Halo Wars releases in Feb, LE comes with Mythic Map Pack

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 6th 2008 at 2:15PM }

click to enlarge

Microsoft has announced that Halo Wars, the Halo-themed RTS from Ensemble Studios, will launch in February 2009. Furthermore, the company has announced that a limited edition version of the game will be released and detailed its contents. Retailing for $79.99, the limited edition of Halo Wars includes:

Three new Halo 3 (not Halo Wars) multiplayer maps. The maps include Assembly, Orbital, and Sandbox. You might recognize those maps as the upcoming Mythic Map Pack.
Halo Wars: Genesis -- A graphic novel by Phil Noto, Ensemble's own Graeme Devine and Halo novelist Eric Nylund. The novel details the first human conflict with the Covenant and "centers around the Spirit of Fire on a mission to discover why the Covenant are so interested in the world of Harvest."
The "Honor Guard" Wraith in-game vehicle
Six "Leader Cards." Trading cards, we're guessing, or something like them.
Spirit of Fire Patch. You know, the iron-on kind. Have fun explaining what it means to your non-gaming friends.

The press release also notes that those who pre-order at certain (unannounced) retailers will get a code to unlock a Warthog vehicle with flame decals.

While we're intrigued by the graphic novel, we have to admit the inclusion of the Mythic Map Pack is a pretty crafty move. The announcement says that those with the Halo Wars LE will be among "the first to experience the Mythic Map Pack," which implies that they can get their hands on the maps before they become available to the general public. We get the feeling that a lot of Halo players are suddenly very interested in RTS games.

Gallery: Halo Wars Limited Edition

Tags: ensemble, ensemble-studios, halo, halo-wars, mgs, microsoft-game-studios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Joey Crack @ Nov 6th 2008 2:30PM

I wonder if we will get shafted on the CE like we did with Fable II!

SAGExSDX @ Nov 6th 2008 2:34PM

i was thinking the same thing.

that said, i am so getting this

wargamer17 @ Nov 6th 2008 2:30PM

Wow, that's awesome news!!! I was already going to get Halo Wars, but with the extra stuff, it's worth it to buy the LE. Good move Microsoft. Let's hope they don't take stuff out now.

Larry @ Nov 6th 2008 2:42PM

That offer is very tempting. I was going to pick up the game anyway, but the LE looks like a winner. Now if only Amazon will sell for the same price they were selling Fable II.

NukeAssault @ Nov 6th 2008 2:49PM

Day 1 for me. =P

John @ Nov 6th 2008 2:55PM

What happened to the other 2 Mythic maps, Heretic, and Longshore?

Prox @ Nov 6th 2008 3:22PM

I was wondering this same thing. Something smells fishy (and it's not the fish)...

KC @ Nov 6th 2008 2:58PM

Paying extra for in-game stuff FTL!

Sircut @ Nov 6th 2008 3:04PM

Flame decals on my warthog?!? Throw in a dukes of hazzard style horn and you've got yourself a deal sir!

legendtaker117 @ Nov 6th 2008 3:35PM

Sounds good to me, Ill preorder the LE!!

tazman3 @ Nov 6th 2008 3:42PM

I have S-P-R-I-T...can you say it? SPRIT, SPRIT, YAAAAAAAAAY SPRIT! lol

Joey Biceps @ Nov 6th 2008 3:59PM

RTS's are ghey! But new halo 3 maps are 13370!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

joeybeast @ Nov 6th 2008 4:04PM

Didn't they promise a demo?
Can't wait to try it.

Fire Fawkes @ Nov 6th 2008 4:45PM

Was already getting this and the map pack anyway. When they combine the two...well that's just nice to my wallet! (Kinda...probably a wash cost wise, but it's a perceived cost savings)

Colin @ Nov 6th 2008 7:21PM

A lot a Halo players are pissed is more like it. 3 of 6 maps in February 2009. Are you kidding me? Mythic has 6 maps not 3 unless something has changed since the title update. And not till February is a bad decision as the map selection has been stale since summer. Pure cash grab by MS going on here, trying to pass it off as love to the fans for getting it "early". How exactly is that going to work out for matchmaking considering how much attention Bungie has to having standards in place and having everyone on equal ground.