?Halo 4? Release Includes New Spartan Ops And Special Edition Unveiled, ?Halo 5? Details Emerge

Halo 4 is slated for a release date of Nov. 6^th, and multiplayer information is beginning to emerge. Known collectively as Infinity Multiplayer, the game will introduce a brand new mode called Spartan Ops. This will act as an episode-based continuation the Halo 4 campaign mode, and tells the story of the UNSC Infinity.

These Spartan Ops co-op missions will give players a new mission each week, along with cinematic back story as they progress through the game's multiplayer offerings, according to Polygon. Another mode included in the Infinity Multiplayer umbrella known as War Games will allow players to participate in standard competitive matches. Contrastingly, Spartan Ops tells the tale of the Majestic Squad that serves aboard the Infinity through weekly, single player or four-player co-op missions.

Each episode of Spartan Ops will allow gamers to explore the corners of Requiem in these objective-based missions, and help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Forerunner world, according to Joystiq.

Polygon obtained information through a press release from Microsoft that also unveils the Halo 4 Limited Edition package. This sports a price tag of $99.99 and will include a host of features, such as free access to additional competitive War Games DLC map packs that are scheduled for post launch. Early access to six Specializations, which are used to custom-tailor characters, a USNC Infinity Briefing Packet including concept art for Spartan armor, unique skins for Spartan-IV armor, props for your Xbox Live avatar and an extended 90 minute version for Forward Unto Dawn are also included.

The special edition is available for pre-order starting today, and 343 Industries has confirmed that only two options will be available for retail. This is the regular version and the special edition package.

Game Informer recently sat down with Frank O'Connor of 343 to gain some insight into the future of the Halo franchise. O'Connor said that there is a vague outline for the next 10 years of the series, but nothing is concrete.

Unlike writing a novel, developing the next chapter in a video game series can be more challenging to plan ahead, O'Connor says. New technology and fan feedback tend to shape the direction of an upcoming game.

Pieces of the sandbox end up being less or more popular than you might have expected, and so the content shift in reality, never mind the technology of the actual gameplay content, should be the thing that defines your gameplay universe, he said in a video interview with the gaming magazine.

O'Connor also alluded to the fact that the story in Halo successor releases will focus on Master Chief.

As we build the sagas, certainly 343's focus is Master Chief's arc, he said.

Although bits of information involving the upcoming Halo adventure continue to leak, such as the two new enemies that were revealed on May 15^th, fans will have to wait until the Nov. 6^th release date to know for sure.