Has anybody else been following this (incredibly confusing) saga? Here's an extremely summarized version for those who don't know what I'm talking about:

-At the end of the latest Halo2 trailer, "www.xbox.com" changes to "www.ilovebees.com" for about a second before changing back to "www.xbox.com"


-When you go to "www.ilovebees.com", this message shows up (along with a counter):

"HALT - MODULE CORE HEMORRHAGE

Control has been yielded to the
SYSTEM PERIL DISTRIBUTED REFLEX.

This medium is classified, and has a
STRONG INTRUSIVE INCLINATION.

PHASE 1 COMPLETE: Network throttling has eroded.

In 13 days this medium will metastasize.


HALT - MODULE CORE HEMORRHAGE

Control has been yielded to the
SYSTEM PERIL DISTRIBUTED REFLEX.

This medium is classified, and has a
STRONG INTRUSIVE INCLINATION.

PHASE 1 COMPLETE: Network throttling has eroded.

In 13 days this medium will metastasize.

COUNTDOWN TO WIDE AWAKE AND PHYSICAL:

*insert countdown to August 24, 2004 here*

Make your decisions accordingly."


-The front page to this site has a link to a FAQ (which is actually a weblog) where the webmaster (called Dana) talks about her site being taken over by...someone, and how she's done with it since she can't get rid of this problem.


-Apparently the entire site is FILLED with a shitload of "hidden" (in the code, supposedly) messages, for example:

"MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
First thing I should do, make a signal.
The crew will come get me if they can.
Head is full of sand and it's hard to think.
But they won't stop looking for me.
I'M HERE I'M HERE I'M HERE
I'd fight for them. I'd die for them, any
of them. I would never abandon the crew.
They won't abandon me. They will come.
They will come for me"


-Everybody seems to agree that this is simply the latest ARG (Alternate Reality Game) and it's all some marketing ploy by Microsoft and Bungie. What nobody is sure about is what exactly will happen on August 24. I really doubt Halo 2 will come out prior to Nov. 9 (hell, the same trailer says "On Nov. 9th..."), but what if a demo of the game came out that date (with subscriber's copies of OXM, for example)??


So anybody else following all of this, 'cause the more I read about it over at the XBC forums, the more confused I get! Anybody mind explaining to me how an ARG works EXACTLY and how it's playing out with Halo 2/Ilovebees.com?


P.S. Damn, even IGN's getting involved. God my head hurts

P.P.S. Sorry if this has already been discussed in another thread. I skimmed through the first 3 pages and I didn't see any similar thread.