Dust and Echoes

Transition is Complete

2008-06-25T14:49:00.002-04:00

Acta Non Verba now officially has it's own website! We have already used it more in the past month than it has been used in the past 6 months. You will see very quickly that I have made even more changes. I have created sub forums with the Halo 3 forum, one for each MLG approved map. Those will be the ones we are focusing on therefore I want the information to be available and easy to access. I have also stickied the Ladder thread, be sure to check it often as I will be modifying the first post as necessary so it will not show as a new post but will have new information in it.

There are many options for the site within the admin options so I will be experimenting with many of them. I apologize in advance if any changes I make inconvenience anyone but I'm still new to this. If there are any ideas you have on what you would like to see on the site let me know and we'll try to make it happen.

Updates and Changes

2008-06-04T20:21:00.002-04:00

If you've been to the site lately then you will see that I have removed many of the old posts. Almost all of them were outdated and irrelevant anymore. I have created new threads for each of the maps, practice ideas and links to strategies/tips. I have also updated the calendar by listing all of our practice nights and the ladder match next week. I did one on the wrong date, and inadvertently realized I cannot edit them or remove them. Hopefully with Spider's help I will be able to do that at a later time.

I still have not heard back from Spider regarding full admin privileges and powers. I am only able to remove posts, sticky, lock and things of that nature. I was debating on waiting to hear back from him to start new sub-forums for each map, but decided it would be better to get something going now. I can always move posts to new areas later and I would like for us to start using this site for our benefit sooner rather than later.

I'm eagerly looking forward to getting all of our ideas and strategies in one place. It's up to us to use this site to our fullest advantage, and I think it will pay off in a big way. Hopefully we can move away from emails and move to threads within the site. I know personally it will be tough, sending emails to everyone has been a habit we have done for quite a long time now.

We have free reign and I will try to accommodate all of our needs here as best I can. If any of you have any ideas or think there is something missing please let me know.

Acta Non Verba

2008-05-29T19:04:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone. I came across this site at the advice of a fellow teammate, Ghost. Ghost, Boulder, Sparhawk and I have created a team, Acta Non Verba, and have been practicing together for 4-5 months now. We normally communicate through email on various strategies, ideas, changes and plans regarding various maps, setups, and breakouts. Our official practice is three days a week for 2 and half hours each night, however we normally play more than that. On any given day I will have half a dozen messages in my email from the other members with fantastic insights into various aspects of the game. Unfortunately most of this is lost as email is not an ideal place to store and organize information and ideas.

Dust and Echoes is absolutely perfect for our needs. It is a site dedicated to Halo 3 with a forum that will provide easy access to all of our ideas. As an added benefit others who are members of the site can provide feedback and their own suggestions that we may have not thought of, or can pick and choose different ideas that we have to use in their game play. I have a few ideas on what I would like to see from this site, and Spider will be working with me and showing me around so I can make it happen.

A changing of command

2008-05-29T18:14:00.002-04:00

An active Halo 3 clan, which some of our long time members have joined, have approached me about taking over the Dust-and-Echoes site. I can't think of a better way to see this used, so I am in the process of getting everything transfered over.

I don't have a gametag to call the name of this mysterious leader (and I don't have permission to use his real name), but he is excited about the opportunity to take his teammates and friends forward on the D&E site. Help me in welcoming him, and please excuse any confusion that take place during this time of transition.

Welcome to the new and old alike to a new era in D&E history.

Looking for our General

2007-11-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

I'm currently resposible for trying to reform Dust and Echoes. Between conflicting interests and tight schedules, though, I haven't done a very good job. So, in the interest of making this successful, I'm looking for someone to step up and become the league leader. My plan is to explain to that person how to do everything I do and supply them with the tools to make it easier, but ultimately I don't want to see league night collapse just because I can't make it.

If you are interested in taking this position please send me a private message in the forum. Once I find the right person I'll post an article officially giving you control of the league.

Happy Birthday Xbox Live!

2007-11-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

It's that time everyone, the fifth birthday of our most beloved gaming service. We're talking about Xbox Live, of course. Don't forget that their are festivities galore planned today. There's Game with Fame events, free Carcassonne (like a gift bag, but geekier), free MS Points for the brave individuals that subscribed way back in 2002, and more. For a full recap on everything that's happening, check out the roundup we posted earlier this week. Oh, and don't forget we'll be celebrating in our own way with X3F Live and Halo 3 tonight at 7:30pm EST. For full details, click here. We'll see you online, and remember, don't party too hard. Most of us have to work tomorrow.

This article was written by Richard Mitchell and posted here.

Halo 3: Second matchmaking update is live

2007-11-14T14:50:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for a little variety in your Halo 3 multiplayer as of late, then you'll be pleased to know that last week's announced Halo 3 matchmaking updates rolled out yesterday. Oh how we love change.

In brief, the matchmaking update removed Social Doubles, added Rocket Race, added new maps to both Team Slayer and Rumble Pit, Lone Wolves increased to six players and got Swords, and Multi-Team received some newness too. You can read this second matchmaking update's changes in detail after you make the treacherous jump. Happy matchmaking!

This news was copied from Xbox 360 Fanboy.

November 17th - Day One

2007-11-12T08:11:00.001-05:00

This Saturday, November 17th is going to be Day One. That is the first day we start doing teambuilding and structured game rotation. What this means is we will be working at actively balance teams, to make the games as good as possible. Also, rather than just passing the leader, we will have an ordered list of who will be gettng to pick the game and map.

For those of you who were at Day Zero, what you should expect is smoother transistion between games, meaning you should know in advance that your turn is coming up so that it takes less time for you set up your game when it is time. Also, you should expect better more balanced games, where you are told what team you need to be on. This will make it so that, to the best of our ability, the teams will be balanced between teams and you will not need to guess what team you should be on.

The team building will be used doing stats, but I don't know it the stats will be available. This is because Bungie has made some substantial changes to their site, which impact the stats pages. My goal is to get the stats pages up before Day 3.

Gameplay Pictures

2007-11-09T07:08:00.000-05:00

As I'm putting together news items I plan to start including pictures and movies taken from game play. If I get enough of them I might throw together a gallery. Also, if there is enough interest I might run a contest.

The picture above is one of nine sent to me by Cicatriz.

November 10th - Day Zero

2007-10-29T09:05:00.000-04:00

November 10th, 2007

8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Eastern

HALO3 on LIVE

The party will be closed, but it isn't limited to only former Dust and Echoes members; feel free to invite your friends.

November 10th is just the first Saturday. In fact, I'm counting it as a warm-up Saturday. This is a place for us to rediscover how to get our feet wet, and workshop a few of the options available to us in H3. The real week one, the first day when I think we should have a clear idea of what to expect, will be November 17th.

There will be teambuilding and statitics, but they won't be immediately available. There are some technical reasons for this, but ultimately just know for the first few weeks while we will be building teams this will not be a smooth as teambuilding in the future. After that we should have Stats posted and teambuilding should be very fast and accurate.

Lock and Load.

New Forum - New Registration

2007-10-18T07:13:00.000-04:00

So, I was on last night (yes on the box that gave me the Red Ring of Death, I'll post about it later) and Dieselweasel (formally Madmax) was on and he sends me a message that he can't get into the forum. I take a look, and it turns out he hasn't registered. Now, This isn't the first time I've had this issue, but I now realize the confusion is completely my fault.

The forum attached to this site is completely new. I didn't, or rather couldn't, carry your accounts and passwords over. This means you will need to re-register for this forum. Trust me, if everything goes as I think it will, it will be worth it.

I apologize for the confusion I've caused. If you have any additional problems please feel free to send me an e-mail.

Have no Fear

2007-10-17T09:27:00.000-04:00

If you've seen this post, you might be wondering what this means for the league. In short, it means nothing for the league. I might not be able to join you immediately, but I will be offering whatever support is needed to make Dust and Echoes successful. Details on our kick off day will be posted soon.

MSNBC: Valve bets big on its 'Orange Box'

2007-10-15T08:21:00.000-04:00

A video game company would need a truckload of chutzpah to release a first-person shooter in the wake of "Halo 3."

Read the rest of the article here.

Come on in and say, "Hi!"

2007-10-12T07:41:00.001-04:00

While we are still gathering back up the troops, the forums are a little sparse. You can change this.

Feel free to find the Introductions thread and tell us a little about yourself. Also, start a few new threads. The better we know each other, the more fun it will be when the season kicks off.

CNN Review: 'Halo 3' lives up to the hype

2007-10-10T08:12:00.000-04:00

Not only is Microsoft Game Studios' "Halo 3" the most eagerly anticipated video game of the year -- it achieved a milestone of a million preorders two months ago -- but this action sci-fi series has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning novels, comics, action figures and a top-secret project with Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson ("The Lord of the Rings. The Return of the King").

Read the rest of the Article Here.

A New Start

2007-10-04T10:10:00.000-04:00

If you are reading this, it means you are seeing the beginning of something spectacular. This is the rebirth of the Dust and Echoes Halo League.

There was an age when adults could gather to show off their skills, have themselves ranked and play in balanced team games without the hassles of the general public. They could play game types never before concieved of and generally earn themselves a perma-grin.

Well folks, it's time to stock up on Swiss Cake Rolls because November will be the beginning of the new age.