Halo Wars

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Halo Wars is a Real-Time Strategy game in the Halo Universe. It begins in the year 2531, during the Covenant eradication of the Outer Colonies in the Human-Covenant War. The game is being developed by Ensemble Studios/Robot Entertainment, and is planned as an Xbox 360 exclusive, like Halo 3. Unlike the rest of the series, Halo Wars is rated "T" for Teen.

Summary


In the real time strategy game Halo Wars, players can command armies of both familiar and new UNSC units during its first encounters against the Covenant, a coalition of alien races that threatens to eradicate all of mankind. Halo Wars will immerse gamers in an early period of the Halo Universe, allowing them to experience events 21 years prior to Halo: Combat Evolved.

With the guidance of the AI Serina, the player leads UNSC soldiers and vehicles against classic Covenant foes, such as Grunts, Elites, Ghosts, and Banshees. Each group has its own strengths and abilities in battle. Strategic-minded players who react well under pressure will emerge victorious over their foes.

Halo Wars can be played in both single-player and online cooperative campaign modes. Additionally, up to six players can play three-versus-three matches head-to-head over Xbox Live. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, Halo Wars is a title exclusive to the Xbox 360. Despite speculation of a version for the PC, Ensemble and Microsoft have repeatedly said that no such plans have been made or even considered for it. The Covenant is playable only in multi-player and skirmish modes.

Ensemble Studios began recording the music for the game in March 2008, with Ensemble's Music and Sound Director Stephen Rippy flying to Prague for the orchestral and choral parts and to Seattle for the piano and mixing. At this point in time, they are working on in-game units and how they interact with each other. Alpha testing has also begun, with testers having been reported as playing the game over Xbox Live.

The game was featured at the 2008 E3 event, held in July. It was shown on G4's E3 08 LIVE as a hands on demo. Some newer off-screen demos were released, showing how controls are made up and how battles proceed. Bungie and Ensemble Studios have confirmed that the Halo Wars: Limited Edition will include an extra disc with the Mythic Map Pack for Halo 3.

Plot
"At this point in time, the Covenant is at its most evil. They are hell-bent on the destruction of humanity, on scouring us from the universe."

- Graeme Devine, Lead Writer, formerly Lead Developer.

The game's story is told through in-game cut scenes and in-game moments, as with the other Halo games. The game is set in 2531, it focuses around the Marine forces of the UNSC Spirit of Fire as they engage Covenant ground forces after the discovery of an ancient artifact during a journey to the planet Harvest, at which point has been partially glassed, the first planet to be attacked by the Covenant.

The story will thus begin with the UNSC's early battles on Harvest, but will also feature another colony world, Arcadia, which holds "something of great interest to the Covenant". The planet is subsequently invaded by the Covenant, and the UNSC must evacuate the planet while engaging the invasion force. While no Halo Installations will be featured in the campaign, they are likely to be present in some multi player maps. The majority of the campaign (15 missions in total) will take place in the polar/mountainous, parts of the jungle, and ruin regions of the world, allowing Ensemble Studios to "do some great stuff with mountains, snow, ice, forests and some Forerunner structures". In addition to striking into new territory, past events not just from the games will be expanded upon.

It has been confirmed that the Master Chief will not be making an appearance in the game. There will be a group of SPARTANs that are called SPARTAN Group Omega. In contrast, the Spirit of Fire is set to be "full of new characters," such as the AI Serina, Sergeant John Forge, and the Spirit of Fire's commander, Cutter. At least some of these characters will go planet side to aid the player. It has also been confirmed that the single player campaign is purely from the UNSC's perspective, though it is possible to play as the Covenant in a skirmish game or online. Co-op campaign over Xbox Live has been announced.

Campaign Elements

 * Although you only start with one base, you can build up a squad and take over other bases.
 * Halo Wars incorporates the concept of "Socket Bases", in which only specific areas can be used to build specific buildings.
 * "Supply runs" are featured, allowing a regular rejuvenation of supply for the production of units as opposed to a resource gathering system.
 * Forerunner structures are in the game.
 * Ensemble has stated the camera angle and zoom can be adjusted so that the player can zoom in on one unit, while playing, and then see the whole battlefield.
 * Downloadable content has been planned for the game, ranging from new units and maps to potentially new campaign levels . This could perhaps expand to new game campaigns.
 * It may also feature a map editor, either shipping with the game, or as downloadable content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
 * the currency featured in the game will be Energy and Resources. Large vehicles such as the Covenant Scarab will be costly.
 * It is unknown whether or not the Covenant Drone race will be included for the Covenant. At this time in the Halo Universe, they still filled a minor technical role, rather than a more important combat role.
 * In Halo Wars, certain units and powers are only available for certain leaders. The player(s) must choose a leader in multiplayer and skirmish mode. Brutes and Brute Choppers are available for the Brute Army Commander, while the Prophet of Regret can use Honor Guard Elites, and the Arbiter can make use of Suicide Grunts.

Characters
Aside from CGI cut scenes and on-the-battlefield appearances, characters in Halo Wars often appear in "talking head" animations, where a small view screen appears in the upper left corner showing the face of the character speaking at the moment.

UNSC

 * Captain James Cutter
 * Serina
 * Professor Anders
 * Sergeant John Forge
 * SPARTAN Alice
 * SPARTAN Douglas-042
 * SPARTAN Jerome-092
 * SPARTAN Keiichi-047
 * Adam

Covenant

 * An Arbiter
 * A Jiralhanae Chieftain
 * Prophet of Regret

United Nations Space  Command

 * Infantry
 * SPARTAN Group Omega: SPARTAN-IIs are individual units who are superior to Marines. They begin with dual-wielded SMGs and can hijack enemy vehicles, so the player can control them. They can also be outfitted with chain guns and Spartan Lasers as well as AIs which can increase their speed, much like Cortana does for John-117 in Halo: The Fall of Reach, and help them hijack vehicles faster. When a SPARTAN hijacks an enemy vehicle, their rank is added to the vehicle's rank and the captured vehicle's stats are increased. Only three SPARTANs can be deployed at a time. Their health regenerates over time. They are outfitted with the MJOLNIR Mk. IV; however, they still have the Mk. V abilities to possess shields and use Spartan Neural Interfaces, though these may be gameplay perks.
 * Hellbringer: Called the Hellbringers, these Marines are specialists equipped with heavier armour and flame-throwers which can be used to torch entire infantry units. They can be upgraded with Flash Bang Grenades, which stun enemies when hit, napalm ammunition which allows their attacks to burn slightly afterwards, and oxide tanks, which also increase damage.
 * UNSC Marines: Marines are the basic infantry of the UNSC who are armed with MA5 Series rifles and have the special ability to throw grenades. The squads can be upgraded to their replace grenades with Rocket Launchers (called RPGs in-game), making them more effective against vehicles . They usually operate in teams of four but may add another member to their squads via the "New Blood" upgrade., and a medic via the medic upgrade.
 * Medic: This is a unit capable of healing injured infantry when they are not in combat. These are gained when the respective upgrade is purchased from the barracks. They are equipped with the MA5B Assault Rifle. When the upgrade is purchased, each marine squadron receives one medic as opposed to them being a separate unit.
 * Orbital Drop Shock Troopers: An available upgrade for infantry. It can be upgraded at the Barracks. The upgrades effects allow the player to substitute standard Marine squads with ODST teams (armed with M90 Shotguns), as well as the HEV drop. The HEV drops can also be used as a weapon against enemy forces when placed on top of one. ODST squads still use the Rocket Launcher ability. They are only available for Captain Cutter.
 * Weapons
 * M6D Personal Defense Weapon System (Magnum)
 * M19 SSM Rocket Launcher
 * M90 Close Assault Weapon System (Shotgun)
 * MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System (Assault Rifle)
 * SRS99C-S2 AM Sniper Rifle
 * NA4 Flamethrower
 * AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun
 * Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle (Spartan Laser)
 * M7/Caseless Submachine Gun (SMG)
 * Fragmentation Grenade- Secondary Marine weapon, upgraded to rocket launchers
 * Vehicles
 * M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (Warthog) : Can be upgraded to carry an M41 LAAG and later an M66 Gauss Cannon at a reduction of speed. Can jump gaps, and has ramming ability as its special attack. May be upgraded so its passenger has a grenade launcher or a Gauss Gun.
 * "Flaming" M12 Warthog Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (Warthog) : Only available if game is pre-ordered.
 * M808 Scorpion MBT: The M808 Scorpion is the basic Human tank that can be upgraded to the 'Grizzly' variant
 * Variant 1: The Scorpion mounts a much larger cannon.
 * Variant 2: Same as above but the coaxial gun has been upgraded and the turret has an improved turning speed.
 * Grizzly variant : An upgrade of the Scorpion, it packs two cannons and a flame-thrower. This upgrade is only available when the player chooses Sergeant Forge as his or her Leader Character in on-line play.
 * Behemoth-class Troop Transport (Elephant): The Elephant, as it is more commonly known, can carry squads into combat and can fulfill the role of a barracks in the field, along with having the ability to be upgraded with a cannon and twin engines to upgrade speed. It is Captain Cutter's unique unit.
 * Gremlin: A combat support vehicle, the Gremlin is Professor Anders's unique unit. It attacks with an EMP cannon that disables vehicles or non-infantry units temporarily. It can be upgraded to fire farther and to make the EMP blast link to other vehicles.
 * Rhino: The Rhino is a heavy tracked unit that has a greater defence but lower attack than the Scorpion. It has been confirmed that the Rhino is a separate vehicle from the Scorpion.
 * Wolverine: The Wolverine is a specialized anti-aircraft vehicle that uses guided missiles to shoot down enemy aircraft, such as Banshees or Vampires. While powerful in this aspect, it is especially weak against infantry and anti-armour vehicles, and must be heavily protected.
 * Cobra : The Cobra is a heavy anti-building vehicle armed with a pair of rail cannons which can easily tear apart enemy armor. It can be outfitted with stronger armor and its rail cannons can be upgraded to penetrate multiple enemies. It can also be deployed to fire a bombard rail cannon, at the cost of mobility.
 * Cyclops Exoskeleton : The Cyclops is a re-appropriated support exoskeleton, usually used for construction and ammunition-carrying purposes, that can crush enemies in close combat. It is the UNSC equivalent to the Hunter, but was not initially intended for combat duties so it remains unarmed. It is available if the player chooses Sergeant Forge before the match. Can also repair damaged vehicles if the player upgrades it once. A second upgrade of the unit improves speed and mobility. Can be produced at the Command Center.
 * Aerial
 * D77-TC Pelican Dropship: Pelicans can carry units into combat and provide fire support. In the demo they don't have weapons. They can still carry troops and UNSC vehicles except the Elephant.
 * Shortsword-class Bomber: Shortsword bombers operate low-altitude bombing runs that can destroy or freeze enemy units. These runs are more like a spray of bombs than a specific target area. These "sprays" are directed by selecting a point on the map with the controller and a direction for the "spray" to go in.
 * Hornet : The Hornet is a light gunship that can carry two passengers to provide support and fire on enemy ground and air targets. The Hornet can also carry "rocket-toting" passengers . If upgraded once ("Wingman" upgrade) two Marines ride on the Hornet for increased damage. A second upgrade ("chaff pods") allows for better avoidance of missile attacks.
 * Vulture: The Vulture is a large gunship that can deliver heavy amounts of fire against all ground targets. It can be upgraded once to double the number of rockets in its special attack "barrage".
 * Hawk: The Hawk is the super upgraded version of the Hornet. It is a tank busting aerodyne armed with twin auto cannons and a nose-mounted laser weapon. It can be obtained only with Anders in charge.
 * Albatross: The Albatross is used to ferry supplies from the Spirit of Fire to ground-side facilities.
 * Pod: This dropship, larger than both the Pelican and Albatross, delivers extremely large, such as portions of firebases, to ground positions.
 * Buildings
 * Firebase/Station/Fortress: Provides the basic base of the UNSC with optional "add on" buildings that can increase its usefulness. May be upgraded to a station/Fortress (Captain Cutter can drop in already upgraded stations and starts with a Fortress).
 * UNSC Reactor: The Reactor provides power for a UNSC base to run on. Can be upgraded once to double energy output.
 * UNSC Air Pad: This provides UNSC air units along with upgrades for them.
 * Vehicle Depot: A Vehicle depot provides heavier vehicles for the UNSC to use.
 * Field Armory: A Combination of machine shop and laboratory that provides high-tech upgrades for the UNSC.
 * UNSC Barracks: The barracks can provide a number of infantry types for combat.
 * UNSC Supply Pad: Supply is used to get supplies from the Spirit of Fire via Albatross dropships.
 * Base Turret: Initially armed with an M202 XP Machine Gun which may be replaced by an M41 LAAG. The turret may be outfitted with a rail cannon for use against vehicles, a flame mortar for use against infantry, or a missile launcher for use against aircraft. Only available on "Fortress" Command bases.
 * Ship Support
 * Spirit Of Fire: The Spirit of Fire provides both direct and indirect support by sending down troops and buildings, deploying bombers, or directly firing one of its MAC guns on the surface.
 * Transport: Call a Pelican down to transport selected units to a selected area of the map.
 * MAC Blast: Varying numbers of slugs can be used to cause varying levels of destruction, with each being individually aimed.
 * ODST Drop: Several ODST Pods, individually aimed by the user, are called down at 100 resources each. The Pods will spawn a whole ODST squad. In skirmish mode, only available if Captain Cutter is the selected hero unit.
 * Disruption Bomb: A bomb that deactivates any leader powers and prevents others being activated in a short radius during the effect.
 * Heal and Repair: Heals all units and structures in a selected area.
 * Cryo Bomb: Freezes any units within blast radius. Also causes air units to crash to the ground and shatter. Unique to Professor Anders.
 * Carpet Bomb Calls in a bomber to wipe out a large area. Effective against mass infantry or ground vehicles. Unique to Sergeant Forge.

Covenant

 * Infantry
 * Unggoy (Grunts): Fight in lances consisting of a Sangheili Minor or Major (or, depending on the player's selected leader, a Brute Minor or Major) and several Grunts. They have the secondary ability to throw Plasma Grenades. Can be upgraded with Needlers, additional members, and a Deacon to boost combat capabilities.
 * Suicide Unggoy: Will berserk and blow themselves up. Leader-specific unit of the Arbiter.
 * Sangheili (Elites): In addition to leading Unggoy lances, several specialties of Elites may be fielded. It is unknown if Elite groups may be purchased in the Covenant faction, but it might be possible as it is shown in a video of the Halo Wars demo.
 * Honor Guard Elite: Serve as powerful anti-infantry units. They can be upgraded with energy shields and active camouflage. They are the leader-specific unit of the Prophet of Regret. An Honor Guard Wraith unit is available in the collectors edition of the game.
 * Arbiter: An antagonist in the campaign and a leader unit in multiplayer. He might be Sergeant Forge's counterpart. His secondary ability is a rage power that drains resources but makes the Arbiter go on a "killing spree".
 * Elites are also the drivers of the Ghost units.
 * Mgalekgolo (Hunters): Hunters are heavily armored and armed with fuel rod-launching Assault Cannons, like they are in Halo: Combat Evolved. They are the Covenant's primary anti-vehicle infantry. It is unknown if they will be able to melee enemy units in close combat, but it is confirmed they have a charge ability that can knock enemy infantry into the air. When upgraded, they can fire a more powerful beam from their cannons.
 * Kig-Yar (Jackals): Jackals fight in pairs in Halo Wars and provide decent defense against Marines armed with conventional weapons but little defense against grenades, explosives or vehicles. They are originally armed with Carbines and can be positioned in Covenant Watchtowers to provide a higher range of view. They are initially trained without shields but can be upgraded to incorporate Personal Energy Shields and use Beam Rifles with the shields in the later stages of the Covenant tech tree.
 * Jiralhanae (Brutes): In battle the Brutes wield Brute Shots, which are devastating against infantry and effective against light vehicles. Due to their limited battlefield use prior to the events of Halo 2, they are apparently leader-specific units belonging to the unknown Chieftain. They can be upgraded to have Jump packs and more powerful brute shots.
 * Jiralhanae Chieftain. The only usable Brute Chieftain is the same Chieftain that can be selected as a leader, making him a 'hero' unit for the faction like the Arbiter.
 * San 'Shyuum (Prophets): Prophets fight from their Gravity Thrones and can attack enemy infantry with their destructive plasma weapons. The only usable in-game Prophet is the Prophet of Regret, who can only be used if he is chosen as a 'leader' before the start of the game . The Prophet's Plasma Cannons can be upgraded to Fuel Rod Cannons for increased damage. His second upgrade adds a pair of Sentinels to protect him and his final upgrade gives him full flight capabilities.
 * Protectors - a pair of Sentinel-like Protectors guard the Prophet of Regret after the player researches Ancestral Perversion.
 * Huragok (Engineers): Sent into combat zones to repair damaged vehicles and structures, as well as squads of infantry . The upgrade, State of Grace, will increase its repair rate while the upgrade, Harmonous Indegestion, will increase its speed. May repair other Engineers, but not themselves.
 * Weapons
 * Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword (Energy Sword)
 * Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer (Gravity Hammer), only ever held by the Brute Chieftain.
 * Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol (Plasma Pistol)
 * Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle (Plasma Rifle)
 * Type-25 Grenade Launcher (Brute Shot)
 * Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher (Needler), recieved by upgrading Grunts.
 * Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (Fuel Rod Gun)
 * Type-50 Sniper Rifle System (Beam Rifle), recieved by upgrading Jackals.
 * Type-51 Carbine (Covenant Carbine)
 * Vehicles
 * Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform (Scarab): The Scarab is a super-unit that can destroy infantry, ground vehicles, and aircraft with ease. The Scarab is extremely resilient to weapons fire, but not MAC strikes. Both the Halo 2 and Halo 3 versions have been seen, though the Halo 2 era Scarab has not appeared in more recent Halo Wars videos and demos. Spartans are unable to hijack Scarabs.
 * Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle (Ghost): The Ghost is a light attack vehicle that excels against infantry but not other vehicles. Can be upgraded to have a ramming boost ability, similar to the Warthog's Ram ability. Can also be upgraded to strafe as to avoid incoming grenades and rockets and to have a light energy shield.
 * Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle (Chopper): Is able to be used by the Brute faction.
 * Type-25 Wraith: The Wraith is the main battle tank of the Covenant and is armed with a plasma mortar and a plasma turret and can decimate enemy vehicles and infantry and can be upgraded with a shield. Comes with a "plasma burn" special ability.
 * Type-52 Wraith: May not appear in the final game.
 * Honor Guard Wraith: Exclusive to the special edition.
 * Locust: A smaller counterpart to the Covenant Scarab which is described as a "building-killer".
 * Aircraft
 * Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft (Banshee): The Banshee can attack infantry, tanks and other air vehicles due to its twin Plasma Cannons and single Fuel Rod Cannon. Also, with another upgrade, Banshees can attempt to crash into enemy units when it is shot down, causing extra damage.
 * DX-class Dropship Spirit: The Spirit is the rival to the UNSC Pelican, capable of carrying vehicles and infantry in addition to giving them fire support.
 * Vampire: A Covenant flying vehicle; a potent craft fitted to fight against hostile air vehicles.
 * Covenant Carrier : Used by the Covenant to support ground operations, glass the surface of a planet, and deliver supplies planet-side with a gravity lift. Parallels the UNSC Spirit of Fire in in-game function.
 * Buildings
 * Outpost/Keep/Citadel: Provides the basic base of the Covenant with optional 'add on' buildings that can increase its usefulness. Outpost can be upgraded to Keep and then again to a Citadel.
 * Shield Generator: Provides shield protection for the whole Citadel. It is possible to have multiple shield generators, thus improving the Citadel's shielding.
 * Warehouse: The warehouse is how the Covenant receive supplies. Gravity lifts bring supplies down and workers move them to their proper area. The warehouse can be upgraded to receive supplies more often.
 * Heavy Plasma Turret: The main defenses of a Covenant base, the Turret first starts with Plasma Turrets, but can be upgraded with a Plasma Mortar, Fuel Rod Cannon, or a Heavy Needler.
 * Temple: A Covenant research building, the upgrades are very expensive but are very effective and powerful.[[Image:Glassinglaz0r.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Glassing in Halo Wars. ]]
 * Summit: The roost of the Covenant air force, the Summit builds Banshees, Vampires and Engineers.
 * Hall: The home of Covenant soldiers, Grunt lances, Jackals and Hunters are trained here. The building also researches minor upgrades for Covenant infantry.
 * Factory: The manufacturing plant of the Covenant, the Factory builds Ghost scouts, Wraith tanks and Locust walkers.
 * Anti-Vehicle Barrier: Same device used to block tunnels on the level Tsavo Highway in Halo 3, most likely used for defense.
 * Type-26 ASG (Shade): The Halo: Combat Evolved variant of the Shade will be featured as a defensive Structure.
 * Deployable Lookout Tower: Can be used to garrison infantry units from both players (in co-op), increasing their combat capabilities.
 * Gravity Lift: Each Covenant base has a Gravity Lift right outside. Gravity Lifts let the Covenant's players to do "Hot Dropping" which allows to send any units (except the Scarab) directly to their Leader's location.
 * Ship Support
 * Glassing: This appears to be used as a Covenant super weapon. The glassing ship can fire this from orbit to destroy ground positions and units. Can be upgraded for an even more devastating effect. This is named the "Cleansing Beam" in the most recent demo.

Neutral

 * Rebels: Can be found occupying secondary base sites, and the area around Forerunner supply elevators, etc.

Forerunner

 * Sentinels
 * An upgrade to the Prophet of Regret gives him two Protectors, guards that look like Sentinels.
 * Enforcer: Can disable enemy units.
 * Sentinel Shop: Produces Sentinels for the player who controls it.
 * Forerunner Supply Elevator: Produces supplies when infantry are garrisoned inside it. Equivalent to an additional Supply Pad or Warehouse.
 * Forerunner Spire of Healing: Heals any friendly units nearby for the player who controls it.
 * Forerunner Teleporter: Instantly sends units to another teleporter location.
 * Forerunner Bonus Reactor: Increases tech level of any player that controls it.
 * Forerunner Lifesupport Pod: Increases the max population for any player who controls it.
 * Forerunner Fort: Outpost guarded by automated systems, including beam turrets and a shield wall. Retracts in on itself after sustaining enough damage.
 * Mega Turret: Exactly what its name implies. Capable of dishing out considerable damage against enemy units, it is currently unknown if the Mega Turret is a Forerunner Structure, or if it is a designation for particularly powerful UNSC or Covenant Turrets.

The Flood
"There is quite a bit of concern regarding how we’re going to fit the Flood into our game and keep it in canon which surprised me, but I promised them all that the Halo 1 canon is intact and that they would have to wait and see how we integrate the Flood."

- Graeme Devine

The Flood have been announced to be a faction within the game, though the player is unable to use them. The Flood gain bases and units by taking over Human and Covenant bases and troops, and most likely growing Flood biomass around them to signify that they are under Flood control.

What has been shown in one of the more recent Halo Wars demos was that Flood Infection Forms, Combat Forms, Carrier Forms and what look remotely like Gravemind tentacles will be the Flood's main attack force. Its unknown if any Flood Juggernaut forms will be in the game, but in the February issue of GamePro it is confirmed that there will be new Flood forms in Halo Wars.

The reason why that they can not be controlled by the player is that they would have to be balanced out with the other 2 factions, roughly being the Zerg from StarCraft. In the multiplayer map Release, they will be a hostile force to both sides of the battle.


 * Ground Forms
 * Infection Forms have the ability to crawl over walls, increasing its potent abilities, and is able to reach ground no other forces can reach. It is likely that when a group reaches an enemy unit, it will bite them, and then infect them (if a Human or an Elite) turning them into Combat Forms and using their weapons.
 * Combat Forms: The standard fighting force of the Flood. So far only Human and Sangheili forms have been seen, though Brute forms may yet appear.
 * Carrier Forms: Most likely a suicidal unit, explodes and delivers its payload of Infection Forms directly into enemy lines.
 * Flood Growth Pods now function as a double-edged sword: shooting them will sometimes releases precious resources for weapon and vehicle upgrades. At other times, however, they will release a swarm of Infection Forms that can destroy infantry squads in seconds.
 * Air Forms
 * Flood Swarms are the first-ever-seen flying incarnation of the Flood, and were described by developers as "infected buzzards crossed with evil bats". These creatures travel in large airborne packs, and can emit barb-like projectiles to puncture enemies. Ensemble Studios have confirmed that Swarms are not the only airborne Flood units - a much larger and deadlier creature remains clouded in secrecy.
 * Unknown Form: It is confirmed that there is a new airborne Flood form even bigger than the others. If the rumors are true this could possibly be a boss creature, or a unit with functions similar to a Scarab. This could be the same unit as the other "unconfirmed" flying unit.
 * Buildings Forms
 * Flood Barracks are organic structures that ceaselessly churn out a variety of attackers. They can't be destroyed by "conventional" weaponry, but players can damage them enough to force them into a withered, dormant state. The effect is only temporary, and given enough time, the Barracks will recover and begin producing more Flood forms.

Ambient Life
Ambient life forms will be encountered in the gameplay. They may be found on the battlefield, and might react to the actions of the player's forces (such as firing a weapon, flying around or near them, etc.). Examples include the Space Owl, the Harvest Whale, the Arctic Beast, Ice Hound and some sort of eel-snake creature that has yet to be named.

The ambient life forms will be on the multiplayer maps and they will be interactive. However, in a recent interview, some Thorn Beasts were observed. The Thorn Beasts seen in the game, merely run away from units, not battles; if there is a bombing next to it, it will not flinch. This has probably been changed for a more realistic gaming experience.

Technology Advancement
The tech tree will be a different experience for both factions. When playing as the UNSC, the player advances by building reactors, upgrading buildings, and purchasing upgrades in a fairly standard, though streamlined, manner. For instance, infantry units can receive additional members, and Warthogs can be upgraded with gauss cannons. The Covenant moves through the tech-tree in Ages rather than small steps.

The Flood will most likely not have any tech tree because they are an unplayable faction. They might be encountered using captured UNSC and Covenant vehicles.

Leader Abilities
Certain characters belonging to both the Covenant and the UNSC have been confirmed to be "leader factions", which are sub-factions with unique units and bonuses. All of the Covenant leaders appear on the battlefield and have unique in-game abilities. The UNSC leaders on the other hand do not appear on the battlefield but instead have economic bonuses and "super units" (upgrades of normal units). Currently known leaders are Captain James Cutter, Sergeant John Forge, Professor Anders, an unknown Arbiter, an unknown Brute Chieftain and the Prophet of Regret. Each leader has a number of unique features, for the UNSC it's "super units", economic bonuses, unique units (Cutter's Elephant, Forge's Cyclops and Anders' Gremlin.) and leader powers (MAC, Carpet bomb and Cryo bomb) that can be called from the Spirit of Fire. The Covenant on the other hand have a unique unit (two for the brute leader) and a "hero unit" (their leader) with their leader power attached to the "hero unit". The Prophet of Regret's ability is to glass enemy forces (known as the "Cleansing Beam" in Halo Wars), which causes significant damage to both structures and units, however it also drains resources while active. His unique units are Sangheili Honor Guards. The Arbiter can go into a rage mode and wield two energy swords and can upgrade to infinitely cloak himself, but at the cost of draining resources for every second these modes are active. The Arbiter will also have the ability to train Suicidal Grunts. It is reasonable to conclude that all Covenant leader powers drain resources while active. The Brute Chieftain can use his Gravity Hammer to create a vortex which sucks in infantry, then the player can press the A button to create a massive explosion. Although Covenant leaders are limited to one at a time, they are the strongest units in the entire game (maybe apart from Scarabs). They can also empower surrounding units.

Achievements
There have been confirmed to be 50 achievements available in Halo Wars, adding up to a total of 1000 Gamerscore.

Halo Wars Multiplayer
Just like Halo 2 & Halo 3, Halo Wars will have a strong characteristic of online gaming. Halo Wars' live gaming characteristics include Direct voice communication & Online leader boards. Unlike any of the other Halo games, now your vehicles' and troops' armor will change to the teams color so you can get red Hunters, purple Grunts, ect. There's no specific information regarding player ranking but players will be able to achieve the ranks of Recruit, Lieutenant, and General. As of now, multiplayer is said to be up to 6 players at a time in a match. Two player online Co-op for the campaign story will also be in the game.

Maps
Each multiplayer map apparently takes place on a different "world", each with its own musical theme and playlist. The Halo Rings won't be in the story, but may be included in future maps for multiplayer.


 * Beasley Plateau - A multiplayer map set on a dense jungle plateau.
 * Chasm - A multiplayer map set on a frozen region of Harvest.
 * Blood Gulch - A multiplayer map based off designs from Blood Gulch, the Halo: Combat Evolved map.
 * Release - A multiplayer map set on a Flood-dominated environment.
 * Fort Deen - A multiplayer map set on a UNSC military base.
 * Tundra
 * Pirth Outskirts
 * Crevice
 * The Docks
 * Labyrinth - A multiplayer map set on a open-bridge-like map in a forest environment.
 * Respository
 * Terminal Moraine'''
 * Frozen Valley
 * Exile'''

Skirmish Mode
Halo Wars features a "Skirmish Mode", where the player can battle on multiplayer maps against an AI opponent in 1V1, 2V2 and 3V3 modes. There will be 14 skirmish and multiplayer maps at launch.

Editors of OXMs January 2009 Halo Wars article played on a multiplayer map called "Blood Gulch'". It was stated that it is not the same map as that in Halo: Combat Evolved, but some elements have clearly been used in the design for the map.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Halo Wars is scheduled to be released Feb. 17, 2009.

It will come on two discs, be over 50 minutes long and features performances by FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague.

The official track list is as follows:


 * 1) Spirit of Fire
 * 2) Bad Here Day
 * 3) Perspective
 * 4) Money Or Meteors
 * 5) Flollo
 * 6) Just Ad Nauseam
 * 7) Unusually Quiet
 * 8) Flip And Sizzle
 * 9) Put The Lady Down
 * 10) Six-Armed Robbing Suit
 * 11) Action Figure Hands
 * 12) Status Quo Show
 * 13) Part Of The Plan
 * 14) Work Burns And Runaway Grunts
 * 15) Freaked Out
 * 16) Rescued Or Not
 * 17) Best Guess At Best
 * 18) One Problem At A Time
 * 19) De Facto The Matter
 * 20) Part Of The Problem
 * 21) Fingerprints Are Broken
 * 22) Out Of There Alive
 * 23) Through Your Hoops
 * 24) Under Your Hurdles
 * 25) Insignificantia (All Sloppy/No Joe)

Alpha Test
An Alpha test was done for Halo Wars, concluding during May, 2008. The test was open only to several thousand Microsoft employees, including Bungie Studios, in order to locate any bugs or glitches, and to test its performance over Xbox Live. It consisted of a brief "tutorial" and multiplayer, and was "limited to a specific set of units." It is unknown how long the Alpha test was conducted, or when it began. The Alpha testing is now complete, as stated in the May Monthly update.

During the Alpha test, anti-air units were glitching so that their effectiveness was lessened, and Scorpion tanks and aircraft were extremely powerful. Aircraft strength was lessened to prevent players from sending in air-strikes against the enemy Command Center and crippling them too easily, ruining many a protocol player's chances of victory. This actually isn't an element of the game, but in fact a "balance issue".

E3 2008 Trailer
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Five Long Years is a Halo Wars cinematic preview released on the July 14th of 2008 depicting the five year long struggle to reclaim Harvest from the Covenant. The trailer can be downloaded from the Halo Wars official website or here.

Field Trip To Harvest
right|300px Field Trip To Harvest is a cinematic preview that was released to the public on October 3rd, 2008 showing the UNSC's retaking of the planet Harvest and the Covenant's finding of a Forerunner structure. Also, in the conversation between a Zealot and the Arbiter, there is mention of "the Infection". This could be an introduction to the Flood in Halo Wars, or just a name for the Humans on Harvest.

Unknown Trailer Video
On Febuary 8th, 2009, the Taiwanese Xbox Live website released a four minute-long trailer which contained spoilers detailing the later story of Halo Wars. It was soon taken down, and other sites which put it up, including halo.bungie.org, removed it at the request of Microsoft Game Studios. However, several sites still have the video. The music from the trailer has been confirmed to be "Optimus vs. Megatron," a song from the Transformers movie. It can be watched here: "Halo Wars" Spoiler Trailer

Halo Wars ViDoc #1 - Halo Times Ten
right|300px On January 23rd, 2009 the first ViDoc of Halo Wars has been released on Xbox LIVE marketplace, it tells how a different perspective can change the gameplay and the announcement of the demo planned on February the 5th. Note that the Spirit of Fire is at the Planet Arcadia in the Procyon system, proving that Harvest is not the only world visited in the game.

Halo Wars ViDoc #2 - Expanding The Arsenal
right|300px On February the 3rd, 2009 the second ViDoc was released, it tells about Spartans and hero unit abilities. Some new cinematic scenes appear in the ViDoc. Again, this vidoc announces the demo on February the 5th.

Halo Wars ViDoc #3 - Strategy on Xbox
right|300px On February 12th, 2009 the third ViDoc was released, it tells about the controls featured and what expectation there are of the game. As well as the previous ViDoc, this one features cinematic scenes. Note that at a certain point in the video, there are exactly three Brute Chieftains, one Arbiter and six Elite Honor Guards fighting against a UNSC army. This would mean that all three Covenant leaders would have had to of been selected to get all these things at once. And it is strange that there are so many Brute Chieftains when it has been thought that you could only select one in a battle, this could mean that there is the main Chieftain, and the more lesser unnamed Brute commanders, or that the image seen is from a multiplayer match where multiple players are playing as the brute led covenant faction.

Halo Wars ViDoc #4 - Jaws of Victory
right|300px On February 19th, 2009 the fourth ViDoc was released, it tells people about tactics, multiplayer and developers tactics. Unlike the others, this ViDoc shows already known cinematic scenes, however an intro to a mission is shown in which human civilians can be seen.

Demo
On February 5th, a demo for Halo Wars was released on Xbox Live for the first time for Gold Xbox Live Subscribers. The demo was made available to non-Gold subscribers on February 12th.

It has been confirmed that the player can play the first two levels of the campaign, as well as play skirmish mode on the map Chasm where the player can play against an AI opponent. The demo's skirmish mode can be played as the Covenant or the UNSC. The Covenant leader character in the demo is the Prophet of Regret, and the UNSC leader character is Captain Cutter. The demo's campaign mode lets the player try to retake Alpha Base with Sergeant Forge as their first unit, picking up stranded Marines and Warthogs along the way, which will eventually help the player retake Alpha Base from the Covenant. The second mission deals with the UNSC trying to gain access to the relic before the Covenant destroy it in an attempt to keep it out of their hands. The demo also has optional beginner and advanced tutorials.

Downloadable Content
Although not much is known about the content, it has been confirmed that Ensemble Studios had already finished DLC for Halo Wars long before the actual game was finished.

Cut Content
Three units, the UNSC Cougar, Covenant Air Artillery, and Covenant Gorgon were under development early in the game. The developers later announced that the had been cut, as they had decided to focus on more recognizable Halo units. The UNSC Rhino may also be cut, as it is not seen in the demo or the instruction manual

Originally the storyline was supposed to feature a Covenant mining asteroid that was located at a Forerunner ore refining mechanism, this concept tries to show the scale of the large Forerunner machinery in place, machines that are still operational (although now controlled by the Covenant). In the end the mining aspect of the story was removed from the game.

Trivia

 * In the skirmish mode of the Halo Wars demo, there are bases on the map that are controlled by human antagonists. These are most likely Insurrectionists.
 * Halo Wars is available for 51.99 at costco.com
 * Occasionally, when a Spartan is in combat, he can be heard to shout, "For Samuel!" This is a reference to Samuel-034, the first Spartan to die in combat against the Covenant.
 * Marines can shoot a Grunt's Methane tank, causing the Grunt to explode. In addition, each individual soldier will have his own separate reaction to background stimulation in an attempt by Ensemble to add a "Human element" to the game. Orders can be given for troops to take cover and/or take shelter in buildings.
 * The Doritos snack food held a sweepstakes where the winner got a voice role in the game.
 * Halo Wars didn't start as a Halo game at all. Six months were spent developing a control scheme for a viable RTS for the Xbox 360, which was later pitched to Microsoft, asking to use the Halo IP, to which Microsoft agreed.
 * There are skulls in the campaign like in Halo 2 and Halo 3, which add a little replay value.
 * During the introductory level in the E3 demonstration video, UNSC Marines can be seen doing push-ups behind the barracks, being drilled by a Drill Instructor. This looks set to be dropped from the final version.
 * The D77-TC Pelican is the model used in Halo Wars, not the D77H-TCI which is only introduced during Halo 3.
 * It has been confirmed that the Flood will be an unplayable faction in the game. This is controversial since the first non-Forerunner reports of the Flood came when the Covenant released it in the events of Halo: CE.
 * At this point in time, there are over 5,402 sound files for sound and voice in the game.
 * Many new UNSC units were seen on G4's hands-on coverage of Halo Wars on July 14th.
 * E3 '08 Halo Wars game play has proven the existence of Honor Guard Elites in Halo Wars.
 * An image of E3 game play has proven that Brutes will be playable units in Halo Wars.
 * An article released by ShackNews states that Halo Wars is Ensemble's last game, and that they are laying off any personnel not essential to the game's completion. In fact, the supposed layoffs were confirmed merely as a rumor, and that while Ensemble was indeed shutting down after the shipment of Halo Wars, layoffs had not begun.
 * As of mid-2008 it appears that Ensemble has chosen to represent each faction by a single matte color (green for the UNSC, purple for the Covenant) instead of allowing each unit to be rendered in a unique manner; something that was shown in the original E3 2007 Demo. The reason for this downgrade in quality remains unknown, although many theorize it is due to the departure of veteran designers Graeme Divine and Ryan Sohmer from the development staff, however it seems that this move is to give players a less confusing theme of which units belong to which faction.
 * Halo Wars currently has 50 Xbox 360 achievements, worth a total of 1000 Gamer-points.
 * The Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide will be released on the 3rd of March.
 * It has been confirmed in the February Monthly Update that there will be no space battles in the game.
 * Despite the fact that the Spartans in the game are equipped with Mark IV armor, in the demo it can be clearly seen that they have energy shields and that the traditional alarm sounds when their shields are down.
 * The demo has been downloaded over 2 million times in the week following its debut, setting a "day one record" in its initial release.
 * In the most recent demo, if you spawn only groups of infantry (human or covanent) you can make one more squad than the amount you currently have (i.e.- If you are allowed to make 30 squads of UNSC, using only marines, flamers, and SPARTANS, you can make 31 squads)

Internal

 * Circle Menu
 * Halo: Contact Harvest
 * Halo Wars Announcement Trailer
 * Halo Wars: Limited Edition

External

 * Official website
 * Halo Wars announcement
 * Halo Wars Fansite
 * Halo Wars E3 Trailer
 * Extended Halo Wars E3 montage
 * Heavengames.com
 * Halo Wars Profile Page
 * "Halo Wars" GC 2008: Halo Wars Hands-on
 * "Halo Wars" Spoiler Trailer

Halo Wars Guerres de Halo