Microsoft has announced the release date for Halo Wars 2‘s second open beta for PC and Xbox One. Starting from the January 20th – January 30th. Halo Wars 2 is the franchise’s sophomore attempt at creating a Real-Time-Strategy game in the long-running Sci-Fi Franchise.
The original Halo Wars was originally released on Xbox 360 and PC, with an Xbox One release last year. One of the key differences from the original title will be a change in development teams. This time, Halo Wars 2 will be a collaborative effort from 343 Industries and Creative Assembly. Here’s the latest trailer:
The first Halo Wars beta was released after E3 last year. The upcoming beta will have 1 map and 3 modes: 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3. There are also daily and weekly challenges that will be rolling out during the beta period. Microsoft has explained that these challenges are to stress-test their servers in order to prepare for launch.
Although your progress from the beta won’t carry over, you will earn two Blitz card packs, a card-collecting mini-game for the full game. With Halo Wars 2 being an Xbox ‘Play Anywhere’ title, you’ll be able to carry your achievements and saves along from Xbox One and PC. Your progress from the upcoming beta will not carry over to Halo Wars 2. However, by participating, players can earn two card packs for the game’s card-collecting minigame.
With the pedigree of both 343 Industries, this collaboration with Creative Assembly– stalwarts of the RTS genre and creators of the Total War franchise and Alien: Isolation hopes are high for this new entry into the franchise. Halo Wars 2 was announced last year at Microsoft‘s E3 Press Conference. Halo Wars 2 releases on February 21st 2016. For more information, check out Halo Waypoint.
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