Halo Wars is a real-time strategy video game that takes place in the Halo universe. The game is being designed by Ensemble Studios and set for release exclusively on the Xbox 360. Announced during Microsoft's X06 media briefing on September 27, 2006.
The Halo Wars official FAQ states that the game will take place prior to the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, presumably in the 27 years' war that followed the United Nations Space Command's first contact with the Covenant. It will allow the player to control the crew and vehicles of a UNSC ship, CFV-88 Spirit of Fire, in the first battles against the Covenant. Bungie Studios has reported that the game is already in playable form, stating that "it's going to be awesome."
X06 Trailer
The trailer shown at the X06 began with an Ensemble Studios logo, followed by five M12 LRV Warthogs and two modified (turret-less) Warthogs leaping over a rise in a snowy night landscape. Two Marines from the outfit Blue 6, dressed in Arctic uniforms that haven't been seen in any other Halo productions before are radioing in to Spirit of Fire, confirming their joining with Blue 5 (an outfit of five Scorpion tanks) and their trajectory towards the last-known position of the recon force with whom communications were severed. The camera then pans to two members of the recon patrol that seem to have re-established contact, as they radio in to Blue 6 as they flee from an unidentified enemy towards a waiting Warthog. Both Marines, however, are promptly gunned down by plasma fire, with one man surviving long enough to turn on his back and witness an Elite de-cloaking and raising an Energy Sword. Screams are heard over the radio, and it is revealed that the last remaining patrol member has been killed. The Elite picks up the corpse and inspects it, after which he tosses it aside. Additional Elites de-cloak behind him as eleven Banshee jets rise into the air and charge forward.
All-out battle breaks out as several previously unseen dropships land; Longswords, Shortswords, Scorpions, and Warthogs are deployed along the line. A wing of Banshees is shown wreaking havoc upon the UNSC air force, but several Marines taking cover behind an overturned Warthog are able to gun down the first of several charging Elites with what appear to be Battle Rifles.
The camera then cuts to an over-the-shoulder view from behind a Spartan, which reveals that the battle has already progressed to a point where several columns of smoke are rising from the destruction. The lead Spartan then identifies himself, along with his Spartan squadmates as Spartan Group Omega, wearing the MJOLNIR Mark IV. The Spartans all seem to be carrying Battle Rifles. They give a bravado-charged "If they want war, we'll give 'em war", before the screen cuts to a Halo Wars logo and the trailer ends.
Known elements
The following are known elements within the game that have been shown in concept art and pre-rendered trailers for Halo Wars. They are not necessarily confirmed as elements in the final game.
UNSC
* Ships
o UNSC CFV-88 Spirit of Fire
* Infantry
o UNSC Marine Corps
+ Unknown UNSC Marine Unit
o SPARTAN-IIs
+ SPARTAN Group Omega (suspected forces stationed on the Spirit of Fire)
* Vehicles
o M808 Scorpion Main Battle Tank (or an early variant)
o M12 LRV Warthog
o Unidentified Warthog variant, missing rear LAAG
o D77-TC Pelican Dropship
o UNSC Shortsword bomber [6] (a ground based, atmospheric ship used for surface bombing runs)
* Weapons
o BR55 Battle Rifle (possibly an older version, due to its enlarged carrying handle)
o S2-AM Sniper Rifle (possibly a different version to that seen in other Halo games)
o M90 Shotgun (possibly a different version)
o M247 GPMG General-Purpose Machine Gun (as seen with a Marine gunner)[7]
* Buildings
o Unidentified Capsule (possibly barracks)
Covenant
* Infantry
o Covenant Elite
o Covenant Hunter
o Covenant Grunt
* Vehicles
o Banshee
o Ghost
o Scarab
* Weapons
o Energy Sword (may be able to be dual-wielded as shown in concept art [8][9])
o Plasma Rifle
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