Microsoft and 343 Industries, in conjunction with Vanguard Games, announced the worldwide availability of “Halo: Spartan Assault,” a new top-down shooter optimised for Windows 8 touch-based devices.
Available now for £4.991 only on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 82, this new chapter in the award-winning “Halo” universe explores the first missions of the Spartan Ops programme and dives deeper into the backstory of the Human-Covenant War.
With 25 unique missions, the single-player experience allows you to compete against friends in Leaderboards or hone your skills with Weekly Challenges. Replay the missions to collect more than 40 in-game Achievements and Medals, as well as earn up to 50,000 experience points (XP) and a unique emblem for your “Halo 4” (for Xbox 360) Spartan – with additional integration features available after launch. Fans who purchase and play “Halo: Spartan Assault” will also unlock exclusive bonus content in the “Halo 4” Champions Bundle or “Halo 4” Bullseye Pack, both available Aug. 20, including a new weapon skin, two armour skins and a Spartan stance 3. For more information visit the Xbox Wire blog.
In addition, 343 Industries has teamed up with Dark Horse Comics to create “Halo: Initiation,”4 a three-part comic series which reveals the story of how Commander Sarah Palmer became a Spartan-IV and leads directly into the thrilling missions of “Halo: Spartan Assault.” Fans can check out a digital preview of the comic here.
Secondly, Microsoft Studios and Crytek revealed new details about “Ryse: Son of Rome,” the upcoming Xbox One action title launching alongside the system this November. Director of Cinematics Peter Gornstein and Producers Michael Read and Justin Robey revealed new storyline information, screenshots and artwork depicting the characters, demoed the custom Xbox SmartGlass application, discussed the process of writing the story and the groundbreaking cinematic performance capture technology featured in the game.
In addition, Microsoft announced a new Digital, Interactive Graphic Novel inspired by the game, titled “Ryse: Sword of Damocles” available now at Xbox.com/Ryse/comic. It features interactive panels and lets readers unlock collectibles that can be redeemed and used in the Xbox One game “Ryse: Son of Rome” after it launches, allowing players to get an early leg up in the multiplayer aspect of the game.
For more information about “Ryse: Son of Rome,” visit the Xbox Wire blog.