If the character isn't some derranged killer without redeeming qualities, people have harder time accepting his actions. But if the character has somekind of arc or redeeming qualities, it's funny how easily people are ready to forgive their actions.

I actually regret none of my decisions in Mass Effect 3. I spent all of Mass Effect 1 and 2 sowing good will and doing favors because I knew in my gut Mass Effect 3 would be the place I would call in those debts and be forced to spend the lives of the people I invested so much in. I let people die there, not because…

Yeah, none of Halo 4's armor designs really grabbed me. They seem alternatively too bulky, too jagged, too smooth. I found Reach and ODST's designs to be a lot more functional-looking. Sure, they are sci-fi armor, but I like it when the effect is more understated and subtle. The Reach stuff just felt easier to…

I get the feeling that there was a bit of an executive mandate from the top in order to make Origin connectivity part of the SimCity experience, if only because they think that too few people are buying stuff on Origin and they want to drive that number up.

The prohibition on fraternization is something that I took seriously as my Shepard. Begining early in the first game when Ashley made some vaguely flirtatious comment in jest, I reminded her that would be inappropriate fraternization. I keep that stance ever since, even in situations like Mass Effect 2 where such…

@Metal Keir Solid: Ironically, this game actually WAS an incredibly different sequel.

I guess that this explains why games that required patience and careful observation such as Splinter Cell or Command and Conquer have been moving in more fast-paced, no more having to wait for anything directions. People who actually do have the attention span to appreciate them are a dying breed among gamers.

@WhatTheFrag: I would definately agree with WhatTheFrag in that the Halo series draws more inspiration from Ian M. Banks "Culture" series than it does from Larry Niven's better-known "Ringworld" series.

@fearing: Actually, Fearing, during that same panel Frank O'Connor said that coming in November they will be releasing portions of the Halo story bible as part of a "Halo Encylcopedia" to the general public. It will not include everything (they need to keep some things to themselves to provide the basis for future…

@jungfreud: Granted, Halo does take many science fiction staples into forming its backstory, but I think it is telling that those things remain staples even after so many creative authors have explored them. It is like the idea of a monomyth, sets of ideas that are universal across many human cultures because they…

Bear said during the panel Q&A that he wanted to write this aspect of the Halo universe because it has not been explored very directly so far, and because of that he has much more freedom as a writer than he would if he were writing in the "contemporary" Halo timeline.

@Zezibesh: That issue came up during the panel Q&A segment. Bear said that in his experience, revealing mysteries like this tends to create even greater mysteries, and that is his intention in these books.

@ReconToaster.: Granted in Halo: Combat Evolved the connections between the Forerunners and humanity is strongly hinted at, but it is only firmly established in Halo 3.

I think that she is really cute. I do not see why some people here do not appreciate her appearance.

They already have a position for that, actually. Obviously it is more than that, but it is a position. Unfortunately for you, it is already filled last I heard.

Actually, this article is neglecting to mention details of the morphine use.