Bungie: Maddie reference not related to missing British girl

by Xav de Matos { Sep 27th 2008 at 2:45AM }

When Bungie released its teaser trailer for the upcoming Halo 3 related whatever it is, the video was quickly picked apart by fans and editors alike. One particular frame in the teaser displayed an image that read, "Maddie, where are you?" While some brushed off the frame as another cryptic Bungie message, others took it as a reference to the highly publicized disappearance of three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann last year while on vacation with family in Portugal.

As questions regarding the reference poured onto its forums, Bungie quickly responded citing the name as an unfortunate coincidence. "As always, all of the characters in our games are fictional. Any similarities between real life and the characters in our games are purely coincidental," community manager Luke Smith wrote. "That said, this is both an unfortunate and untended coincidence."

Looking for more information on the recently released teaser? Check out X3F's complete analysis of the video.

Gallery: Bungie 'Keep it Clean' Halo 3 teaser

Tags: bungie, expansion, halo-3, prepare-to-drop, superintendent

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

stukorn @ Sep 27th 2008 3:44AM

the first thing i thought of was that girl, lolz!!11111

Lewis (GT:StoneRevolver) @ Sep 27th 2008 4:18AM

It didn't hit me till now and that is a bit freaky. But Hey, Atleast we know Maddie is somehow important.

NukeAssault @ Sep 27th 2008 4:21AM

Never heard of her. Was this news really widespread? I must of been asleep that whole day or something.

Ciaran. @ Sep 27th 2008 5:14AM

Your joking? Right?! =P The girl has had more publicity than 9/11 :/

Brian @ Sep 27th 2008 5:48AM

Dude it wasn't just one day of reporting about Maddie. The news was on fire about her missing.

The story progressed over many months due to the strangeness of her parents leaving her by herself

stukorn @ Sep 27th 2008 2:31PM

jokes, more publicity tha 9/11 . in the uk thats what it is like, there even gonna make a film, what a fucking joke!

DigDug @ Sep 27th 2008 4:49AM

What a bunch of ghouls Bungie/Microsoft are. Using the case of abducted child to make news headlines. Ghoulish PR at it's worst.

Microsoft/Bungie you should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope parents avoid your products this Xmas...

Truth @ Sep 27th 2008 5:01AM

If the first thing you thought of when seeing a new HALO 3 video was "Hey I bet there referencing that missing UK girl for seemingly no logical reason" your probably a complete moron and should go missing yourself for the sake of a more literate society

Rob Bourne @ Sep 27th 2008 7:46AM

Judging by that piss-poor display of grammar, I would suggest you do the same.

ReincarnationofRickAstley @ Sep 27th 2008 3:55PM

hey good thing the grammer police showed up i was starting to get scared...Rob Bourne your a douchebag

Rob Bourne @ Sep 28th 2008 7:30AM

Wow, you're just as inept.

Seriously, how hard is it to write properly? Oh, and thanks for calling me a name on the internet - you really got me there.

Raheem @ Sep 27th 2008 5:49AM

Lol, that did strike me but I didn't think they were referring to the same Maddie. Yes, it was (is) news for way too long. Plenty of children go missing and yet they only publicize this one.

Kraigy @ Sep 27th 2008 9:23AM

Madeleine was a year-long media escapade, there was no way to avoid it in the UK, and probably much of Europe. Massive appeals all across Europe to try to find her.

I wouldn't think it would have got much air time outside of Europe, but we had it for so long. We still get updates in the media to this day! This is an article from today, about an alleged sighting of her in Majorca (Spain): http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Madeleine-McCann-Police-Search-After-British-Couple-Spot-Missing-Youngster-In-Majorca/Article/200809415107726?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15107726_Madeleine_McCann%3A_Police_Search_After_British_Couple_Spot_Missing_Youngster_In_Majorca

It's a defining case of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_white_girl_syndrome. It's fucking sad. I stopped caring about a week after she disappeared because the media coverage was so relentless.

So yeah, this is probably why we're pissed at Bungie. I never, ever want to hear about Madeleine McCann ever again, except perhaps if she is found alive and well. And even then I wouldn't care that much.

FreekyWiggle @ Sep 27th 2008 10:43AM

"I never, ever want to hear about Madeleine McCann ever again, except perhaps if she is found alive and well. And even then I wouldn't care that much."

Thats shallow and pathetic. Thats a person's life your talking about, you should be ashamed of yourself

Kraigy @ Sep 27th 2008 11:00AM

Thinking you know someone, getting high and mighty and insulting them? Now that's something to be ashamed of.

It's neither shallow (look it up) or pathetic (look that up too). Possibly selfish if anything, so I'm sorry if I've offended you, but it's the truth. I have no reason to care, this is a private thing that only family and friends should be affected by.

It's people who pretend to care (like you) that really piss me off.