Halo 5: Guardians announced - coming to Xbox One in autumn 2015

Microsoft has announced the next instalment in its best-selling sci-fi shooter series Halo will arrive on Xbox One in autumn 2015.

The next title in the franchise will be called Halo 5: Guardians and will continue to follow the adventures of the cybernetic supersoldier known as Master Chief.

Little is known about the new game, although developers 343 Industries say it will run at 60 frames per second and utilise a “brand new and more powerful engine.”

“Halo 5: Guardians is a bigger effort than Halo 4,” said 343 Industries general Manager Bonnie Ross in a blog post announcing the game. “That applies to the content and scope of the game, as well as the technology.

“Certainly there are some core elements carried over from prior games, but we’ve invested a huge effort in retooling our tech to take full advantage of the Xbox One’s hardware and ecosystem to create worlds and experiences worthy of next-gen.”

Fans were given the first look at the game last summer when a teaser trailer was shown at games conference E3 (see above). The clip shows Master Chief trekking through a desert landscape before coming face to face with what looks like a gigantic robotic golem in the shape of a bird.

The latest release adds nothing to what is known about the game but confirms the dust-strewn setting and introduces a new character (possibly a female Spartan) holding what appears to be a Battle Rifle.

Microsoft are also beginning to tease the upcoming Halo television series, which promises Steven Speilberg serving as ‘Executive Producer’ and will be released alongside Halo 5 as “a series that will stand alone, as well as complement and enrich the game experience.”

Microsoft will be hoping that their most popular Xbox-exclusive series will be able to lift their console’s sales which are currently lagging behind the rival PS4 by several million.