14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at 343 Industries is in charge of one of the most valuable franchises in the history of gaming and the company is now announcing that they are planning to deliver five new books associated with Halo this year, before and after the launch of Guardians on the Xbox One.
The official announcement comes from the Halo Waypoint site and is offering a full list of the content that fans will be able to pick up and enjoy, all created in partnership with Simon & Schuster.
Halo: Hunters in the Dark will be written by Peter David and is a full novel which is set to be offered on June 16.
Frank O'Connor, who leads the development team at 343 Industries, is working on a digital single called Halo: Saint’s Testimony, set to be introduced on July 27, 2015.
Halo: Last Light is another full novel from Troy Denning, introduced on September 7.
Finally, fans will also be able to pick up a new Halo: Shadow of Intent novella that is created by Joseph Staten and will be on sale on December 7.
Halo: New Blood has already been launched and anyone interested in the story of a new generation of Spartans can pick up the book.
More information about the actual plot and the options linked to each of the products will be offered when they are closer to actual launch.
Halo 5: Guardians is still the focus for 343 Industries
Frank O'Connor is saying that the books are designed to offer a broader look at the galaxy and to explain the way the various major players are dealing with events, while telling interesting stories in their own right.
He adds, "We’re always careful to make sure the novels support and enrich the game, but to ensure they work as standalone pieces."
The fact that there's a gap between the launch of Last Light in September and that of Shadow of Intent in December will probably get fans speculating about what the new books can offer in term of hints about Halo 5: Guardians.
The game is set to be offered on the Xbox One and no details about its single-player Master Chief-focused story have been offered so far.
The recent multiplayer beta is being used by 343 Industries to refine the mechanics and to make sure that gamers have more options, including the one to turn off all Spartan abilities in custom matches.
