Sgt. Angel here, and with Halo 3: ODST on the way it’s only natural that Bungie would show there final product with their own panel for PAX 2009. Now as the panel started we were greeted with each team lead to design, programming and audio which basically talked about their adventures on the project, in which at the same time were dissing and making fun of each other, were they had discussed the main influence of the game which was Noir films. Although that’s very surprising considering the game itself is a sci-fi game were your fighting aliens, but the team wanted to capture the distinct shots and feelings of noir films which when you play the game there will be constant darkness and a shattered city with broke glowing billboards and for the first time ever in Halo game a saxophone piece within the soundtrack. As the discussion kept going on they talked about the voice actor’s involved that were from Firefly/ Serenity who are Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin and Alan Wray Tudyk. Also another surprise was they talked about the voice actress for the character Dare which is voiced by Tricia Helfer from Battlestar Galaltica which the team wanted her for past work with Halo 3, but could not do it due to conflicting schedules but when she was asked for ODST she easily said yes as long as they pay for her cat foundation. I know that seems crazy, but yes Bungie paid for her cat foundation. As the panel rolled the last discussion the team had to say was that the famous battle rifle that was featured in Halo 2 and 3 will not be appearing in the game due to the fact most of the team did not like the battle rifle which it’s actually replaced by the improved SMG. Now most of the attendees were more so disappointed with that news, on the other hand I was completely fine with its removal mainly because the SMG in my opinion is better then Battle Rifle, were I played the game previously at E3.

With the panel nearing its end we were spoiled at Q and A with music and that the game itself will be 8-10 hours of campaign game play, which at its ends the team reminded attendees that the game will be shipping out September 22 and if they pre-order at GameStop they will receive a Sgt. Johnson skin for the multiplayer mode firefight. All and all I can’t wait for the game to drop out on September.

Also a special word from Sgt. Johnson:

- Sgt. Angel