Two-Minute Trailer Showcases Scope and Scale of “Halo Wars 2” Universe

June 18, 2016 - At Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2016, 343 Industries and Blur Studio debuted a  two-minute trailer for upcoming Windows 10 and Xbox One game “Halo Wars 2,” created in collaboration with twofifteenmccann. 

The CG trailer shows the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire facing off against a dangerous mercenary force known as The Banished as they battle for supremacy within the Halo universe. To visually convey each leaders’ skill in quickly analyzing an action-packed battlefield, the trailer includes multiple slow-motion sequences at 1,000 frames per second, giving viewers a ringside look at what these commanders must process while in the heat of battle. Performances for both were recorded via motion capture; Blur created a new character pipeline to handle The Banished characters’ unique facial structure and hair, and deliver an enhanced level of realism in CG.

“We wanted a trailer that really showcased how the leaders in ‘Halo Wars 2’ find opportunity in chaos, focusing on those moments that separate the two factions of the UNSC and The Banished,” said Dan Ayoub, Studio Head of Strategy Games Development, 343 Industries. “After multiple collaborations with Blur throughout the life of the Halo franchise, we knew we could come to them to deliver with a trailer that engages fans and leaves them wanting to dive straight into the game to see even more.”

“Blur has been collaborating on the ‘Halo’ franchise since 2008, but this game takes it to a new level of intensity and scale which was an exciting challenge,” said Dave Wilson of Blur, who directed the trailer. “Our team of 30 artists had already developed so many of the characters, environments, and assets for the in-game cinematics that when it came time to make the trailer, we had the freedom to focus on really cranking up the effects and ultimately making it a visual spectacle that reflects the unprecedented scope and scale of this game.”

In addition to the trailer, Blur is also creating 25 minutes of in-game cinematics for “Halo Wars 2.” “Halo Wars 2” comes to Windows 10 and Xbox One February 21, 2017. To view a behind-the-scenes video from Blur Studio, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhCnA4bH84g

About Blur Studio

Blur Studio is an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated production studio based in Culver City, California. Founded in 1995, the company provides award-winning animation, effects and design for a wide range of media – short films, large format films, commercials, concept art, feature effects, music videos, game cinematics and broadcast design. Notable clients include ABC, Disney, Marvel, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., CBS, Microsoft, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Sony, Activision, Nickelodeon, FOX Sports and EA, among others. For more information, please visit  www.blur.com.