There is a girl in the Math Faculty with this name. I thought it was so cool, that I immediately searched the school directory for Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers, Billy Coen, Barry Burton, and Albert Wesker. Unfortunately, the Ada Wong was the only one I could find.

If she ever comes in, I’m going to call her the “Bitch in the Red Dress”.

No, it doesn’t exist. Frankly, it is clear to see we have all been thoroughly misled by Matt Casamassina. However, he may have also been misled himself.

Earlier in the year, Matt posted on his IGN-blog that he had actually had the opportunity to play a finished build of a game called Halo DS. He said that the game had neared completion, but the project was regretably cancelled due to ego. Fast forward towards the end of 2007. Matt takes the opportunity to post some gameplay video on his blog to finally prove what he had said back in January. People watch it. And people still do not believe.

And with good reason.

The video of the game (which we were originally told was cancelled near completion) was clearly the form of an alpha or pre-alpha game. In the video, they even describe that the game currently consists of a single level, and that there is no single-player campaign. Numerous flaws in the video including display errors (scores are not updated, game moves differently than player’s motions) and load times (Matt gets into a multiplayer gamer with Bozon, who doesn’t appear in the player’s list, within seconds).  So, it appears that Matt did lie to us. Not about whether the Halo DS demo actually existed, but about the progress in development.

In his January blog entry, he told us it was cancelled when it was nearly complete. Recently, Bungie has come right out and said “This rumor has been circulating for a while and as you know we even saw some real life screens and assets this week. Ultimately it’s up to Microsoft to decide if and when they take Halo to a different platform. That particular demo was in fact created and I believe it was an unsolicited pitch a long time ago but nothing ever came of it.”

Bungie emphasizes two things: the game shown by Matt is not even a real demo, but part of a pitch to Bungie to create a multiplayer game and this pitch was unsolicited, meaning whoever made the demo was not commissioned by Bungie to do so.

When you examine the engine, you notice surprising similarities to Goldeneye: Rogue Agent for the Nintendo DS. The HUD is the same, the weapons are the same, even some of the sounds are the same. Due to these striking similarities, it is likely that EA/Tiburon, developers for Goldeneye: Rogue Agent, made a pitch to Bungie/Microsoft to see if they would be willing to collaborate on a portable Halo venture. Ultimately, Bungie said no. And somehow, the results of this “fragment of an idea” ended up in the hands of Matt C. at IGN, who assumed that the game was further along than it was upon cancellation. In reality, the game never existed, and is as much of a reality as the Spaceworld Zelda that preceded Wind Waker.

What Matt should have done is posted gameplay video in his initial announcement (to reduce skepticism) and then never bring it up again. No one dwells on the absence of the Spaceworld Zelda game because Wind Waker has become such a quirky title. The only reason people continue to call Matt a liar is because his method of presenting Halo DS has made it seem like he is bullshitting everyone. I believe that the pitch existed, but I do not believe that the game was ever in development, nor will it ever be in development.

So Matt, just shut it already. State clearly that the game was not actually in development. Acknowledge that it was a pitch. The idea intrigued you. And you wanted to share these feelings with everyone. That’s it. Stop trying to make it sound like it was really far along. Stop trying to make it sound like this game could ever exist. The idea was scrapped. You need to let it go.

Also, try to display the level of maturity expected from someone of your age and station. Matt and numerous IGN editors are insulting and teasing people who are commenting on Matt’s blog, referring to them as idiot children and similar such nonsense. How old are you Matt? Stop acting like you’re a ten-year old in the school yard with his gang of cronies, picking on some younger kids.

Good grief. I have to say that the reaction of IGN editors to this whole fiasco is the most embarassing and frustrating thing of all.

I read an article in the Gazette today about this.

I don’t really have a problem with overly loud noises. I can sleep through pretty much anything, and as long as the noise isn’t loud enough that things are vibrating, I’m fine with it.

And frankly, I’ve never understood noise bylaws. I read about one in the Gazette that doesn’t allow construction machinery to operate between 5pm and 7am, and I cannot help but wonder if the people who support the noise by-law are also complaining about the fact that roads are blocked off and lanes are closed for months at a time for construction.

:P

There was something else I wanted to reflect on that probably could have benefitted from a healthy dose of Binkle’s opinion, but I have forgotten it in the course of the day.

When I first grabbed the MacBook Pro, I had every intention of reflecting on some of the better season premieres that have aired recently. But now, I have really lost interest. I can sum it up in a few sentences. Prison Break, Family Guy, Heroes, Bionic Woman, and Journeyman are really good. Bionic Woman is a remake of Bionic Woman. Journeyman is a remake of Quantum Leap, but without Al, Ziggy, and more of the technology. Oh, and he doesn’t end up in the body of someone else. The Simpsons sucked. The Office was fucking hilarious.

But overall, the show that has captivated my interest again is House. It is such a fabulous show again. So fabulous that they have completely made up for that horrible “Tritter” episode. If you don’t know what I am talking about, you shouldn’t worry yourself. It is not worth catching up on.

30 Rock is coming on tonight. If it keeps up the momentum of the first season, it will be absolutely awesome.

Anyway, I cannot help but wonder whether I am making meaningful posts anymore. But I have become so tired between work, PSYCH 101 and PD3 that I just dont give a damn anymore. I haven’t been able to play video games, read a book, or do anything enjoyable in a month (except Ye’s Sushi). This weekend, I’m going to kick back and relax.

And - as for future weekends - things might appear on my schedule.

Anyway, I’m too lethargic to write further. I have an interesting post that I want to put out there, but I need to do some research before I potentially slander several Stratford institutions and personalities.

Adios.

For those of you who are still living or frequenting Stratford, you would know that the Ontario Street McDonalds is currently being renovated.

Take a look:

Now, let’s take a closer look:

I mean… I understood McDonald’s food was not good for you…but I guess I never thought what was in it.

Also, this is no joke. This is actually the Ontario Street McDonalds, and this picture has not been altered. My dad took it today. I thought it was hilarious.

WII GAMES

Super Paper Mario - ALREADY OUT Dewy’s Adventure - ALREADY OUT Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure - October 23/07 Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - October 29/07 Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn - November 5/07 Super Mario Galaxy - November 12/07 Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles - November 13/07 Super Smash Bros. Brawl - December 3/07

DS GAMES

Children of Mana - ALREADY OUT DK Jungle Climber - ALREADY OUT Heroes of Mana - ALREADY OUT Yoshi’s Island 2 - ALREADY OUT Pokemon Pearl - ALREADY OUT The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass - October 1/07 Mario Party DS - November 19/07

Due to restricted funds, I will not be able to get all of these games immediately. The ones in italics will be left until I have more money. I’ve tried to leave out ones that I feel confident about locating well after their release date.

In the case of Super Mario Galaxy, I am not getting it because I figure I will still be able to find it long after Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles has disappeared from store shelves. And, obviously, I’m getting Super Smash Bros. Brawl the second it comes out.

Oh yeah. And I will be getting Pikmin 3 when it comes out. Obviously.