On Oct. 26, Halo fans from around the world will be coming together for the global launch of Halo 5: Guardians. The game is an ambitious project so it was only fitting that its launch was made alongside epic-scale celebrations in key international cities.
In Sydney, for instance, Halo 5: Guardians will be broadcast on the world's largest aerial screen as one fan plays the game aboard a helicopter. A six-hour live broadcast of the launch will be exclusively streamed on YouTube, starting at 6 p.m. EDT on Oct 26 and culminating at midnight, heralding the sale of Halo 5: Guardians in North America. The broadcast will include gameplay exclusives, live interviews with the development team from 343 Industries, celebrity appearances and more.
"Halo 5: Guardians is the game we have always dreamed of making...We hope Halo Nation will help make [it] the biggest game launch in Xbox history," said Bonnie Ross, head of 343 Industries and corporate vice president at Microsoft.
Aside from Sydney, launch activities are also planned in London, New Zealand, Hong Kong and New York. Microsoft will be sending Master Chief and Spartan Locke action figures to the edge of space to take an epic Gamertag selfie while a cosplayer from Taiwan teams up with one of Australia's most in-demand jewelry designers to reproduce the Master Chief's helmet with more than 30,000 Swarovski crystals.
Teamwork-based gameplay, deep character narratives and a gripping story make up Halo 5: Guardians. The game starts with the Master Chief gone AWOL as a mysterious, unstoppable force poses a threat to the universe. He will hunted down by Spartan Locke, the UNSC's elite man hunter, with the pursuit unfolding over the course of the game. Players have the option to band together into four-player teams across three worlds or challenge rivals and friends in new multiplayer modes.
All Microsoft stores will also be joining in the festivities by holding special fan events and offering exclusives for the midnight launch. A sweepstakes contest will also be carried out where fans can win a trip for two to tour the 343 and Xbox studios in Seattle.
The launch will also see the world premiere of the first episode of Halo: The Fall of Reach, a new animated series telling the tale of the SPARTAN program, and a roundtable featuring Nathan Fillion and the writers of Halo 5: Guardians.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
