Editing Spartan Ops

{{Status|Gameplay}}

{{Disambig header|the game mode|other uses|Spartan (disambiguation)}}

''Spartan Ops'' allows up to four players to play cooperatively.<ref name="gi">'''Game Informer''' ''(May 2012)'', ''pages 46-47''</ref><ref>[http://kotaku.com/5900905/cortana-is-dying-multiplayer-sounds-very-interesting-and-other-pieces-of-halo-4-news '''Kotaku''' ''Cortana is Dying, Multiplayer Sounds Very Interesting, and Other Pieces of Halo 4 News'']</ref> Though it is designed primarily as a cooperative experience, ''Spartan Ops'' can be played solo as well.<ref name="GI podcast">[http://media1.gameinformer.com/media/audio/theshow/halo4/halo4special.mp3 '''Game Informer:''' ''Special Halo 4 Podcast'']</ref> It follows the [[SPARTAN-IV Program|SPARTAN-IV]] units [[Fireteam Majestic]] and [[Fireteam Crimson]], with the players assuming the role of the latter while the former features in the CGI cinematics.<ref name="SO trailer">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsASUunyWhw ''Halo 4 Spartan Ops trailer'']</ref><ref name="joystiq">[http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4s-infinity-multiplayer-to-introduce-spartan-ops-war-ga/ '''Joystiq''' ''Halo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games'']</ref> Set six months after the campaign, ''Spartan Ops'' expands on the story of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and her crew.{{Ref/Reuse|GI podcast}} Due to its scope and scale, this new mode has been likened to a second campaign for the game.<ref name="Guardian 632012">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2012/jun/04/e3-2012-halo-4-interview '''The Guardian:''' ''E3 2012: Frank O'Connor on Halo 4 – Spartan Ops could run for years'']</ref>  

[[Frank O'Connor]] has stated that the mode will "bridge the gap" between the events of ''Halo 4'' and the future release of its sequel.{{Ref/Reuse|NYDN 4302012}} [[343 Industries]] will support additional ''Spartan Ops'' missions for months after launch of the game and players will have the opportunity to play from the beginning of the episodic campaign regardless of when they started playing. The first season is included with the game, though 343 Industries have not ruled out charging players for additional ''Spartan Ops'' seasons.<ref name="NYDN 4302012">[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/system-update-halo-4-preview-glimpse-return-master-chief-article-1.1068510?pgno=1 '''NYDailyNews.com:''' ''SYSTEM UPDATE: Halo 4 preview, with our first glimpse into return of Master Chief'']</ref> There are no plans for a second season of ''Spartan Ops''. However, Frank O'Connor has stated that ''"the story of Crimson, the ''Infinity'' and those characters and events is far from over"''.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/28/The-Halo-Bulletin-32813.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 3.28.13'']</ref> Indeed, the comic series ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' follows largely the same cast of characters a month after the events of ''Spartan Ops''.

Each episode is accompanied by an episode of ''Halo: Infinity'', a computer-animated series that follows the crew of the UNSC ''Infinity''. Produced by the Scottish studio Axis Animation,<ref name="axis">[http://www.axisanimation.com/index.php?id=1061&loc=Work '''Axis Animation''': ''FEATURED WORK - Halo 4: Spartan Ops Ep 1'']</ref> the series' point-of-view alternates primarily between the ship's command crew and Spartan Fireteam Majestic. The events of the series intertwine directly with those of the cooperative missions, which in turn carry the story forward to the next episode. Those without an Xbox LIVE account may view the ''Halo: Infinity'' series on [https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us Halo Waypoint],  [https://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint Waypoint's YouTube channel] or the [[Halo Channel]].

''Spartan Ops'' follows an ensemble cast of both new and preexisting characters.

*[[Fireteam Majestic]] - Consisting of Spartans [[Paul DeMarco|DeMarco]], [[Tedra Grant|Grant]], [[Carlo Hoya|Hoya]], [[Anthony Madsen|Madsen]] and [[Gabriel Thorne|Thorne]], Majestic is frequently deployed on the most crucial ops alongside Crimson.

*[[Jul 'Mdama]] - Leader of his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|new "Covenant"]], 'Mdama is a cunning figure who seeks to claim Requiem's treasures by awakening the essence of the [[Librarian]].

*[[Gek 'Lhar]] - A brutal Sangheili soldier serving as Jul 'Mdama's top lieutenant.

*[[The Librarian]] - A [[Forerunner]] [[Lifeshaper]], whose imprint and her secrets are wanted by the UNSC and Covenant remnants alike.

{{main|Requiem Campaign}}

In [[2558|February 2558]], the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} is dispatched to reclaim [[Requiem]] from the occupying [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant]] forces. Once there, ''Infinity'' engages in combat with the Covenant fleet, and deploys ground forces, including Fireteams [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]] and [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]] as well as detachments of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]], [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]] forces on Requiem. The Spartan fireteams run through a series of search and destroy, rescue, artifact recovery, extraction and assassination operations.

During a mission on the surface, Fireteam Crimson uncover a [[Forerunner]] [[Requiem translocation artifact|slipspace artifact]] which is subsequently brought aboard ''Infinity''. After the device disrupts the ship's systems and [[Slipspace translocation|teleports]] [[Henry Glassman|Chief Engineer Glassman]] to the surface of the planet, [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] is brought in to investigate. The artifact scans the ship's systems and begins transmitting data to the surface of Requiem, where said data is intercepted by [[Jul 'Mdama]]. Glassman is taken captive by his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant]] and is ordered to activate the [[Librarian]]'s shrine, though he is not successful.

Fireteam Crimson secure another Forerunner artifact, dubbed "the [[Didact's Gift]]". This device is revealed to contain the memories of victims of the [[Ur-Didact|Didact's]] [[New Phoenix Incident|attack on New Phoenix]] six months prior, revealing that the composed human minds have been repurposed as [[Promethean Knight]]s. Investigating the first artifact on his own, Spartan [[Gabriel Thorne]] is translocated to [[the Cauldron]] and is left to fend for himself amidst Covenant-controlled territory. Dr. Halsey begins dialog with an unknown party who shares her interest in the Librarian. The intelligence is actually Jul 'Mdama, who is manipulating Halsey into divulging vital secrets about the Forerunners. Halsey is apprehended after her unwitting communication with 'Mdama is discovered. Meanwhile, Spartan Thorne rescues Dr. Glassman and the pair escape custody.

==Episode list==

Each week, players with an [[Xbox LIVE]] Gold membership<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/06/13/The-Halo-Bulletin-61312.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 6.13.12'']</ref> were able to view a new episode of ''Halo: Infinity'',<ref>'''IGN''': ''Halo 4 E3 floor coverage''</ref> which was then followed by five objective-based missions. The missions offered new content, as well as challenges to complete for each week.{{Ref/Reuse|gi}}

{{SO Episode List}}

 

==Appearances==

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5

|title-1=Characters|

*[[Roland (AI)|Roland]]{{Ref/Reuse|Magic}} {{1st}}

 

*[[Ur-Didact]] {{mo}}

 

*[[Jared Miller]]<ref name="YouTube - Halo 4: Spartan Ops Gameplay">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTPIFWHlZ0c '''YouTube''' - ''Halo 4: Spartan Ops Gameplay'']</ref> {{1st}}

*[[Robert Dalton]]{{Ref/Reuse|YouTube - Halo 4: Spartan Ops Gameplay}} {{1st}}

*[[Terry Hedge]] {{1st}}

*[[Jul 'Mdama]] <ref name="terminal">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-US/Universe/detail/halo-4-terminal-jul-mdama/0f378de5-e0e3-4f31-a1e1-2a363af4094d '''"Halo Waypoint -''' ''Halo 4 Terminal - Jul 'Mdama"'']</ref>

 

|title-2=Equipment and technology|

**[[Promethean Watcher]]

*[[Plasma battery|Covenant plasma battery]]

*[[Covenant watchtower]]

**[[Didact's Gift]] {{1st}}

*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]

**[[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]] variant

*[[Series 12 jetpack|Series 12 Single Operator Lift Apparatus]]

*[[Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage]]

|title-3=Events|

*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]

**[[New Phoenix Incident]] {{mo}}

**[[Requiem Campaign]]

|title-4=Locations|

*[[Absolute Record]] {{Fm}}

***[[Harvester (location)|Harvester]] {{1st}}

***[[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]] {{1st}}

****[[New Phoenix]] {{mo}}

|title-5=Organizations|

***[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]

*****[[Fireteam Domino]] {{Fm}}

*****[[Fireteam Ivy]] {{Fm}}

|title-6=Species|

|title-7=Vehicles|

*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}

**''[[Song of Retribution]]''

*[[Covenant drop pod]]

**[[Covenant drop pod#Multiple-occupant pod|Type-53 Squad Breaching Carapace]]

**{{Pattern|Gloto'kas|Assault Carapace}}

*{{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}

**''[[Panom's Canticle]]'' {{1st}}

**[[Pelican 653]]

*[[Kmiro'sish-pattern Lich]]

*[[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System]]

*{{Class|Poseidon|light carrier}}

*[[Type-31 Seraph]]

**{{Class|Sahara|heavy prowler}} {{1st}}

***{{UNSCShip|Aladdin}} {{1st}}

|title-8=Weapons|

*[[Hardlight blade]]

*[[M11 combat knife]]

*[[M97 Lance|M97 Guided Missile Weapon System]]

*[[M410 dual heavy machine gun]] {{1st}}

*[[Plasma drill]] {{1st}}

*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]

*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}

*{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}

*{{Pattern|Elo'Nakada|concussion rifle}}

*{{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}

*{{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}

*{{Pattern|Sho'riru|Shade}}

*[[Z-510 Focus turret]]

*[[Z-8250 heavy artillery]]

}}

*Prior to the adoption of the photorealistic CGI used in the final game, ''Spartan Ops'' episodes were to be accompanied by stylized motion comics akin to those featured in the [[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]. A sample was produced by Planet Jump, an animation studio based in London.<ref name="demo">[http://www.planetjump.co.uk/show-reel/halo '''Planet Jump''': ''Halo 4 Promotional Film'']</ref>

{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Spartan Ops| ]]

[[Category:Game modes]]