Live action Halo 4 web series green-lit

Microsoft has reportedly made its largest investment” ever in live-action video for a new Halo 4 web series.

The series, called Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, will air on Machinima in the run-up to the release of console shooter Halo 4 on Xbox 360 in early November, Variety reports.

There will be five episodes in total, each around 15 minutes in length. It will tell the tale of a UNSC cadet and how he was inspired by the Master Chief. The events will tie closely with that of Microsoft’s upcoming new shooter.

Microsoft apparently wants the web series to attract a new audience to the ongoing game series – which this year begins its new life in its post Bungie era.

"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’," franchise development director at Halo 4 developer 343 Industries Frank O’Connor stated.

"We needed a way to ensure there was a way for people to get onboard this universe without feeling intimidated. As a result, the Web series is ‘an origins story that teaches you about a lot of different facets of the (Halo) universe’."

Microsoft has also hinted that the final 1hr 15min cut will live on in some form.

343 Industries’ director of franchise business management Matt McCloskey added: The Halo 4 web series is not just a marketing piece to promote the game.

We wanted to go way beyond that and transform this live-action exploration from advertising into a full standalone product that people will enjoy."