Halo 4 Live-Action Web Series Announced

Microsoft has announced that in anticipation to Halo 4's fall release, a five-part live-action series for the game, entitled Forward Unto Dawn, will be released.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn will air on Machinima, as well as Halo's online hub Halo Waypoint during the weeks leading up to the shooter's release. It'll be released over five weekly installments with each being around 15 minutes. An original story of protagonist Master Chief will be portrayed including how he inspired a UNSC cadet.

"We wanted to do something unique from a narrative standpoint that's big in scale. I don't think anybody needs any reminding of (the potential). Everyone keeps reminding us of that. We wanted to go way beyond that and transform this live-action exploration from advertising into a full standalone product that people will enjoy," said Matt McCloskey, director of franchise business management at developer 343 Industries.

Frank O'Connor, the studio's franchise development director, added: "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. Demand grew more and more out of the two little vignettes we'd previously produced. We needed a way to ensure there was a way for people to get onboard this universe without feeling intimidated." Consequently, the Web series will deliver "an origins story that teaches you about a lot of different facets of the (Halo) universe."

Halo 4's Web series is a way "to make Halo accessible for people who haven't played the games," stated McCloskey. The series itself is being backed by "the largest investment" Microsoft's made in live action.

More details about the Web series for Halo 4 will be revealed during July's Comic-Con in San Diego throughout July 12-15th. The shooter itself launches worldwide on November 6th, 2012.