After a big showy display at last years E3 followed by a whole lot of silence, developer 343 Industries has finally provided us with some more concrete information for Halo 5. We have a release window, an official title, and a brand spankin' new image.
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Seen above, the image shows a character in some new armor, with Master Chief reflected below. Is the character atop new, or is it a new character? The game's official title is Halo 5: Guardians, which definitely alludes to a new character, or a new role for the Chief. The armor looks more streamlined too, significantly less bulky than the Chief's. Given the two figures are a mirror image, perhaps 343 is alluding to Chief getting some new armor?
Speculation aside, an official statement from 343 General Manager Bonnie Ross via Xbox.com didn't offer much more on what to expect, telling fans they could expect more info at this year's E3. But it did provide some notes on the development team's journey from Halo 4 to 5:
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"'Halo' isn’t simply a perennial game franchise, it’s a part of the Xbox platform itself. In terms of innovation and ideation, it’s sometimes important to people who might not even play 'Halo.' And of course it’s a passion and an essential experience for two generations of gamers. So we asked ourselves, how do we begin and where do we go with 'Halo' on Xbox One?
In the past, 'Halo' games have pushed the Xbox forward, showcasing the console and its ecosystem in entertaining and innovative ways. Making a 'Halo' game that runs at 60 frames per second, on dedicated servers, with the scope, features and scale we’ve been dreaming of for more than a decade, is non-trivial. It’s a task that we, at 343 Industries, are taking very seriously to ensure we deliver the 'Halo' game that fans deserve, and a game that is built from the ground up for Xbox One.
I’m happy to reveal that 'Halo 5: Guardians,' the next installment in the legendary saga of the Master Chief, will launch on Xbox One in fall of 2015. In the tradition of every “Halo” game since its debut in 2001, it is a massive and exciting project.
'Halo 5: Guardians' is a bigger effort than 'Halo 4.' That applies to the content and scope of the game, as well as the technology in what’s now a brand new and more powerful engine. Certainly there are some core elements carried over from prior games, but we’ve invested a huge effort in retooling our tech to take full advantage of the Xbox One’s hardware and ecosystem to create worlds and experiences worthy of next-gen.
It’s a game that will hopefully demonstrate the talent, learnings and abilities of the 343 Industries team. A game that will incorporate the things we learned from 'Halo 4' about technology, aesthetics, performance and scale – and perhaps more importantly, understanding and embracing a community of gamers who love what lies at the heart of this game, and the limitless potential of the 'Halo' universe.
And 2015 won’t simply be the year of 'Halo 5: Guardians,' it will also be a year that offers us a unique opportunity. The opportunity to invite old friends and new audiences into that universe through the “Halo” television series, launched as a unique collaboration with Steven Spielberg and some of the finest creative minds in the business. A series that will stand alone, as well as complement and enrich the game experience. We’ll have more to share on the “Halo” television series as we near its projected fall 2015 release.
Your Journey Begins in 2014
Many fans noted that I was very deliberate with my phrasing on stage at E3 last year. I spoke about a 'journey,' rather than a destination – and that journey definitely begins in 2014 with a giant leap, rather than one small step. We’ll give you much more information about our plans for this year at the Xbox E3 2014 Media Briefing on June 9, and we’re confident that 'Halo' fans will be pretty excited about the special plans we have in store.
So until E3, I’d like to express my gratitude to our massive and varied Halo community, whose energy, enthusiasm, criticism and kindness are the driving force behind what we do and what we hope to achieve in 'Halo 5: Guardians.'"
Microsoft and 343 formally unveiled Halo 5 at last year's E3, which will be the second part of the "Reclaimer trilogy" that began with Halo 4. You can check out the announcement trailer below.
