Microsoft kicked off E3 2015 with a media briefing that mostly included first-looks at anticipated game sequels and new IPs, and also a dash of exciting software and hardware announcements. It’s all for you after the break. Continue reading E3 2015: Microsoft kicks Xbox One into high gear with exciting games lineup and backwards compatibility
Microsoft’s expansive marketing campaign for Halo 5: Guardians begins now. Watch the helmet-shattering teaser trailer above and at the end you’ll notice the hashtag #HuntTheTruth. Shortly after the televised teaser launch, MSFT opened up a “Hunt the Truth” Tumbler that further explores the mystery behind the shrouded plot of the upcoming game. Fictional journalist and war photographer Benjamin Giraud hosts a weekly podcast that promises an in-depth profile of the Master Chief with an aim to uncover the truth behind his origins and motives. Fans of the Xbox franchise (myself included) are going to eat this up.
Halo 5: Guardians is expected to release this fall on Xbox One.
Update (3/29): Microsoft unleashed two extended trailers for Halo 5: Guardians tonight during the season finale of The Walking Dead on AMC. The first features Spartan Locke threatening Master Chief: “All hail the conquering hero. The one who was supposed to save us all. But now I must save us from you.” The second spot reverses the roles, with Master Chief pointing his weapon and saying, “You’ve completed your mission, Spartan Locke.” What’s happening?! See for yourself after the break. Also confirmed: the next Halo comes exclusively to Xbox One on October 27. Continue reading Discover the Master Chief’s origins in ‘Halo 5: Guardians’ exploratory marketing campaign [Update: Two new trailers inside]
Gamescom is a video games trade show–like E3, except for the that fact that it takes place in Europe (in Cologne, Germany to be precise) and it attracts a much, much larger crowd of attendees including members of the press and game developers. And just like they did at Los Angeles’ E3 in June, console makers Microsoft and Sony held press events revealing new titles, providing updates on previously announced ones, and showing off new system features. For the latest on the games, I recommend you visit Joystiq. This post will mostly focus on software updates coming to the Xbox One and PS4, as well as new hardware options revealed. For the full scoop, jump after the break. Continue reading Xbox and PlayStation at Gamescom 2014
On Friday Microsoft announced the next game in the Halo franchise and it’s called Halo 5: Guardians. Despite the subtitle (read: ODST, Reach) and the introduction of a new hero in the game artwork (see above), Guardians is in fact a direct followup to Halo 4 and it is “the next installment in the legendary saga of the Master Chief.” Guardians, from Halo 4 developers 343 Industries, is coming exclusively to Xbox One running at “60 frames per second, on dedicated servers, with the scope, features and scale [Microsoft has] been dreaming of for more than a decade.” The Xbox maker said the following in a press statement regarding the highly anticipated title:
“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.
For more on Guardians, pop over to Halo Waypoint where you’ll find a blog post written by 343 Industries Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor and a piece of concept art from the game. Obviously there’s a lot more where this came from and you can expect Microsoft to push next Halo at E3 next month. Rewatch the “Halo on Xbox One” teaser here, for now.
Guardians is slated to release in fall 2015 and in that same year Microsoft will launch the Steven Spielberg produced live-action Halo TV series. It’s being billed as “a series that will stand alone, as well as complement and enrich the game experience.”
[Via Xbox Wire]