Picked up the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition today and watched some of the accompanying extras available on Xbox Live, mainly the four part Halo Retrospect series.

Watching it was strange because it took you through all aspects of the franchise; from the books, to comics, video games, to the movies and the short films, etc. But rather than pay attention to Bungie and Halo’s history (much because I already knew the majority of it), I was lost in nostalgia. That game came out in November of 2001 when I was twelve years old, my brother was ten and my sister two years younger still.

Because of that game, I was able to connect a little easier with people when we had moved back to Europe and because of that game, I’d been able to do the same when we moved back to America. My siblings and I were able to hash out some monumental riffs that had come between us through some silly video game. I have some great memories alongside people I still talk to today, which is a lot more than I can say having met someone elsewhere or otherwise.

That’s the same for every aspect of who I am. Through reading, through my art or comic/sci-fi conventions, or just trips to pick up my books on Wednesdays; I’ve been able to meet like minded and genuinely worth while individuals. I’ve gone back and forth between “nerdom” and being mainstream social and it’s always inside of some eighties comic arc, over exaggerated anime or Philip K. Dick mindscapes that I have been at my happiest.

But I digress and would like to get to what I want from this post. A recognition of all the memories, friendships and opportunities Bungie’s given me through Halo. Yeah, it may be the same exact game rehashed every other year but that game and other fictional outlets similar to it have done more for me than most other social ventures.

Bungie, 343, Microsoft; I am forever in your debt.