Seriously though? This one is epic:[quote] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13641][b]How Not To Get Recon[/b] (Or "Luke's Not Here, So Shishka Gets to Make Fun of the Internet Today") Since my glorious return to Bungie's shining towers and churning pits of magma, I've seen a lot of requests for the ever-elusive recon armor. While I appreciate the honest and direct approach of asking, it's not really the best approach to getting the armor because we're not giving it out by request. There are a few ways to get Recon, but the best way is to do something awesome that doesn't just impress Bungie, but entertains or betters the community as a whole. However, some people (understandably) have trouble with our rather vague ruleset for Recon and try different approaches. For example, when recon was given out for a rather hilarious video of death by way of street cone, people thought "Oh, in order to get Recon, I have to be killed by a street cone." Not quite. You see, the reason Recon was handed out in that instance was that the video spread through the community and found its way to Bungie. Everyone was talking about it because it was so damn funny, and that is what earned it recon. Even still, there are other people who wish to get recon, but lack the scruples to get it legitimately. These people attempt to trick their way into getting Recon. These geniuses attempt to lie to us to get Recon, as though we're not going to figure them out. For example, check out this message I got on Xbox Live a week ago: "Hi I lost my recon armor and frank connor said I should message u to get it back" Lost it? Maybe you left it at your Mom's house. The truth of the matter is that we control who does and who doesn't have recon, and we are able to tell exactly who and who shouldn't have it. So, saying you lost it isn't going to work because we can look you up and know there's no reason as to why you should've had it to begin with. You may as try telling me that you're actually me and that I need to mail myself my social security number because I forgot I was going to do that yesterday. It's obvious to us, and we're going to know. It's stupid to even try. The worst I've seen so far though, is coming up. But first, let's talk about The List. Most fans see the Recon situation as a pair of lists; those who don't have Recon, and the shorter list of people that do. I'm not so nice. For me, there are three lists. The two mentioned above, and then the list of people that will never have Recon. Take for example the following case. A Bungie employee recently received the following message over Bungie.Net: Hello, my gamertag is [Omitted] and my names [Omitted], im 15 and live in Michigan. Anyways, I'm a big fan of Halo, as a matter of fact i sold my PS2 o buy a Xbox, Halo2, and Xbox LIve. I spend so much time on this game. It's my life. Just last week my older brother who is 21 deployed to Iraq. Last Monday he died in action, =(. It's been miserable these last few days. Now, this is not a lie, my brother who also played Halo wanted Recon. He would always be like "I wish i had it" BlahBlahBlah. Ever since he passed, I've been thinking of ways to remember him. And it hit me, Recon Armor. Now, Now, I know what you're thinking: "Some other little kid asking for Recon" One, i could care less about the armor, I just want it to honor my brother who died fighting for us. =( This is not a pathetic attempt to get that dreaded armor. I know you will probably block me, or just flat out ignore me. But, before you do just please put yourself in my position and think about it. It would mean so much to me. And more than likely i wont receive the armor, could you at least reply explaining why? It's not a lie what kind of sick person would lie about something like this for video game armor?! Once again, please don't just ignore it. and at least reply. If you even read this which i doubt. Please consider this. Thank You, Sincerely [Omitted] =( Present company excluded, we're generally not in the business of being skeptical, and this really pulled at our heart strings. It's impossible to imagine how such a tragic loss must feel. Unfortunately for our friend, we have a sharp memory. The young unnamed person above had pasted this exact message in a window directed at every person on Bungie.Net with gold text. This in and of itself is not a bad thing. However, what is a bad thing is that he had done the same thing with his previous version of the message several months ago: Hello, my gamertag is [Omitted] and I've been a fan of Halo since Combat Evolved and really love the series and everything you guys produce. You guy's are the reason I sold my playstation in order to purchase Halo and an Xbox. I love you guys! Last week my cousin also a Halo fan Gamertag: [Omitted] passed away. I made a thread about her in the forums and it got over 300 replies. She was awesome and loved Halo. It's been really tough this last week without her. I have been grieving ever since last Wednesday. This is not a lie, I'm telling the truth and just need something from my friends at Bungie. I've not tried taking L337 screenshots, or faking videos for Recon Armor, I'm a great member of the community and have done nothing wrong. The reason I want Recon armor is because my cousin [Omitted] who I love and miss oh so much, wanted Recon so very much. I just want it to honor her, and remember her. I want Recon for her. I don't want it to run around saying 'Hey I got Recon' I want this armor for my late great cousin [Omitted] ='( Thank you, Bungie -[Omitted] This isn't something a good person does. This is something a terrible, terrible sub-human does in an attempt for something as petty as a visual for a video game. And this is something someone wants to do if they want to guarantee to themselves that they'll never, ever have that visual. And, for the would-be heroes out there, I did confront the above user on the topic and he confessed. When I told him that he was put on the list to never receive Recon, he tried to bribe me. The List is not a happy place. If you're on it, you'll never have Recon. If we were to flip a switch one morning and unlock Recon on every 360 in the world, you would still not have it. People who are caught lying end up on The List. People who are caught cheating end up on The List. People who are banned from Matchmaking for any period of time are on The List. You don't want to be on The List. On the ligher side, we do give out Recon for good deeds, awesome film and film clips and map variants. It's not all doom and gloom over here. It's just easier to point out what won't get you Recon, rather than what will. To be clear, the following: * Asking a Bungie Employee over XBL or Bungie.Net * Asking on the forums * Asking AT ALL * Repeating exactly or closely what previous people have done to get Recon * Lying * Cheating * Complimenting my figure Will NOT get you Recon. They will, however, earn you varying levels of ire, and two of those (Lying and Cheating) will get you on The List. And now that you know about The List, perhaps you should rethink your Recon strategy if you've been going about it the wrong way.[/url][/quote] [Edited on 07.28.2009 2:44 PM PDT]

Shishka reiterates soon after: [quote][url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13690]How Not to Get Recon, Revisited, by Hieronymus J Shishka Esq. I see I have your attention. Good! This is the first stop on the road to glory. However, it seems I need to clarify exactly what the situation is. I've received a lot of panicked messages from people who think I'm going to ban them from Recon because they asked for it a month ago, which is not the case. Let's be clear; the people that get themselves on the list are the scum and villains that wretched hives are built to contain. Pestering me about Recon merely annoys me. To be true, we've never been very clear on how to get Recon, or how not to get it. I'm going to resolve that issue right now. To get Recon: Do something that makes a big enough impression on Bungie and/or the Halo Community to make us think "Hey, this guy deserves Recon." At that point Bungie will simply decide to award it, based on opinion and emotional feeling NOT on any specific achievable criteria. What doesn't get you Recon: * Asking for it, no matter how nicely (Or how rudely) you ask. No Live messages, no emails, no phone calls, no asking. Do NOT contact Bungie directly to ask for Recon under any circumstances. * Matching with a Bungie employee and then killing them. Remember, if you see a flaming head in a game the best thing to do is simply sacrifice yourself to them. * Getting a film clip, screenshot, game or map variant into Bungie Favorites or Matchmaking.*** * Reaching General or level 50 in any playlist. * Annoying the hell out of someone with Recon by chasing them around saying "Hey, wait! Hey, wait! Hey, wait!" instead of playing the game. This is not Zelda, and you are not Navi. What gets you BANNED from Recon: * Being caught using any of the standard methods of cheating. * Getting a voice ban in matchmaking. * Getting an upload ban for hosting inappropriate content in your file share. * Being caught in your filthy lies like the shell of a human being you (hypothetically) are. *** It might, sure, but it's certainly not a guarantee and likely won't so don't make stuff for favorites if you just want Recon. And since we've been asked directly: No, getting a temporary QOS ban because you hosted some pretty laggy games with people on another continent isn't going to get you banned from Recon. A short history of a few laggy games gives you the benefit of the doubt. And I say this with all the vim, venom and vinegar I can muster when I point out that we can give you Recon, and we can also take it away. Play nice out there. Don't sell it. Don't blackmail people with it. Don't do anything other than use it yourself. Okay?[/url][/quote] Alas! A contest with skill to win Recon. All you had to do was [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13772]photoshop a certain picture the best. Winners... er... win.[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13795]And the winners are...[/url] This just in though (and this was a good thing to add because apparently some people actually believed this): Getting on the Bungie Favorites does [i]not[/i] get you Recon! *gasp!* [i]Bungie how could you? u suk!1!!!!11!!!ONE11!1oNe!!!!eleven!!!!!!!11!111!1!!!!!!!exclamation point!11!![/i][quote] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13931]OK, my group wants to be on Favorites, get me on so we can all get Recon! Group selection wasn't egalitarian. Months ago I asked for folks (in this very space) to send me a message with their email and a link to their group's Web site and then I culled through those groups and chose a bunch of groups and sent them emails with the guidelines for submitting Favorites. People on Favorites with Recon are just coincidental. They don't have Recon for any of these reasons: * They downloaded a particular file and recommended it to someone. * They were on Bungie Favorites. * They asked for it in a PM, Xbox Live Message, or on the Forums.[/url][/quote] Oh, also... [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14219][i]stop spamming Bungie Employee inboxes with threads about Recon! Geez![/i][/url] Now this was huge. A large, public event. A prize up for grabs?... Recon. It was known as PAX- the Penny Arcade Expo (which is coming up in August of 2009 as well, Bnet people). Take heed: This was announced. Bungie Employees will [i]never[/i] say something like 1v1 me 4 the 'con. No- Recon events are announced on their website here guys. Keep that in mind- for your account's safety. Now then: [quote][url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14472]PAX is coming to Seattle at the end of August - 62 days to be precise. This year Bungie will be there in full force with our own swanky booth jam packed with goodness. Come by and meet members of our team, play some games with us, win prizes and maybe even see some new stuff and meet some special guests. One thing for certain is that at specified times, we'll be offering a chance to play 2v2 against Luke and Shishka for a chance to win some in-game Recon armor.[/url][/quote] Now this was just funny: [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14735]Bungie Employee asks for Recon among other things. Hah- wonder how that turned out. -.-[/url] Now in a Q&A (question and answer) weekly update once upon a time, there were numerous question about Recon. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14920][quote][b]A Deaf Boy asks:[/b][i] Do you really ban people from Recon Armor when they spam your inbox?[/i] In some cases, definitely. All that spamming my inbox does is force the valuable, informative posts deeper into the message queue and decrease the likelihood that I'm going to read them. All of the folks who got scammed into PMing me something about a Hotdog stand? Sigh. That was a glorious waste of everyone's time. [/quote] [u](editor's note: The hotdog scam was a reference to some kid messaging people saying if they sent a certain PM to employees they'd get Recon. False? You bet your left buttocks it was.)[/u] [quote][b]Insanitarium89 asks:[/b][i] Was it really finding the code for IWHBYD that caused you to lock up Recon armor?[/i] Nope. We figured that the Hayabusa helmet was going to be pretty coveted until the hex files revealed the way to unlock the armor. We assumed once a handful of people figured out how to unlock the Hayabusa helmet that everyone would. We planned to hold one of the armor permutations back throughout development, what happened after the game shipped had no bearing on it. [/quote] ([u]Editor's Note: that was actually a concern back then. People wondered about that. Some people thought Bungie was really mad that the Hayabusa became what it did after someone figured out the IWHBYD skull's location with the help of Hex Codes.[/u])[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15171]Shishka's on Team Free Recon :P[/url] Man, that guy must just be [i]such[/i] a Burger King. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15268]More PAX Recon Info[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15366]And More[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15422]Results of said contest at PAX- 27 teams walked away with Recon.[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15595]Kinda funny Employee talks about being level one with Recon[/url]. Another says he offered Recon to a girl for getting a hug, hah. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame]OH BLAM![/url] The announcement of Bungie's next game: Halo 3: Recon. Now called Halo 3: ODST due to a name change, the game Halo 3: Recon was a major reason in the rule about 'No Recon Discussion' being lifted. Clearly with the name of the game being that- and no separate forum for the game (as at the time webmaster 'Achronos' was against adding a forum he says, based on the game being an expansion)- it would be near impossible to moderate all Recon discussion. Therefore the rule about talking about Recon was removed. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16208]Ah, perhaps the biggest and most important update for the ikkle kiddies obsessed over Recon in ages. This is the weekly update where Bungie announces that you can get Recon with your purchase of Halo 3: ODST.[/url] The story was actually in that issue of Game Informer. Bungie, however, wanted to clear some things up. Yet there was a catch. And get this: Those dum bungy guis are making you work for it! You have to get 7 vidmaster achievements. I mean, WTF?!? Obviously they don't know who they're dealing with! Therefore: Childrens spam the forums with Recon topics. *sigh* what a shame. Seems Bungie actually clearing it up themselves didn't help matters that much. Oh well. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16271]Alas, Halo 3: Recon is no more[/url]. The game was, at this point, referred to as Halo 3: ODST. Name change name change. Took a while for some people to get over that but it works, eh? I skipped the Pentathlon updates, but there couldn't have been anything about Recon in there, right? [i]Right?[/i] Oh, good time to mention I've been skipping all the 'breaking in' updates as well. But those are very interesting guys- especially is you're interested in becoming a Bungie Employee. Use the search bar and search by news by clicking the little arrow and type in 'broken in'. Lots of good information was in there. [Edited on 07.28.2009 2:45 PM PDT]

[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16545]Oh lookie a weekly update. [/url]OOOHHH RECON GIMME GIMME!!! It is not to be my friend. In this weekly update, we received some ODST concept art. One was of the character we now know as: Dare. She [i]can[/i] haz Recon. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16887]Urk begins to see a lighter side or at least show it. Kid at the very end of the update agrees that Bungie is awesome and Recon shouldn't be easy to get. [/url]How right he was. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=17091]Later on another person asks for it. Right after we find out about brute pimps . [/url]He's da player, you see. He had Bungie against a rock and a hard place, clearly. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=J782PFMJRX3VT3X993RMQJYMW]Auto Responder. A tool designed to tell people asking for Recon to go away.[/url] Clearly. And to you forum goers who have it set to auto TURN IT OFF. There's no reason for you guys to have it set to auto send. Something like 'If this is a group invite then GTFO' or I'll respond to this shortly'. Those are a waste of the reader's time! Make it say I'm on Vacation and I may respond to you when I get back' then set it to manual, only turning it on auto [i]when you're actually gone[/i]. Really buddies- that's what you need to do. Oh, also later in the last link you find out that people who posted vids showing where the Mythic Skulls were are on THE LIST to never get Recon. Joyous. This crushed one person I know because he never got the warning not to do it. Common sense? Perhaps. Still didn't know. Oh well though- Bungie's call. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_032009]With the grrness behind, we move on to more contests. Announcement for the Valentine's Day massacre winners. Congrats to them. Employee was also going to be on a trip. He told you guys right then and there, in that update: He couldn't give you Recon.[/url] I wonder if anyone tried anyways. Hmm. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Humpday_Joystiq]Now this was good stuff- Bungie plays a team for Recon[/url]. Now before any of you go on a tangent: NO- Bungie does NOT 1v1 or 2v2 or anything else like that for Recon. This was special. See, these people tried so hard to get it before. They failed. So Bungie played them. The thing was Bungie's map choice. They used every dirty trick in the as-yet-unwritten books. Using things such as hidden weapon caches that the other team couldn't find. In a CTF game both the flag spawn and flag cap spawned right next to Bungie. Needless to say, Bungie won. It was all in good fun, however. The guys [i]did[/i] end up getting Recon, but no people, YOU will not get Recon for this. It was a special event. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_050109]Ooo lookie here- Recon challenge[/url]. Take a screenshot, tag it, win Recon. Now isn't that just lovely of Bungie to do? [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=19433]Results of the last contest? Yayzorz[/url]. You're gonna get another contest too. Sweet! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU051509]Results of that contest, prepare for a new contest, and we learn that Urk is 11 years old. Huh.[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU052209]Results of another contest BUT THAT'S NOT ALL![/url] Bungie also discusses an issue that has plagued many unfortunate (and I use that term incredibly lightly) people who have found themselves banned. The question?:[i] Can I still haz the 'con?[/i] The answer?... Maybe! Yes, maybe. If you were exp banned, banned from the forums, any of that you can still receive Recon via the vidmasters with Halo 3: ODST. Those people are [i]not[/i] on THE LIST. The list is reserved for people who do worse things. Such as oh I dunno cheat their way to perfect gamerscore. Ah well. Click the link I gave for specifics. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_052909]Another contest and Bungie decides not to give us Recon for it? WTF BUNGIE U SUCK I H8 U!!![/url] Oh. Wait, what's that? You were just kidding? Oh, well that's OK then! I would have flipped out had I actually believed you for a second! That coulda been messy! Later they also say the most worn armors, emblems, and colors. Recon it was dead last on all of the 'top worn armors' lists. NO WAI DOODZ. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Halo3ODSTsquad]Hi community. Meet Dare (psst, I heard she's a poo poo meanie head, so watch out)[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU060509]Wait, what? Oh. It seems fans weren't too happy with Dare[/url]. I think it had something to do with her seemingly massive head. Hmm taking a glance at that picture Bungie posted at the bottom of the update I think I see what the fans meant! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU061209]Another contest occurred at this time. Haloscreenshots.com ran this one. That a pretty pimping feature, I must admit[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU062609]And then it hits us like a wall. You're in a maze. Left turn, left turn, right turn, right turn BAM BRICK WALL. Yeah. It was Bungie's biggest Recon contest ever. Bungie Vs. the World Playlist- 1 Vs. 1 million.[/url] Bungie would be going into a playlist that would be out for only that day using 35 community maps. Anyone who beats them gets Recon. There'd be other secret criteria too, of course. [i]But I'd never tell![/i] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU070309]More talk about the Bungie Day contest[/url]. And then [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BungieDay09]OMG it's here!!![/url] Bungie Day yay! I'ma win me some Reconz! The 10 PM slot was the team people wanted most to play, by the way. Gee, I wonder why. Also on this day people were given the opportunity to earn Recon based on a puzzle. If you were one of the first to send a PM containing the correct answer to the puzzle (the question of which was a puzzle to figure out in itself!), you would win yourself a brand new shiny set of Recon Armor. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=20950]Click here for a link to the article[/url], and [url=http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Halo2WebMaps/richgame.aspx?g=774245350]click here for a link to the puzzle, where you had to figure out the question[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU071009]Results of Bungie Day- its playlist.[/url] Bungie gave off 328 sets of Recon armor for beating them. Over 700 for the secret criteria (back off bub! I said I'd never tell- read the update I gave you if you want to know what the criteria was!). That's over 1,000 sets now. HOWEVER: I would like to call attention to [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=34939702&postRepeater1-p=3#34953251]this link right here. The one you should be clicking. If you haven't clicked it all ready you're obviously in need of something to do so you can haz cheezburger. Then come back and click this link. Lazy bastard.[/url] I don't think I need to explain that link. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU071709]Here we are: Bungie on account security, especially with Regards to people who have recently obtained recon. Unfortunately common sense seems harder to come by these days. Ah well.[/url] [b][u][i]NOW THEN: That was all the weekly updates. Now I'm going to list the Bungie Blog references! Joyous! This consisted of me going through 73 pages of Bungie Blog Entries. This took me to December of 2007. Man, the Blog has been a lot more active these last two year, huh?[/b][/u][/i] [url=http://www.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=news&cid=13024]Bungie tries to tempt the masses to let them win the 1UP GOTY awards using, of course, Recon[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=13800]Scarring Frankie. One word to describe it: Recon[/url]. Wait wat? Oh. Right. That was Frankie's last photoshop here on Bnet, as he left Bungie. It was really sad for many of us fans. You can find a link to the weekly update, Frankie's last one, in my last link. That includes the last ever official Mister Chief drawing. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=13989]On a happier note, I was pleased to discover that cheating with Bungie employees to get their 1000 GS might get you Recon! Go for it people[/url]! (Not really. No, seriously don't. Urk, Stosh, Shishka, Achronos, Killane... none of those guys would ever let me live it down if they started getting a bunch of those PMs). [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=14291]Bungie guys to to an MLG event and some kids shamelessly try for Recon. Come on guys what's with that?...[/url] No not the Recon people. The MLG event! Show BUNGLE some love! Oh wait, BUNGLE wasn't around then ah well. You guys need to think ahead more. Clearly. *nods head sagely* [Edited on 07.07.2011 8:11 PM PDT]

[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=14575]Here it is: Recon Road trip[/url]. A very memorable contest. Here was the deal: One single Bungie Employee was going to go on a road trip somewhere. If you found him, randomly, while you were out in public holding your Halo 3 disk in your hand, and while he was wearing his Bungie shirt, you would get Recon. It was VERY out there, as far as contests were concerned. I don't know if anyone won. But I did hear a story that someone did, posted about it on the forums and told people where the guy was, then had it taken away from him (that or he never got it). Laughable there indeed. Not sure if it's true though. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=14941]Here we get Mcfarlane toys getting all up in the Recon business. Buy their stuff you get points. Get 225 points and you get a Recon Action Figure.[/url] That's intense. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=14894]Now we get into more familiar territory though. PAX, 2008.[/url] You beat a Bungie team in 2v2 on a map you've never played before (Assembly), you get Recon. Win. I mentioned this in the weekly update ones though, so we'll stop there. I'm taking up enough posts as it is. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=15356]Here was the schedule for winning Recon[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=15510]New contest[/url]. You recreate Halo :CE or Halo 2 using theater mode in Halo 3, you get Recon courtesy of Bungie and Hawty Mcbloggy. She blogs, don't you know. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=16330]Bungie says: BAI MAH MAPZ[/url]. If you bought the Legendary Mappack, (and guys, there are still no plans to ever map that mappack free you know- closest you'll get at this point is when you buy Halo 3: ODST) and you played in a playlist that required them, you're in a raffle to win Recon. That's a nice incentive, isn't it? [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=16402]Results[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=16446]How unique! A Halo Wedding[/url]. Yes two people getting married all thanks to the wonder of Halo 3. It's nice to see how much this has influenced lives in such a positive way. Anywho, Urk maintains that you do [i]not[/i] get Recon for proposing over Halo 3. Just an FYI. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=16964]Brysi, resident songwriter, shows just how much crap a Recon wearer can get- especially back then[/url]. He continued for more than one episode of that series, but I won't post all those links. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17176]Here were some updates to MM and how that can earn you Recon[/url]. Dang- 50 something pages of the blog to go and we're already in February of 2009. Yikes. That means over 1/3rd of the Bungie Blog entries in the history of Bnet were in the last 7 months or so. Anywho, [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17326]More in depth about that last contest: The V-Day massacre contest of 2009[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17332]Ah, Mr./Mrs. Americanista123 shares my concern. DO NOT TRY TO PLAY BUNGIE FOR RECON[/url]. Glad we've got that covered. Good teamwork, mate.[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17609]The second Bungie killtage- now with more warning[/url]. Buy it now! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17878]You heard it from the screenshot guru himself guys. Recon messages go to Foman[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=Chaos_Theory_Episode_14]Hawty Mgbloggy wears her Recon to help out with a comic[/url]. That's nice of her. I got to play with her once. She was nice. Good attitude. *sigh* That Team Mythic playlist sure was something back in February. Ah well! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=17948]Again from our own songwriter, Brysi, we have a song about Recon![/url] Personally my favorite was always the 'Can my mom haz Recon' one. I love it. Still listen to it actually, on occasion. In fact[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=18052]he even had a concert where he sang them all[/url]. I was there- I listened :). [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=18379]Ah, my buddy Daz.[/url] He's a cool guy who doesn't afraid of anything. No wonder people send him messages about working for Bungie! I got my first mistaken Bungie Employee message a few days, maybe a week ago from this post. The person was nice enough. I just referred him to Achronos. Oh, and my message where the guy got me confused was about Recon (and no, I didn't refer a guy who was asking for it- he wanted to know why he got it). For the record. Anywho: Daz, Lord Snakie, myself, all these guys we don't work for Bungie mates. Some people just know who we are because we're semi- helpful sometimes. It's K though- we still love you guys. Except that one guy sitting in the corner over there. He smells. <.< >.> [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19306]*sigh*[/url] Back into the contests. Sounds tedious. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19325]Oh wait, this is cool.[/url] From the last Mythic Recon contest, a local Bnet community member 'A Deaf Boy' goes into all the submissions and picks his [i]own[/i] favorites, for use in a Montage. That's pretty cool. This isn't in chrolological order, but he put in [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19536]another video after[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19716]one more, for good measure[/url]. They are good though. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19451]Contest- Mythic Brawl[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19450]Ooo, cool contest.[/url] Brysi hosts a contest. Sing a song about the Mythic maps. Winner gets Recon. That was pretty cool- I saw too much rap though. One dude had a whole band do a kind of heavy rock or something song. I think it was entry #17 in the finals (it made the top 20 or whatever). It was awesome. I don't remember finding out who won though. [quote]Editor's Note: Found out who won. The same guys I was just talking about! [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sZezMd0gmE]Link[/url].[/quote] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19529]Another Average Joe: CAVX.[/url] STOP ASKING US FOR RECON PEOPLE. plz? kthxbai. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=051709ReconChallenge]Moar contests[/url]. Do the Annual Achievement. Take a good screenshot. Your team of 4 gets Recon- no matter whose shot by your team wins. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=HalochartsRoadtoRecon]Here we are with Halocharts helping with Recon. Complete their challenge, you may win[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19764]Star Wars fan Obi Wan Stevobi[/url] has a contest for Recon too. This goal was to be his 77,777 kill. That's right. If you were the 77,777 kill he received in Halo 3 match making you got Recon. Embarrassing? Maybe. Awesome? Definitely. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19765]The beginning of the popular Mythic Campaign Campaign [/url]. (see wut I did thar?) Now, this began with user 'SonicJohn' who came up with the idea of a harder difficulty- Halo on Legendary with All Skulls on. Called it 'SLASO' (solo legendary all skulls on) and 'CLASO' (co-op legendary all skulls on). His thread died and Tyrant122312 took over with the Mythic Runs eventually getting Recon himself with it. Thus is became known as 'Mythic difficulty'. Basically the contests were 'Beat the said level on Mythic, you're in a pool to earn Recon'. Beat them all, you may win Recon. And that is hard to do too- quite worthy if you ask me (I know you didn't ask me, so hush). [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20228]1[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20321]and a reminder of 1[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20463]2- Halo[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=SMRCIII]3- The Storm[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20839]4-Tsavo Highway[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21095]5- The Covenant[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21292]6- Cortana[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/Blog.aspx?mode=news#cid21547]7- Sierra 117[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21695]8- Crow's Nest[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21890]9- The Ark[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22043]10- The Finale of the Contest[/url]. [Edited on 09.30.2009 2:39 PM PDT]

[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=ControlRecon]Double Exp. Team Control. Screenshot Contest[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=HopeUntoDawn]Now this was simply amazing[/url]. This was a charity put on by B5D. Tournaments. You had to pay to enter. All the money goes to charity. You could win prizes. This was a huge success. I believe I was told it racked up $1,800 or so? Someone who ran it please do correct me if you'd like to tell me the real number. Anywho, I got to test some of the maps for this, for the record. But the thing that made this really stick out?... BUNGLE. Yes BUNGLE, the exact opposite of MLG nearly, save the AR was deemed not BUNGLE, same as with MLG (poor weapon). It was an April Fool's joke gone horribly, horribly [i]right[/i]. A Bungie employee started the actual group. This Bungie Employee donated around $250 to the charity. In addition, he allowed me and two other BUNGLE staff members to enter the tournament, paying for our entry fees. He also put up BUNGLE T-Shirts as some prizes (which I wanted I'll admit- what we BUNGLE people really need is that 'Pro' sign next to some of our names. Come on Urk, you know you want to, hehe).That was truly incredible to me. We lost in the first round unfortunately. The guys we played against were better than us indeed. One was a poo poo meanie head. One wouldn't say a word to us. One was decent, at least after the won. *sigh* and I was so over the top nice after our loss too. Ah well. But I just wanted to share that story because that employee, Killane, is just awesome there. Anywho, [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=19952]Urk puts up a reminder[/url]. 15 sets of Recon. Go get 'em boys! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=HSSBOBContest]To celebrate a new Bungie.net feature, there was going to be a Recon contest[/url]. Snap an epic screenshot, and not only do you win Recon but you could have gotten framed picture of your screenshot! I don't know how many of you realize how epic that is. Take my word for it though. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=HUD]One more Hope Unto Dawn charity reminder[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20275]Remember Obi, resident Star Wars fan? Results of his kill contest. 1 set down, one to go[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=ReconLIVE]ReconLIVE has a montage. Wait, do they all haz Recon or something? Hmmm.[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=HSSLandscape]Anywho, later we've got us another Haloscreenshots.com Recon contest. This one is for landscapes. [/url][url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20385]Contest was later closed[/url]. Even after it was closed for reviewing, that didn't stop people from posting in the Halo 3 forum 'How do I tag my screenshot for the contest?' Trust me- I was there. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20733]Not the winners, but some submissions[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20590]More average Joeness.[/url] More people thinking others can give them Recon. To everyone I'm familiar with: I'm sorry you get these messages. It's probably because of me. I'm just so devilishly handsome that people can't help but envy you for being close to me. So you get messages. Ah well- it can't be helped. You know you love me. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20833]To help with the Mythic Campaign Difficulty runs (which I put all in one place, a few links above), Tyrant comes out with Guides to help people- moar and moar[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&link=ReconHunt]Ah, a level contest you may say. Not quite a lottery- you needed to be smart. Roger's Recon Hunt[/url]. You can read the actual thread (by clicking the 'discuss' button in the top right corner of the screen when you click my link) for hints and even the answer at the end I'm willing to bet. Basically it was a puzzle. You had to solve it and if you were one of the first people to do it, you got Recon. They'd also pick random puzzle completers and give some of them Recon. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20971]The Results. I do encourage you to look at the puzzle before clicking this link.[/url] It was very interesting and hard to many (and no, this isn't an invitation for any of you to say how easy it was to you since you took English History Class or something). [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21026]Moar results[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21020]Now this looks familiar. Obi's next contest[/url]. If you caused him to have his 77,777th death, you got Recon. Sweet! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=20946]Here my good friends over at SIP help out with the Annual Vidmaster Achievement.[/url] With it: You're on the Road to Recon. [u][b][i]_____________________________________________________________________________[/u][/b][/i] And that's an up to date (July 23, 2009) compilation of everything Recon Bungie has done in the weekly updates and Bungie Blog since the announcement of Halo 3. Of note: I'd like to say that I came across [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=34742674]this thread [/url] recently, which was also nice. I like that guy now. Well written, informative thread- especially with those who already have Recon. If you do have Recon I'd recommend you read it. Now it's a shame this next thread ever had to be posted. Alas: Common sense has turned into Not-so-common sense. So: [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=27779298]A Bungie Employee on how to NOT get Recon[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=34939702&postRepeater1-p=3#34953251]Shishka: Post Bungie Day, about 1600 people have Recon. That's not even one-one hundredth of the number of people that play Matchmaking in a month.[/url] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [b][u][i]***WHERE THE SEPTEMBER 30th, 2009 UPDATE BEGINS***[/b][/u][/i] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=21817]August 7th, Bungie brings the 7th on 7th playlist. They reference that you'll need the vidmasters to obtain Recon. They also mention you won't get Recon for this playlist at that time, crushing many dreams of grandeur I'm sure[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22144]Mythic CLASO Contest[/url]. Here's the deal: You and [i]one[/i] other friend. You go with one other friend. You complete every single level WITHOUT DYING. Not in a row, but you or your friend can't have ever died in the games you submit. [i]What a twist[/i]! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22252]Beat a map[/url]! Complete an obstacle course. Yet at the end he notes... you do NOT get Recon for it. This was good to note because of the stupid scams kids (and I call them that for their level of seeming intelligence, not out of a wish to be superior like many sue the term for) try to pull. 'Download this and win Recon!' 'Recommend this to 50 people and win Recon!' Then again who's the 'kid', the scammer, or the person that falls for it? Mmm. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22682]Local Bnet resident Bobcast says that if you challenge Butane123 to a 1v1, you might earn Recon[/url]. True? There's only one way to find out: Try it! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22632]Here again are my good friends at the Spartan I Project (SIP)[/url]. One man, a friend of mine, helped over 400 people get the Vidmaster: Annual Achievement. That means he did 200 Annual Runs. Of course, you need the achievement for Recon. (Of note, he got on the [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22873]Average Joe[/url] that same week). Later. ODST is released. People are earning (yes, I said EARNING) Recon via vidmaster achievements. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=22892]Man puts up a guide to the Endure achievement which, of course, is needed for Recon[/url]. [b][u][i]Back to Weekly Updates[/b][/u][/i] [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_080709]Here we are. Apparently due to the weekly update previous to the one now linked, people began PMing Urk something in the hopes of Recon. I can't imagine why though.[/url] In addition, Bungie confirms there would be no Recon up for grabs in the 7th on 7th playlist. [Edited on 09.30.2009 6:02 PM PDT]

[url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU082809]No mention of Recon here, but according to my screen the banner is a big picture of it[/url]. [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU091109]9/11 weekly update[/url]. Here Bungie talks about how PAX (you all remember that, right? Maybe I'll go to the next Seattle one) was. People giving Urk stuff to give to Brian for Recon. [i]In other news, later on someone in the update begs for Recon[/i]. Urk, instead of being a nice guy and giving it to him, is a meanie head and points out how the guy has a broken keyboard! What a jerkface! Good thing he's huggable. Remember when I was talking about 'kids' and the intelligence level associated with the word? Well later in that same weekly update a person posts about how this Bungie Employee said he could get Recon if he gave the employee his password. What's wrong with that picture? Oh yeah, that's right. Bungie only gives Recon if you [i]ask[/i] for it- they won't just give it out. Wait, that [i]is[/i] what's wrong with this picture, right? RIGHT?!? [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_091809]Next Update. Another person asks for Recon. but itz k, he wont tell no1 wen bunge geivs et 2 hem. Bungie's reply? Get the vidmasters[/url]! [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_092509]Weekly update of 9/25- Halo 3's birthday (which near everyone seemed to have forgotten in the wake of Halo 3: ODST[/url]. Here, Bungie interviews someone quite interesting (not like when that burrito guy got an Average Joe article- he's a jerkface). Without going into other aspects (which are rather interesting- I'd recommend giving it a read), he won Recon in a photoshop where he put Frankie's head on another body (in fact, I think that might just be linked earlier in this thread! FIND IT LAZY BONES!. He thanks his pre-Recon friends later. This is noted because it serves as a reminder how superficial some people are. No not the guy being interviewed- he seemed cool. I mean the people befriending him because of a permutation. That's like befriending me because I'm a Mythic Member. Doesn't make much sense. Lastly, Bungie receives some messages. One is about... you guessed it: Potato Chips. Actually Recon. Sorry I lied to you. I shouldn't have. I think this is good enough to copy and paste: [quote]Hey what the heck I got all the vidmasters when the game leaked out in france and it says error cannot verify endure challenge or show my score from firefight and campaign. I got the game called Halo 3 ODST when it leaked out in france and I unlocked all the vidmasters from Halo 3 ODST on september 8,2009. When I went into bungie.net to get my recon it say's error cannot verify the endure achievment. I worked my ass off that day to get all the vidmaster achievments and now it says error cannot find endure achievment and it doesnt read my firefight or campiagn stats. What do I do?[/quote] Bungie's response: [quote] LOL[/quote] ...Quite. And that is all. My comments follow. I have posted this numerous times, but this shall be the most in depth: [quote]Due to the influx of Recon related threads with the release of Halo 3: ODST, I feel obligated to say something. To start, I would like to comment on the idea of 'Recon becoming Hayabusa'. Ahem... WHO CARES?!? Recon, near the date of ODST's release, is new for many people. OF COURSE many people are going to want to wear it and try hard to unlock it. Then many may, and do, use the permutation as their avatar on Bungie.net. The problem with you people are are annoyed by this is... you are annoyed by this. Why should their choices be limited to what YOU want? It's their armor. They have the freedom to choose whatever THEY find visually appealing. The armor permutations have no effects that alter gameplay from one another. They're there purely for aesthetic purposes. So what does it matter if everyone uses it? It's their choice. It doesn't affect you in any way. And if you're attacking or insulting someone based on their choice of armor (recon or not)... grow up. Wearing Hayabusa doesn't mean you suck are you're 11/ another young age. Wearing Recon doesn't mean you're a jerk. Stereotypes like that serve no purpose but to attempt and assert your own superiority over another. And you fail to do so by that very act, so drop it. Secondly, I would like to address the people saying how Recon has no meaning or has lost its value or the pre-vidmaster owners deserve something more: You're all wrong. For starters, Recon never had a meaning or anything. And it never had much value in itself. It meant as much as my Mark V. Before Recon was released, people began to see things in a light that said: Do something cool, your reward is Recon'. the problem is that that was always the wrong mindset. The POINT was never Recon. The point was that you did something that BUNGIE thought was worthy of notice. Recon was simply a way of expressing that. But the fact that you were recognized for doing something? THAT is what matters, and THAT can never decrease in value or be taken away from you. As to pre-vidmaster people deserving something more... no. They still have their reward- they were noticed. They had their fun. And if they care enough that they think they should get something, then they disgust me and in my own opinion are not worthy of note in the first place. In addition, Vidmasters are no different that earning it any other way. The vidmasters were FAR more time consuming and difficult than winning a random drawing (and a vast majority of pre-vidmaster owners got their Recon by pure chance). So why should they mean less anyways? Also, the vidmasters are STILL doing something Bungie considers 'worthy'. So what- just because it isn't complete luck or just because of the way you get it, via achievements, it means they don't deserve it as much? No. That's a selfish way of thinking to be frank. [b]IN CONCLUSION[/b]: - Pre Vidmaster Recon Owners deserve nothing more than people who got it with the vidmasters. - Nothing has lost its value. - The constant threads saying otherwise are pointless and annoying. [/quote] Not sure if I already wrote this but: If you obtained Recon in a special, unique, different way: Post it in this thread or PM me and I will add it if you would like. If I am missing something, feel free to tell me. Guys: Don't ask me why I made this thread. I really have no idea. Maybe I was gripped by temporary insanity. But I see so many Recon threads it is my belief that it'd be quite hard to come up with a more definitive thread than this one. So perhaps I have done something nice. At the very least: I'm original. I don't think anybody can take that away from me. Thankee. [Edited on 09.30.2009 6:26 PM PDT]

nice, and im surprised i actually read most of that *saved* first.. well technically 7th, but still, first 2 year edit: I was retarded back then, wow. Still surprised I read the whole OP though. [Edited on 09.05.2011 8:03 PM PDT]

people need to see this

Nice work. A lot of the older news items I have never read.

you could have said: get all the vidmaster challenges and youll have recon no need to make a thread up to the moon for a DIGITAL ARMOR, god !

nice!

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] thirsty grrrunt you could have said: get all the vidmaster challenges and youll have recon no need to make a thread up to the moon for a DIGITAL ARMOR, god ![/quote] or, you can keep your rude comments to yourself

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] BrenGT2 Nice work. A lot of the older news items I have never read.[/quote] yeah, same here

And that's why I want to go on a date with Burrito. Passion...

Thank you peoples. And To the man who said I didn't need to make a thread: Perhaps you're right. But humans naturally want more information. I offer it. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Buddha The Jew And that's why I want to go on a date with Burrito. Passion...[/quote] If you're gonna do something, do it right the first time. DIRTFooT it. :)

What is recon? ..................... *jaw drops*

What do you call seven post in a row?

When are their going to be more Recon contests? Before Bungie day it seems like there was a new one every week.(Nice Thread.) [Edited on 07.28.2009 4:10 PM PDT]

*Gasp*, Mega post

Impressive documentation.

Nice job.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] NXReVOluTiON 18 *Gasp*, Mega post[/quote] Achievment Unlocked: MEGA Post

Ahhh this is what you were working on yesterday. nice.

Gud wurkz

Wow so all those guys that posted videos about getting skulls are banned...sux for them. I like the odst helmet myself. Not to particular on recon. I hope people quit with the spamming and harsh gameplay. Its just not fun. Getting tea bagged after every sad kill is...well sad. I can understand the occasional three on one tripple kill tea bag but come on. Getting splattered then getting off to tea bag...sad. lol. People are odd..thats all there is to it. Its a game..people should lighten up and thank bungie for even making the darn thing rather than ask for more and more. (recon) If you win it more power to you. But lay off of bungie. Im sure it took alot out of them to make the game.

Appreciate the post...However, I saved this thread before you finished it in eager anticipation of some enlightenment. In that sense I leave disappointed. Kudos for a great post!