Microsoft today released the first details on Halo 4's "Infinity Multiplayer", claiming it will "redefine" the franchise, as well as the game's limited edition release and accompanying live-action series, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.
The Infinity part refers to the UNSC Infinity, the human forces' largest ship and the hub of the game's multiplayer experience. Halo 4's multiplayer will be "embedded in the fiction" like never before, a press release sent out today says, with players "surrounded by the sights, sounds and crew" of the Infinity.
Multiplayer will be story-driven, featuring co-op "Spartan Ops" (presumably like Modern Warfare's Spec Ops) that intersect with the campaign missions in new ways. The story will be fleshed out through weekly cinematic episodes released on Xbox Live and featuring Majestic Squad, a new Spartan team.
"Halo 4 features a vastly expanded suite of new multiplayer modes, weapons, vehicles, armor abilities, a new loadout and player progression system, and a new armor modification system that introduces gameplay-enhancing customizations for the first time in a Halo game," the press release claims.
In further news, the $99.99 Limited Edition release will include access to three future three-map map packs, early access to six specializations (which unlock new customization options), and a "UNSC Briefing Packet" with blueprints, schematics and other insights.
It also comes with other goodies, like armor and weapon skins and bonus featurette videos, and a special 90-minute version of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, a live-action series that goes back to the beginning of the Human-Covenant war.
Phew. Now are you excited for Halo 4? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
