Maya 2012 ( and up ? ) has "Project Curve on Mesh" and "Cut Mesh by Projected Curve" inside the "Edit Mesh" Menu. Are these the droids you were looking for ?
http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2012/04/halo-4-screenshots-artwork.html Not sure if this follows the wake up scene, but this is what I found from game informer.
Not sure if the author of this site is a Polycounter, but the whole blog is amazing. Great game-res sword pics too. http://jsmorganblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/conans-sword.html
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-31-comet-owner-opcapita-reportedly-buys-game Good news for the employees. Will be interseting to see OpCapita's direction...
+1 Well said. I'll repost this cartoon from an earlier discussion on the subject: http://www.intellectualbubblegum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/how_to_live_with_introverts_guide_printable_by_sveidt-d5b09fj.jpg