Halo Wars

Infobox VG| title = Halo Wars


developer = Ensemble Studios
publisher = Microsoft Game Studios
engine =
designer =
genre = Sci-fi Real-time strategy
modes = Single-player, Multiplayer,
Co-op, Xbox Live
ratings =
platforms = Xbox 360
media = DVD
input = Xbox 360 Controller

"Halo Wars" is an upcoming real-time strategy video game that will take place in the fictional Halo universe. The game is being designed by Ensemble Studios for the Xbox 360.It is the last project worked on by Ensemble Studios.

Gameplay

"Halo Wars" is a real-time strategy game that uses species and vehicles seen in previous "Halo" games as well as new units. [cite web|url=http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/56384.aspx|publisher=Ensemble Studios|title="Halo Wars" Update 05.16.07|date=2007-05-16|accessdate=2008-01-14] cite web|url=http://www.gametap.com/home/read/article/2656|title="Halo Wars" Q&A|publisher=gametap.com|date=2007-12-21|accessdate=2008-01-11|first=Giancarlo|last=Varanini] The controls use the A-button primarily for selecting via 3 methods; tap to select one unit, double tap a particular unit to select all units of that class on screen or "paint brush" which selects all units that the "brush" is dragged over.cite video|title=E3 Demo Video|publisher=Ensemble Studios|date=2007-08-27|url=http://forums.halowars.com/Dwnloads/Movies.aspx|people=Graeme Devine|accessdate=2008-01-11] Selecting a unit gives the player the option of commands and selecting certain buildings brings up a "circle menu", said to be the most important menu in the game, taking up the whole screen which is used for creating units and buildings. The game's lead developer, Graeme Devine, has said that the emphasis is more on combat than economy; it is necessary for the player to "manage a battle instead of watching it",cite web|url=http://halowars.heavengames.com/features/interview|title=Interview with Graeme Devine|publisher=heavengames.com|accessdate=2008-01-11] and while resources are still present they also have alternative forms such as time and the number of units present. Some campaign missions will take the focus off resources but skirmish and multiplayer matches still require some management of an economy.

Development

"Halo Wars" was first announced at X06.cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/halowars/news.html?sid=6158816|title=X06: "Halo" being turned into RTS|publisher=Gamespot|date=2006-09-27|first=Tim|last=Surette|accessdate=2007-11-05] Announced during Microsoft's X06 media briefing on September 27, 2006, details of the game first appeared on 1UP.com. [cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154046|publisher=1UP.com|date=2006-09-27|accessdate=2007-11-05|title=X06: Ensemble Making "Halo" RTS Named "Halo Wars"|first=Luke|last=Smith]

A small demonstration of "Halo Wars" was revealed to gaming media at E3 2007 on July 10, 2007 and a demo video narrated by "Halo Wars" Lead Designer was released on the Xbox Live Marketplace on August 27, 2007. [Cite web|url=http://www.xbox360rally.com/halo-wars-demo-on-monday/|publisher=Xbox 360 Rally|title="Halo Wars" (video) demo on Monday!|date=2007-08-26|accessdate=2008-01-14] Because previous console real time strategy games have been criticized for their control schemes, Ensemble developed the controls six months before approaching Microsoft. An update on January 30, 2007 stated that the developers were considering using motion capture.cite web|url=http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/37733.aspx|publisher=Ensemble Studios|title="Halo Wars" Update 01.30.07|date=2007-01-30|accessdate=2008-01-14] Photos of the test posted on the website show mocap being used, however it was not confirmed whether it would be included in the final release of the game. Weekly playtests are held within Ensemble to provide both the art and design teams with feedback on developments.cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/fanclub/107773/group/news.aspx?type=news&cid=308883|publisher=Bungie.net group: "Halo Wars" RTS|title=Interview with 'Thunder' of "Halo Wars", Part 2 when will the game come out
date=2008-02-04|accessdate=2008-02-07|first=Graham|last=Somers] Microsoft employees were spotted on Xbox Live playing the "Halo Wars" Alpha" in April 2008 sparking speculation and jealousy among the gaming community. [cite web|url=http://www.360sync.com/2008/04/18/halo-wars-has-alpha-on-live|title="Halo Wars" Has Alpha On Live|publisher=360 Sync|date=2008-04-18|accessdate=2008-04-20|first=Devin|last=Kofsky] [cite web|url=http://talkingaboutgames.com/content/view/834/1/|title="Halo Wars" alpha spotted in the wild|publisher=Talking About Games|first=Phil|Last=Meza|date=2008-04-17|accessdate=2008-04-20] Ensemble later confirmed that the Alpha version was a tutorial and multiplayer version with limited features. Ensemble employees frequently played against others seeking aspects of the game to improve. [cite web|url=http://www.halowars.com/news/articles/archive/2008/05/20/Halo-Wars-Monthly-Update-05.20.08.aspx|publisher=Ensemble Studios|title="Halo Wars" Monthly Update 05.20.08|date=2008-05-20|accessdate=2008-05-21] In the October 2007 issue of "Official Xbox Magazine", it was mentioned that there will be a playable demo of the game before it is released. [Cite magazine | last = McCaffrey | first = Ryan | title = "Halo Wars" | publisher= "Official Xbox Magazine" | pages = 25 | year = 2007 | date = October 2007]

Bungie Studios has had little involvement in the making of "Halo Wars". Since the splitting of Microsoft and Bungie Studios, Bungie will only be helping Ensemble Studios, the main developers of the game, and Microsoft in areas including the environment and the general "feel" of the "Halo" universe. [ [http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/digitaljoystick/archives/122799.asp Bungie Leaving Microsoft] ] [ [http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3703776 The Bungie / Microsoft Split] ]

The game was announced at X06 with a pre-rendered trailer. The trailer was created by Blur Studio and shows a group of Warthog vehicles searching for a missing unit of soldiers. The recon patrol is killed by camouflaged Elites who de-cloak and advance into battle supported by Banshees. The battle has various human and Covenant vehicles and foot soldiers and ends displaying Spartan Group Omega wearing their MJOLNIR armor.cite web|url=http://forums.halowars.com/Dwnloads/Movies.aspx|publisher=Ensemble Studios|title="Halo Wars" Cinematic Trailer|accessdate=2007-01-14]

A video of game play footage narrated by Graeme Devine, the lead designer was shown at E³ 2007 and later made available online. Controls and other gameplay features such as vehicles, user interface and special weapons were highlighted, along with new creations. The footage also showed off a UNSC base consisting of an airbase, vehicle depot, missile silo and several other buildings that can be created while playing "Halo Wars".

On September 10th, 2008 it was announced that Ensemble studios would close after the completion of "Halo Wars". A new studio formed by Ensemble employees will not only continue to support Microsoft Game Studios, but will also provide post launch support for Halo Wars. [cite news|author=Kesten, Lou|date=2008-09-15|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/15/entertainment/e144955D60.DTL|title=Game news: Microsoft to close 'Halo Wars' studio|work=San Francisco Chronicle|accessdate=2008-09-16]

Audio

"Halo Wars"'s music was composed by Stephen Rippy, the composer of all of the "Age of Empires" games. Rippy was concerned with keeping the music's feel in the "Halo" universe while still branching out and writing new material; due to the iconic nature of the music, elements of the "Halo" trilogy's music, written by Martin O'Donnell, appear in the game. [http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=259]

Plot

The trailer [http://stars.ign.com/dor/objects/961983/master-chief/videos/HaloWars_FieldTripToHarvest_100608.html] cites the story as taking place 20 years before the events of . Several characters have been named so far: Captain Cutter, Professor Anders, Sergeant Forge, and an AI named Serina (who appears to be a less advanced version of Cortana). What appears to be an Arbiter is also pictured. The trailer also states the events are taking place on the planet Harvest.

Critical reception

As part of the "Halo" series, "Halo Wars" is highly anticipated by the gaming community. The IGN Xbox Team has ranked "Halo Wars" as their 7th most anticipated game of E3 2008 and "Next Generation Magazine" ranked it 5th. [cite web|url=http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/886/886189p1.html|title=IGN Xbox's Most Anticipated Games of E3 2008|publisher=IGN|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-07-13] [cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz|publisher="Next Generation Magazine"|title=Next-Gen’s 30 Most Anticipated Games of E3|date=2008-07-05|accessdate=2008-07-13|first=Joe|last=Keiser] "PC World" rated as one of the most anticipated titles of E3, though they stated they are concerned it isn't being made by Bungie. [cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1695197103;img;7091;ssid;1|author=GamePro staff|title=Most anticipated games of E3 2008|publisher="PC World"|date=2008-07-08|accessdate=2008-07-26]

The trailer shown at X06 was listed as twenty-fifth of "GameSpy's Top 25 Video Game Cinematic Moments" for " [displaying] the world of "Halo" on a much grander scale." [cite web|url=http://au.gamespy.com/articles/771/771937p1.html|title=GameSpy's Top 25 Video Game Cinematic Moments|publisher=GameSpy|date=2007-04-16|accessdate=2008-01-14]

References

External links

* [http://www.halowars.com/ "Halo Wars" Official homepage]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halowars/ "Halo Wars" Xbox.com Page]