Jada Toys Introduces Halo Die-cast Collectibles

Jada Toys brings authenticity to fans of Halo through die-cast vehicles

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – January 26, 2012 – Jada Toys, Inc. announces a brand new, officially licensed Halo die-cast vehicle line featuring a unified scale approach. Jada is developing all vehicles and accessories in proportion to each other, keeping it real with the Halo series of video games! The line will feature vehicles and characters from the upcoming Halo 4 video game being launched in the 2012 holiday season.

Casual to hardcore fans of the Halo series will appreciate the exquisite detail and quality. Jada is known to produce high-quality die-cast vehicles at affordable prices. Combining that with the awesome vehicle and character design from the upcoming Halo 4 video game results in a legendary toy line.

“We're excited to be partners in the Halo franchise. Jada will bring their phenomenal ability to replicate a brand's essence in die-cast, which will extend the Halo experience,” says Marlene Cuesta, VP Licensing at Jada Toys.

Also announced as part of Jada’s Halo lineup is a 14-inch Halo 4 Warthog replica. This will be the largest die-cast vehicle Jada has ever produced, taking Jada to another level. This massive vehicle will have many features, making this a must have for the die-hard Halo fan.

The Halo die-cast line will be hitting shelves in August 2012, with prices ranging from $6.99-$39.99.

For more information about Jada Toys and all its other innovative products, please go to www.jadatoys.com.

The Halo Bulletin: 1.25.12

If you’re looking for a witty, well-written recap of what’s going on in the wonderful world of Halo, you’ve come to the wrong place. If, however, you have a thing for paragraph after paragraph of incoherent text, painfully devoid of any and all informational value, of course, then you are in for a treat. That’s right, my friends; it’s officially time for your least favorite “Why are my eyes suddenly bleeding,” “I want the last ten minutes of my life back,” and “Please, just go dark already” article of the week. In case you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m talking about your TL;DR Halo Bulletin!

Seattle Snowpocalypse 2012

There are numerous things that can make me stay inside the confines of my comfy home for an entire week. Bacon and Halo are two such examples. Another is snow. While I hail from an area that typically experiences a traditional, precipitation-filled winter, transplanting to Seattle has softened me up. I suppose it could have been the realization that staying in bed is more fun than getting out of it, but it’s easier to blame it on the move.

Although, after thinking about one of the greatest songs ever, I suppose the rain is a viable option as well.

Anyway, after reading about my fondness for pillow-commuting, I imagine you’re simply beside yourself with curiosity about what exactly could have caused such a long, bedridden time period. So, here’s an easy-to-digest summary in the form of weather-related email snippets exchanged by various 343-ers over the last seven-day period.

“It’s icy in Kirkland. Don't they have plows here?”
“They do, but they choose not to use them. They're trying to toughen people up a bit.”
“I’m coming in on my snowboard.”
“Took two hours but I’m here. Those bendy buses are interesting on iced-up snowy roads!”
“Seattle is fine. 520 is fine. Kirkland is a Shakespearean comedy rapidly turning to Greek tragedy.”
“I can’t even get out of my parking spot.”
“THIS IS SPARTA!”

There will be an additional teeny-tiny tidbit about the snow in the second Office of Halo Intelligence entry found later in this Bulletin. For now, though, I think I’ll get your mind off the cold by talking about something new involving your favorite form of UNSC currency.

Custom Challenge of the Week – Drones

Last month, we issued a special 343-themed Custom Challenge, and thousands of your fellow credit-loving friends participated. Because everybody enjoyed the opportunity at a higher-than-average payout, I thought we could try a new activity called the Custom Challenge of the Week. Every seven days, assuming this goes as planned, we’ll give you a special challenge that, upon completion, will add a little extra in-game money to your virtual pocket. Sometimes you’ll have to create a challenge with all our specifications. Other times you’ll just have to include a specific enemy in your goal. This week, we’re going with the latter.

From now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, dead Drones are worth ten times their usual amount. Those pesky, flying insectoids can only be found in three Campaign missions, so choose your level wisely. We would apologize for putting a bounty on their antennae-covered heads, but seriously, these buggers are annoying as all heck. I’d tell you what I call them when I’m yelling at my TV in the privacy of my own home, but I don’t think I’d have a job afterwards. Let’s just say it rhymes with derky derkface. And I’ll leave it at that.

Motion Comics – Coming Soon to Zune Video Marketplace

Whether you find yourself stuck in bed for days on end (as I recently did) or you love the art of combining elements of print comic books and animation, you’ll be excited to hear that four of our original motion comic series are coming to Zune Video Marketplace on January 28. That’s this Saturday, for those of you that don’t keep a calendar on you at all times. If you’re intrigued by the convenience this could potentially offer you and your favorite technological devices, here are the relevant details.


Prices, in Microsoft Points

• Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian – 4 episodes, 280 points for a season pass, 80 points per individual episode
• The Return – 4 episodes, 280 points for a season pass, 80 points per individual episode
• Headhunters – 3 episodes, 200 points for a season pass, 80 points per individual episode
• The Mona Lisa – 11 episodes, 700 points for a season pass, 80 points per individual episode


You can access the Zune Video Marketplace through all the ways you can reach Zune, which includes your Xbox 360, phone, and personal computer. You’ll be able to find them under the GamerTV network or by searching for the name or for “Halo.” We’ll also provide you handy-dandy links once they’re officially available, as we’re kinda sorta nice like that.

It’s worth noting these are HD episodes, so the quality is, at the risk of speaking in too-technical terms, super awesome.

OHI’s back, all right!

Taking a clue from the Backstreet Boys, the Office of Halo Intelligence is back. If you missed its inaugural entry, the Office of Halo Intelligence, or OHI for short, is a semi-regular diary-type piece brought to you by various members of the Halo 4 development team. Today, for your Halo 4 insight enjoyment, I bring you Kiki Wolfkill, Executive Producer of Halo 4.

Sweet! I feel honored to get to contribute a little blurb to this week's Bulletin. I'll do my best to try to keep you entertained for at least 15 seconds with all sorts of savory and unsavory details about the goings-on here on the Halo 4 team. In all seriousness, this team is doing some extraordinary work, and I look forward to being able to share more of their heroic deeds periodically over the next few months.

So, what the hell are we up to? Well, as even Kotaku noticed, Seattle was hit with a Snowpocalypse of proportions unseen since, wait for it.... 2011. Some 343-ers were stranded at home, racking up gamerscore and ruining their futures with hours of TV viewing (my marathons of choice: Downton Abbey and Spartacus). Now we're back and man, catch-up is a b****.

We've had an action-packed week of internal mission reviews, a deep-dive with the Marketing and PR teams, and a quick little exec review thrown in for good measure. It may sound like a lot of reviews and that's because it is…. we are in full execution mode. There are hundreds of moving parts across 343 and Microsoft Studios that need to be aligned and coordinated—now is the time to get all our ducks in a row. While it’s been a little hectic making up for last week's snow days and going through these reviews, it's always invigorating to be able to get the game in front of folks who aren't staring at it every minute of every day. I do look forward to getting back to our normal routine of game-building, playtesting, and general creative rabble-rousing. More on this later.

Oh—did I mention that my favorite hour this week was our music review? Magic....

Kiki

Not at all related, Kiki keeps a tiny firearm strapped to her thigh at all times. Okay, she doesn’t really, but only because there’s no room for one. Apparently her awesomeness is hogging all the space. Go figure.

And now, before I call this sucker done, here is a spattering of community-submitted questions!

Why weren't Penance and High noon added to Team Doubles? – DJ SX50

I grabbed the nearest Matchmaking Systems Team member, and made him randomly pound the keyboard until the associated text made sense. Here is what he finally ended up with:

The size and (especially) verticality of Penance and High Noon make them inopportune candidates for Double Team. We are still, however, looking at creating a version of Penance that will support 2v2 play. If you would like to submit a version of Penance for review, please pm a link to the file and an EXTREMELY LONG AND DETAILED breakdown of the changes to bs angel on the Waypoint forum.

MMST

Hhmmm, I probably deserved that last sentence. Moving on.

Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? How the music can free her whenever it starts? (Any word on the music of Halo 4?) – Necropaxx

Kiki touched on that at the end of her OHI blurb, but I’m sure you want more information. I’ll see if I can get Sotaro Tojima, the Audio Director for Halo 4, to write an upcoming entry. For what it’s worth, I find the following words applicable to describe the music in its current state: eerie, familiar, chill-inducing, powerful.

And Kiki and Frank have both been in “listening sessions” hearing and approving the Halo 4 soundtrack from the soon-to-be-revealed composer. Frank has already picked his two favorite tracks – one is codenamed “Blue Green” and is “recklessly imaginative and inarguably stirring,” and another track whose codename is a massive spoiler that we won’t reveal it here is “maudlin, ancient, and redolent of unanswered tragedy.” The two of them have been talking about “sonic cathedrals of thundering effervescence” all week and may be planning on becoming pretentious music journalists.

Frank points out that the new soundtrack is totally different in some way than Marty’s legendary scores, but that players should relax because “it’s a transcendent yet grounded exploration of ethereal aural dynamics.” Whatever that means....

As of right now, how many people are working at 343 Industries? – ol69

Enough people to fill up our entire main studio and also the building next door. They just informed me, in fact, that we’re so full I need to move to an outside area. At least that’s what I think they meant when they told me to grab my personal belongings and exit the building. Here’s to hoping for a deck chair, a frosty beverage, and lots and lots of sun!


I’m going to gather my stuff, but I’ll see you next week. Same time, same place, of course. Until then….

<3,
bs angel

P.S. If the OHI wallpaper didn’t satisfy your desktop adornment needs (what, you didn’t see that?), then here is your customary Friday Caption Fun-themed image. Embiggen, snag, and then hit the latest installment to contribute your witty quip. Off you go!

McFarlane Toys joins the Halo 4 toy race!

It should come as no surprise that McFarlane is going to be doing their own line of Halo figures, they've been doing it since the days of Halo: Combat Evolved. So, here is the official statement made by 343 Industries earlier today...

by bs angel 19. January 2012 14:01

Long-Running, Best-Selling Figure Line Continues in 2012 with All-New Figures from the Latest Halo Video Game

This fall, Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries are releasing Halo 4, the highly anticipated video game expected to be one of the top entertainment launches of 2012. McFarlane Toys is proud to announce that its best-selling line of Halo action figures continues this fall as well, with figures from Halo 4.

Halo 4 brings back the most popular character of the Halo universe, the Master Chief, and kicks off an all-new trilogy of games. Dubbed the "Reclaimer Trilogy" by 343 Industries, these new games explore the characters of the Master Chief and Cortana, expand the Halo fiction in bold new ways and bring even more of the innovation that the Halo series is known for to the gaming world. McFarlane Toys Halo 4 action figures bring the all-new characters, weapons and vehicles of Halo 4 to video-game fans and action-figure collectors worldwide.

"Each new Halo game is a significant entertainment event," says Todd McFarlane, CEO and founder of McFarlane Toys. "Halo 4 marks the return of the Master Chief and Cortana, plus the introduction of new characters, weapons and locations sure to excite long-time fans."

Action figure collectors can expect the same quality and attention to detail in the Halo 4 line that they've come to expect from McFarlane toys. "We're really excited to be working with the all-star team of 343 Industries," Todd notes. "Microsoft has assembled an incredible group of developers to ensure Halo's continued place among the top entertainment franchises. 343 Industries is pushing the envelope with the visuals, storytelling and gameplay, and we can't wait until fans get their hands on Halo 4."

The Halo 4 figure series continues in the 6-inch size introduced with their Halo: Reach figures. They're also introducing a series of larger, boxed figures. These deluxe items are in scale with their 6-inch figures, but include larger accessories, such as Master Chief's Cryotube.

McFarlane Toys is part of a select group of licensees with Halo 4 products available at game launch. Halo 4 Series 1 kicks off this August with four carded figures and one boxed figure set, and expands to include even more figures later in the fall.

Todd promises, "343 still has some surprises to reveal, so we can't give you all the details just yet. But we've seen what they're working on, and Halo 4 will be worth the wait!"

August 2012

Carded Figures
• Master Chief
• Secret Figure 1
• Secret Figure 2
• Secret Figure 3

Boxed Figure
• Frozen Master Chief and Cryotube

November 2012

Carded Figures
• Cortana
• Secret Figure 4
• Secret Figure 5
• Secret Figure 6

Boxed Figure
• Secret Boxed Figure 1

Halo 4 Series 1 will be launched in August 2012, and will expand around the game launch in fall 2012, continuing into 2013. Available at Walmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, GameStop, local comic book stores, drug stores and other retailers. MSRP is $12 for standard carded figures and $25 for deluxe boxed figures.


HALO UNIVERSE

In addition to its all-new Halo 4 action figure line, McFarlane Toys is continuing its popular Halo: Anniversary series in fall 2012. Since the franchise's tenth anniversary has now passed, the line is being rebranded as "Halo Universe."

Halo Universe continues to bring fans the classic, fan-favorite characters from the earlier Halo games, and even includes "expanded universe" sources such as novels, comic books and the animated feature, Halo Legends. This series also continues the popular "build-a-figure" feature of our Halo: Anniversary lines, bringing collectors an extra bonus item such as the Difficulty Plaque or UNSC Logo.

Todd explains, "Halo 4 brings fans figures from the latest and greatest Halo video game. But Halo is a franchise with over a decade of incredible games, movies, books and comics. With our Halo Universe line, we can continue to offer long-time fans the classic characters they know and love."

Halo Universe Series 1 consists of five figures and one 6-inch-scale vehicle:

• Frederic-104 (Halo Legends)
• Romeo (Halo 3: ODST)
• Elite Commando (Halo 3)
• Brute Captain Major (Halo 3)
• Spartan (Multiplayer)
• ODST Drop Pod

Halo Universe Series 1 debuts in October 2012. Available at Walmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, GameStop, local comic book stores, drug stores, and other retailers. MSRP is $12 for figures and $39 for vehicles.

The Halo Buelltin 1.18.12

The Halo Bulletin: 1.18.12

by bs angel 18. January 2012 23:28

Ooh! Is it time for a blue light special?

343 Guilty Spark has been called everything from Tinker Bell to Light Bulb to That Little Ball Thingy, and in spite of, or perhaps because of, all his idiosyncrasies, he is easily one of the most unusual and entertaining characters in the Halo universe. Whether he’s playing the role of friend or foe, it’s practically a guarantee that he’s humming, reciting witty phrases, or giggling maniacally while he’s tagging along on your virtual adventures.

After being subjected to his erratic ramblings in numerous different games, we have grown accustomed to having his robotic-like voice come out of a floating, one-eyed orb. There is an actual person behind this character, though, bringing even more personality to an already eccentric role.

That person is Tim Dadabo.

Well known in the acting world, the Halo world, and the world of artificially created constructs, Tim provided the narration for the terminals in Halo: Anniversary and, more recently, in the audio edition of Halo: Primordium. Because of those things, and also because he’s pretty darn awesome, we sat him down and asked him a handful of questions. And by sat him down, we mean tied him to a chair, and by a handful of questions, we mean as many as he could tolerate. And then ten more.

So grab a beverage, a pair of reading glasses, and a book about protocol, because this week’s Halo Bulletin is an interview with the man behind the Monitor.

Greetings, Reclaimer: An Interview with Tim Dadabo

Halo: Primordium—the second novel in Greg Bear’s Forerunner Saga—came out earlier this month. I heard you played a part in the audio edition of that book. What was that role?

Narrator of the book.

So you basically read the entire book out loud? That sounds difficult. And time-consuming. What was the most challenging part of the experience?

Staying focused for so long (I'm kinda ADD). That, and that all the characters you meet along the way need a different voice, so you have to find one (I did approximately 20), then remember them when you encounter them later on!

I would say that sounds doable, but it totally doesn’t. Not for me, anyway! Tell us a little about a typical narrator recording session.

They’re usually long and very focused. Scripts are given far in advance because of how many pages there are. Clients are also listening to what might be made better or what you might have missed.

Reads are often flatter, more informal.

How do narrator recording sessions differ from video game voiceover recording sessions?

Voiceover recording sessions for games can also be longer, but more intense. Characters' emotions and motives need to be fleshed out. It's truly like acting for a role.

While I’m most familiar with your Halo work, I know you’ve done lots of other stuff as well. What are some other projects you’ve worked on?

Because I've had such great career, I'll name just a few. Dragon Age Series, Risk Factions, Leisure Suit Larry, Red Faction, Disney Guilty Party, Looney Toons. On commercials, Apple for Apple Jacks, The Leprechaun on Diet Dr. Pepper, Raid Bugs, Scrubbing Bubbles, and non-character roles. TV show narration, Promo....

{SPARK BEGINS RAMBLING... we cut him off.}

You had me at Halo! Wait, that part wasn’t about Halo, was it? My bad. Anyway, back to you-know-what. How were you introduced to our favorite Spartan super-soldier?

I knew Marty O'Donnell and Mike Salvatore long before they ever got involved with Bungie. Back then, Bungie was just a small startup in Chicago. When Bungie developed ONI, they brought me in for several roles. Then they auditioned me for an annoying, flying orb called 343 Guilty Spark in this little game they were developing called Halo.

"Greetings, Reclaimer!"

Clearly the audition went well! I’m sure other people tried out too, though. Why do you think you got the job?

Luck? Seriously though, I guess it's the way any actor gets any job. They were the right person at the right time, and they brought something unusual and captivating to the role.

What was your reaction when you learned your character was a giant floating eyeball named Guilty Spark?

Huh?! What the hell's a Guilty Spark, and what were you smokin' when you came up with that name?!

Two very valid questions! And here’s another one for you. What are your thoughts on how your character has changed over the last ten years?

For me, Guilty Spark has changed from this evil, conniving oracle to a bot on a mission; the mission he decided after many millennia was a necessary mission.

From an acting standpoint, his character became much more complex, much deeper.

Out of all the lines you’ve read over the years, which ones are your favorites?

"Calamity!" and "Save his head, dispose of the rest."

I use that second line all the time in real life. Speaking of which, do you ever use the Guilty Spark voice in real life?

Kinda personal, isn't it? ;-)

I’m going to guess protocol dictated that response. Anyway, what is your favorite Halo game?

Wow. All of them, although I haven't played ODST yet. When I can find the time to play, I'm just getting into Reach. Gotta say, 2 was pretty awesome!

When you do have the time to play, what is your favorite game mode?

I play on Solo Campaign. I suck too bad to play the competitive modes! You guys would kick my ass!

While we’re on the subject of kicking ass, all of the Halo voice actors are amazing. Have you met any of them in person?

I'm friends with both Steve Downes (Master Chief) and Pete Stacker (Captain Keyes). I finally got to meet Jen Taylor (Cortana) at Halo Fest. Ahhh…. the two AIs together at last. They're all so awesome.

If you could meet any Halo character in real life, who would it be and why?

Hmmm…. ahh…. Guilty Spark, hello!? Why? I think he just needs a beer.

I probably should have seen that answer coming. Out of curiosity, do you have anything in common with your character?

I'm short, round and irritating. And when I'm on my mountain bike, I hum and think I can fly.

You are none of the first three things you listed, for the record! So I’ll ask you this instead: how are you different from your character?

I'm more lovable, and I'm a real boy.

I totally see what you did there. Before we wrap this up, tell me what excites you the most about the future of Halo.

The fact that its future is infinite. The storyline can go anywhere. Hopefully, someday, to the BIG SCREEN. Hello? Peter Jackson, Steve Spielberg.... you out there?

I don’t know if they’re out there, but your fans certainly are! Let’s end this with something for them. What advice can you give others hoping to make a career in voice acting?

Stay away. Stay far, FAR away. I mean, you do like gettin' a paycheck at the end of the week, doncha?!

While I said end this with something for the fans, I feel like you were talking to me. And I can totally take a hint. HMPH.

While he runs away as fast as he can, please enjoy a 25-minute preview from the audio edition of Halo: Primordium, narrated by the mastermind behind the Monitor, Tim Dadabo, and set to be released in the semi-near future.

Halo: Primordium Audio Book Preview

Until next week, Reclaimers….

<3,
bs angel

P.S. I was tempted to not include our customary Friday Caption Fun image this week because I didn’t have enough foresight to make it Monitor-themed, but your desktop could use some freshening up, so here it is anyway, embarrassingly devoid of any and all adorable talking orbs. Excuse my oversight, and instead submit your worthy captions to the latest round of festivities. Off you go!

NOPE!!!

Well, as I feared, today turned out to be yet another overly hyped day in the life of a Halo fan. So far (and as I'm sure it shall remain) all we have gotten from 343 is a couple of galleries, showing off our 117 love. Oh, well, maybe (HOPEFULLY) we can get something before the toy fair. Other wise, I will be disappointed in 343 and Microsoft for revealing their next big exclusive at a friggin toy fair... come on, guys, do a little better than that.

John-117 Day Tomorrow!

So, 343 has stated that they've been working on a ViDoc style BTS video since November, AND Halo 4 merchandise is being showed of at the London Toy Fair in about a week. SO a ViDoc or at least a trailer seems to be due, doesn't it? Let me know what you think in the comments below and I'll Post either a Halo 4 official something tomorrow or a post saying that it was all a sham. I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Halo 4 sneek peak

According to this post here on Team Xbox, The London Toy Fair will have, on display, a few figures from Re:creations line of licensed Halo 4 merchandise. I'm excited to see how this will play out with 343's timing on revealing things about the game!
Stay tuned! News is surely on the way!