Halo: Saint's Testimony

Halo: Saint's Testimony is an upcoming digital short story from Simon & Schuster written by 343 Industries Franchise Development Director Frank O'Connor. It is slated for release on July 27, 2015. The novel explores the nature of artificial intelligence and features the "less-exposed" smart AI Iona who was previously seen in Halo: Blood Line.

Development
Halo: Saint's Testimony was first announced on March 15, 2015 by 343 Industries employee Jeff Easterling in Issue 15 of Canon Fodder. Frank O'Connor, the Franchise Development Director at 343i, is the author of the novel and stated that he was almost finished writing Saint's Testimony at the time of its announcement; O'Connor had previously written Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian for Halo: Evolutions. O'Connor chose to write about artificial intelligence since the subject—particularly the nature of AI and its consciousness—has interested him since Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001. O'Connor has stated that the novel will not be an action epic, but it will be relatively short.

Similarly to Halo: New Blood, which was released earlier that year, Halo: Saint's Testimony will be a short, digital novel. O'Connor stated that the length of the novel gives readers with "shorter attention spans" or "busy lives" the chance to pick up a shorter story. In addition, O'Connor has stated that the length of the novel allows 343 Industries to "pivot quickly on ideas and opportunities, and flesh out things we can’t easily explore in an explosion-filled game." The short story's cover art was illustrated by artist Chase Toole.