War Games

Blue and Red Teams in competitive War Games.

War Games is an advanced UNSC combat training simulation most prominently used to train Spartans.^[1]

Overview

War Games training facilities, which are known to be located aboard UNSC Infinity and Anvil Station, use a combination of holographic projectors, millions of pneumatic risers,^[2] props, and simulated sensory information fed through a neural interface to generate realistic environments in which combat simulations are initiated.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6] War Games simulations are not exclusively competitive; in some scenarios the participants train against AI-controlled Covenant enemies.^[7]

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.^[7]

As a multiplayer mode

War Games was introduced in Halo 4 as the in-universe framing device for the game's multiplayer^[8] and is featured in a similar fashion in the subsequent Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Online. All competitive multiplayer in the Halo games can be considered to be part of a War Games simulation from a fictional standpoint, although the particulars of the timeframes and settings of the pre-Halo 4 games' multiplayer modes are not as strictly defined.^[1]

Halo 4

Introduction to Spartan career in War Games in Halo 4.

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

— Halo Waypoint.

Unlike previous multiplayer modes, Halo 4's War Games is tied with an in-universe explanation, introduced for the first time. In this case the SPARTAN-IVs (controlled by the players) are training in the Infinity's combat simulation deck by fighting each other to stay constantly battle-ready. The player progression system is more extensive, allowing players to choose between various modifications which have an effect on gameplay, in addition to aesthetic armor permutations similar to the prior games.^[9] Players are able to customize their loadouts,^[10] being able to choose between various armor abilities as well as new customizable features, known as Support Upgrades and Tactical Packages. Multiplayer gameplay is more fast-paced than in the prior games. Weapon pickups on maps are marked on the player's heads-up display^[11], and players are able to call in ordnance drops, containing power-ups or weapons, during matches.^[9] Power-ups available in Infinity Slayer include Overshield, Damage Boost, and Speed Boost.^[12]

Gametypes

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

Trivia

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.^[13]

Gallery

An early concept art of a War Games map.
Another early concept art for a multiplayer map.
SPARTAN-IVs participating in a game of Capture the Flag on Exile.
A SPARTAN-IV hijacking a Ghost on Vortex.
Sarah Palmer participating in a game of Invasion.
Commander Palmer and Fireteam Jackknife inside the simulation deck.
SPARTAN-IVs on Red Team win a match on Truth in War Games in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
An animation of Blue Team winning a match on Eden in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
SPARTAN-IVs on Anvil Station in Halo Online.