Editing Halo 5: Guardians

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{{Upcoming}}

{{Game Infobox

|name= ''Halo 5: Guardians''

|image= [[File:Halo5 2D RP-Boxshot FOB RGB Final.png|300px]]

|developer= [[343 Industries]]<ref name="H5"/>

|publisher= [[Microsoft Studios]]

|platform= [[Xbox One]]<ref name="H5"/>

|releasedate= Fall [[2015]]<ref name="H5"/>

|genre= [[First-person shooter]]

|modes= [[Campaign]]<br>[[Multiplayer]]

|rating=

{{quote|The quest of [[Jameson Locke|the hunter]] and [[John-117|the hunted]] has begun.|Official summary<ref name="WireH5"/>}}

What would later be revealed as ''Halo 5: Guardians'' was first revealed with [[Halo Xbox One announcement trailer|a teaser]] released on [[2013|June 10, 2013]] during that year's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]]. The trailer indicated that a major ''Halo'' release would occur for the Xbox One console in 2014, leading many to believe that this particular game would be the next entry in the ''Reclaimer Saga'' and the sequel to ''Halo 4''. However, Microsoft stressed the trailer's phrasing that 2014 would mark the beginning of a "journey", with the implication that this may not mean the release of the then still officially unannounced ''Halo 5''.<ref name="H5"/>

''Halo 5: Guardians'' was formally announced on May 16, 2014 by [[343 Industries]] General Manager [[Bonnie Ross]]. Ross describes ''Halo 5: Guardians'' as a bigger effort than the preceding ''[[Halo 4]]'' in terms of the content and scope of the game as well as the technology underpinning it. The game's engine is said to have been completely retooled to take full advantage of the Xbox One's hardware and ecosystem; according to [[Frank O'Connor]], the engine is all-new apart from a number of core features retained from the previous one.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112403080&postcount=2276 '''NeoGAF''': ''Frank O'Connor on game engine'']</ref> Ross states that ''Halo 5'' will incorporate lessons the 343 Industries team learned from ''Halo 4'' with regard to technology, performance, aesthetics, and scale in response to feedback received from the fan community. She also mentioned that the game will run at [[Wikipedia:Frame rate|60 frames per second]] and will feature [[Wikipedia:Dedicated hosting service|dedicated servers]].<ref name="H5"/>

In E3 2014, 343 Industries' statements about a "journey" beginning in the fall of 2014 were revealed to be referring to a multimedia project dubbed ''Halo: The Journey'' by 343 Industries,<ref name="eurogamer">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-16-343s-master-plan-for-halo-5-guardians '''Eurogamer''': ''343's master plan for Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref> set to begin with the release of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', containing remastered "Anniversary" editions of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary|Halo 2]]'', as well as high-resolution versions of ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''Halo 4''.<ref name="E32014">'''Microsoft Xbox One briefing E3 2014'''</ref> Additionally, it was announced that a [[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta|multiplayer beta]] of ''Guardians'' is set to be released on December 29, 2014. Exclusive unlockable content for the beta is to be available via ''The Master Chief Collection'' and the digital series ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''.<ref name="WaypointGuardians">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref>

Since the development of ''Halo 4'', the 343 Industries team has undergone several internal changes. [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]] has replaced Kenneth Scott as senior art director, although Scott has been stated to continue serving in an advisory role.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/08/halo-4-art-director-steps-down-at-343-industries '''IGN''': ''Halo 4 Art Director Steps Down at 343 Industries'']</ref> [[Josh Holmes]] has also been replaced by Tim Longo (known for his previous work on ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars: Republic Commando|Star Wars: Republic Commando]]'' and the 2013 ''[[Wikipedia:Tomb Raider (2013 video game)|Tomb Raider]]'' reboot) as creative director.<ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2013/12/08/tomb-raider-republic-commando-creative-director-joins-343-indus/ '''Joystiq''': ''Tomb Raider, Republic Commando creative director joins 343 Industries'']</ref> [[Christopher Schlerf]] has been supplanted by [[Brian Reed]] as ''Halo'' franchise lead writer after Schlerf's departure from 343 Industries.<ref>[https://twitter.com/schlerf/status/397939158041120768 '''Twitter''': ''schlerf'']</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/BrianReed '''Twitter:''' ''Brian Reed'']</ref> Most of the game's soundtrack is to be composed by [[Kazuma Jinnouchi]], replacing ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Neil Davidge]] as the principal composer.<ref name="GAFKazuma">[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=114883654&postcount=3462 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on music'']</ref>

==Synopsis==

[[File:H5 John-117 hooded.jpg|thumb|left|250px|John-117 holding Cortana's data chip, as seen in the first teaser trailer.]]

The primary protagonist of the ''Halo'' series, [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] supersoldier [[John-117|Master Chief Petty Officer John-117]], returns in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' following the end of ''Halo 4''. It has been noted that John has begun to question all of his former beliefs<ref name="E32014"/> and has disappeared<ref name="MCtrailer">'''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]'''</ref> following events further detailed in ''"[[Halo: Escalation Issue 8|The Next 72 Hours]]"'', a story arc of the comic series ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=52221 '''Comic Book Resources''': ''Dark Horse Comic Solicitations for July 2014'']</ref> New cinematics and [[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|terminals]] in ''The Master Chief Collection'' will likewise link to the story of ''Guardians''.<ref name="IGNinterv">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcSk8Rx_JTo&t=10m30s '''YouTube''': ''Halo 2 Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...'']</ref> In media released so far, the Master Chief's modified [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]] is seemingly unchanged from ''Halo 4''. In the initial teaser trailer, the Master Chief is shown wearing a hooded cloak with his armor having suffered considerable damage. He is seen in the possession of an empty [[data crystal chip]] on a chain, alluding to his loss of [[Cortana]] at the end of ''Halo 4''.<ref name="trailer">'''[[Halo Xbox One announcement trailer]]'''</ref>

 

''Halo 5: Guardians'' also features another playable character,<ref name="NightfallPanel">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaZOLp6pYCE&feature=youtu.be&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ '''YouTube''': ''Halo: Nightfall Panel - SDCC 2014'']</ref> [[Jameson Locke|Agent Locke]], a "legendary manhunter" on a mission to find the Master Chief after several colonies are unexpectedly attacked.<ref name="MCtrailer"/><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/halo-nightfall '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Nightfall'']</ref><ref name="WireH5"/> Locke is introduced in [[Wikipedia:Ridley Scott|Ridley Scott]]'s digital series ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'', which will have narrative connections to ''Halo 5''.<ref name="machinima">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crDIiFV-Wmw '''YouTube''': ''Every. Halo. Ever. E3 2014'']</ref> Although he will be a prominent character, Locke will not be replacing John-117 as the protagonist.<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115503489&postcount=606 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Locke and Master Chief'']</ref> Locke was first shown in [[:File:Halo 5 Guardians.jpg|promotional artwork]] unveiled with the game's formal announcement, wearing what appears to be [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR [GEN2] armor]] with a dark coloration and an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] symbol emblazoned on the chest.<ref name="H5"/>

[[Frank O'Connor]] has also stated that the game will feature "plenty of strong female characters".<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112379842&postcount=2229 '''NeoGAF''': ''Frank O'Connor on characters'']</ref>

===Locations===

Several visually diverse locations have been shown in media released so far. The 2013 teaser trailer shows a desolate, deserted location as the setting of John-117's encounter with an enormous [[Forerunner]] [[Unidentified Forerunner Construct|machine]] somewhat evocative of descriptions of a [[war sphinx]] or [[Seeker (armor)|seeker]] from ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]''.<ref name="trailer"/> A [[:File:Sparth unknown future project.jpg|piece of concept art]] by Sparth depicts a human urban settlement in a mountainous location, with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} hovering overhead. [[D79-TC Pelican]]s and other craft are seen flying nearby. [[:File:Halo-5-guardians-concept-art.jpg|Another concept piece]] by Sparth, unveiled with the game's formal announcement, depicts a cavern with several structures of an alien design with a statue of a [[Sangheili]] and what appear to be two suns are seen looming in the sky. The background of the [[:File:Halo5 Primary-TeaserArt Vertical RGB Final.jpg|preliminary box artwork]] shows an arid location with angular, towering vertical structures. While the background of the [[:File:Halo 5 Guardians.jpg|wallpaper version]] is similar in mood and lighting, the structures are different, including a dish-like structure and a cupola similar to those seen in the concept with the Sangheili statue.

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-4|title-1=Characters|

*[[Cortana]] {{C|Data chip only}}

|title-2=Species|

*[[Forerunner]] {{C|Technology only}}

*[[San'Shyuum]] {{C|Holographic projection only}}

***[[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]]

|title-4=Vehicles|

*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}

*[[Type-52 Phantom]]

|title-5=Weapons|

*[[BR85HB battle rifle]]

*[[Hydra MLRS]] {{1st}}

*[[M395 DMR]]

*[[M6 series|M6 magnum]]

**[[:File:Halo 5 - Smart Scope Pistol.png|Unidentified variant]] {{1st}}

*[[M7 SMG]]

**[[:File:H5SMG.png|Unidentified variant]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-1 plasma grenade]]

*[[Type-51 carbine]]

*[[:File:Halo5 Rocket.png|Unidentified rocket launcher]] {{1st}}

*[[Z-250 lightrifle]]<ref name="h5empirebeta">[[:File:H5-Empire-Beta-4.jpg]]</ref>

|title-6=Equipment and Technology|

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#First generation|MJOLNIR [GEN1]]]

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]] {{C|Original and modified variants}}

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/AA variant|Air Assault]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Athlon|Athlon]] variant {{1st}}

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator|Aviator]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Defender|Defender]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Helioskrill|Helioskrill]] variant<ref name="MCC Armour unlocks"/> {{1st}}

***[[Nightfall armor|Nightfall]] variant<ref name="MCC Armour unlocks">[http://au.ign.com/articles/2014/10/31/halo-5-guardians-armor-unlocks-from-halo-the-master-chief-collection-revealed-ign-first '''IGN''': ''Halo 5: Guardians Armor Unlocks from Halo: The Master Chief Collection Revealed-IGN First'']</ref>

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Recruit|Recruit]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant|Scout]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Soldier|Soldier]] variant

***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Warrior|Warrior]] variant

***[[:File:H5 TeaserArt ONI operative.jpg|Unidentified ONI-affiliated armor]] variant

***[[:File:H5G-Beta-Splash.jpg|Unidentified variant]] {{1st}}

*[[Unidentified Forerunner Construct]]

==Gameplay==

[[File:H5 - Spartan abilities.png|thumb|250px|Spartan abilities listed with slide showcased in the background.]]

In ''Halo 5: Guardians'', [[armor abilities]] are replaced by a new set of gameplay enhancements known as [[Spartan abilities]],<ref name="mptrailer">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta announcement trailer]]'''</ref> which are available to all players at any time. There is an increased focus on player mobility; players can now use the thruster pack (which allows omnidirectional movement) at all times, vault ledges, rapidly dash for cover or charge an enemy, or generate a shockwave by striking the ground. The sprint function is still present but the player's shields do not recharge while sprinting. Additionally, the charge and slide abilities are executed as sprint reaches terminal velocity. A new feature called the "smart scope" allows players to aim down the weapon's sights in a manner similar to many other modern shooters, although with non-scope weapons this is purely a cosmetic effect and provides little to no actual accuracy enhancement; 343 Industries will use the Multiplayer Beta to gauge the effects of this feature on the game's gameplay balance.<ref name="mpb bts">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96NK5moXyg '''YouTube''': ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta: Behind the Scenes'']</ref> The [[heads-up display]] once again allows the player to see what other weapon they have but are not currently using, a feature that had been removed in ''Halo 4''. Additionally, ''Halo 5: Guardians'' will support up to two players on splitscreen.<ref>[https://twitter.com/JoshingtonState/status/545000766969114625 '''Twitter''': ''Josh Holmes'']</ref>

{{Expand-section}}

With ''Halo 5: Guardians'' multiplayer, 343 Industries seeks to highlight the "arena shooter" aspects of classic ''Halo'' multiplayer gameplay. The unlockable custom loadouts and killstreak rewards present in ''[[Halo 4]]'' will be disposed of in favor of a "level playing field"; all players will start with identical equipment as in the pre-''[[Halo: Reach]]'' games, with a focus on controlling weapons present on the map.<ref name="BetaFirstLook">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta First Look]]'''</ref> The new Spartan abilities also play a large role in the multiplayer;<ref name="mpb bts"/> the thruster pack in particular increases player mobility significantly. Another new feature is battle-chatter, automatic dialog among the team in which Spartans call out enemy locations and kills.<ref name="ign played">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/11/we-played-the-halo-5-guardians-multiplayer-beta-and '''IGN''': ''We Played the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta, and...'']</ref> The multiplayer also includes the name of the segment of the map that the player is currently in being displayed near the [[motion sensor]] as in ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'' and ''Halo: Reach''. When a team wins a match the SPARTAN-IVs on said team will congratulate each other while the losing team's Spartans will only clap.

In addition to the staple UNSC and Covenant weapons, the [[Forerunner]] [[Z-250 lightrifle]], introduced in ''Halo 4'', returns in ''Halo 5''.<ref name="h5empirebeta"/> A number of new weapons have been added to the multiplayer sandbox, among them unique weapons including the Truth exclusive power weapon [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]]'s personal [[energy sword]], ''[[Prophets' Bane]]''. Other new weapons include the [[Hydra]] multi launch missile launcher, and a [[:File:Halo5 Rocket.png|new model of the rocket launcher]].

The ''[[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta]]'' will be used to gather data and feedback on the new multiplayer model as well as some of the new features. The beta will feature two new multiplayer modes: [[Breakout]], in which two teams are thrown into a training arena via [[man cannon]]s and each player has only a single life with no respawns;<ref name="ign played"/> and [[Strongholds]], in which two teams will control moving territories.

The game's ranking system is similar to Halo 4's dual-ranking system composed of a progression-based rank and a competitive skill rank based on wins and losses.

*[[Crossfire]] – A dedicated map used in the [[Breakout]] mode in the beta, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.

*[[Eden]] – A nighttime human urban themed map.<ref name="Sprint">'''[[The Sprint]]'''</ref>

*[[Empire]] – A daytime remake of Eden.<ref name="h5g gp">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTmgb-ldVXc '''YouTube''': ''Halo 5: Guardians - Gameplay Xbox One'']</ref>

*[[Orion]] – A [[Forge]] map.<ref name="twitterforge">[https://twitter.com/JoshingtonState/status/548910489577615360 '''Twitter''': ''Josh Holmes'']</ref>

*[[Pegasus]] – A [[Forge]] map.<ref name="twitterforge"/>

*[[Regret]]<ref name="Sprint">[http://news.xbox.com/2014/12/games-halo-the-sprint-announcement '''Xbox Wire''' - ''The Sprint Gives You an Inside Look at the Making of Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta'']</ref> – A multiplayer map based on one of the Arbiter's ships that crashed on a Halo ring after a space battle.<ref name="Sprint"/>

*[[Trench]] – Dedicated to the game mode [[Breakout]].

*[[Truth]] – A remake of the ''[[Halo 2]]'' map [[Midship]].<ref name="ign played"/><ref name="HWPHCRaC">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/halo-channel-revealed-at-gamescom '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Channel Revealed at Gamescom'']</ref>

In their [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2013 conference, [[Microsoft]] showed a teaser trailer intended to showcase the future direction of the ''Halo'' franchise on the [[Xbox One]]. Rather than announcing ''Halo 5'' in particular, the trailer announced the presence of the ''Halo'' franchise on the new console, set to debut in [[2014]] with a [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection|then-unspecified ''Halo'' title]].<ref name="H5"/>

The teaser opens with a hooded figure journeying through a desert on an alien world. The figure, revealed to be [[John-117]] clad in battered [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR armor]], clutches [[Cortana]]'s empty [[data crystal chip]] as he encounters an enormous [[Forerunner]] machine rising from the sand.<ref name="H5"/>

A [[Behind The Scenes]] feature released on November 10, 2014, detailing the new features and development of the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' multiplayer beta.<ref name="mpb bts"/>

''The Sprint'' is a six-part digital series which presents the development of the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Multiplayer Beta.<ref name="Sprint"/>

The trailer was revealed in December 18, 2014, and presents new gameplay of several weapons, game modes and maps.

File:H5G Poster.jpg|Promotional poster depicting Master Chief and Agent Locke.  

===Concept art===

File:Sparth unknown future project.jpg|{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} stationed above a human settlement

File:Halo-5-guardians-concept-art.jpg|Another piece of concept art depicting an unknown location.

File:Halo-5-guardians-multiplayer-concept-cityscape.jpg|Concept art of the multiplayer map Empire.

File:Halo-5-guardians-multiplayer-concept-rooftops.jpg|Another concept art of Empire.

File:Halo-5-Guardians-Multiplayer-Concept-Ship-Deck.jpg|Concept art of the multiplayer map Truth.

File:Crossfireconcept.jpg|Concept art of a competitive multiplayer encounter.

 

===Multiplayer===

File:H5G-MP-beta-spartan-1.jpg|Two Spartans in the [[Breakout]] mode.

File:H5 Ground Pound ability.jpg|A Spartan using the [[Spartan abilities|ground pound ability]].

File:H5 - Recon with missile launcher.jpg|A Spartan in Recon armor wielding a new heavy weapon.

File:H5GWin.png|Red Team wins a match.