Is ‘Iris’ Spoiling Halo 3?
If you don’t know by now, Iris is the nickname Microsoft PR has given the Halo 3 Alternate-Reality Game/Viral Campaign.
After today’s revelations over on Halo3.com and the “Transmission Log“, I’ve become quite disturbed by the amount of information they are giving out about the direction of Halo 3’s story. With all the knowledge we already know about the Halo story, this game and the morsels of information it’s giving out is possibly going to result in many people “guessing” the entire story before summer is even over.
I have yet to finish the latest Halo novel, “Ghosts of Onyx” but I just had it spoiled for me on Bungie.net while reading this theory on Halo 3. I believe it is one of the most credible theories I have ever read.
Also, thanks to this thread, the full transcript of the video is now known. There are two hidden messages that appear for only a tenth of a second, here’s the full transcript:
THIS IS MY FINAL ENTRY, AND I AM LEFT WITH ONE HOPE
THAT ONE DAY, SOMEONE, ANYONE IS AROUND TO WITNESS THIS WARNING
{//} [If you are that witness, and it seems that we pinned all of our hopes on this single suicidal plan]
KNOW THAT A THOUSAND OTHER PLANS WERE TRIED AND FAILED
{//} [Millions of brave and honored souls died trying to avert this desperate terrible solution]
KNOW THAT ENERGETIC AND TENACIOUS AS LIFE IS
IT HAS AN ANTITHESIS JUST AS POWERFUL
IT IS THAT THING THAT WE MUST OBLITERATE
There was also an audio message and some images you can find on the site by clicking on various symbols on the machine. There is also a transcript that shows the activation of the Halos the previous time they were fired, you can read that, and a great analysis of it here.
This is a very interesting campaign, and I enjoy it, but I fear that they’re giving too much away. I liked the approach of ilovebees.com much more, this ARG is much more straightforward (so far) and the information ties directly to the story, and isn’t just a fun game that gives you some side-story and introduces you to new, interesting characters.