MGS over the past three years. It actually shrank.