"Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary" Commemorates 10 Years of Gaming's Most Iconic Franchise

The award-winning title that defined a decade of Xbox gaming returns in a stunning new remake

It’s been 10 years since Master Chief first began his assault on the Covenant. Now, a decade after the genre-defining franchise elevated gaming to mainstream entertainment, he returns with the release of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary1.

In spectacularly re-mastered graphics and with the option of 3D gameplay2, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary compels you to return once more to the ringworld of Halo.

To celebrate, Xbox New Zealand is offering Xbox Live Gold Membership holders the chance to win one of 50 Microsoft Points prize packages by playing Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary online. In total 234,000 MS Points are up for grabs with a grand prize of 30,000 Points.

To win simply play Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary online in multiplayer mode for the first time and you’ll automatically go in the draw to win.3

The promotion starts on launch day (15 November) and runs until midnight on 20 December 2011. The winners will be drawn randomly on 22 December 2011 and notified by email.

New Zealand fans will also have the opportunity to enter competitions to win a limited edition Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary T-shirt through various gaming websites and press outlets. Only 200 shirts are being produced by Xbox New Zealand to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the franchise.

In recognition of the Halo history and its place as one of the most iconic science-fiction universes of all time, Xbox 360 has created the “The Living Monument” as a tribute to the Chief.

By visiting HaloLivingMonument.com today, fans can upload pictures of their favourite Halo memories from the last decade and watch as they seamlessly merge with images submitted by legions of other fans around the world to form an interactive, 3D mosaic image of Master Chief. Users can explore the content of the mosaic, rate their favourite submissions and share them with friends on Facebook and Twitter. Contributing to the mosaic is as easy as uploading an image from Facebook or leaving a comment about your favourite Halo memory.6

In addition, fans who add their photos to the interactive memorial can see their contributions immortalized in a personalized, live-action Halo Tribute video that honours the dedication and support of the Halo community over the franchise’s ten year history.6

“Whether you’ve followed the story from the beginning or want to experience it for the first time, ‘Halo: Anniversary’ offers everyone a chance to relive the iconic classic before they embark on a brand new adventure with Master Chief next year in ‘Halo 4,” says Bonnie Ross, general manager for 343 Industries.

New features include cooperative play over Xbox LIVE4, a bundle of some of the most beloved multiplayer maps in Halo history reimagined for Xbox LIVE4, new challenges and a new story to uncover. In total, more than 3.3 billion hours of Halo have been played worldwide on Xbox LIVE4.

You can also enhance the experience with Kinect for Xbox 360 which enables you to throw grenades and reload using your voice5.

More than 40 million copies of Halo have been sold over the title’s 10-year history and to date the franchise has generated revenue in excess of two billion dollars.

Not many game titles boast a history and success such as Halo and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” is a must-have experience for veteran Spartans and new fans alike.

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1 Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is rated R16

2 3D capable television required for 3D gameplay

3 Terms and conditions apply, see peadpr.co.nz for details

4 Xbox LIVE Gold membership (sold separately) required for online co-operative and multiplayer gameplay

5 Xbox 360 Kinect sensor sold separately

6 In New Zealand, only adult accounts (18+) can download or stream content over Xbox LIVE