A round up on the noteworthy “Halo 5” (or Halo on Xbox One) rumors from 2013. Spanning from talks of the Arbiter and the Brutes returning, in-game ranks, Xbox One impulse triggers, and potential episodic story line or game mode in the absence of Spartan Ops Season 2.
The only concrete facts we have are the following. Halo on Xbox One will:
Run at 60 frames per second, the first Halo game to do so,
It will utilize the cloud and have dedicated Servers, just like every Xbox One game,
Microsoft Studios Phil Spencer stated “… the series is no longer a trilogy, but now a saga.“, and
The final title will be announced at a later date as stated by 343 Industries on HaloWaypoint
Keep in mind, Halo on Xbox One is still a work in progress and the title is still TBA. It may not be a part of the original trilogy announced, since the Reclaimer trilogy is now the Reclaimer Saga.
Check out this video by ForgeWorldMaps, where he breaks down an interview with IGN and Phil Spencer and the topic of Halo Wars comes up in discussion.
“[Halo Wars is] something I’m very interested in. Bonnie [Ross, 343 Industries GM] and I talk about it quite a bit,” … “And especially now, when I think about some of the capability,” … “when I think about some voice and other things that you could add to that, that’s the kind of gameplay that I think would be great in those scenarios. And also a game that maybe I could play on multiple devices: I could play on Windows as well, I could play on console, because it has that gameplay that lends itself so well to that. So I suspect you’ll see us do something with…they’re kind of busy right now at 343, which is good, we’re really happy with what they’re working on. But I think there is opportunity for us to do something more with that franchise and Bonnie, Kiki [Wolfkill, 343 executive producer], and Josh [Holmes, creative director] are doing a great job in thinking holistically about the Halo franchise.”
They seem to like the idea, and don’t flat out deny the possibility. But they acknowledge that 343 Industries is already busy at the moment producing the next Halo game. Phil Spencer also adds that playing a game like Halo Wars on multiple devices (i.e. Windows PCs, maybe tablets, and on console) could be possible. The RTS genre fits well with PC, as seen by many Ensemble Studios (the developers of Halo Wars; which has since been shutdown) games – but Halo Wars never made an appearance on the PC platform. Could they follow Halo: Spartan Assault’s footsteps and if they do make a sequel, release it on multiple Windows platforms overtime? Who knows.
Aside: Apologies for the lack of updates and posts on my website. I’ve been focusing on College and my channel that I neglected the site. I’ll try and maintain activity on the site, but news in regards to Halo (a main pillar to which my online presence has been built around) is next to non-existence. I can’t make news about nothing. I’ve been partaking in the ever addicting GTA V and GTA Online. Don’t worry Halo news will return once news comes to light. Expect Xbox One and Destiny news as well as the hype is rising steadily.
Yes I know they’re from a GTA IV in-game tv show and that they’re called “Republican Space Rangers”, but it’s clearly based off Halo with a Rockstar Spin!
Back on July 18th, 2013 343 Industries announced the release of their Windows 8 Platform game “Halo: Spartan Assault”. It was made available to Windows 8 PC’s, tablets, and phones but there was a catch. Halo: Spartan Assault was made exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers who lived in the US and had a Windows 8 Phones. This has now been lifted and is available to all Windows 8 Phone carriers as of today – August 19th, 3 days later than the reported date when the exclusivity was announced.
For all Spartans who want to venture into 343 Industries’ first mobile “Halo” title, “Halo: Spartan Assault” is now available to all Windows Phone 8 users in the U.S., regardless of carrier.
Available now for $6.991 only on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, “Halo: Spartan Assault” is a new chapter of the award-winning “Halo” universe that explores the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and dives deeper into the backstory of the Human-Covenant War. Play through the eyes of either Commander Sarah Palmer or Spartan Davis, while stationed aboard the UNSC Infinity, as they fight never-before-seen battles against Covenant forces.
1 Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 versions sold separately.
Amazon updated their product listing for the next Halo game set to release in 2014. The title is still a mystery many people already calling it “Halo 5” while 343 Industries references it by “Halo on Xbox One” for the time being – until they announce the title at a later date.
The box art that Amazon updated the listing with looks very detailed even for just a place holder image. Although, they have 2 different angles of the box art and already have a typical placeholder image on the same listing.
Many people believe that it is just a placeholder because 1) HaloWaypoint/343 Industries hasn’t officially announced a title yet, 2) The title on the box only says Halo and has no number, and 3) No familiar character is on the cover – all Halo games either have Master Chief, an ODST, or Spartans on the cover
So what do you guy’s think: is this detailed box art the real thing or just a placeholder?
Confirmed from San Diego Comic Con by 343 Industries during their Halo panel, Halo Spartan Assault will launch today (July 18th) at 4pm PST.
Available only for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, “Halo: Spartan Assault” is a new top-down action shooter that brings a “Halo” video game to touch-based devices for the first time in franchise history. Developed by 343 Industries in conjunction with Vanguard Games, “Halo: Spartan Assault” provides an accessible, pick-up-and-play experience for fans and newcomers alike.
However, a report on Polygon says that Halo: Spartan Assault will be exclusive to the Verizon Wireless service in the US until August 16th. 1GB of RAM is necessary to run the game on Windows Phone 8, while another version is due to release later this year that will support 512MB Windows Phone 8 devices.
Halo Spartan Assault features:
Original “Halo” gameplay. An action-packed, single-player campaign spanning 25 missions in battles never before experienced in the Halo Universe, all played from a top-down camera view
New and immersive storyline. An original story set between the events of “Halo 3” and “Halo 4,” experience a new war with the Covenant, the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and the rise of Commander Sarah Palmer, all with best-in-class graphics and audio
Built for simplicity. A unique fusion of touch and console-like controls for easy pick-up-and-play gaming, with the added flexibility of keyboard and mouse controls on Windows 8 PCs and tablets
Integration with “Halo 4.” Earn experience points (XP), all-new Achievements, and unlock emblems for your “Halo 4” Spartan career, with additional integration features available after launch
Nonstop competitive fun. Compete against friends in Leaderboards or hone your skills against an onslaught of Weekly Challenges while collecting more than 40 in-game Achievements and Medals
In-app purchases. Grind to earn upgrades or speed up your training by purchasing credits for boosts, unique weapons or armor abilities
Only on Windows. Available only on Windows 8 PCs and tablets and Windows Phone 8 devices.
During RTX 2013 343 Industries and Certain Affinity hosted a panel, “What’s Next: Halo 4 Summer 2013″, where they announced the Champions Bundle which contains a bunch of DLC content and will be released August 20th, 2013.
The “Halo 4” Champions bundle — the fourth major expansion in the “Halo” Infinity Multiplayer experience —launches on Aug. 20 for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live. Developed by 343 Industries in collaboration with Certain Affinity, the Champions Bundle delivers three DLC packs (Steel Skin Pack, Bullseye Pack and Infinity Armor Pack) and bonus content, which includes more than 18 new, in-game items that are exclusive to the bundle for a limited time.
Each of the three DLC packs in the Champions bundle will also be available as standalone purchases on launch day. The Bullseye Pack will be available for 480 MS Points and the Infinity Armor Pack and Steel Skin Pack will be available for 240 MS Points each. The bonus content is only available for a limited time exclusively through the bundle.
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The Bullseye Pack – 480 Microsoft Points:
Pitfall – Multiplayer Map (Remake of Halo 3’s “The Pit”)
Vertigo – New Multiplayer Map
Ricochet Armor – New Multiplayer Armor
Infinity Armor Pack – 240 Microsoft Points:
Prefect Armor – New Multiplayer Armor
MARK V Armor – Multiplayer Armor
ODST Armor – Multiplayer Armor
Steel Skin Pack – 240 Microsoft Points:
Steel Weapon Skins for all loadout weapons (Forerunner, Covenant, and UNSC)
Bonus Content (From the Bundle)
New Stances
New Armor Skins
New Weapon Skins
Armor Modifications:
Survivor (Unknown): If your vehicle is about to explode, anyone using the armor mod will be kicked out of the vehicle.
Recharge (Support Upgrade): Decreases the amount of time before shields begin to recharge (this can be combined with current Tactical Package Shielding).
Resistor (Tactical Package): Allows Spartans to maintain their full mobility and dexterity while taking incoming fire.
There’s a $200,000 grand prize and $500,000 in total prizes! You can register now by going to: www.Halo4GlobalChampionship.com
It’s very simple to register, just sign up with your email address associated with your Xbox Live gamertag and you are set!
Upon registration check your email for confirmation and a code to download an Xbox Avatar t-shirt. The same one offered during the CSR Challenge back in April.
ARE YOU THE BEST OF THE BEST? A CHAMPION? PROVE IT!
You can participate in a few different ways. Aim your sights on this year’s Rooster Teeth Expo (RTX) in Austin, TX, to participate* in our Wild Card Tournament. Can’t make it? Join in for 5 weeks of online qualifiers! Each week, you’ll be challenged to complete at least 20 matches against 7 random players with the game type changing weekly. The top 6 players from RTX, plus the 4 winners from each week of online play, will receive an expenses-paid trip to compete in the Finals! Will you walk away with the $200,000 (USD) Grand Prize and Halo 4 Global Champion title?
Oh, there’s more! (You didn’t really think that was it, did you?) We will also award additional prizes** to a random pool of weekly players so that even players who can’t commit to the full challenge have a chance to participate.
Are you up for the challenge? Then register now and get ready to prove it!
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