E-Mail This Article to a Friend Halo-va good time The Halo 2 marketing blitz is on BY MITCH KRPATA

You might think Microsoft could take it easy with the promotion for Halo 2. After all, the original has sold over five million copies worldwide and is the backbone of nearly every video-game tournament anyone gives a damn about. I don't think it's overstating the matter to say Halo has become a cultural touchstone (such as when Daily Show correspondent Rob Corddry was caught playing it during the show's Election-Night coverage). Really, is there anyone out there who needs to be convinced to get the sequel?

If there is, rest assured that there is nowhere to hide. Arnold Schwarzenegger had an easier time evading Richard Dawson's minions in The Running Man than casual gamers will of avoiding this unprecedented marketing blitz. You've probably seen the television commercials already, but this onslaught began months ago, when a special Halo 2 party was thrown in Hollywood for rich celebrities who certainly need more free stuff thrown their way.

Afterwards, mega-stars such as That '70s Show's Wilmer Valderrama lent their unbiased, totally impartial opinions. "Halo 2 meets every gamer's needs," said Valderrama, sounding nothing at all like a compensated endorser. "Action-packed and great graphics. A must-have game for any household."

See? And that was in May; the game wasn't even done yet. One can only imagine what Fez would say now. "Given the choice between continuing to sleep with Lindsay Lohan and playing Halo 2, I'd have to think about it."

Other celebrities who have endorsed Halo 2 include Tara Reid, Nicky Hilton, and Julia Roberts. In other words, the sort of person you never, ever would have been able to talk to in high school when all you did was play video games. Not that I am bitter.

If you happen to be flipping through channels in the next couple of weeks and accidentally see Spike TV, don't be shocked if you see something besides pro wrestling or cape-wearing Japanese people falling off rope swings into giant mud puddles. The network plans four airings of Spike TV Ultimate Gamer: Halo 2. The web site of Bungie Studios (the developer of Halo 2) describes the show as "a cross between While You Were Out and Black Hawk Down," which is neither disingenuous nor ridiculous. Essentially, Ultimate Gamer brings one lucky Halo fan out of his basement for a wondrous adventure at the developer's office. And, perhaps most impressive of all, he gets to drive around the desert in a Warthog and blow shit up.

No, really. They're going to actualize this kid's dream of being a tough-as-nails super-soldier, and that in no way demonstrates a lack of responsibility on anybody's part. Spike TV promises that live explosives will be involved. The only real tragedy for the disinterested television viewer is that the program will not be broadcast live, so one would have to assume that any mishaps will be edited out.

Halo 2 comes out on Tuesday, November 9, and if you weren't aware of that then you probably have neither an Xbox nor electricity. Not only will we likely find a great game waiting for us at the store, but we'll be so busy playing that we'll be immune to the marketing. That's what I look forward to the most.