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Halo 5: Guardians

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"The quest of the hunter and the hunted has begun."
— Official summary[1]

Halo 5: Guardians is the upcoming ninth installment in the Halo franchise.[2] It is the second game in the Reclaimer Saga and continues the story of the Master Chief.[2] Originally alluded to in a teaser trailer shown at Microsoft's E3 Media Briefing on June 10, 2013, Guardians was officially announced on May 16, 2014.[2] Exclusive to the Xbox One,[3][2] the game is in development and is set to be released on October 27, 2015,[4] with the first major coverage of the game unveiled at E3 2014.[5]

Development

John-117 holding Cortana's data chip in the first teaser trailer.

What would later be revealed as Halo 5: Guardians was first revealed with a teaser released on 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.[2]

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.[6] 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 60 frames per second and will feature dedicated servers.[2]

The various features in Halo 5: Guardians.

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,[7] set to begin with the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, containing remastered "Anniversary" editions of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, as well as high-resolution versions of Halo 3 and Halo 4.[8] Additionally, it was announced that a 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.[4]

Since the development of Halo 4, the 343 Industries team has undergone several internal changes. Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier has replaced Kenneth Scott as senior art director, although Scott has been stated to continue serving in an advisory role.[9] Josh Holmes has also been replaced by Tim Longo (known for his previous work on Star Wars: Republic Commando and the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot) as creative director.[10] Christopher Schlerf has been supplanted by Brian Reed as Halo franchise lead writer after Schlerf's departure from 343 Industries.[11][12] Most of the game's soundtrack is to be composed by Kazuma Jinnouchi, replacing Halo 4's Neil Davidge as the principal composer.[13]

On April 28, 2015 the final cover art was revealed.[14]

Audio

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Original Soundtrack

343 Industries' Sotaro Tojima returns as the audio director for Halo 5: Guardians, with the intentions to have the most realistic sound possible in gaming. Though Tojima's sound team used recordings for Halo 4 as reference, it was decided that reusing the recordings would not suffice for Halo 5: Guardians. Tojima stated "We decided to design the whole sound from scratch again to update the fidelity for the new-generation platform, Xbox One."[15]

For high quality explosion sounds, Tojima's team recorded the sounds produced from various forms of debris dropped from a crane. For better bullet sounds, a microphone was placed behind a rock and an armed individual shot past it from 1,000 feet away. An accurate weapon tail was captured by utilizing the reflected sound from the environment when a gun was fired; Tojima's team shot off guns in a variety of interior and exterior spaces.[15]

Kazuma Jinnouchi will serve as the game's sole composer,[13] recording music at Abbey Road Studios in London and the Rudolfinum in Prague. The game's tracks are noted to "sound fresh, yet distinctly Halo". Jinnouchi expressed interest in bringing back the original Halo Theme into Halo 5: Guardians. After a number of discussions, it was determined that the "Halo choir" was to be implemented into the game in an obvious way, compared to the subtle manner the choir was implemented in Halo 4. Ultimately, Jinnouchi and his team composed their own interpretation of both the Halo Theme and its choir.[15]

Synopsis

"Peace is shattered when colony worlds are unexpectedly attacked. And when humanity’s greatest hero goes missing, Spartan Locke is tasked with hunting the Master Chief and solving a mystery that threatens the entire galaxy."
— Official summary[1]

Story and characters

Full version of the game's final cover art, depicting Agent Locke, the Master Chief, and their respective fireteams.

Halo 5: Guardians is set to feature the largest ensemble cast of characters in any Halo game yet, with both new and returning characters.[16] The primary protagonist of the Halo series, Spartan-II supersoldier 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[8] and has disappeared[17] following the events of "The Next 72 Hours", a story arc of the comic series Halo: Escalation during which he reunites with his long-time Spartan-II unit Blue Team, comprising Kelly-087, Fred-104 and Linda-058. Halo 5: Guardians marks the in-game debut of Blue Team, who will fight alongside the Master Chief throughout the campaign.[15] In the beginning of the campaign, set eight months after the end of Halo 4's Spartan Ops,[18] Blue Team will still be operating under the UNSC, although they decide to go AWOL soon after for an unspecified reason. The second mission, "Blue Team", has them investigating an ONI research vessel called Argent Moon, which has been occupied by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces.[15]

Halo media relating to Halo 5: Guardians.

Halo 5: Guardians also features another playable protagonist,[19] Agent Locke, a "legendary manhunter" on a mission to find the Master Chief after Blue Team disappears and several colonies are unexpectedly attacked.[17][20][1] Locke is accompanied by Fireteam Osiris, which includes Spartans Edward Buck, Holly Tanaka and Olympia Vale.[15] Locke's role in the story is to act as a counterpoint for John-117's legendary and larger-than-life character, as well as a vehicle to contextualize both the Master Chief and the wider story from an outsider perspective.[21] Locke was introduced in Ridley Scott's digital series Halo: Nightfall, which has narrative connections to Halo 5.[22] Although he will be a prominent character, Locke will not be replacing John-117 as the protagonist;[23] much like that of Halo 2, the campaign of Halo 5 alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters.[15] Locke was first shown in promotional artwork unveiled with the game's formal announcement.[2] He is also featured in Halo 2 Anniversary's terminals and new bookend cinematics, which have links to the story of Guardians. In the bookend cutscenes, Locke is seen interacting with Arbiter Thel 'Vadam during his mission to track down the Master Chief.[24]

The titular Guardians are enormous, winged Forerunner machines which have awakened recently and are supposedly tied to the cataclysmic events occurring throughout the galaxy.[15] In the E3 2015 demo (a condensed version of one of the missions in the game),[16] one of the Guardians is encountered during the Battle of Sunaion on Sanghelios, while Arbiter Thel 'Vadam's Swords of Sanghelios battle Jul 'Mdama's Covenant in what is now stated to be the latter's final stronghold. During the mission, Locke and Fireteam Osiris find the Master Chief's discarded assault rifle in the Sangheili city and believe that the Spartan-II has boarded the Guardian. Shortly afterward, the team witnesses the Guardian rise from a nearby ocean and generate a powerful shockwave, dealing considerable damage to the city. The Spartans battle a number of Promethean foes before encountering an entity calling itself Warden Eternal, "keeper of the Domain and her secrets". This Forerunner construct immobilizes Locke in a constraint field and declares that the Master Chief is allowed to enter the Guardian, while Locke's passage is denied.

At one point in the campaign, Spartan Locke engages Jul 'Mdama in close-quarters combat in an icy environment while Dr. Catherine Halsey looks on. In another scene, Captain Thomas Lasky, Roland, Commander Sarah Palmer, and Dr. Halsey argue on the bridge of UNSC Infinity regarding John-117's personal quest.[25]

In the initial teaser trailer, the Master Chief 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.[26] Regarding Cortana, Halo Franchise Development Director Frank O'Connor has stated that "her fate is obviously very clear at the end of Halo 4" and explained that the story of Guardians will explore her legacy in the form of the long-term impact her sacrifice had on John-117, and how he "copes with loss and how he deals with his memories." A "dreamlike figure" Frank O'Connor refers to as Cortana's "ghost" will appear to John-117 in the game, including a vision in the second mission in which she speaks the following line: "The Domain is open. Meridian is next. You only have three days. John, the Reclamation is about to begin."[15] The precise effect that this "ghost" will have on the Chief is unknown at this time, however Halsey's dialogue in the aforementioned scene on the bridge of the Infinity states that "John isn't emotionally equipped to deal with her as a threat".[25]

Campaign

The Halo 5: Guardians campaign comprises 15 missions.[27] Identified campaign levels in the game include Osiris, Blue Team, Glassed, Unconfirmed, Evacuation, Reunion, Swords of Sanghelios, Enemy Lines, Battle of Sunaion, Alliance, The Breaking, and Guardians.[28]

Appearances

Note: all subjects below are listed tentatively based on their appearance in media released so far; as such, the following does not reflect the full feature list of the final game.

Characters

Species and entities

Organizations

Locations

Events

Vehicles

Weapons

Technology and equipment



Gameplay

Spartan abilities listed, with slide showcased.

In Halo 5: Guardians, armor abilities are replaced by a new set of gameplay enhancements known as Spartan abilities,[33] which are available to all players at any time. Both the campaign and multiplayer are developed around Spartan abilities.[34] 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 used the Multiplayer Beta to gauge the effects of this feature on the game's gameplay balance.[35] 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. Unlike past titles players are now able to switch seats in a vehicle without getting out.

Halo 5: Guardians will be the first major Halo release without any form of local splitscreen multiplayer or campaign, and will not natively support LAN play.[36] Notwithstanding the lack of local co-op campaign, players will be to play campaign cooperatively via Xbox LIVE Gold membership.[37]

Campaign

Locke ordering Buck to destroy a Phaeton.

The campaign mode of Halo 5: Guardians has been designed around the game's fireteam-centric focus and will alternate between the perspectives of John-117's Blue Team and Spartan Locke's Fireteam Osiris. 343 Industries considers the fireteams (internally known as "musketeers" within the studio) to be the most significant gameplay innovation in Halo 5.[38] Due to the presence of the fireteams, enemies in Halo 5: Guardians are designed to be faster, more responsive and generally more lethal.[39] However, the campaign difficulty will also scale according to the number of players.[15]

In single player campaign, the other team members will operate autonomously but the player will be able to give them contextual commands by pressing up the D-pad. The order given is determined by what the player is currently looking at. Some of these orders include Attack My Target, Go To Location, Use Vehicle (or turret), Pick Up Weapon and Revive Teammate.[39] The new revival mechanic allows both AI members of the team to revive the player or players to revive one another in co-op play. When a player takes too much damage, they go into a "downed" state. Active players or AI-controlled fireteam members can revive the downed Spartan within a set time limit which is shown in an icon on their HUDs. If a player remains downed for too long, they will die and be subject to similar respawn mechanics as in the prior games.[39] This is also the case with certain types of damage such as being stuck by a plasma grenade or falling to one's death.[29]

Tanaka reviving Vale.

In cooperative play, players will assume the roles of different fireteam members, with each having their own distinct loadout; for example, Linda-058 always spawns with a sniper rifle. The different characters' base attributes will also have subtle differences: for example, Kelly-087 is faster than the other members of Blue Team and Tanaka has a higher motion tracker range. Characters also have minor differences in traits such as their grenade carrying capacity or thrust recharge rate.[40] The heads-up displays of each team member will have a unique design.[39] In co-op, players will be able to choose which character to play as, although they are restricted to either Locke or the Master Chief in single player.[29] Co-operative games run on dedicated servers and allow players to seamlessly drop in and drop out of gameplay by simply joining the game and selecting a character to play as.[39]

The game will have an intricate chatter system in which fireteams offer both contextual commentary during gameplay as well as scripted mission dialog, filling the role Cortana had in the prior games. This is seen by the developers as a means to tie storytelling more closely with the gameplay.[41] If the player lingers in an area the squad members will have dynamic conversations about various topics, such as their past, the location they are in, or the ongoing events.[42] Some contextual lines of dialog will be different depending on which characters are controlled by players at a given time.[39] 343 Industries has stated that Blue Team will have more lines of dialog in the game than they do in all prior Halo media.[18] As a notable change from Halo 4, the Covenant enemies of Jul 'Mdama's faction now speak English as they did in the original Halo trilogy. This is explained as 'Mdama's authority over his followers diminishing, as they have lately begun to ignore his mandate forbidding the use of human languages.[15]

Halo 5: Guardians creative director Josh Holmes has stated that the game will feature the largest and most open gameplay spaces in any Halo game yet, with an emphasis on replayability and sandbox-like gameplay.[16] The campaign will be twice the length of Halo 4's.[43] The campaign missions will feature a variety of possible alternate routes, including ledges that can be climbed with the clamber Spartan ability[29] and routes that can be opened by charging through destructible walls with the Spartan charge ability. When playing as Locke's team, players have access to the Artemis Tracking System, which will highlight these alternate paths as well as collectibles and other items of interest.[15] Such items include objects left behind by Blue Team, such as the Master Chief's assault rifle found during the Battle of Sunaion. Quick time events, a controversial addition to the Halo 4 campaign, will not be featured in Halo 5: Guardians, although some of the cinematics are designed to immerse the player to the experience of the character they are controlling in a similar manner.[40]

Several new types of enemy have been added to the gameplay sandbox. The Promethean enemy faction returns, with the addition of the new Promethean Soldier class of infantry units and the Phaeton gunship.

With Sequence making Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series, terminals have been replaced with 117 pieces of mission intel.[44]

The campaign features 15 missions, and is expected to take 8-12 hours to complete.[45]

Multiplayer

The ground pound ability, used on the map Crossfire.

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 have been disposed of in favor of a "level playing field"; all players start with identical equipment as in the pre-Halo: Reach games, with a focus on controlling weapons present on the map.[46] The new Spartan abilities also play a large role in the multiplayer;[35] 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.[47] 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. Dynamic map elements similar to the multiplayer maps in Halo 2 Anniversary are also present.[48] During the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta when a team won a match the Spartan-IVs on said team would congratulate each other with high fives and clap. However, in the final game the winning team will only stand.

In addition to the staple UNSC and Covenant weapons, all of the Forerunner weapons introduced in Halo 4 return in Halo 5: Guardians. A number of new weapons have been added to the multiplayer sandbox, among them unique weapons including the Mythic weapon Arbiter's personal energy sword, Prophets' Bane. Other new weapons include the Hydra multi launch missile launcher, and a new model of the rocket launcher. Vehicles like the Mantis now have multiple variants and skins.[49]

The Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta was used to gather data and feedback on the new multiplayer model as well as some of the new features. The beta featured two new multiplayer modes: Breakout, in which two teams are thrown into a training arena via man cannons and each player has only a single life with no respawns;[47] and Strongholds, in which two teams will control moving territories.

Players in the new Warzone game mode.

Halo 5: Guardians will feature an all-new multiplayer mode called Warzone, which combines large-scale competitive multiplayer with objective-based gameplay and AI-controlled enemies. Warzone is treated as a distinct experience from the game's classic competitive multiplayer, now named "Arena".[50]

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.[51] A new addition to the game's multiplayer component is the Requisition system, designed to reward players across different multiplayer modes. Players earn "REQ Points" after each match of Arena or Warzone multiplayer. These points can then be used to purchase "REQ Packs", which contain both cosmetic and gameplay-affecting items; however, the latter are only usable in Warzone while only cosmetic items are usable in Arena to maintain balanced competitive play. REQ packs can also be purchased with real-world currency.[50]

Halo 5: Guardians matchmaking will feature no voting or veto system and will instead feature map rotation.[52] The game will launch with 21 maps and there will be over 18 maps as DLC, the most of any Halo game. Unlike past titles all DLC maps are free.[44] Forge in Halo 5: Guardians has been greatly improved upon even in comparison to Halo 2: Anniversary's. Members of the community helped create it.[53]

Multiplayer maps
  • Alpine – A large Forge map with grassy terrain, hills, and a body of water that can be Forged over.
  • Altitude – A dedicated map used in the Breakout mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.
  • Array – A map dedicated for Warzone Assault.
  • Coliseum – A map set on a Forerunner structure inside a Burn, used to train Warrior-Servants for combat against the Flood.
  • Crossfire – A dedicated map used in the Breakout mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.
  • Dispatch – A map dedicated for Warzone Assault.
  • Eden – A nighttime human urban themed map.
  • Empire – A daytime remake of Eden.
  • Escape from ARC – A dedicated map used in the Warzone mode, set in a human mining facility in an ocean.
  • Fathom – A map set in an undersea base.
  • Gambol – A dedicated map in the Breakout mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.
  • Glacier – A large snow and ice covered forge map with a giant ravine cut down the middle.
  • March on Stormbreak – A map dedicated for Warzone mode, takes place in and around a snowy mountain base.
  • Plaza – A map dedicated for Arena, set in a human city.
  • Raid on Apex 7 – A map dedicated for Warzone mode, takes place on an island with a large Forerunner structure in the center.
  • Regret – A map based on one of the ships attached to the Fleet of Particular Justice, that has crashed on a Halo ring after a space battle.
  • Space – Working title for a Forge map set in interplanetary space near an unidentified Halo Installation.
  • Summit – A map dedicated for Warzone Assault.
  • The Rig – A map dedicated for Arena, set on a mining rig on Meridian.
  • Trench – A dedicated map in the Breakout mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.
  • Trident – A dedicated map in the Breakout mode, set in an orbital UNSC training arena with a holographic floor.
  • Truth – A remake of the Halo 2 map Midship.

Marketing

E3 2013 teaser

Main article: Halo Xbox One announcement trailer

In their 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 then-unspecified Halo title.[2]

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 armor, clutches Cortana's empty data crystal chip as he encounters an enormous Forerunner machine rising from the sand.[2]

Multiplayer Beta teaser

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta announcement trailer

First shown during Microsoft's E3 2014 press conference, this announcement trailer unveils the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta. It depicts Blue and Red teams of SPARTAN-IVs in War Games training aboard a dedicated space station.

Multiplayer Beta First Look

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta First Look

First shown during Microsoft's Gamescom 2014, this trailer presents the first details of the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta available in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Multiplayer Beta: Behind the Scenes

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta: Behind the Scenes

A Behind The Scenes feature released on November 10, 2014, detailing the new features and development of the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta.[35]

The Sprint

Main article: The Sprint

The Sprint is an ongoing digital series which presents the development of Halo 5: Guardians, with the first season focusing on the Multiplayer Beta, the second on developing the footage for E3 2015, and the third on the campaign.

Multiplayer Beta Trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta trailer

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

Halo 5: Guardians cover art puzzle

<youtube width="400" height="250">OUdh9kZhFtQ</youtube>

Between Saturday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Halo fans from around the world searched for 117 pieces of an image. These pieces of the image were found in emails from Microsoft, Twitch, YouTube videos, and Xbox.com before the puzzle was completed revealing the final Halo 5: Guardians cover art. Coincidentally, Rob Semsey, senior communications manager for the Halo franchise, claimed that the puzzle was completed at 1:17 pm PST.[54] Shortly after the puzzle's completion an animated version of the poster was uploaded to YouTube featuring some of the Halo 5: Guardians soundtrack.[14]

Hunt the Truth

Main article: Hunt the Truth

Hunt the Truth, stylized as HUNT the TRUTH, is a marketing campaign for Halo 5: Guardians. It centers around journalist Benjamin Giraud's hunt for the truth about the story of the Master Chief and features audio logs and blog posts by Giraud.[55]

Character advertisements

Main articles: All Hail, The Cost

Two live-action trailers featuring a confrontation between Agent Locke and the Master Chief from both characters' respective points of view were released on March 29, 2015.

Spartan Locke Armor Ad

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Spartan Locke Armor Set Gamestop Ad

A CGI trailer featuring Spartan Locke fighting Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces on Sanghelios was released on April 20, 2015.

Cinematic trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians E3 Cinematic trailer

During the E3 Xbox Media Briefing on June 15, 2015, 343 Industries released a cinematic trailer, showcasing some cutscenes from the game and establishing the premise. It was followed by the demo.

Demonstration video

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians E3 2015 Campaign Demo

The gameplay demonstration picks up from the scene shown last in the cinematic trailer, depicting Fireteam Osiris as they track John-117 through Sunaion in the midst of a battle. The demonstration showcases the use of Spartan abilities, the ATS, the squad interaction system, and the new weapon plasma caster. It also introduces a new type of enemy, the Promethean Soldier, and the new Forerunner character Warden Eternal.

Warzone trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Warzone Trailer

Another trailer released on the same day as the cinematic trailer and gameplay demonstration announces the new gametype Warzone. The trailer showcases the multiplayer level Escape from ARC as well as Warzone gameplay.

E3 Hololens Experience

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians E3 Hololens Experience

At E3 2015, Microsoft had a Hololens presentation set up to show off Warzone. The presentation is 'set' aboard UNSC Infinity and has Sarah Palmer explain how the gametype works.

Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: Warzone

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: Warzone

A documentary released on June 15, 2015 showcases the development of the multiplayer mode, Warzone.

Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: A Hero Reborn

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: A Hero Reborn

This documentary focuses on the development of the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

Gamescom Multiplayer trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer trailer

At Gamescom 2015, a multiplayer trailer was shown.

Opening Cinematic trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Opening Cinematic

A trailer released on August 31st, 2015, showcasing the game's second cutscene.[56]

REQ System Tutorial

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians REQ System Tutorial

A tutorial video reased on September 17th, 2015, of Mister Chief explaining the new REQ system.

Blue Team Opening Cinematic trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Blue Team Opening Cinematic

A trailer released on September 23rd, 2015, showcasing the cinematic for the Halo 5: Guardians mission Blue Team.

A Hero Falls and The Hunt Begins TV trailers

Main articles: A Hero Falls, The Hunt Begins

The minute long live-action trailer, A Hero Falls, debuted September 27th, 2015, on Sunday Night Football. It was followed five days later by a longer trailer, The Hunt Begins, which had been leaked. This trailer's officially planned debut was during commercial break of Fear the Walking Dead on October 4, 2015.

Launch Gameplay Trailer

Main article: Halo 5: Guardians Launch Gameplay Trailer

The Halo 5: Guardians Launch Gameplay trailer debuted October 12th, 2015, two weeks before the game's release. It shows several aspects of the campaign.

Merchandise

Template:Halo 5 Versions A limited edition Xbox One based on the game is available for preorder from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, and Gamestop.[57]

Editions

On December 28, 2014, Microsoft announced three editions of Halo 5: Guardians that are available for preorder. The standard edition will include a poster for those who preorder and will retail at $59.99 USD. The limited edition, retailing at $99.99 USD, will include a Warzone REQ Bundle of 14 Premium Requisition packs, Halo: The Fall of Reach - Animated Series, Guardian model by Metal Earth®, Spartan Locke’s Classified Orders, dossiers on Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris, a Xbox Live Gold 14-day Trial, and is packaged in a uniquely-designed Spartan themed SteelBook®. Available for $249.99 USD, the Limited Collector's Edition is the most prestigious edition of the game. It will include all bonuses given with the Limited Edition, as well as a digital copy of the game and a commemorative numbered statue of John-117 and Jameson Locke, designed by 343 Industries.[58]

  • The Standard, Limited, and Limited Collector's Editions

    The Standard, Limited, and Limited Collector's Editions

  • Limited Edition contents

    Limited Edition contents

  • Limited Collector's Edition contents

    Limited Collector's Edition contents

Pre-order bonuses

Those who pre-order from Gamestop will receive MJOLNIR Hunter armor for use in multiplayer upon launch.[59] Gamestop also offers the Sentinel Battle Rifle with laser targeter and the Bloodthirst Battle Rifle weapon skin.[60] Consumers who pre-order from Amazon will receive the long barrel Projection SMG.[61] Walmart and XBox Live Digital will have preorder bonuses, but what they are isn't known yet.

  • Image for the digital Pre-order bonus

    Image for the digital Pre-order bonus

  • Gamestop: The MJOLNIR Hunter armor

    Gamestop: The MJOLNIR Hunter armor

  • Gamestop: The Sentinel BR85HB variant, and BR Bloodthirst skin

    Gamestop: The Sentinel BR85HB variant, and BR Bloodthirst skin

  • Gamestop: Rampant Visor

    Gamestop: Rampant Visor

  • Gamestop: Liang Dortmund Emblem Pack

    Gamestop: Liang Dortmund Emblem Pack

  • Amazon: The Projection SMG with Long Barrel variant, and SMG Potence skin

    Amazon: The Projection SMG with Long Barrel variant, and SMG Potence skin

  • Amazon: Saturnine Visor

    Amazon: Saturnine Visor

  • Best Buy: Whole set plus MJOLNIR Athlon Iccus armor

    Best Buy: Whole set plus MJOLNIR Athlon Iccus armor

  • Best Buy: The Longshot Assault Rifle with Recoil Compensator, and AR Steel Skin

    Best Buy: The Longshot Assault Rifle with Recoil Compensator, and AR Steel Skin

  • Best Buy: Dianthus Visor

    Best Buy: Dianthus Visor

  • Microsoft Store: The Recon Assault Rifle with Energy Bayonet, and AR Lagrange Skin

    Microsoft Store: The Recon Assault Rifle with Energy Bayonet, and AR Lagrange Skin

  • ?????: The Recon DMR with Silencer variant, and DMR Clash skin

    ?????: The Recon DMR with Silencer variant, and DMR Clash skin

Gallery

Promotional artwork

  • Halo 5: Guardians logo on a dark background

    Halo 5: Guardians logo on a dark background

  • The logo on a white background

    The logo on a white background

  • Angled view of the preliminary game case

    Angled view of the preliminary game case

  • Preliminary box art for the Limited Edition

    Preliminary box art for the Limited Edition

  • Preliminary box art for the Limited Collector's Edition

    Preliminary box art for the Limited Collector's Edition

  • Promotional wallpaper released upon the announcement of the Halo 5: Guardians title

    Promotional wallpaper released upon the announcement of the Halo 5: Guardians title

  • Preliminary box art

    Preliminary box art

  • Promotional poster depicting Master Chief and Agent Locke.

    Promotional poster depicting Master Chief and Agent Locke.

  • A promotional image for the beta.

    A promotional image for the beta.

  • Hunt the Truth promotional wallpaper.

    Hunt the Truth promotional wallpaper.

  • Final cover art for the game.

    Final cover art for the game.

  • Blue Team in the animated poster.

    Blue Team in the animated poster.

  • Locke's team in the animated poster.

    Locke's team in the animated poster.

  • Game Informer cover art.

    Game Informer cover art.

  • An illustration of Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, and the Warden Eternal.

    An illustration of Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, and the Warden Eternal.

  • An illustration of Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, and a Guardian.

    An illustration of Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris, and a Guardian.

Screenshots

Renders

Concept art

  • Three of the four final members of Blue Team. Note the unknown Spartan or armor variant to the right.

    Three of the four final members of Blue Team. Note the unknown Spartan or armor variant to the right.

  • Three of the four final members of Fireteam Osiris. Note Gabriel Thorne in place of Edward Buck.

    Three of the four final members of Fireteam Osiris. Note Gabriel Thorne in place of Edward Buck.

  • Sparth unknown future project.jpg

    UNSC Infinity stationed above a human settlement

  • A location on Sanghelios

    A location on Sanghelios

  • Concept art of the multiplayer map Empire

    Concept art of the multiplayer map Empire

  • Concept art of the multiplayer map Truth

    Concept art of the multiplayer map Truth

  • Concept art of a competitive multiplayer encounter

    Concept art of a competitive multiplayer encounter

  • Concept art of Red Team dominating. Note the weapon attachments.

    Concept art of Red Team dominating. Note the weapon attachments.

  • Concept art of the Escape from ARC Warzone map

    Concept art of the Escape from ARC Warzone map

  • Concept art of a human city for All Hail and The Cost

    Concept art of a human city for All Hail and The Cost

  • An alien environment

    An alien environment

  • A battle on Kamchatka

    A battle on Kamchatka

  • A Sanghelios concept titled "Stonebound"

    A Sanghelios concept titled "Stonebound"

  • A cavern on Meridian

    A cavern on Meridian

  • Concept art of the map Fathom

    Concept art of the map Fathom

  • Fireteam Osiris dropping on Kamchatka

    Fireteam Osiris dropping on Kamchatka

  • Sunaion

    Sunaion

Multiplayer

  • The map Truth.

    The map Truth.

  • The map Empire.

    The map Empire.

  • The map Crossfire.

    The map Crossfire.

  • The map Eden.

    The map Eden.

  • Red team launches into a game of Breakout.

    Red team launches into a game of Breakout.

  • Two Spartans in Breakout.

    Two Spartans in Breakout.

  • A first person view.

    A first person view.

  • Red Team.

    Red Team.

  • A Spartan sporting a skin on his armor.

    A Spartan sporting a skin on his armor.

  • Spartans engaging in a fight.

    Spartans engaging in a fight.

  • A Spartan in Recon armor wielding the new rocket launcher.

    A Spartan in Recon armor wielding the new rocket launcher.

  • Blue and Red back-to-back.

    Blue and Red back-to-back.

  • Heavy weaponry in the large-scale Warzone.

    Heavy weaponry in the large-scale Warzone.

  • Engaging hostile Promethean AI.

    Engaging hostile Promethean AI.

  • Facing off against a Knight Strategos, one of the many bosses in the Warzone mode.

    Facing off against a Knight Strategos, one of the many bosses in the Warzone mode.

  • Competition for Hunter kills.

    Competition for Hunter kills.

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Xbox Wire - Halo 5: Guardians Pre-Order Details Released, Multiplayer Beta Starts Today
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Xbox Wire: The Halo Journey
  3. ^ Microsoft Xbox One briefing E3 2013
  4. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WaypointGuardians
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint: The Great Journey
  6. ^ NeoGAF: Frank O'Connor on game engine
  7. ^ Eurogamer: 343's master plan for Halo 5: Guardians
  8. ^ a b Microsoft Xbox One briefing E3 2014
  9. ^ IGN: Halo 4 Art Director Steps Down at 343 Industries
  10. ^ Joystiq: Tomb Raider, Republic Commando creative director joins 343 Industries
  11. ^ Twitter: schlerf
  12. ^ Twitter: Brian Reed
  13. ^ a b NeoGaf: Frank O'Connor on music
  14. ^ a b Xbox Wire: Halo 5: Guardians Cover Art Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "XboxWireCover" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Game Informer: July 2015 Halo 5: Guardians coverage
  16. ^ a b c NeoGaf: post #9039 by Josh Holmes
  17. ^ a b Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer
  18. ^ a b Game Informer: Halo 5: Guardians – The Spartans Tough Enough To Work With Master Chief
  19. ^ YouTube: Halo: Nightfall Panel - SDCC 2014
  20. ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo: Nightfall
  21. ^ Gamesradar: 343 chats to GR+ about Locke and Master Chief's mystique in Halo 5
  22. ^ YouTube: Every. Halo. Ever. E3 2014
  23. ^ NeoGaf: Frank O'Connor on Locke and Master Chief
  24. ^ YouTube: Halo 2 Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...
  25. ^ a b YouTube: The Road to E3 – Episode 2: Osiris
  26. ^ Halo Xbox One announcement trailer
  27. ^ "Halo 5: Guardians By the Numbers" infographic
  28. ^ Halo Waypoint: Achievements Revealed
  29. ^ a b c d YouTube: Ready Up Live: I played Halo 5 Campaign
  30. ^ YouTube: Five Minutes of Halo 5 Campaign Gameplay
  31. ^ YouTube: Halo 5: Guardians - The Best is Yet to Come (Interview) - E3 2015
  32. ^ Halo Waypoint: How Fans Helped Shape the Multiplayer of Halo 5: Guardians
  33. ^ Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta announcement trailer
  34. ^ Josh Homes on Twitter: "The Campaign and MP have both been designed around the Spartan Abilities."
  35. ^ a b c YouTube: Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta: Behind the Scenes
  36. ^ ArsTechnica: Halo 5 listing, dev statement confirm end of series’ local multiplayer (Updated)
  37. ^ Halo Waypoint: Clarity Regarding Halo 5: Guardians Online Co-op Access
  38. ^ Halo 5: Guardians ViDoc: A Hero Reborn
  39. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint: Halo 5: Guardians - Your Team is your Weapon
  40. ^ a b YouTube: Interview Exclusive Josh Holmes (343 Industries)
  41. ^ Game Informer: Evolved Combat: How Halo 5: Guardians Is Breaking Tradition
  42. ^ YouTube: Halo 5: Guardians - The Best is Yet to Come (Interview) - E3 2015
  43. ^ IGN: Halo 5: Guardians: Gamescom Footage
  44. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Halo 5: Guardians Goes Gold
  45. ^ GameSpot - Halo 5 Goes Gold, Campaign Is 8-12 Hours
  46. ^ Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta First Look
  47. ^ a b IGN: We Played the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta, and...
  48. ^ Game Informer: A Guided Tour of Fathom
  49. ^ The Game Informer Show: The Halo Spectacular
  50. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: More info: REQ Packs in Halo 5: Guardians
  51. ^ Josh Holmes on Twitter: "Still have SR, plus CSR in Arena. Also a new progression/unlock system that we'll be talking about in the coming months."
  52. ^ Beyond Entertainment: There Will Be No Map Voting In Halo 5: Guardians
  53. ^ Halo Waypoint: Building the Biggest Forge Yet
  54. ^ Twitter: RobSemsey (According to my sources, the Halo 5: Guardians cover art puzzle (which consisted of 117 pieces) was solved at 1:17pm PT.)
  55. ^ huntthetruth.tumblr.com
  56. ^ Neogaf: Frank O'Conner clarifies
  57. ^ IGN - Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition Xbox One On Its Way
  58. ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo 5: Guardians
  59. ^ Gamestop Ad
  60. ^ Gamestop: Halo 5: Guardians
  61. ^ Amazon: Halo 5: Guardians

External links

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