Halo Wars Set to Begin February 2009 - Limited Collector's Edition Announced

[fitbabits]

Halo Wars, the very much anticipated RTS set in the Halo universe and developed for Microsoft by Ensemble Studios, is set to launch in February 2009. As is fast becoming the norm these days, a Limited Collector's Edition of the game will ship simultaneously with the bog standard version.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/fitbabits/screenshots_1280_024.jpg


I guess you want to know what you'll be getting for your extra $20 (the LCE will retail for a penny short of $80)?


Three New “Halo 3” Multiplayer Maps – Be one of the first to experience the Mythic Map Pack from Bungie which includes three new maps, “Assembly,” “Orbital” and “Sandbox”
Halo Wars: Genesis – a beautiful graphic novel by Phil Noto, Graeme Devine and Eric Nylund chronicling the first military campaign against the Covenant. The novel centers around the Sprit of Fire on a mission to discover why the Covenant are so interested in the world of Harvest
Unique In-game Vehicle – “Honor Guard” Wraith
Six Leader Cards – Leaders possess elite skills which can turn the tides of battle
Spirit of Fire Patch – Start the journey as an official Spirit of Fire crew member

But wait! As an added bonus, fans eager for their chance to battle the Covenant will be able to pre-order “Halo Wars” and receive a pre-order card to download a special in-game Warthog vehicle with flame decals from select participating retailers.

[Spectre-7]

That bright yellow text is completely illegible when using the standard color theme. At least for me. :(

[Food Nipple]

Three New “Halo 3” Multiplayer Maps– Be one of the first to experience the Mythic Map Pack from Bungie which includes three new maps, “Assembly,” “Orbital” and “Sandbox”


The limited edition of Halo Wars comes with Halo 3 maps? Jesus christ, they're milking that thing as hard as they possibly can. Sorry, but I think the Halo well is running dry.

[fitbabits]

That bright yellow text is completely illegible when using the standard color theme. At least for me. :(
Oopsie. I forgot about that. How does it look now?

[Goronmon]

That bright yellow text is completely illegible when using the standard color theme. At least for me. :(I'm not sure why the newer theme isn't the standard. I think it fits the visuals of the details of the site much better.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Yay! Another RTS for me to be absolutely, mind-blowingly TERRIBLE at.

I love RTSs, but I'm so bad at them....

[Shadowstorm]

I just wish this was coming to the PC. Which I'm sure it will, but I don't want to wait six months (like GTA IV PC port.)

[Purple Santa]

No Cat Helmet?? No sale :p

[bapenguin]

I'm not sure why the newer theme isn't the standard. I think it fits the visuals of the details of the site much better.

It has been set as the default. But for those people who were here from the very beginning, I think it sticks with the other one until you change it.

[Commissar Rob]

Yay! Another RTS for me to be absolutely, mind-blowingly TERRIBLE at.

I love RTSs, but I'm so bad at them....I had to cheat to get past the final mission of Warcraft 3...but I still love the genre.

It's not that I mind losing so much...but when it takes so bloody long to lose... :(

Anyhow, I'll be preordering this one. No can resist shiny in game treats.

[Telefrog]

But wait! As an added bonus, fans eager for their chance to battle the Covenant will be able to pre-order “Halo Wars” and receive a pre-order card to download a special in-game Warthog vehicle with flame decals from select participating retailers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/3008743844_2cee684645.jpg

Really? People will pay for this?

[Disgustipated]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/3008743844_2cee684645.jpg

Really? People will pay for this?

Looks like some of the homo trucks down here in SoCal. Fuck that.

Also, fuck this game. I really don't want to support a game that'll probably be pretty good, but that Microsoft axed Ensemble for. Really, MS? They make a game that's sure to sell gangbusters and you shut them down?

[Variable Gear]

Depending on the quality of Halo Wars, I could be buying this...

[Cyrillus]

[LIST]
Three New “Halo 3” Multiplayer Maps – Be one of the first to experience the Mythic Map Pack from Bungie which includes three new maps, “Assembly,” “Orbital” and “Sandbox”

This seals the deal for me getting the CE (was planning on picking up Halo Wars anyway). Say what you will about Halo 3, but I still enjoy playing online a couple times a week with friends.

[KingGorilla]

Yay! Another RTS for me to be absolutely, mind-blowingly TERRIBLE at.

I love RTSs, but I'm so bad at them....

My offer to teach anyone the art of Company of Heroes stands, I will show you things the Panzer elite can do that will make your pants explode.

I do have to wonder about this game, it will not be long before everyone who made it is no longer at MS. Certainly not on the creative end.

[MagGnome]

I'm a fan of RTS games, but I just can't get excited for this. Halo is way past overdone IMHO.

[Spectre-7]

Oopsie. I forgot about that. How does it look now?

Whoops. Forgot about this... looks excellent now! Thank you. :)

[archon]

I'd consider it for $70, but not $80. Sorry MS.

[Blue]

I always welcome more Halo as long as the product is good. I absolutely love the universe and will gladly take another game set in it. That said, I'm horrific at the RTS genre and rarely make it past the first few levels of any so if I do snag this it will be when it's a good deal cheaper so I don't feel terrible about my decision. Guess that means the extra stuff that I'd be interested in for the LE won't do me much good but it's still cool to see it in there.

[Variable Gear]

The LE content looks pretty nice! :)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/11/halo-wars-lce-content.jpg (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/halo-wars-ce-to-include-halo-3-mythic-map-pack/)

Gotta admit that the patch is kinda tacky, though... :o