Microsoft unveils Halo: Spartan Strike mobile game for Windows 8 tablets and smartphones

Microsoft is announcing Halo: Spartan Strike, a new mobile and PC game that will offer a brand-new adventure in the Halo universe. The title is a top-down shooter game where you spray bullets in a certain direction by tapping a touchscreen.

Microsoft’s sci-fi first-person shooter series has sold more than 60 million units (or billions of dollars at retail) since 2001, and it has helped Microsoft sell millions of Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One game consoles. By making the game exclusive to the Windows tablet and smartphone platforms (at least for now), it hopes to sell more tablets and smartphones as well.

Microsoft Studios is the publisher of Halo: Spartan Strike, while Halo studio 343 Industries and Vanguard Games are developing it. The game will run on Windows 8 phones, tablets, and on Steam devices. It will be available for $6 on Dec. 12 with a teen rating.

The game is set during the events of Halo 2. It is similar in gameplay and graphics to Halo: Spartan Assault, which debuted last year. But the developers have taken feedback into account and launched improved controls, advanced abilities, and new enemies. The game has 30 missions through cities and jungles, with new weapons and vehicles (the Warthog). New enemies include the Prometheans.  It has a score from award-winning composer Tom Salta.

The title should satisfy the mobile urges of Halo players. In the meantime, Microsoft is also launching Halo: The Master Chief Collection on the Xbox One game console. It is also working on video expansions of the Halo universe with Halo: Nightfall and an upcoming Steven Spielberg television show.