War Games

War Games is an advanced UNSC combat training simulation most prominently used to train Spartans, although similar facilities exist for inter-service training as well.

Overview


War Games training facilities use a combination of holographic projectors, millions of pneumatic risers, props, and simulated sensory information fed through a neural interface to generate realistic environments in which combat simulations are initiated. Most of these environments are recreated from either detailed scans, partial records or remote survey data of actual locations around the galaxy, although artistic flourishes may be applied at the simulation designers' discretion. Examples of such conceits include the anachronistic use of given starship, vehicle or emblem designs sometimes encountered in War Games simulations. Many locations house War Games combat decks, including several warships including, the corporate-sponsored Munera Platforms and other combat training orbitals, and Anvil Station. In addition, several terrestrial military bases also house War Games simulators. The size and scope of each individual War Games facility varies based on the needs and resources of their associated installation. However, problems arose as many departments were stretched thin due to the UNSC's struggle to maintain a cohesive presence across colonized space. Because of this, the military began the Cartographer Initiative to recruit much needed War Games map designers to help keep the Spartan branch operating efficiently.

SPARTAN-IV fireteams routinely train in the War Games simulator to hone their strength and skills. Upon reaching a Spartan rank of level 50, they are given the option to enlist in a specialization in their field of choice, should they wish, they may also apply for multiple specialist rankings. Baseline soldiers who perform exceptionally in inter-service War Games events are sometimes picked as potential candidates for the SPARTAN-IV program. The ANVIL initiative indicates a number of very select joint training engagements between SPARTAN-IVs and Sangheili of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam's Swords of Sanghelios aboard Anvil Station. War Games simulations are not exclusively competitive; in some scenarios the participants train against AI-controlled Covenant and/or Promethean enemies, and sometimes against AI and Spartans, with some simulations even featuring AI Marines.

A dedicated AI manages the War Games simulator and acts as the games' announcer. Sarah Palmer, the commander of the ship's Spartan contingent, has a low opinion of the AI.

War Games simulations add balancing to several of its weapons and AI. A notable example is the M6/E Selene's Lance, where balancing adds extra recoil to the weapon.

As a multiplayer mode
"This unparalleled, revolutionary battle simulation is where Spartans go to hone their skills in competitive combat."

- Halo Waypoint

War Games was introduced in Halo 4 as the in-universe framing device for the game's multiplayer and is featured in a similar fashion in the subsequent Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Online. 343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling has suggested that virtually all competitive multiplayer modes throughout Halo's history could regarded as War Games exercises. However, he notes that fans should not "start splitting hairs about regarding specific time frames and extrapolating implications" from his statement. Nevertheless, 343 Industries has assigned canonical War Games-based designations to several Halo 2 and Halo 3 multiplayer maps, indicating that they are meant to be seen as part of a War Games simulation.

Halo 2

 * War Games Map_Set/: 036-8 "Lockout"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 098-8 "Backwash"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 118-3 "Ascension"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 201-7 "Colossus"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 209-4 "Relic"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 250-5 "Beaver Creek"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 320-5 "Desolation"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 320-91 "Uplift"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 405-2 "Warlock"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 409-3 "Turf"


 * War Games Map_Set/: 411-1 "District"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 525-5 "Foundation"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 622-3 "Headlong"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 639-1 "Containment"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 680-4 "Zanzibar"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 701-5 "Coagulation"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 840-5 "Gemini"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 950-9 "Ivory Tower"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 951-7 "Sanctuary"

Halo 2: Anniversary

 * War Games Map_Set/: 209-11 "Remnant"

Halo 3

 * War Games Map_Set/: 037-2 "Blackout"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 040-44 "Foundry"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 420-6 "Orbital"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 429-2 "Cold Storage"


 * War Games Map_Set/: 550-7 "Standoff"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 590-1 "The Pit"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 600-3 "Rat's Nest"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 673-15 "Ghost Town"

Halo 4

 * War Games Map_Set/: 232-8 "Meltdown"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 259-3 "Vortex"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 309-8 "Harvest"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 389-4 "Haven"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 449-2 "Impact"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 490-2 "Skyline"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 505-2 "Abandon"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 593-6 "Shatter"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 615-3 "Complex"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 673-4 "Monolith"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 726-6 "Adrift"


 * War Games Map_Set/: 755-3 "Perdition"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 733-4 "Ragnarok"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 773-9 "Erosion"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 784-4 "Exile"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 822-2 "Outcast"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 891-3 "Landfall"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 893-3 "Wreckage"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 902-5 "Daybreak"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 951-3 "Longbow"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 982-3 "Ravine"
 * War Games Map_Set/: 992-0 "Solace"

Halo 5: Guardians

 * War Games Map_Set/: 122-5 "March on Stormbreak"
 * War Games Map_Set/: "The Rig"

Gametypes
The following is a list of gametypes which are known to be included in War Games.


 * Big Team Infinity Slayer
 * Big Team Slayer
 * Breakout
 * Infinity Slayer
 * Capture the Flag
 * Dominion
 * Extraction
 * Flood
 * Grifball
 * King of the Hill


 * Invasion
 * Oddball
 * Regicide
 * Ricochet
 * Strongholds
 * Team Slayer
 * Team Slayer Pro
 * Team Snipers
 * Team SWAT
 * Warzone

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo 3
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Infinity Briefing Packet
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Halo: Hunters in the Dark
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Online