Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Bungie’s lead AI programmer Damian Isla praises Activision and Infinity Ward’s hugely successful FPS, Call of Duty 4. Even going as far as saying that Halo could learn a few things from Call of Duty.

“We have a lot to learn from their success too, they did some very innovative things to keep people going and their experience-rewards system was something that we paid a lot of attention to,” Isla explained.

“I think it’s a great game and single player obviously is fantastic… they did a hell of a job with their set pieces, of scripting certain moments that they were really sure the player was going to actually see and experience first hand. The way that they use those moments to craft the player experience…Halo has a lot to learn from.”

While both games are extremely outstanding and have a strong fan base, the battle for the most-played game on Xbox Live continues between Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4.

It’s good to hear that Bungie is willing to learn from other successful games so they can make their titles better. Because we all know improvements can always be made to make any game better.

Source: gamesindustry.biz

Believa Piñata

There isn’t much more I can add. We all remember Halo’s Believe TV advert, but did you ever wonder what it might look like with Viva Piñata figures from Burger King? Fret not my fellow, umm…word meaning ‘likes Viva Piñata’…as Believa Piñata is here to put your mind at ease, hit the jump for the full video forwarded to us by Rare.
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Update on the previous Bungie cock-block snafu:  Microsoft, as the publishing giant apparently behind Bungie’s latest game, rescinded their green light just hours shy of Bungie’s official announcement.  Bungie was about to make us all climax, but Microsoft stepped in with its shotgun and forced them to stop. This does not make us happy, Microsoft… not happy at all. Read more…

The tail end of Bungie’s latest podcast contains an exchange of words between the two co-hosts, Brian Jarrard and Luke Smith, which tease at a possible July 14th reveal of some sort. Could it be a new Halo related project?

Brian: Isn’t there something going on on July 14th or something like that?
Luke: Yeah, around then.
Brian: Somehow that’s sticking in my head for some reason. Guess we’ll have to see.
Luke: Yep, we’ll just have to be patient. Who could say?

The tone of their delivery is best be compared to that of an adult playing hide and seek with a child. They know exactly where the child is hiding, but they still pretend they don’t.

While my fingers will remain crossed out of respect to those who want it, I highly doubt this is the Lego Halo game many gamers have been hoping for since EGM’s April fools joke. Ripten will be present for the Microsoft press conference on the morning of the 14th, so check back with us then.

Source: Bungie Podcast [Thanks Jon]

The steady flow of information about the units in the upcoming RTS, Halo Wars, is slowly beginning. Ensemble Studios have now revealed the Warthog and the Fire Base (above). Read more…

According to the folks over at the Angry Pixel, their source at Microsoft informs them that the upcoming Halo RTS, Halo Wars, will make its way to PC as well as Xbox 360 and feature cross-platform play via Microsoft’s Games for Windows - LIVE. Read more…

In an odd turn of events for non-PS3 games making their way to the console, the Halo map “Wizard” is now playable in Unreal Tournament 3. Should this awaken Microsoft lawyers? We hope not. Read more…

It’s not every day that you’re mentioned by name on the official news blog of a deep-in the-hundreds cable channel, but G4TV’s The Feed should probably check their facts a little more carefully before assigning folksy, Bush-like nicknames. Read more…

If you like the “idea” of playing video games, but are not very good (me), I would recommend picking up a copy of Playboy: The Mansion (Available for Xbox Consoles, PS2, and PC). As a young Hugh Hefner, it is the player’s goal to build the Playboy Empire through sexy parties and putting together the Playboy magazine every month. Read more…