Digitalph33r
From Halo Machinima
Jon CJ Graham, or more commonly known as DigitalPh33r, is a popular Machinima creator in the Youtube community, working for Machinima.com. He has made material based on mainly the Halo series but has also made a few of some other games, such as Resident Evil Five or Dead Rising.
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[edit] Abnormality
[edit] Overview
This was one of Jon's first attempts at a dramatic Machinima, made years ago off the Halo 2 engine. The series follows a genetically altered human named Adrian, who has been dangerously augmented on military personnel to make a formidable enemy to the Covenant. It also bears a striking resemblance to his present day series Deus Ex Machina. The series is unique in that Abnormality is the only Machinima ever made public by Jon to feature acting and voices done by people other than himself.
[edit] Plot
The story begins aboard the Pillar of Autumn II, revealing that Regen City is the last surviving civilization on Earth, and its citizens are issued a low-class MJOLNIR armor. 3 soldiers are seen being briefed on a mission to police the city from Covenant attacks, one of them being Adrian. 2 unidentified people shortly knock Adrian unconscious and give him an unspecified serum. They are later arrested for dangerous experimentation on military personnel. Later, in Regen City, a soldier is seen demonstrating how to reload a Rocket Launcher and accidentally launches a rocket toward a passing Scorpion. Almost immediately Adrian goes to flip the Scorpion upright again, only to be met with scorn for having freakishly inhuman strength. Meanwhile, aboard the Truth and Reconciliation, now in Earth's orbit, we see that an Elite has coincidentally volunteered for genetic enhancement. A UFO soon lands in the forest area nearby Regen City. 4 soldiers go to investigate the landing, but the Elite slowly assassinates all of them, one-by-one. Meanwhile, back in Regen City, Adrian is walking about when a nearby Warthog being driven by a civilian is being hijacked. Adrian notices this and kills the hijacker. Adrian soon after runs off and decides to create a new identity of himself. When Adrian is seen again, he catches a glimpse of the Elite from the forest area before he disappears by a passing train. Adrian attempts to pursue him, and runs into a civilian who has had his wallet stolen by another crook. Adrian goes after the crook, and while being confronted the crook is assassinated by the Elite. Adrian and the Elite soon fight face-to-face, with it ending by the Elite being splattered by the train. Adrian shortly witnesses another carjacking take place, and Adrian leaves the scene, presumably to pursue the carjackers.
[edit] Abnormality 2
[edit] Overview
This is the direct sequel to the previous Machinima Abnormality. Beginning with this installment, Jon's machinimas are now completely acted, voiced, directed, and produced by himself.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Part 1
Abnormality 2 begins with a flashback taking place 3 months prior to the events of this story, on the Pillar of Autumn II. It shows two Covenant Elites breaching the security on board and killing 2 prisoners. A SPARTAN convicted for mass murder was also being held on the Pillar of Autumn II, but is taken from his cell onto the Truth and Reconciliation several days later, as one of the Covenant's new augmentation projects, codenamed "Project Cataclysm". It is revealed that another Elite has stepped up to augmentation and some human scientists were taken from humanity to work for the Covenant. In the present day, it is Christmas Eve in Regen City, and a party is being held in the Regen Manor. 2 robbers show up in the hopes of robbing several million dollars, but soon will find their efforts sabotaged by Adrian, who manages to subdue them until police arrive to arrest them. Adrian and the Regen City police are later shown to have a sort of alliance between each other. On the Truth and Reconciliation, "Project Cataclysm" is announced to be complete, and is to arrive on Earth within the hour. The police receive word of this, and with Adrian overhearing, volunteers to help, but requires a Banshee in storage to get to space. The police, upon realizing he formally worked for them, reluctantly agree to let him help.
[edit] Part 2
The Banshee that Adrian commandeers lands on the Truth and Reconciliation, and Adrian immediately begins his all-out assault on the flagship's crew. A Zealot proceeds to execute the scientists captured for "Project Cataclysm." He executes one of them before being assassinated by Adrian, himself. Adrian then confronts the surviving scientist, who later reveals himself to be one of the people who gave Adrian the serum in the events of Abnormality. Adrian is briefed that the SPARTAN who comprised "Project Cataclysm" is known by Adam, a fellow recruit in the Police Academy. A flashback is shown from 4 months ago aboard the Pillar of Autumn II at the Police Academy Deployment Party. Adrian is separated from his fellow officers to talk with his girlfriend, trash-talking Adam at the same time, and Adam happens to be eavesdropping on this conversation. Adam heads for the Armory and grabs a Magnum, then kills an officer who is curious to Adam's presence in the Armory. He then heads back to Adrian and his girlfriend, kills his girlfriend and wounds Adrian before being placed under arrest. Meanwhile on Earth, the Regen Police Academy call for a city-wide evacuation in preparation of the arrival of Adam. The police meanwhile station themselves on lookout for Adam's drop pod. Adrian further inquires on what exactly happened in the project, when the scientist reveals that a similar serum has been given to Adam, although being x5 stronger than Adrian's serum, would kill Adrian within hours since was not properly prepared. Adrian, however, is willing to take the serum. Adrian helljumps to Earth as Earth's final resistance is being crushed, and a showdown between Adam and Adrian ensue. The odds seem to be against Adrian as the serum takes its toll on him as well as Adam's beatings, but Adrian manages to catch Adam off-guard as he leaves him for dead and uses the opportunity to quickly shove him off a bridge. Adrian shortly succumbs to the serum and dies. On Christmas Day, the Regen City Policy erect a statue in honor of Adrian, to symbolize that he will always be watching over the city.
[edit] Megaman Goes to Willamette
[edit] Overview
This was DigitalPh33r's first series ever made public on Youtube, involving scenes from Dead Rising's Frank West in an unlockable Megaman Legends-styled armor.
[edit] Plot
Megaman has forgotten his Megaman Buster suit while in the Willamette Mall, and has hired a helicopter pilot to fly him there to retrieve it. Aboard the helicopter, it appears he has an obsession with taking photos of the most random sights. As they approach the mall, they are engaged by enemy helicopters, forcing Megaman to jump from the helicopter. Megaman then asks a man on the roof regarding the people by the mall, who informs him that they're dead and warns Megaman to stay out of his way. Upon entering the mall, Megaman encounters many old people that hinder his original intent to retrieve his suit, one in particular preventing him from talking to a girl, requesting an autograph for his grandson Albert. One lady has her poodle go near the zombies at the entrance, and she immediately pursues it, despite resistance from people around her in favor of keeping the zombies contained. However, the zombies break through the resistance and begin to infest the mall. A black man shouts at Megaman, parodying Samuel L. Jackson's role in Snakes on a Plane, with a knockoff of the quote: "Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking plane!".
No further installments are being produced for this series, leaving the series with a sort of cliffhanger ending.
[edit] Master Chief Sucks at Halo
This series is one of DigitalPh33r's most renowned works. It features a Master Chief action figure voiced by Microsoft Sam (as featured in Windows 2000 and XP) that supposedly plays Halo 3 in Jon's absence. The series portrays 3 installments having Master Chief possess the intelligence and characteristics of the typical noob people often encounter whilst playing Halo, including (but not limited to): constant swearing, immaturity, lack of skill or strategy, hacking accusations, etc.
This series is succeeded by Arby 'n' the Chief, which continues development on Master Chief's character as well as introductions to new ones.
[edit] Arby 'n' the Chief
[edit] Overview
After the events of the 3rd episode of Master Chief Sucks at Halo, Master Chief becomes a lonely alcoholic. This is soon interrupted by Jon receiving a package containing a new action figure of the Arbiter (voiced by Microsoft Mike). The series often depicts the pair debating on certain subjects, ranging from Halo 3's Heroic Map Pack to other games (including Call of Duty 4, Devil May Cry 4, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Grand Theft Auto IV) to Recon armor as well as various other topics. Master Chief often acts like an immature kid in response to the Arbiter's educated opinions, often repeating "Your Mom" jokes, various Internet memes, and otherwise humorous dialogue. Other characters recently introduced to the series include Cortana (voiced by Microsoft Mary), Todd & Travis (voiced by Jon himself, the only characters thus far to use synthesized voices).
The series seems to be the most enjoyed of all of Jon's works, often leading to heavy demand of new episodes.
[edit] Movie Spin-off
The series has also inspired a movie to be created, dubbed Arby 'n' the Chief: The Movie. This is also the only machinima ever created by DigitalPh33r that was also produced with assistance of other people (Daniel Laszlo) since Abnormality.
[edit] Plot
The movie begins with the gang playing pretend on the request of Master Chief. Eventually everyone gets tired and goes their separate ways except Master Chief and the Arbiter. While Travis is playing Halo 3, Master Chief is watching some of Jon's machinima, criticizing him with claims that he acts he's so cool. The Arbiter makes a bet with Master Chief to make a decent piece of machinima, and Master Chief, obviously, fails. His machinima, however, is recognized by Hollywood producer Skyler Loveheart (played by Jon himself) as a parody of machinima, and offers a position to Master Chief. Master Chief accepts, and they immediately get to business. A petition has been put up online to prevent Master Chief from making any further machinima, and Loveheart suggests to him to make a video addressing the petition. 7 weeks later, Master Chief produces another machinima, which Loveheart has invested greatly in, and upon seeing the film he made, lashed out at Master Chief and attempted to shoot him. Master Chief gets away in Loveheart's car, and Loveheart commits suicide upon seeing this. Master Chief then drives toward Vancouver, where Jon's home is located. However, the car runs out of gas along the way, forcing Master Chief to go on foot. Eventually Master Chief arrives back at Jon's house, but is not welcomed with open arms and is immediately kicked out. Master Chief tries to commit suicide shortly after, but fails. The Arbiter takes him back home, and within a week things seem to be back to normal upon the gang.
[edit] Criticism
In response to heavy criticism regarding the addition of Todd & Travis to the series, Jon set up a poll to decide their fate, the majority in favor of excluding them from future episodes.
[edit] Speculation
It has also been speculated that Arby 'n' the Chief as well as the Master Chief Sucks at Halo series isn't exactly Machinima. This is due to the fact that Machinimas are made with in the video game and not scenes in real-life. But these series are continued to be referred to as Machinima, mostly because of the game play clips included.
[edit] Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina is a action drama series created in the world of Halo 3 and set in the same time period. In the last surviving city on earth known as Salvation City, a man named John Brent and his best friend Micheal build a high tech suit of armor. John dons the armor and assumes the identity "Deus Ex Machina" to keep crime in the city under control. However, he soon learns that genetic augmentation drugs are being spread throughout the city by a supervillain named Plague.
During his investigation of Plague, Deus recieves a message leading him to an underground laboratory on a far away island. Their, he is captured and forced to fight for his life against a monsterous foe called "The Decapitator," which is a lab experiment conjured by a twisted scientist who works for Plague. Fortunately, Michael follows John's trail and rescues him. Before Deus departs from the island with Michael, he traps the scientist inside his laboratory with the Decapitator and leaves him to die.
During the mayoral election, it turns out the newly elected mayor, "Derek" is really Plague. He overpowers and buries Deus Ex Machina alive in a casket under snow for four days. When he breaks out, he begins a quest for vengeance and kills most of Plague's men, but ultimately fails when he is shot in the head by Plague himself. Michael is afterwards taken captive by Plague's men and ordered to build him a new power suit stronger than John's. Fortuately, at the end credits, it shows that Deus Ex Machina is still alive but unconscious on a beach.
In episode 5 Deus Ex Machina returns to Salvation City one month later, fully recovered and equipped with new armor enhancements, and restarts his quest to bring down Plague. The first person he encounters is a guard, which he quickly defeats, then Phil O'Mally. After Phil refuses to tell Deus where Michael is, Deus beats the information out of him, then drowns him in a nearby river. Shortly after entering Plague's building, John encounters the Decapitator again, and kills him with a propane tank. He at last reaches the top of the building and has a final showdown against Plague. After a short game of cat and mouse, John finally kills Plague by throwing him off the roof of his building. After recovering Michael, Deus makes it his new mission to find the remnants of Plague's men and bring them to justice. The end credits show one of those men overlooking the area.
At the beginning of episode 6, Deus accidentally shoots and kills a civillian's son while battling Behemoth (the man shown at the end of episode 5.) This sends John's reputation into a downward spiral, and he resorts to drinking to get rid of the pain. During this time, an alien parasite lands on Earth and bonds with one human after another, turning them into superpowered monsters. Deus Ex Machina eventually confronts the creature himself, only to end up getting infected by it as well, turning his armor color from steel to blood red.
Episode 7 shows that Deus Ex Machina has become a cruel and merciless vigilante, as a result of having bonded with the parasite. He threatens to kill Michael should he try to remove it, despite Michael's warnings that its killing him. Deus tracks down Behemoth to a warehouse and attacks him, brutally beating him to a pulp. Just as he is about to deliver the killing blow, Michael appears (wearing a power suit of his own), and fights John to remove the parasite from him. After Behemoth escapes, angry civilians set fire to the warehouse while John and Michael are battling inside. John soon becomes engulfed in flames, which removes the parasite from his body, turning him back to normal. The parasite is killed by falling burning debris, and John carries Micheal to safety away from the burning building. In the aftermath, Deus Ex Machina sincerely apologizes to the civillian who's son he killed for what he did. Behemoth is later murdered by an unknown man who drains the genetic augmentation drugs from his body.
Part one of episode 8 opens with a flashback to John's Univeristy days and how he didn't care about his own future and possibly makes a very large mistake by insulting Patrick Owen (son of soon to be villan Derek Owen). In present day mayor Simpson of Salvation City has issued for Deus Ex Machina to be killed. Two UNSC officers are dispatched. They eventually find John and corner him, but John makes a clever escape by telling them "your warthog is on fire" and turns invisible when their backs are turned. With the UNSC hunting him, the citizens despising him, and is reputation ruined, John decides to abandon the Deus Ex Machina identity as well as Michael. Two weeks later the crime rate in the city has doubled but the mayor is relieved that Deus Ex Machina is gone. John is encountered by a man in Recon armor, who warns him that "Doomsday" is coming, and that he should check on Michael. John sprints to find Michael but finds a video instead reading "Play Me" on the screen. John does so and is horrified at what he sees next. The video footage shows the same man in Recon armor beheading Michael right in front of the camera, which makes John vomit. The man also explains to John what Doomsday is. The man in Recon is going to release a robotic duplicate of Deus Ex Machina that will rampage through the city. 24 hours after, he will release a deadly biological virus that will kill all of the city's inhabitants, unless John can stop him. The episode ends with an announcement to the city from the villain on his intent to exterminate the city's inhabitants, which throws the city into panic, followed by a timer that begins counting down from 24 hours.
