Halo coming to mobile ? but only Windows Phone

Fans of the epic video game series Halo will be pleased to hear that Microsoft have finally announced they are bringing a version of the game to mobile phones. Unlike other mobile versions of XBox exclusive games the game will be playable without an XBox. The catch? Microsoft have limited the game to Windows Phone 8 to try to help boost the popularity of the platform.

Halo was one of the series that made XBox what it is today. Without amazing games released exclusives for the relative later comer into the gaming console world, Microsoft wouldn?t have succeeded in dominating that market. They?re clearly hoping to have a Halo effect in the mobile phone world with this exclusively Windows Phone 8 venture.

Windows Phone 8 has always tried to tempt XBox users to switch to the mobile platform. XBox Live support was built in and some games had apps released that compliment gameplay. However Microsoft never truly exploited the link in a big way as they are now clearly trying to.

Will the release of Halo Spartan Assault for Windows Phone 8 bring in the crowds? Hardcore Halo fans might be tempted, especially as the game is being produced by the same developers that made Halo 4 ? 343 Industries, along with Vanguard Games.

But some aspects of the gameplay might put potential converts off. The is not the first person view we?re used to but a angular top down view. Games often lose their audience making changes like this as players prefer the type of gameplay they are used to. You control the game using a left hand virtual joystick.

The game is set between the worlds of Halo 3 and Halo 4, and provides a means for players to game emblems and experience points for their Halo character that can be used in Halo 4. This alone might mean some diehard Halo 4 plans purchase a Windows Phone 8 device just to get gameplay benefits on their XBox game.

The game will be much cheaper than the Halo series costing just $6.99 in the USA (equivalent to about ?4.50) but will have in app purchases for upgrades so isn?t all inclusive.

Windows Phone 8 devices tend to be great phones and Microsoft have made a really good, intuitive operating system. The problem is that the lack of market share has led to developers neglecting the device when released apps. Many apps users consider key to their smartphone experience aren?t available for the platform. Hence the devices were only about 2% of the smartphone market last year according to CCS Insight ? although this figure is expected to double this year and might grow further as a result of the Halo launch.

Launching apps exclusively for Windows Phone 8 is clearly Microsoft?s way of combating the fact that many apps are in effect exclusives to the two dominant platforms, Android and iOS. Other manufacturers with great phones like Blackberry struggle because of the lack of apps. Finnish mobile phone developer Jolla who have their own operating system are getting around this problem by designing their platform to run Android apps.

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Source: http://www.mobilephones.org.uk/halo-coming-to-mobile-but-only-windows-phone/

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