Xbox One TV Series Combined With Halo 5 Spartan Ops Episodic DLC Could Transform Gaming

Could the Xbox One TV series be combined with episodic DLC gaming in games like Halo 5 in order to transform gaming as we know it?

In a related report by The Inquisitr, when it comes to power, the PS4 and the Xbox One energy consumption ratings end with both being labeled as energy vampires. But since the PS4 1080p, 60FPS performance is better than the Xbox One you might be surprised to find out which console consumes the most energy.

As we all know by now, Microsoft is positioning the Xbox One as an all-in-one entertainment system which includes interactive television. The Xbox Originals will provide TV series based upon game franchises like Gears Of War, Fable, Forza, and Age Of Empires. Microsoft also plans some reality TV shows focused on soccer and music and there’s also new stories being told in TV shows called Humans, Deadlands, Extraordinary Believers, Fearless, Gun Machine, and Winterworld.

What if Xbox Originals were to be combined with DLC-based gaming episodes? This would give new meaning to a Season Pass. For example, let’s say they ever made a Titanfall TV series. In addition to new TV episodes, developers could launch a mini Titanfall expansion that brings a map with gameplay related to the TV series.

Now this is not exactly a new idea. The first game to introduce this new type of hybrid entertainment is called Quantum Break, which is kind of like a SciFi CSI TV show following a game series by allowing gamers to explore crime scenes in-game.

But if this hybrid entertainment concept is to take off they Microsoft needs a name brand. As we all know by now, Halo 5: Guardians will not be released until 2015, and from all descriptions seems to be a standalone product, not a set of separate episodes. But Microsoft has been hinting at a “transformative” experience for Halo and we also know the Halo movie and the Halo TV series will be launching in 2014. Developer 343 Industries has also put out job offers for people with a background in developing episodic content.

So could Microsoft be planning on surprising us at E3 2014 by announcing that we may see a continuation of the Spartan Ops from Halo 4 in combination with the new Halo TV series? Spartan Ops Season 2 was cancelled in the past, but 343 Industries also gave us a hint when they said, “This does not mean the stories of the Infinity and Crimson are over, though.”

Assuming I’m correct, the real question is how will gamers pay for all this content. Would a Halo TV show simply be part of Xbox Live or would we have to buy each episode? Access to Spartan Ops Season 2, or whatever the Halo episodes are called, could be sold as season passes, as well, in addition to single episode purchases. There’s also the possibility they might try for a subscription-based model or include micro-transactions.