News:Archive/23 July 2009/SDCC '09: Halo Legends announced

Intro
Microsoft and top Japanese anime studios team up to give us the first animated material set in the Halo universe!

Legends


"A renowned set of storytellers from some of the world’s leading anime studios in Japan are about to take one of the most iconic franchises in science fiction and video games to a new level. Microsoft Corp., in collaboration with some of the most acclaimed anime creators, today unveiled a new project called Halo Legends, which will bring the Halo franchise and its sweeping sci-fi saga to an entirely new medium, in the form of several original anime short films. The opportunity to work with talents such as Shinji Aramaki, Mamoru Oshii and others from some of the greatest anime studios is a very rare opportunity for Microsoft,” said Frank O’Connor, Halo franchise development director and provider of story and creative direction for 343 Industries. “We’ve seen the world through Master Chief’s eyes, and we’ve experienced facets of the universe through a variety of literary prisms, but now we get to watch new tales unfold in really rich, visually dynamic ways. I think anime fans and Halo fans alike are in for a real treat"

- Official Press Release

The Halo movie is finally here...eh, kinda! Set to be announced to the public at the San Diego Comic Con later this afternoon, Halo Legends is a colossal blend of American action and Japanese artistry. Numerous studios, including Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., STUDIO4˚C, and Toei Animation are heading this project. A set of seven films, Legends will go deep into the universe set up over the past eight years, with known films focusing on the SPARTAN-II Commandos and the entire history over the past 100,000 years.

Legends is set for release on DVD and Blu-ray (The first Halo on PlayStation 3) in early 2010.

To read the entire press release, check out this article at the Official Halo Portal at Xbox.com here.

Waypoint and 343


Announced alongside Legends were two cool new additions to the Halo nation.

Releasing this fall with Legends preview trailers will be Halo Waypoint. This new product will provide users with the latest Halo news, podcasts, trailers, screenshots, and exclusive video footage. Also featuring a "new challenge for 'Halo' gamers, a new career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to the series will further enhance the experience.

At the Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle, Washington, we heard the first news on the "Halo Franchise Development Group", a newly established team with star developers handling the future of the Halo franchise. Well, after a much needed name overhaul, the Halo Dev. Team settled on 343 Industries, a reference to the Halo series' annoying Forerunner Monitor known as 343 Guilty Spark.

You stay frosty Halopedia!

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