Halo 5: Guardians beta confirmed for December; Master Chief Collection coming on November 11

Microsoft has given a glimpse of the Halo 5: Guardian beta at the ongoing E3 event. First teased at the E3 last year, the beta is expected to launch for the Xbox One later this year in December. Guardians will be a part of the ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection,’ a remastered bundle of the previous four core ‘Halo’ titles to be launched on November 11. The Chief Collection includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4. Those who buy it, will be able to access The Halo 5: Guardian beta during the holiday season this year. Microsoft along with 343 Industries has also announced ‘Halo Nightfall’  that is believed to be 'a live-action series that will introduce a pivotal character' who would play a major role in Halo 5. The series is set to be a digital-only affair, with Hollywood big-wig Ridley Scott on board with the company. The video teaser for the game has been shown as a part of a promotion for the beta launch slated during the holiday season. However, the game is likely to debut only in 2015. With its trailing sales compared to arch-rival Sony, many industry experts believe it is something Microsoft needs. “There are few video game franchises with the kind of weight that Halo carries with the gaming community, and it could be the shot in the arm that the Xbox needs, “ said CNETs Roger Cheng. Bonnie Ross, the presenter for developer 343 Industries, disclosed that Halo 5 is going to be about Master Chief's "journey, past, and future," and also hinted that the game will embrace its history and roots, which we presume means elements from past games will have an impact in the new Halo. Xbox head Phil Spencer is further believed to have said, "the Halo franchise is the reason Xbox is here today." Microsoft wanted to leverage the Halo brand for its smartphone OS too. The game has broken through the hardcore gaming sphere and entered the mainstream smartphone market, with Windows Phone 8.1's voice assistant Cortana.