Halo 4 gets new screenshots and trailer

Halo 4, the latest game in the Xbox 360’s flagship series Halo, is widely anticipated. According to Gameranx, developer 343 Industries has now released screenshots of the game showing off one of the staple game modes in the Halo multiplayer – Capture the Flag. Along with the screenshots, the developer has released a small video that shows off one of the new maps in Halo 4, titled Exile.

The video, released on PAX prime, shows off the Capture the Flag  game mode in the Exile map, which was revealed quite some time ago.. It is one of the many other game modes that will feature in Halo 4. The other game modes in the upcoming FPS (first person shooter) includes deathmatch, team deathmatch and Oddball, among others.

The developers had also released a trailer that showed off the new weapons and sound effects in August.. The trailer mostly attempts to show off the completely rebuilt new sound effects for the weapons in Halo 4. The video also displays the revamped sound effects of popular weapons from the earlier games, such as the pistol, DMR, rocket launcher and shotgun. Some of the newer weapons showed off in the trailer are a sticky grenade launcher and a rail gun that can kill in one hit, but has a relatively long down-time between shots.

Be very very quiet... I'm hunting blue guys..

During Comic-Con in July, Microsoft and 343 had announced a limited edition, Halo 4-themed Xbox 360 set costing $399. The set contains the Xbox 360 with Halo-themed artwork, two limited edition Halo 4 controllers, a copy of Halo 4, a wireless headset and downloadable codes for Halo-4 themed avatar items and in-game DLC.

Halo is a massive franchise. It has been one of the main driving forces behind the success of the Xbox and the early success of the Xbox 360. It was one of the first First Person Shooter (FPS) games on consoles to get the controls right, though some games before it such as the GoldenEye for the Nintendo64 got it right, but weren’t successful.

A headshot by any other name

The development of Halo 4 has been taken over from Bungie by 343 Industries that helped out with the game "Halo: Reach" and provided fans with an HD remake of "Halo: Combat Evolved". It’s about time the Xbox 360 got a solid first party game. It seems since the past few months, Microsoft has been targeting the casual gamer over the hardcore one.

Halo 4, Microsoft’s next iteration in the Halo franchise, will arrive exclusively for the Xbox 360 by November 6, 2012. Halo 4 takes place nearly four years after the events of Halo 3 and will mark the return of Master Chief, who was absent from both Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach. Coincidentally, this game also marks the beginning of a brand new Halo trilogy.

The previous game released by the franchise was the HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, named Halo: Anniversary. “Halo has made an indelible impact on gaming and pop culture over the past ten years,” said Bonnie Ross, General Manager of 343 Industries. “Whether you’ve followed the story from the beginning or want to experience it for the first time, ‘Halo: Anniversary’ offers everyone a chance to relive the iconic classic before they embark on a brand new adventure with Master Chief next year in ‘Halo 4,” she added.