Microsoft wants to build a strong momentum heading into E3. So far, the company has made several announcements, chief among them is the Xbox One's unbundling of the Kinect. However, the software giant made another big announcement regarding Halo, one of the most popular game franchises on the platform.
The game, which is scheduled for release in 2015 on the Xbox, is called Halo 5: Guardians, and it is expected to follow the events after Halo 4. It is Microsoft's most important title for 2015, one that has no choice, but to perform well at retail.
According to Bonnie Ross, General Manager at 343 Industries, the new title is a much bigger effort when compared to the previous game. 343 is the developer behind Halo 4 and Halo 5. Going by Ross' statement, it would appear that rumors of Halo 5 being an open world game could have some truth to it. If that were the case, then Halo 5 would be entering a new style of play, one that might or might not bode well for long time fans.
"In the past, 'Halo' games have pushed the Xbox forward, showcasing the console and its ecosystem in entertaining and innovative ways. Making a 'Halo' game that runs at 60 frames per second, on dedicated servers, with the scope, features and scale we've been dreaming of for more than a decade, is non-trivial," Ross wrote.
Additionally, Ross said that Halo 5: Guardians will run at 60 frames per second, but did not specify whether or not the game would meet 1080p resolution standard set by gamers. Also, gamers should expect some Halo related content this year, which could be the full Halo collection ranging from the first game to Halo 4 in a single bundle.
Is Halo 5: Guardians the game to return the Xbox One to the top of the industry? The way things are going right now, it is not in Microsoft's best interest to wait until Halo 5 launches next year to bounce back. The Xbox One's re-emergence needs to happen this year, and some industry pundits expect the unbundling of Kinect and the new $399 price point to help make that happen.
Halo 5 will definitely move a ton of Xbox One consoles, but by then, Microsoft will want to be in a commanding position rather than a desperate one. With games such as Sunset Overdrive and Quantum Break, it may be safe to assume that the Xbox One has a chance of performing admirably in 2014, paving the way for the inevitable success of Halo 5: Guardians in 2015.
