14 DAY TRIAL // Last time I checked, everyone was all over Halo 3 and Halo 2 Vista, like Halo Wars didn't even exist anymore. Luckily, an official E3 fact sheet is out for the game and while it also contains previously known information, gaming site Evil Avatar has put up a list of "10 things you may or may not know about Halo Wars for the Xbox 360." Here it is below.
10. The game takes place before the events of Halo 1 9. Resource Gathering is minimal. Focus is on combat. 8. All cut scenes are done in engine. 7. The engine is written from the ground up by Ensemble and looks absolutely gorgeous. 6. The needler is the Halo 3 needler, not the Halo 2 one. (from what I've seen) 5. The control scheme was literally written from the ground up for an Xbox 360 controller. 4. The music isn't going to be composed by Marty O'Donnell 3. There is a ton of little touches that help build out the world. The world is full of life and random activities. 2. The game will have Spartans. 1.The game will feature online Co-Op!
The part with the control scheme being "literally written from the ground up for the Xbox 360's controller", I'd say was pretty obvious. After all, Halo Wars doesn't have anything else in common with the FPS predecessor, other than the storyline. However, it's great to hear that there will be tons of little touches to be made, while the world is "full of life and random activities." The fact that no gameplay experience will be the same twice makes it a must-have title.
An audio transcript (streaming) of the closed door session with Ensemble Studios' Lead Designer, Graham Devine is available right here. The game is still for a 2008 release, while Ensemble still hasn't confirmed the day and month. That's all for now. I hope the information is useful.