Halo: Arms Race

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Template:Realworld <youtube width="320" height="240">3sQfc0VIRMk</youtube>
Halo: Arms Race is a short video created in collaboration with Bungie Studios, Neill Blomkamp, WETA Digital and Origami Digital LLC depicting the first real time images of the Halo series. Released on July 10, 2007 at Bungie.net only hours after the Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer, the video is intended primarily as an experiment to test Halo's real-world media potential as well as advertise for the upcoming Halo 3. It runs for 1 minute 52 seconds[1]. It has been confirmed as part one in a trilogy of short films, as said in the third bungie podcast. It can be found in the Xbox Live Marketplace to download for free.

A UNSC Marine's neck tattoo barcode is scanned in the Halo: Arms Race short.
The bar code tattooed on the back of a UNSC Marine's neck is scanned in the Video.

Synopsis

The video contains no dialogue, instead narrating with text from a computer. It begins with the request from a UNSC Battle Group, Sol Defense Group 3/A-5 requesting repair and resupply. The video then goes on to show production of SRS99D-S2 AM Sniper Rifles, Marine and ODST helmets, M12 Warthog LRVs, Dropship 77-Troop Carrier Pelicans, BR55HB SR Battle Rifles, and M6G Magnums on the assembly line and ready for action. It also shows several shots of what is assumed to be the conscription of UNSC Marines into a unit called S4/BAG/2/5, and them arming themselves to fight, before ending with "Halo 3, Finish the Fight."

ODST helmets as depicted in the Halo: Arms Race trailer.
ODST Helmets as depicted in the Halo 3 "Arms Race" trailer.

Preview of the Halo Movie?

Despite the simplicity of the short, and its apparent purpose as an ad for Halo 3, it creates some possibility of what the Halo Movie may look like. Neill Blomkamp, the director of the short, is also set to direct the Halo movie, and would likely use some of the developed graphics from the video for the movie. Though most of the short is computer generated, several full size props appear to have been constructed, including full Marine uniforms and weapons.


Related Articles


References

Era-rw.png This article is a stub. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.