Halo: Spartan Assault out now for Windows 8 devices

Heads up, soldier. Halo: Spartan Assault, the omnidirectional shooter spinoff set in the Halo universe, is now available on Windows 8 devices. That means Windows 8 PCs and tablets, including Surface. You can also nab the game on Windows 8 phones – so long as Verizon is your carrier, that is.

If you prefer your spinoffs with a little more context, Microsoft and Dark Horse have also produced a prequel comic series, Halo: Initiation. You can find a preview of the first issue on the Dark Horse website.

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"Halo: Spartan Assault" Now Available Worldwide for Windows 8 Devices
Experience the "Halo" universe on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 for the first time in franchise history

Longtime fans and newcomers to the "Halo" franchise alike have a new way to get into the action against Covenant forces. Today at the San Diego Comic-Con, 343 Industries in conjunction with Vanguard Games announced the worldwide availability of "Halo: Spartan Assault," a new top-down shooter optimized for Windows 8 touched-based devices.

Available now for $6.99 1 only on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 2, "Halo: Spartan Assault" is a new chapter of the award-winning "Halo" universe that explores the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and dives deeper into the backstory of the Human-Covenant War. Play through the eyes of either Commander Sarah Palmer or Spartan Davis, while stationed aboard the UNSC Infinity, as they fight never-before-seen battles against Covenant forces.

In the U.S., "Halo: Spartan Assault" for Windows Phone 8 is available first for Verizon Wireless customers from July 18 through August 16.3

With 25 unique missions featuring unrivaled action and intensity, the single-player experience allows you to compete against friends in Leaderboards or hone your skills with Weekly Challenges. Replay the missions to collect more than 40 in-game Achievements and Medals.

For fans who already have a prospering Spartan career aboard the UNSC Infinity, "Halo: Spartan Assault" lets you earn up to 50,000 experience points (XP), and a unique emblem for your "Halo 4" (for Xbox 360) Spartan, with additional integration features available after launch. Additionally, Fans who purchase and play "Halo: Spartan Assault" will unlock exclusive bonus content in "Halo 4" Champions Bundle or "Halo 4" Bullseye Pack (available Aug. 20), including a new weapon skin, two armor skins and a Spartan stance.4

In addition, 343 Industries has teamed up with Dark Horse Comics to create "Halo: Initiation,"5 a three-part comic series which reveals the story of how Commander Sarah Palmer became a Spartan-IV and leads directly into the thrilling missions of "Halo: Spartan Assault." Fans can check out a digital preview of the comic here.

Available same day as "Halo: Spartan Assault," the "Halo: Spartan Assault" Soundtrack (composed by Tom Salta) will be available for $9.99 on all major digital music distribution channels. The soundtrack contains 27 full length songs with over 60 minutes of music.

1 Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 versions sold separately.

2 On Windows Phone 8, 1GB RAM currently required. Version supporting 512MB RAM Windows Phone 8 coming August 2013 Performance on 512MB phones may vary.
3 Available worldwide on July 18 for all Windows 8 PCs and Tablets. Available worldwide on July 18 for compatible Windows Phone 8 devices, except in the U.S. where the Windows Phone 8 version is available only on Verizon Wireless until August 16.
4 Halo 4 game, Championship Bundle, and Bullseye Pack all sold separately. Some game add-on content also requires an Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately).

5Sold separately.

About 343 Industries
343 Industries is the publisher and developer of the blockbuster "Halo" series of videogames and, as part of Microsoft Studios, oversees the "Halo" franchise, including novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel and more. 343 Industries is home to world-class developers working on the Reclaimer Saga, which commenced with the arrival of "Halo 4" on Nov. 6, 2012, exclusively on Xbox 360.

About Vanguard Games
Established in 2010, Vanguard Games develops high quality games for next generation mobile devices, game consoles, and PC. Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Vanguard Games was set up by industry veterans Martin de Ronde and Michiel Mol (founders Guerilla Games) and Arthur Houtman (Atari, Disney Online), who played key roles in the development of a number of blockbuster titles. Vanguard Games' past projects include award winning strategy game Greed Corp and the critically acclaimed twin stick shooter Gatling Gears. The company's mission is to develop games that set new benchmarks for mobile and online entertainment. For more information visit http://www.vanguardgames.net.

About the "Halo: Initiation" Comic Series
Created by Dark Horse Comics, follow the ascent of UNSC soldier Sarah Palmer from ODST to Spartan-IV. (English Only)

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