Be Prepared for Nov. 9!

We know you're counting the hours until November 9, 2004, so we want to help you use the time more productively. That way, when the great day arrives, all you have to do is get your copy, pop that sucker in, and start kicking ass.

The Essentials

• A copy of the most anticipated game of 2004: Halo 2. (Obviously!)
• An active subscription to Xbox Live™.
• An Xbox™-compatible router.
• A Friends List full of potential opponents and teammates.
• A linked Gamertag.
• A TV and sound system to take in the whole experience.
  (Surround Sound optional, but recommended.)
• At least one day completely set aside for nothin' but gaming bliss.
• Supplies (food, refreshments, toilet paper, etc.).
  

Now, let's get down to the specifics …

Halo 2
You probably want to pre-order it, so you don't find yourself atyou local videogame retaileron November 9 with just your, um, controller in your hand. Two things to remember:

1. The special edition kicks ass. We've seen it, touched it, drooled on it. (But we wiped it off.)
2. If you plan on having Halo 2 LAN parties, you'll need a copy of the game for each Xbox console. Halo 2 will support 16 linked Xbox video game systems!

Xbox Live
Duh. Yeah, we know you weren't born yesterday, but even if you're already a member of the Xbox Live community, now's a good time to:

1. Make sure your subscription isn't going to expire anytime soon. If you're up for automatic renewal in the near future, check and make sure your credit card information is up to date.
2. Make sure you opt in to be contacted by Microsoft. This is critical if you want to participate in tournaments, contests, and more. It is not opening the floodgates to spam. We promise. Here's how to do it:
   • From the Xbox Dashboard, select XboxLive.
   • Select Account Management.
   • Select Billing.
   • Select your account and enter the last four digits of the credit card number used for that account.
   • Select Information Sharing.
   • For Microsoft and our partners, choose Yes.
     
     Note that this may take a few weeks to get updated in our database, so the sooner you opt in, the better.
     
3. Get your friends on Xbox Live. Have some buddies who've been holding out until Halo 2? Well now's the perfect opportunity to get them to join you.

If you're not on Xbox Live yet, what are you waiting for? Here’s what you need:

• High-speed Internet service: Yep, gotta be broadband. Master Chief doesn't do dial-up. Check our list of providers.
• Xbox Live subscription: You can get it with an Xbox Live Starter Kit.
• Xbox Live Communicator headset: A Starter Kit includes one, but you can buy one separately.
• Connection to the Internet via an Ethernet cable: Don't stress, we'll show you how to hook it up.

Xbox-Compatible Router
You may be able to connect to Xbox Live just fine with your router, and that's great. But, the dudes at Bungie want us to remind you that you'll get the best game performance with an Xbox-tested and Xbox-approved router. You can find a list of them here.

Friends
We don't mean the kind who will bail you out of jail. We mean the kind who will meet you online for some Halo 2 action. So, whether you’re a long-time Xbox Live subscriber or just getting started in the ultimate gaming arena, you’ll want to pay some attention to your Friends List.

If you're maxed out at 100 Friends, give the list a scrub and boot anyone that you haven’t played in a while. This will make room for your new Halo 2 Friends. If you're a new subscriber, build your Friends List by meeting people in other games and sending them Friend Invites—it's a great time to become familiar with the cool new Voice Message features, too—or by posting something in the XboxLive or Halo 2 forums. You’ll soon have peeps on your list who are waiting for November 9 as anxiously as you are.

Link Your Gamertag, Sign Up for Alerts
We can’t stress this enough. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it hooks you into the Xbox Live community in extremely cool ways. Link your gamertag to both Xbox.com and Bungie.net. Signing up at Bungie.net is super easy if you’re already linked at Xbox.com. Plus, you’ll be able to visit Bungie.net and see all your stats and post-game carnage reports! And, if you sign up for Xbox Live Alerts, you can get up-to-the-minute news on game releases and available downloads, and you can even see when your Friends sign in to Xbox Live and what game they're playing! These great features keep your "game life" and "real life" in sync 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A Day Off
Or better yet, two days, since the insidious peal of your alarm clock on November 10 will most likely find you deep into your twentieth hour of Halo 2. So, call in sick, take a personal day, tell the prof you need an extension.

Got non-hackers at home? Roomies, spouse, rug rats? Get rid of 'em! Send your roommates off to the movies (or better yet a whole film festival). Set up a spa day for your wife. Farm the kids out to grandma. You’ll need the house to yourself.

Supplies
Face it. You'll be putting in some hardcore couch time for the next couple of days. You’ll need to lay in some essentials. Set up a cooler next to the couch. Fill it with your beverage of choice and quick easy snacks. Beware of items that leave an orange dust on your hands (makes the controller sticky).Also, you might be going days without a shower. Think about keeping a can of air freshener handy.

You've got some work to do before H-Day, soldier, so get out there and get prepared!