- "This unparalleled, revolutionary battle simulation is where Spartans go to hone their skills in competitive combat."
- — Halo Waypoint
War Games is an advanced UNSC combat training simulation most prominently used to train Spartans,[1] although similar facilities exist for inter-service training as well.[2]
Overview
War Games training facilities use a combination of holographic projectors, millions of pneumatic risers,[3] props, and simulated sensory information fed through a neural interface to generate realistic environments in which combat simulations are initiated.[4] Most of these environments are recreated from either detailed scans, partial records or remote survey data of actual locations around the galaxy, although artistic flourishes may be applied at the simulation designers' discretion. Examples of such conceits include the anachronistic use of given starship, vehicle or emblem designs sometimes encountered in War Games simulations.[5] Many locations house War Games combat decks, including several warships including UNSC Infinity,[6] the corporate-sponsored Munera Platforms and other combat training orbitals,[7] and Anvil Station.[2] In addition, several terrestrial military bases also house War Games simulators. The size and scope of each individual War Games facility varies based on the needs and resources of their associated installation.[6] However, problems arose as many departments were stretched thin due to the UNSC's struggle to maintain a cohesive presence across colonized space. Because of this, the military began the Cartographer Initiative to recruit much needed War Games map designers to help keep the Spartan branch operating efficiently.[8]
SPARTAN-IV fireteams routinely train in the War Games simulator to hone their strength and skills. Upon reaching a Spartan rank of level 50, they are given the option to enlist in a specialization in their field of choice, should they wish, they may also apply for multiple specialist rankings.[9] Baseline soldiers who perform exceptionally in inter-service War Games events are sometimes picked as potential candidates for the SPARTAN-IV program.[2] The ANVIL initiative indicates a number of very select joint training engagements between SPARTAN-IVs and Sangheili of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam's Swords of Sanghelios aboard Anvil Station.[10] War Games simulations are not exclusively competitive; in some scenarios the participants train against AI-controlled Covenant[11] and/or Promethean enemies, and sometimes against AI and Spartans, with some simulations even featuring AI Marines.[12]
A dedicated AI manages the War Games simulator and acts as the games' announcer. Sarah Palmer, the commander of the ship's Spartan contingent, has a low opinion of the AI.[11]
War Games simulations add balancing to several of its weapons and AI. A notable example is the M6/E Selene's Lance, where balancing adds extra recoil to the weapon.
History
In January 2553, War Games simulations could not support AI-driven targets yet, forcing the need for live targets.[13]
On January 28th 2555, Anvil Station saw heavy use of experimental technology in use between Sangheili and Spartans in War Games simulations. By March 2555, AI-driven targets such as Sangheili had been added to the simulations.[14]
By February 2558, War Game simulations were being used regularly by Spartans on the UNSC Infinity. Sometime after the UNSC encountered the Warden Eternal in October 2558 it was added to the Warzone section of War Games simulations.
War Game Maps and Gametypes
List of known map designations
Halo 2
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Halo 2: Anniversary
- War Games Map_Set/: 209-11 "Remnant"
Halo 3
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Halo 4
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Halo 5: Guardians
- War Games Map_Set/: 122-5 "March on Stormbreak"
- War Games Map_Set/: 769-2 "The Rig"
Gametypes
The following is a list of gametypes which are known to be included in War Games.
As a multiplayer mode
War Games was introduced in Halo 4 as the in-universe framing device for the game's multiplayer[15] and is featured in a similar fashion in the subsequent Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Online. 343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling has suggested that virtually all competitive multiplayer modes throughout Halo's history could regarded as War Games exercises. However, he notes that fans should not "start splitting hairs about regarding specific time frames and extrapolating implications" from his statement.[1] Nevertheless, 343 Industries has assigned canonical War Games-based designations to several Halo 2 and Halo 3 multiplayer maps, indicating that they are meant to be seen as part of a War Games simulation.[16]
Gallery
Early concept art of a War Games map for Halo 4.
Another early concept for a multiplayer map.
Spartan-IVs participating in a game of Capture the Flag on Exile.
A Spartan-IV hijacking a Ghost on Vortex.
Sarah Palmer participating in a game of invasion in Halo: Escalation.
Commander Palmer and Fireteam Jackknife inside the simulation deck.
Sarah Palmer killing a simulated Mgalekgolo in War Games.
Concept art of the Breakout arena for Halo 5: Guardians.
Concept art of UNSC personnel on the observation deck overseeing the Breakout station in the background.
Spartan-IVs on Red Team win a match on Truth in War Games in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
An animation of Blue Team winning a match on Eden in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
Spartan-IVs fighting each other, Prometheans, and Covenant in a game of Warzone on Escape from ARC in Halo 5: Guardians.
Blue Team wins a match on Entombed.
Spartan-IVs and Sangheili on Anvil Station in Halo Online.
Spartan-IVs on Anvil Station in a game on Reactor.
List of appearances
- Halo 2 (First appearance)
- Halo 3
- Halo 4
- Spartan Ops (Mentioned only)
- Infinity Briefing Packet
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo 2: Anniversary
- Halo: Hunters in the Dark (Mentioned only)
- Halo 5: Guardians
- Halo Online
Sources
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder 3-21-15 thread
- ^ a b c Halo Waypoint: Olympia Vale
- ^ Halo.Bungie.Org, Halo 4 Field Guide
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Beta Late Than Never
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo 5 Truth
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Needle Me This
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Munera Platform
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Close Quarters
- ^ Halo 4 Limited Edition, UNSC Infinity briefing packet
- ^ Halo Waypoint - Canon Fodder: 2-20-15
- ^ a b Halo: Escalation, Issue 1
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians Warzone
- ^ Halo: Escalation Library Edition - Commentary
- ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark - Chapter 4 Page 80(Physical edition)
- ^ YouTube: Making Halo 4: First Look
- ^ Halo Waypoint: New Mombasa