If you're under the age of 40 and have ever picked up a joystick you're probably aware that we're on the brink of a major event in the gaming world. The third series in the Halo franchise hits stores at midnight tonight (in those stores willing to open at midnight). As a lifelong gamer (had an Atari 2600 in grade school) I'm still amazed at the level of technology and associated realism offered in modern gaming. And while I'd just assume leave many aspects of the Halo world inside my Xbox (sword-wielding aliens, a war-ravaged earth, purple chicks who get inside your head and tell you what to do), there's one Halo item that brings together my love of gaming and my love of automobiles -- the Warthog.
This four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering military vehicle is like a Jeep Wrangler on steroids. It can turn on a dime, climb over anything and happily bounce along after a 30-foot drop (though like any high-profile vehicle it can also roll over). Obviously there is no real-world version of the Warthog, but the Jeep Hurricane concept car from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show was surprisingly close. With two Hemis on board, one powering each axle, and the abiliy for each wheel to turn either direction --indepently -- the Hurricane had Warthog-like traction, plus a near-zero turning radius. Sure, the Hurricane was pretty over-the-top, but considering how close Chrysler got to making the Tomahawk...
Another concept car by Peugeot, called the Hoggar, also resemble's the Master Chief's main ride. Don't know if Jeep or Peugeot will ever build their Warthog-wannabees, but rumors of a Halo movie suggest a powerful product tie-in if either ever happens. In the meantime I can only make do with the virtual version.
Time to finish the fight!
Categories: Cars in Entertainment
By robert4380
on September 24, 2007
06:35 AM
Hey Karl,
Here's a video clip of a warthog being driven around by several Bungie game developers. I think it's the warthog that was built for a series of live action shorts as teasers for a possible Halo movie. I found it on the Gizmodo tech blog.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/bungie-guys-drive-warthog-replica-into-a-building-300973.php
By daytona_500
on September 24, 2007
07:57 AM
Ya I'm pretty kicked up about Halo 3, what but what kind of fool stays up all night and waits in line to buy one, like really get a life. Same goes for all those who waited in line during the cold month of November to get their hands on a 360, Xbox 1, PS3, Gamecube, Wii or just about any system. Get it a month later and you still enjoy the SAME game without the markup.
That's exactly what I thought when the Hurricane was released, that it was a Warthog that came to life. If a Warthog were to come to life, I'd bet it would only be for army use.
By crowb
on September 24, 2007
09:20 AM
I just dig it that Karl has the action figures. Don't try to spoil it by claiming they belong to your kids, or that you just googled that image. Man up and admit you like to play with toys : )
By scott65
on September 24, 2007
09:28 AM
Hopefully Halo 3 has a better ending than the aburpt cliffhanger of 2.
And a real live Warthog would be sweet....a real life Cortana even better
By heffling
on September 24, 2007
10:11 AM
Daytona,
What about the people who drive hundreds of miles and show up the night before for a football game that they could watch on TV?
Just because someone has a different lifestyle than yours is no reason for you to denigrate them.
By editor_karl
on September 24, 2007
03:37 PM
Well, I did technically buy those toys for my son...but I do play with them more than he does (he just wants to play the game on the Xbox).
As far as getting the game goes, don't these poeple have wives they can send to wait in line?
By SubyTrojan
on September 24, 2007
03:52 PM
"As far as getting the game goes, don't these poeple have wives they can send to wait in line?"
LOL!
Anything you blog can and will be used against you. I'm sure Mrs. Brauer will never see this. :o)
By daytona_500
on September 24, 2007
04:08 PM
Heffling,
Well, I dont know what to say about people like that, I didnt know people had that kind of time or money these days.
I still stick to my point - people who wait in line for a new game/console/ipod/phone are foolish. You want an example? People bought the iPhone when it came out for $500 or whatever it was, a month or so later Apple slashed the price by $200. They all complained about feeling cheated - despite the fact that no one forced them to buy it so early.
By crowb
on September 25, 2007
05:59 AM
Speaking of your kid playing the game. I can't play Halo anymore, I got smoked by too many trash talking twelve year olds...It shamed my masculinity ; )
By editor_karl
on September 25, 2007
02:58 PM
Yeah, I'm definitely more a single-player/campaign person. The online version is fun, but like most "competitive" events the hardcore group makes it tough for normal people to enjoy. One wrong move and you're "teammates" are like, "YOU IDIOT! That cost us the match, which directly costs me self-esteem points!!!!"
Dude, why not move out of your parents' basement and let some ultra-violet rays hit your skin. Check out the non-pixelated people for change.
By ledwinka
on September 28, 2007
10:50 AM
I have a PS3, and am so torn as to buy a Xbox360 just for Halo3: I am a Halo fan as to own the Xbox. However, my wife, who was involved in launching of both Xbox and the 360 in certain region of the world, puts a long face whenever I grab my console controller. Or worse, would stare at me with the dare-me stare whenever I dabble about the wonderful world of Halo3 and what joy it would bring me. Oh well, I guess I gonna just wait for the next Gran Turismo.