[wwm0nkey]

From Eurogamer:

A live action Halo web series will launch this autumn ahead of the release of Halo 4 on Xbox 360. Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn will play exclusively on Machinima and Microsoft's Halo Waypoint in the run up to the 6th November launch of the 343 Industries-developed sci-fi shooter. It's the largest investment Microsoft has made into live action to date, according to Variety. Larger, even, than the Neill Blomkamp shorts that almost spawned the Halo movie seven years ago. Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn plays out over five weekly instalments, each around 15 minutes long, and tells the story of how Master Chief inspired a young UNSC cadet who will eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC Infinity Spacecraft. This new character introduction ties in with Halo 4, and provides a flashback to the beginning of the war between the humans and the Covenant. More details are expected at Comic-Con in July. According to Halo franchise boss Frank O'Connor, the web series is a "way for people to get onboard this universe without feeling intimidated". It's "an origins story that teaches you about a lot of different facets of the ('Halo') universe". Apparently it's also "the next step" for the Halo franchise, and could lead to a theatrical feature, despite the high-profile collapse of the proposed Blomkamp-directed movie in 2005.

[hwalker84]

Sweet. Hype level starting to hit critical mass.

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

(´･ω･`)

[Arnie]

This sounds boss.

Thought it was Dani related on first glance.

[snoopeasystreet]

Hopefully they're as good as bright falls.

[Zeouterlimits]

Honestly I'm a little cynical after the Birth of a Spartan one last year.

However if it's anything like Bright Falls, the greatest piece of live action tv advertising.. Then I'll be happy.

[wwm0nkey]

If this is good I really do hope it kick starts another Halo movie.

[Sikamikanico]

There's a bit more from the Variety Article:

'Halo' Web series to bow before next game 'Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn' While it will take years before a "Halo" movie ever makes it to the bigscreen, Microsoft could revive the idea again with a live-action Web series it will launch ahead of "Halo 4" this fall. The company's Xbox gaming division is putting considerable coin behind "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn," which will play exclusively on male-skewing entertainment website Machinima and online community Halo Waypoint in the weeks leading up to "Halo 4's" release Nov. 6. Project represents "the largest investment" Microsoft has made in live action to date, the company said. Xbox is keeping a tight lid on additional details, including the Web series' director and cast, preferring to hype the involvement of its creative team at Comic-Con in San Diego this July. After several pricey live-action shorts and commercials for previous "Halo" installments -- helmed by Neill Blomkamp ("District 9") and Rupert Sanders ("Snow White and the Huntsman") -- caught on, Microsoft wants to use the "Halo 4" Web series as a way "to make 'Halo' accessible for people who haven't played the games," according to Matt McCloskey, director of franchise business management at 343 Industries, which is taking over the "Halo" franchise from Bungie Studios. "We wanted to do something unique from a narrative standpoint that's big in scale," McCloskey added. "Forward Unto Dawn" will play out over five weekly installments, around 15 minutes each, telling an original story about the game's Master Chief and how he inspired a young UNSC cadet who will eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC Infinity spacecraft. Introduction of the new character will tie in with the plot of "Halo 4," while providing a flashback to the beginning of the "Halo" franchise's war between the humans and the evil Covenant. "Every time we do a live-action commercial the audience says, 'We want to see more so that we can explore the 'Halo' universe a little bit more," said Frank O'Connor, franchise development director at 343 Industries. "Demand grew more and more out of the two little vignettes we'd previously produced." But Microsoft had to make sure that the Web series didn't just appeal to hardcore "Halo" fans. Playing the games and reading the books or other "Halo" spinoffs is "a big commitment," O'Connor said. "We needed a way to ensure there was a way for people to get onboard this universe without feeling intimidated." As a result, the Web series is "an origins story that teaches you about a lot of different facets of the ('Halo') universe." Microsoft faces fierce competition this fall with "Halo 4's" launch, exclusive to the Xbox 360, with Activision Blizzard also releasing its latest game in the "Call of Duty" series, whose previous titles have consistently broken sales records over the last several years. "Halo 3" became the biggest entertainment launch in history when it was released in 2007, earning $170 million in its first day in the U.S. and surpassing $300 million worldwide in its first week. Last year's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" blew away that record with a $400 million first-day haul in the U.S. and U.K. and $775 million globally in its first five days. Still, the "Halo" franchise has generated revenue of more than $2 billion, selling 40 million copies worldwide and spinning off a series of bestselling novels, comicbooks, anime series and toys. Microsoft considers the Web series "the next step" for the franchise as an entertainment property that could eventually lead to a theatrical feature -- after the plug on one was pulled by Universal and Fox that Blomkamp was to direct and Peter Jackson to produce in 2005. "I don't think anybody needs any reminding of (the potential)," McCloskey said. "Everyone keeps reminding us of that." Once the Web series ends its run, Microsoft plans to package the entire production in some form to "live on" on other platforms, McCloskey said. Microsoft isn't alone in turning to live action to promote its games. Last year, Warner Bros. scored with the Web series "Mortal Kombat: Legacy" (which also unspooled on Machinima) to hype the reboot of Midway Games' "Mortal Kombat," while Bethesda Softworks produced a live-action short for fantasy game "The Elder Skrolls V: Skyrim." More recently, Ubisoft enlisted "Logorama" helmers Francois Alaux and Herve de Crecy and Ridley Scott's RSA to produce "Ghost Recon: Future Soldier" as a 30-minute live action short to serve as a prequel for the upcoming game. Videogame publisher also produce live-action shorts for its "Assassin's Creed" franchise. McCloskey stresses that the "Halo 4" Web series is "not just a marketing piece" to promote the game. "We wanted to go way beyond that and transform this live-action exploration from advertising into a full standalone product that people will enjoy."

[wwm0nkey]

So they are going to combine these later on and release it? Awesome!

[Gui_PT]

[Arnie]

Please tell me that's a screenshot.

[Gui_PT]

Yeah it's a teaser

[dancrane212]

Sounds like it could be a little cheesy, "Master Chief inspired a young UNSC cadet", but if it's anything like those live action commercials/shorts I'll be in for the long haul.

[Conor 419]

Yes yes YES.

I love it when Microsoft throw their money around for the good of the Halo IP. The Halo Legends shorts were absolutely phenomenal, I'm expecting that level of quality but more consistently MS.

[.la1n]

(´･ω･`)

...

seriously?

[GarthVaderUK]

Nice!

[Tha Robbertster]

Great! Can't wait for this

I really hope this series will stay faithful to the canon.

[GodfatherX]

there dates are wrong right? The Neil Blomkamp shorts were in 2007 leading up to Halo 3's release, and it was after this that the movie negotiations fell through, not in 2005

[bigtroyjon]

there dates are wrong right? The Neil Blomkamp shorts were in 2007 leading up to Halo 3's release, and it was after this that the movie negotiations fell through, not in 2005

The movie was killed in 2006, the shorts were done before that and the footage from the shorts was used to promote Halo 3 later on.

[TheOddOne]

Effin' awesome.

[wwm0nkey]

Sounds like it could be a little cheesy, "Master Chief inspired a young UNSC cadet", but if it's anything like those live action commercials/shorts I'll be in for the long haul.

Plot doesnt really sound all that bad and it will give us more insight into the story.

[TheOddOne]

I wonder if they hired the guys that did "Deliver Hope", which was fantastic.

[Karl2177]

Honestly I'm a little cynical after the Birth of a Spartan one last year. However if it's anything like Bright Falls, the greatest piece of live action tv advertising.. Then I'll be happy.

I actually though Birth of a Spartan was pretty good. The Deliver Hope trailer was the poorest one in my opinion(and ironically enough some of the issues we have with the game are shown in the trailer). Remember Reach was pretty good as well.

Halo 3's pieces were great too. I don't have links to all of the Believe promos, but those we amazing. Same goes for Blomkamp's stuff.

I don't think anything will ever beat We are ODST though.

[TheOddOne]

I actually though Birth of a Spartan was pretty good. The Deliver Hope trailer was the poorest one in my opinion(and ironically enough some of the issues we have with the game are shown in the trailer). Remember Reach was pretty good as well. Halo 3's pieces were great too. I don't have links to all of the Believe promos, but those we amazing. Same goes for Blomkamp's stuff. I don't think anything will ever beat We are ODST though.

What no, I liked Deliver Hope a lot. Still the one's you mentioned are great too.

[op_ivy]

could be really cool. at the very least it will be a regularly scheduled weekly event to pass the time till the game launches.

EDIT: I had forgotten how well done the deliver hope one was. getting excited

[dancrane212]

Plot doesnt really sound all that bad and it will give us more insight into the story.

I'm just worried of the potential, poorly written, melodrama that the premise could bring (I've been playing too much Tales of Abyss).

"I'm so unsure of myself but wow look at that guy, I'm gonna be strong just like him."

I'm just being cynical, I'd love for it to turn out to be a great series.

[Karl2177]

What no, I liked Deliver Hope a lot. Still the one's you mentioned are great too.

Here's how I see it: Deliver Hope was like the intro to Tip of the Spear. Mindless action simply for the sake of mindless action. The only part that had a deeper significance to it was Thom's sacrifice to take the bomb up at the end. It was good(the extended cut, not the original TV ad), but compared to the rest of the live actions it fell short.

[TheOddOne]

Here's how I see it: Deliver Hope was like the intro to Tip of the Spear. Mindless action simply for the sake of mindless action. The only part that had a deeper significance to it was Thom's sacrifice to take the bomb up at the end. It was good(the extended cut, not the original TV ad), but compared to the rest of the live actions it fell short.

Yeah, that is very true.

I'm just worried of the potential, poorly written, melodrama that the premise could bring (I've been playing too much Tales of Abyss). "I'm so unsure of myself but wow look at that guy, I'm gonna be strong just like him." I'm just being cynical, I'd love for it to turn out to be a great series.

So far, even the "worst" Halo live-action short has been great. None of them have really been bad.

[StalkerUKCG]

Would be fantastic if we could get Gunnery Sargent Buck in a episode played by Nathan Fillion

[Karl2177]

Would be fantastic if we could get Gunnery Sargent Buck in a episode played by Nathan Fillion

And Tricia Helfer to have her face redeemed after the bungle of the Bungie character riggers.

[wwm0nkey]

Would be fantastic if we could get Gunnery Sargent Buck in a episode played by Nathan Fillion

Speaking of Buck I hope him and his squad are on board the Infinity. Actually wouldn't ODST's be phased out due to the Spartan IV program?

[TheOddOne]

Speaking of Buck I hope him and his squad are on board the Infinity. Actually wouldn't ODST's be phased out due to the Spartan IV program?

Would be an intresting dynamic in where ODST's refuse to enter the program.

[Busty]

Sounds interesting, I'm definitely interested in this and I'm a very casual HALO fan.

But as far as a HALO movie goes forget it. This development changes nothing.

This web series won't get us any closer to that and the fact that this short concentrates on a 'younger' MC just speaks volumes about MS how would have to approach a potential HALO film.

[StalkerUKCG]

Speaking of Buck I hope him and his squad are on board the Infinity. Actually wouldn't ODST's be phased out due to the Spartan IV program?

I really want to see the entire ODST squad appear at some point.

And Tricia Helfer to have her face redeemed after the bungle of the Bungie character riggers.

Just get everyone back Adam baldwin and Alan tudyk, Romeo would be harder since he is voice by nolan north but is supposed to be West-African.

On a semi related note, last episode of Castle had Adam baldwin in it was fun to watch like firefly on earth

[wwm0nkey]

Would be an intresting dynamic in where ODST's refuse to enter the program.

I am sure the UNSC would want most of their soldiers to enter the Spartan IV program. Though maybe there are budget or time issues.

Either way I want to see Buck again dammit! lol

[TheOddOne]

I am sure the UNSC would want most of their soldiers to enter the Spartan IV program. Though maybe there are budget or time issues. Either way I want to see Buck again dammit! lol

Yep, Buck needs to come back.

[Tha Robbertster]

Yep, Buck needs to come back.

Hell yeah. Either as an ODST or a spartan IV.

[Zeouterlimits]

So far, even the "worst" Halo live-action short has been great. None of them have really been bad.

I disagree.

I also think using live action as the main component in your advertising is bad form.
Great as an addition though. This doesn't really happen thanks to the costs involved and effectiveness.

[wwm0nkey]

For those who do not go on HaloGAF, the run time of this is 90 minutes.

[Quicksilver4648]

I'll be there day 1 to watch them. I hope they match the quality of the ODST video. That one was simply amazing.

[zlatko]

I hope it's on the level of the ODST and the Deliver Hope stuff, and not of the one with the people of Reach or Birth of a Spartan.

Genuinely excited for this though.

[Conor 419]

The Halo 3 campaigns did an excellent job at conveying the Chief's heroism. The ODST campaign did a great job at conveying what it means to be an ODST.

These should therefore follow the same style as the Halo 3 campaigns. If they instead go for the shitty, grim dark, regular guy in a suit BULLSHIT that was the Halo Reach campaign, the same campaign which completely TRIVIALISED the Spartan training process, then we've lost Halo.

[AlStrong]

For those who do not go on HaloGAF, the run time of this is 90 minutes.

Halo Legends 2 compilation plskthnx (along with the comic animated stories from Waypoint). :p

[Karl2177]

I disagree. I also think using live action as the main component in your advertising is bad form. Great as an addition though. This doesn't really happen thanks to the costs involved and effectiveness.

I'm genuinely interested into more of your reasoning behind this.

[Grisby]

Hopefully they're as good as bright falls.

That would be great. Alan Wake had some awesome live shorts.

[Conor 419]

God DAMN, look at this shit. It's disgraceful, absolutely fucking atrocious, so so bad. Microsoft should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-THNo9rp-bQ

No hiking through the peaks of Reach. No exploitation of children, who are being forced to train at dawn under the stars and not being fed if they don't comply. No sense of teamwork, herorism or heartbreak. No candidates being drove to the brink and trying to escape. No sense of the 'Cleopatra's or Atilla the Huns of their time'. No heartless Scientists, no fatalities, no fear... just some fucking bald kid being injected with some blue shit and being turned into the Hulk.

Complete utter shambles, fire them all I say.

[LQX]

Awesome. Cant wait.

[Zeouterlimits]

I'm genuinely interested into more of your reasoning behind this.

Well they're selling very different products.
While being non-interactive is an unfortunate limitation, gameplay footage is a more honest representation of the game than some directors mini-tale that portrays an atmosphere that the games ultimately don't have (in my opinion).
They may portray the atmosphere the developers hope the game will match, but I think the majority would agree this doesn't end up happening.

I'm fine with these being additions, ways to grow the universe. I do think using them as the main advertising component (on tv or in cinemas generally) is disengenous, as those who first hear of the game or who decide to buy the game via these ads (and yes, there's a certain level of purchaser responsibility too) are being sold something they're not getting.

[TheBioLover]

If this increases the chance of a Halo movie being considered again, I'm in.

[Rigest]

Well they're selling very different products. While being non-interactive is an unfortunate limitation, gameplay footage is a more honest representation of the game than some directors mini-tale that portrays an atmosphere that the games ultimately don't have (in my opinion). They may portray the atmosphere the developers hope the game will match, but I think the majority would agree this doesn't end up happening. I'm fine with these being additions, ways to grow the universe. I do think using them as the main advertising component (on tv or in cinemas generally) is disengenous, as those who first hear of the game or who decide to buy the game via these ads (and yes, there's a certain level of purchaser responsibility too) are being sold something they're not getting.

A good example is the Believe campaign. Although I loved the Halo 3 campaign, it missed the big epic battle that was portrayed in Believe.