Madeleine McCann referenced in new Halo 3 trailer?

Message to the missing toddler spotted in latest Bungie promo?

Words: on September 25, 2008

[UPDATE: Bungie has now responded to this issue its official forums, stating that,

"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.
That said, this is both an unfortunate and untended [sic] coincidence."]

This is strange. This is very strange indeed. While poring through the now-traditional garbled text in the just-released trailer for Bungie's next mysterious Halo project, we noticed this:

The message is only up there for a grand total of three frames, but given the possible relationship to the real-life disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann last year - and the still-running international media frenzy around the tragic case - it really made us sit up and take notice.

What do you think? Is this a direct reference to the case? Or has Bungie's usual random cryptic nonsense just accidentally synchronised with its details? And if the message does relate to the McCann case, what purpose could it possibly serve (except of course to whip up more media interest around the trailer, which this story is admittedly now part of)?

Heartfelt pondering? Bad taste? Complete coincidence? Let us know what you think.

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15 Comments
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  • k1ng94

    k1ng94  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    I doubt Bungie would be so stupid and risk somthing like this if they already there next game or addon what ever will sell millions.
  • Jimzy

    Jimzy  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    On Bungie.net we have been told many times that this is just a coincidence. It in no way has any reference to Madeleine McCann.
  • noobeater

    noobeater  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    there are tonnes of people called maddieout there...it will with out doubt be nothing to do with her, people always have to make a fuss, its just coincidence at best.
  • Juriasu

    Juriasu  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    What the hell is bungie up to?
  • thunkin1

    thunkin1  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    This was in the news in the UK every day for over a year and it's only recently stopped appearing. The Beckhams (I think it was them anyway) said they would give £2 million to the person that found her, the film 'gone baby gone' was only just released in england compared to america where it was released a year ago because it was about a girl called maddie that disappeared and thus bungie really should of thought of a better name for a person that went missing.

    While i'm talking about bungie I was annoyed how they made bungie day on the date 7/7 which was the date of the bombings in london a few years ago. How about we make a lionhead day (they're english I think) on 9/11!!!
  • Basketcase676

    Basketcase676  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    It has to be a coincidence...i think
  • DELTA8558

    DELTA8558  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    Still don't understand whats so important (and different) about this kidnapped kid that means the newspapers have got to report about it all the time. Besides, there are lots of people called 'maddie'.
  • conal130

    conal130  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    I have to agree with oryandymackie,there are thousands of kids who go missing in the world, and this was case made a very over the top media frenzy.
    But on the subject on whether or not this is a coincidence, it's a hard one to tell.
    This is probably a stupid idea, but it might be a plead to the kidnapper, you just can't tell.
  • lynx0174

    lynx0174  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    you guys make me laugh :)
    Talk about taking something completely out of context !
    Next thing everyones gonna expect a major space age war to kick off on a ring.
    grow up
  • DaveyJ

    DaveyJ  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    This can't be a coincidence. How big would the chance be that "Maddie, where are you" is a random text, not referred to Maddie Mccann? The chance is too low.
  • crazyqazqaz

    crazyqazqaz  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    That's not even funny solideye.
  • solideye

    solideye  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    maddy is in my basement. naked.
  • therealone

    therealone  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    went to bungie forums, they say it's just a coincidence.
  • oryandymackie

    oryandymackie  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    Why is everyone so bothered about this ONE girl?
    There's millions more children out there, missing.
  • Defguru7777

    Defguru7777  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    First!
    Wow. Either stunning coincidence or weird easter egg.
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