For at least a week we knew that the Halo: Spartan Assault launch party was scheduled for last night, July 16. But Microsoft didn’t want to announce the game’s actual launch date for some reason, so doubt remained that it would arrive this week. Well, Spartan Assault didn’t release today, but this evening we officially learned that it’s coming tomorrow.
Fans might have to wait another day to play Halo: Spartan Assault, but that doesn’t mean they can’t celebrate the game’s impending release right this minute. Microsoft and 343 Industries have just released seven new Spartan Assault-themed avatar items on the Xbox Marketplace. Hey, at least our avatars can be dressed for success when the game launches tomorrow!
Costume play
What do the seven new avatar items consist of? Well, a Spartan Assault logo t-shirt in both male and female variations accounts for two of them. A stylish Palmer helmet t-shirt comes in boy and girl styles as well. The design resembles the emblems that players create for themselves in the Halo games. All four shirts cost 80 Microsoft Points (they’re not quite defunct yet) or $1 each.
Of course, fanciful avatar stuff tends to be way more exciting than t-shirts. Thankfully, Microsoft also released full golden avatar body armor based on Spartan Davis, the game’s new male character. The Spartan Davis Armor comes in both male and female varieties for a steep 320 Microsoft Points ($4) each. Spartan Assault’s other protagonist Sarah Palmer’s armor has been available since February, when it was released as part of the Halo 4 avatar collection.
Props for the prop
The seventh and final new Spartan Assault avatar item has quickly become one of my favorite props to date. It’s a Windows 8 tablet with screen borders that match the actual Halo: Spartan Assault in-game border. I wouldn’t want the corners of my actual tablet cut off like that, but it’s a striking design nonetheless. The rear of the tablet is emblazoned with the game’s logo. The Halo: Spartan Assault Tablet prop rings up at 240 MS Points ($3).
You can browse or purchase the full assortment of Halo: Spartan Assault gear at Xbox.com.