US cities play host to suspected Halo 4 AR game

A mysterious new alterative reality game has popped up online, just as the ilovebees.com counter kicks back into action. Coincidence? I wouldn't bet a dollar on it. You have 20 hours to get on board the first round.

Blast Magazine reports the team behind ilovebees.com is also responsible for Mission IceFly.

Mission IceFly directs viewers to Test Subjects Needed to complete an emotional evaluation and register to participate in the game.

Having done so, you'll be eligible to take part in whatever will occur when the IceFly timer finishes in about twenty hours. One participant is required in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Portland, Dallas, Washington, Nashville, Chicago, Denver, Orlando, Seattle, Boston, New York, San Francisco and Atlanta. You need a mobile phone, your login details, and the ability to receive a package.

Blast reports one Bungie.net member has already received a package from the Human Preservation Project, featuring an LED attached to a helicopter-like paper attachment and a message:

"We are both creatures of the senses, you and I – we inhabit the same reality, simmering just below the perceivable world.

"THE PULSE IS GROWING. CAN YOU FEEL IT?”

Meanwhile, the long-silent timer at ilovebees.com, the website at the heart of a groundbreaking AR game used to promote Halo 2, has started up again. It seems to be counting down for five years, but before you recoil in horror at the thought of a five year PR cycle, note that this is the same amount of time Master Chief has spent in stasis between Halo 3 and Halo 4.

Halo 4 is due on Xbox 360 at the end of 2012.

Thanks, GameSetWatch.