Play Halo and Help Haiti

Pretty cool shirt, if we do say so ourselves.

Despite all our talk about downloadable video games, our hearts go out to those devastated by what's happening right now in Haiti.  We already explained how you can help (by texting HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 from your cell phone bill), but now Bungie is ready to give in its own special way.

The creators of the Halo franchise are ready to donate as much as $77,000 to the Haiti relief fund, provided that players hop online either today or tomorrow with Halo 3 or its semi-sequel, ODST.  You'll need to be using a special icon while you do it, however.  Don't worry, though.  We have the instructions, and they're a cinch to follow.

How it works is, for every 1,000 people playing online on Xbox Live between now and 11:59 PM Pacific standard time Thursday night with the specific Red Hart emblem, Bungie donates $100 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief fund.  If 770,000 people hop on to play in that time, the goal of $77,000 will be met.  So what are you waiting for?

Here's how to edit your appearance so you're wearing the necessary Red Heart emblem...

1. Press Start.

2. Select "Settings/Appearance".

3. Select "Emblem"

4. Select "Hearts" Icon, "Circle" Background.

5. Back out to the Appearances Menu and select "Colors."

6. Set "Emblem Primary" to red (or maroon, brick or rose depending which version you have).

7. Set "Emblem Secondary" to white.

And that's it.  Once you're in the game, you'll see your red heart and donate to a worthy cause while you frag your friends in multiplayer.  

In addition, any Bungie accessories and shirts/apparel sold through the Bungie Store between now and the end of February will also be donated to the Haiti fund.  These are Bungie items only, and not copies of the game, so don't get confused there.  And if you need something cool for your dollar, check out the Superintendent t-shirt above.  It'll only set you back $20, and you'll look like a hero in the process.  We're there.

Kudos to Bungie for doing something awesome for the cause.  Hop online and do your part as well.