Note: This article was published prior to the release of Halo 5 and during the ‘Hunt the Truth’ marketing campaign. With Halo Infinite almost here, Master Chief is alive and doing what he does best.
Original article follows.
UPDATE 2: It’s up again. UPDATE: New live action trailer released. Master Chief isn’t dead! Man, this game is going to be so epic.
The Master Chief is dead. At least, that’s what 343 Industries wants us to believe. Master Chief’s demise was first hinted at in the Spartan Locke trailer six months ago.
But, the truth is never what it seems. Another trailer was released with the roles reversed. This time, Master Chief was looming over Spartan Locke.
The pair of trailers are part of Microsoft’s fantastic #HuntTheTruth marketing campaign. Seriously, if you haven’t listened to it yet – do it now. You won’t be disappointed. I listened to the first season over the weekend and was shocked at the quality. Now I want every game to have this kind of marketing.
The story of Master Chief’s death went into overdrive with the trailer released during the Sunday Night Football game. In it, the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) revealed the Master Chief was killed on the planet Meridian on October 27, 2560.
Now, those of you who have listened to #HuntTheTruth know that you can’t trust a damn thing ONI says.
Earlier this week, this image was uploaded to the #HuntTheTruth.
The date of Master Chief’s death was misreported. His alleged death happens October 27, 2558. Now that date looks familiar. That’s the date the Swords of Sanghelios mission takes place on.
So, just another piece of ONI propaganda right? This is where things start to look bad for Master Chief. In the latest #HuntTheTruth episode, Ilsa Zane (a commander of the rebel group New Colonial Alliance) also reveals the death of the Master Chief. She said she confirmed the news via multiple sources.
And finally we have The Sprint – Season 3 teaser released yesterday. Fast forward to 0:18 and you’ll see a page of the script from Halo 5: Guardians. Full-screen the video and you should be able to make out the bottom half. It heavily implies Master Chief is dead.
#TeamChief all the way
Master Chief isn’t dead. Nope. I’m not having any of it. You can’t trust anything ONI or ONI affiliated forces say. That includes Osiris Team.
But how does Halo 5: Guardians’ campaign line up with the story of Master Chief’s death?
There are spoilers below, but nothing that wasn’t officially revealed in demos or Game Informer’s cover story this year. Stop reading if you don’t want to know anything about Halo 5: Guardians’ story before release.
ONI says he died on Meridian on October 27, 2558. On the same day, Osiris Team is on Sanghelios to rescue the Arbiter and reach the Guardian at Sunaion. (go to 3:43 on the Swords of Sanghelios gameplay video)
We know Osiris Team reaches the Arbiter based on the E3 Campaign demo (below). In this video, the Arbiter says, “Sunaion, the Covenant’s final stronghold, that is where you will find the Master Chief and the Guardian he seeks.” At the end of the campaign demo, Osiris Team is stopped by the Warden Eternal, “keeper of the Domain and her secrets.”
“The Master Chief is called,” the Warden Eternal tells Locke. “But you, your passage is denied.”
As for Meridian? That also lines up with the story. Master Chief gets separated from Blue Team during the second mission, “Blue Team.” While separated, Master Chief hears a familiar voice call out to him. “The domain is open. Meridian is next. John, the Reclamation is about to begin.” Here’s the cutscene (fast forward to 10:40).
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343 Industries isn’t playing around. They really want us to believe the Master Chief is dead. But I’m still not buying it. Nope. If the Master Chief ever does die – the reveal won’t be in an advertising campaign or a behind-the-scenes video. At least, I hope not.
Master Chief’s death would be a pivotal moment in the Halo series. A moment that 343 Industries would not spoil in an advert. So why all the death talk around Master Chief? Simple, it gets people talking. I know I can’t wait to get my hands on the campaign.
And if the Master Chief is really dead? I hate you 343; I hate you.