Bungie Fanfest and E3 2003

"You might have read of it in Prudentius... Even the damned take excursions."

May 15-18 2003 by Richard Nickel (Shovelface) and Daniel Barbour (Finn)

The plan, like most, was simple: Compensate for last year and let the film just keep on rollin'. The Pentax was in good shape, but with the flash in the sick room, an alternative photon capturing device needed to be appropriated. In retrospect it may have been the perfect time to invest in a digital camera, but no, in the spirit of the quick fix, a stand-in was selected using only the most tried, true, and rigourous standards the industry has to offer: price.

Remind me, next I consider using a low-end disposable (with flash even), to first invest in a sandstone tablet to etch my impressions onto.

Another downside to this year's synopsis is ironically, and in direct contrast to the last one, the abundance of pictures of ourselves we came away with. While it is admittedly quite nice to view one's self externally in various contexts, it does tend to open one to ridicule (mainly self ridicule, I might add) and, considering the plethora of other people present, it is a shame that only two of them should appear in so many.

In spite of these rather minor details, we had an absolutely great time.

We arrived in Los Angeles from Medicine Hat, Alberta the morning of the Fanfest via Alaska Airlines (quite a geographic mix). About an hour waiting and several heated theological discussions with Krishnas later, we began to wonder exactly what brutal guerilla force mnemesis and his Albino Warthog had run into, and why they hadn't merely driven over them to reach us.

"Oh, Alaska Airlines... I thought you guys said Air Canada." Heh. Typical ;)

Fortunately, fate had ordained to land Louis, Miguel, and ourselves (not in that particular order) at one hour intervals. The problem of whether to go or stay until Miguel arrived had been solved without any real effort, and in our own stereotypically polite way we walked the airport parkade's circumference to meet the gents.

None of us were prepared.

After a quick luggage rearranging, which included a critique of the Pillar of Art submissions thus far, we headed out to E3. But not without stopping at the Official Fast Food Venue of halo.bungie.org 2003, Taco Bell.

We rode for six hours and then we hit the spot. The beats was bumpin' and the game-s was hot...

Getting in to E3 2003 was much like getting into E3 2002, only this time without the stealing or the guest passes (oh, they were in the mail, they were just waiting for us when we got home... typical). Lying (or fibbing, for those rationalizing it) was to be our meal ticket. Sure enough, Louis convinced them that he had forgotten the business cards of Richard and I, his employees, at home on the counter. They bought it; one piece of ID down. With the combined brilliance produced by the blazing flashes of our Electrical Journeyman's Certificate and University of Saskatchewan ID ("its a technical school"), our place inside was secure.

The Microsoft area was our first stop and, until the weekend's final hours when we actually got around to ridiculing... I mean, observing other titles and areas, occupied the majority of our time. We met up with Brian Jarrard (Sketch, Reigning Bungie Community Liaison), Mr. Marty O'Donnel Esquire, Lorraine Mclees, and other various (but equally important) Bungie staff, touching base, dropping off art submissions backstage, and engaging in a few games of the early Halo PC build.

We eventually made our way over to the Halo 2 demo where, after fighting past Sinbad, his kids, and a few folk Richard recognized from the Drew Cary Show, we were able to sit front row for Jaime's live, tour de force presentation (Joseph Staten was taking a well deserved break). Gasps were not uncommon during the show's course, nor however, were the slightly puzzled looks on the faces of Richard and I. The new detonation timing for grenades, a few weak sound effects, the apparent ease with which Covenant vehicles were dispatched, wondering how that level would play in-game with so many apparently scripted events, and our curious thoughts on how this new "two-fisted" weapon style would affect our beloved Boxer control scheme curbed our enjoyment of the demo slightly, but by no means entirely.

Daylight dwindled as the time of the Fanfest approached. We all donned our halo.bungie.org shirts and huddled together with Achronos to work out the details. Tables were set up, boundaries for the Fanfest established, and a colour-coded ticket scheme unveiled for making sure everyone on the list got in to see the Halo 2 demo. I began to wonder if the supposed 200 RSVPers had indeed any attention of showing up; all I could see was a handful of glowing faces outside the door, determined to make up in glee what they apparently lacked in numbers. A quick jaunt down the hall revealed the full strength of the hopeful attendees and that all was going according to plan. Richard and I manned the front door, not without a small amount of help from Don Hulson, Claude's LA based brother-in-law, who went above and beyond the call of duty helping stuff ID badges prior to opening and on the fly as folk started to flood in. The guest list was monitored closely, and with only rare exception (which usually worked itself out with a quick referral to Microsoft PR folk), everyone present was able to get in, complete with show pass, ID, raffle ticket, and the occasional disposable camera, courtesy of Bungie (unfortunate that we hardly got any back). Easier than eating pancakes.

By the time the last folk had piled in the festivities were well underway and it had become far too apparent that the AC had been shut off some time ago. People were watching the Halo 2 demo in shifts, while those remaining on the floor enjoyed Red vs. Blue, a Discovery documentary preview, question and answer sessions (Bungie ambiguity at its finest ;), Halo PC competitions, and the schwag raffle (Prima Strategy Guides for everyone!). The Jen Taylor interview and Trivia Contest were overlooked entirely as Richard and I took in the choir of voices and ensuing carnage as the aforementioned Microsoft demo stations were all booted up with copies of Halo (what kind of fans are we anyway?). Many a game was played as we reunited with Chucky to deal out (and occasionally, take in) a little punishment. One game was interrupted as I noticed Jason (who had formerly only been represented by a cardboard stand-in; a good likeness, and only slightly less sociable ;) hanging over my shoulder, watching the game. It was great to meet up again.

As the evening spun out of control, righted itself, teetered a little, and then began to wind down for good, plans were made to meet up later for debriefing and relaxation. The Beverly Hilton was the final stop where the b.org folk gladly joined Tom Gioconda (Achronos) and Brian Jarrard (Sketch) in the basement lounge. Talk danced about like an organ monkey possessed, touching on Screenshot release politics, the eventual online plans for the E3 demo, vertical controller sensitivity, and on OXM's recent exclusive Halo 2 issue, among other more plebeian topics. I mention OXM specifically, for not only had I recently sent in a rather lengthy letter chastising them for vague, misleading, and often incorrect content, but Mike and a few other editors had also been present at the Fanfest. Our conversation was not a little critical, eventually even eliciting that "they really didn't see anything of what we were presently doing". Chuckles, head shaking, moving on. Only on return from the washroom would I notice that around a pillar, not 5 feet from where the gang was carrying on, was Mike Salmon and Co. I am afraid I have not kept up with OXM much as of late, but I do hope that either time, or alcohol, has healed all wounds (though I have little doubt why my submission was not printed).

Late that night/early the next morning we said our goodnights and headed off. Richard and I had never made it over to check into the luxurious Seaview Motel in Santa Monica and so, in a gracious attempt to keep b.org together, we spent the night comfortably on Tom's floor with Miguel, John, and Claude. (Apparently one of Tom's children remarked in the morning, "Dad, did all these people come home with you?")

The following day was chalk full of anticipation yet again, this time for a LAN gathering at deanero's place. We passed the time with a variety of activities; the Van Sinden house was bustling as everyone's respective laptops churned out updates, 4 player practice commenced on the main view screen, and the aroma of coffee and English muffins wafted through the air. Disaster and over-reaction were also narrowly averted as we scrambled to prepare for an imminent Covenant invasion force. As it turned out, it was only the "slightly more formidable side of Sears" (see below right). It was wonderful to hang out more with Tom, as well as meet his wife, and family. Thanks so much :)

Eventually we made our way over to the LA Convention center again where we wandered about aimlessly, enjoying the other main areas and seamy underbellies of E3 alike (yet again, we passed on the alluring offer of a Free $20 lapdance ;)

The set-up that night at Dean's was fantastic, and their hospitality was second to none. Two large screen televisions and a projection unit rounded out our 12 player ordinance. As could be expected, many bizarre yet strangely fulfilling b.org games were played, culminating in a CTF game to end all others. Well, I suppose there was a slightly longer one played on Sidewinder with 16 players once back home, but this was nothing to sneeze at.

(I was supposed to make some remark about a phone, and someone not answering it... no, maybe they forgot it in their car. Hmmm, I forget. Anyway... ;)

Again, the crew eventually dissipated, bleary eyed and content with an evening well spent, and we were fortunate enough to spend the night at Dean's house. We are still in awe at the elaborate breakfast and kindness shown to us. Oh, and it was no problem folding up the blankets; thanks so much to Dean, Michelle and Sydney :)

We swapped tales of our own motorcycle antics and Dean kept us fully entertained with stories of his Dad's fuel-economy obsessions till we arrived at The Bridge cinema, where we met up with his brother Carlos, Don, Claude, Miguel, Dean, Tom, and his progeny. The movie was good, but the relief was far greater as we could finally discuss The Matrix without a stern "no spoilers" reprimand from Claude ;)

Most parted ways here, but a few of us made our way down to Venice Beach where Richard and I checked in to our accommodations and killed some time with Miguel and Claude, who were waiting for their evening departures. Miguel checked the latest forum gossip while we roamed the dusk-draped beach.

Following our traditional breakfast at Cora's Cafe, all I remember is waking up at home. I have the strangest dreams sometimes...

Second annual installment concluded. Awaiting next transmission_

Teleport When Ready_

• B.org Photo Gallery


• Bungie.net Flashback: Part 1


• Bungie.net Flashback: Part 2


• Cybrfrk'n Photos


• Skeletor's 2003 Batch