On Friday 20th March, a Tumblr page was discovered, featuring little more than a countdown clock and a Halo 5: Guardians logo. On Sunday 22nd March, that countdown ended, beginning what's looking like 12 full weeks of teasing reveals about Halo 5: Guardians, collected under the banner #HUNTtheTRUTH. We'll be collecting every shred of info we can find and regularly updating this article, keeping you abreast of every hint of new info on the year's most anticipated game.
Hunt the Truth Episode 00 - Primer
Today saw the naugural episode of Hunt the Truth, a 12-part weekly podcast series presented by the fictional Benjamin Giraud, a war journalist (played, weirdly, by Keegan-Michael Key of Key and Peele) searching for the truth behind the conspiracy that surrounds Master Chief in his upcoming fifth outing. Basically, it seems like Serial, but with lasers.
The introductory episode, 'Primer', has Giraud explaining that he's looking to tell the "ugly" story of Master Chief's history. It also introduces what seems to be the keyword behind Halo 5's new campaign, "Traitor".
Interestingly, Giraud is not a new character - 343 has confirmed that he's the Photographer in the Halo graphic novel story 'Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa'. In that story, he is an operative for the Office of Naval Intelligence, or ONI.
Given that we already know Halo 5's single player component will feature Agent Locke, an ONI agent on the hunt for an AWOL Chief, it seems John-117's either done something very naughty, or is being fitted up for crimes he didn't commit. Considering ONI is responsible for counter-espionage and propaganda in the Halo universe, we're fairly sure it's the latter.
'Primer' doesn't reveal much more than the framework of the series to come - which will run weekly until E3 - but it's enough to whet our appetite for the intrigue to come.
Teaser Trailer - Bullet
Today, we found ourselves faced with 'Bullet', the most teasing of teaser trailers. At full speed, it simply features a familiar-looking sniper rifle ejecting a bullet and smashing Master Chief's iconic helmet.
But a nifty slowdown slider let's you look a little closer. In frame-by-frame view, the bullet is revealed to show a string of words pertinent to Chief's history and, it seems, his future: 'Son', 'Abductee', 'Victim', 'Orphan', 'Recruit', Soldier', 'Warrior', 'Ally', 'Hero', 'Savior' and 'Traitor'.
Nothing more hidden has been spotted in amongst the debris at time of writing, although we wouldn't rule it out. Let us know if you've spotted anything.
The Map
The most curious find of the campaign so far is a map or star chart, which has appeared in the background of most of the Hunt the Truth promotional material. You can see a chunk on the Tumblr page, but Reddit user AssaultCommand has cobbled together a more complete picture from various pieces:
As for what the map actually signifies, that's currently unknown, but suffice it to say that this is the kind of unfinished business an ARG community will fixate on until we have answers.
Live-Action Story Trailer
Microsoft has officially announced that this Sunday, 29th March, will see the release of the first story trailer for the game, a live-action affair. Don't be surprised to see Mike Colter, who portrayed Agent Locke in the Halo: Nightfall video series, pop up again - he's reprising the role in motion capture for the game, too.
You'll be able to watch the trailer on the day at http://www.xbox.com/halo5, and we'll have it sitting here waiting for you ASAP, too.
We'll be updating this story every time new information is released or discover, so make sure to check back frequently for new Halo 5: Guardians updates.
