Newsflash:

Halo Wars Historic Battles Game Add-on

Published July 14, 2009

You think you know every nook and cranny of every Halo Wars™ map? If you need to stretch out your UNSC or Covenant legs, mobilize your troops and report for duty at your next assignment in Halo Wars, the best-selling real-time strategy game on any current generation console.

Battle to tackle the high ground in Memorial Basin.

Microsoft and Robot Entertainment expand the field of engagement with four new multiplayer Skirmish maps that highlight key turning points in the UNSC/Covenant war. Take on ruthless A.I. or live opponents in these brand new battlefields with the Historic Battle Game Add-on Pack, available on July 21 for 800 MS Points in all Xbox LIVE® enabled regions.

Whoever controls the bridges will win Blood River.

Historic Battle expands the universe for Halo Wars fans with four new multiplayer maps with varied terrains for players to find their competitive edge by using unique features of each map. The four new maps include:

• Barrens: Difficult terrain channels units into killing zones. The side that controls the Forerunner artifacts will have the advantage (1v1 Map).
• Blood River: Secure base locations on nearby cliffs overlook this naturally red-tinged river. The soldiers that fought over its two narrow crossings gave the river its name, which has since taken on a greater meaning (1v1 Map).
• Glacial Ravine: A snow-topped mountain range forms a natural barrier that cuts this region in half.  Control of the two energy walls at the narrow central pass often determines the outcome of the battle, though clever use of the Sentinel Factories may play a role as well (3v3 Map).
• Memorial Basin: The high ground in the middle offers good cover for infantry, while the generally open terrain transforms organized battle plans into bloodbaths (2v2 Map).

A snowy pass separates teams in Glacial Ravine.

Historic Battle also adds four new Achievements worth a total of 100 points:

• Tour Coming Through: Hot drop 50 squads to your Covenant Leader in a single game on Memorial Basin (30 points)
• Never Leave a Man Behind: Finish a game with 5000 net resources contributed to your teammates on Barrens (15 points)
• Drain Cleaner: Kill 20 enemy squads with a continuous Covenant Leader Power on Memorial Basin (30 points)
• Killjoy: Disrupt 5 active Leader Powers in a single game on Blood River (25 points)

Halo Wars is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and is available worldwide.