Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a live-action digital series that takes fans back to the terrifying beginning of the Human/Covenant war, when the Master Chief inspired a young cadet who would eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC’s greatest vessel: the UNSC Infinity.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn reportedly cost Microsoft between $5 million and $10 million to produce – the company hopes that it this big budget project will allow 343 Industries to reach new audiences.

“We want this piece to do all the things that a game, by virtue of being a game, can’t,” said producer Lydia Antonini. “When you have real people, you can have real stakes and make connections.”

Take a look at the full-length trailer below.

Halo 4 is scheduled to launch worldwide in November exclusively on Xbox 360

Watch the video after the break.