Canon Fodder

Fiction

Alex Wakeford

Issue 169

Canon Fodder: Midnight Oil

Community

Halo25Together

Your Halo Story: Chapter 6

Halo Fest

Welcome back Halo fans! Since December we’ve been delivering news about Halo Fest and what you all can get excited about. If you’re new here, don’t worry we’ve got you covered:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-march">March Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-february">February Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-january">January Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-december">December Update</a></li>
</ul>



Alright, let’s jump in since we’ve got big news to share today!



Here’s the TL;DR for those too eager to read on:



<ul>
<li>Special Guests: The voices of the Master Chief and Cortana, Steve Downes and Jen Taylor will be joining us.</li>



<li>We’ve moved buildings within the Seattle Convention Center for more space. Bigger venue = more activations and also some more tickets!</li>



<li>Small batch of tickets releases on June 9 @ <a href="https://halofest.com/tickets">halofest.com/tickets</a></li>
</ul>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">SPECIAL GUESTS</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9.png" alt="Halo Fest - Voice Actors of Master Chief and Cortana. (Steve Downes and Jen Taylor)" class="wp-image-166914" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9.png 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



25 years ago, two people named Steve Downes and Jen Taylor jumped into a studio booth to record voices for an upcoming game named Halo: Combat Evolved. Little did any of us know, this game, these voices, and those characters in the Master Chief and Cortana, would leave a permanent mark in the hearts of millions of people around the world and on the entertainment industry itself.



This year is important for the franchise because of the game that started it all, the release of the remake in Halo: Campaign Evolved, and of course this event in Halo Fest where we get together and celebrate as a community.



And so with that, we’re thrilled to confirm that both Steve Downes, the voice of the Master Chief and Jen Taylor, the voice of Cortana will both be joining us at Halo Fest.



For Halo Fest, Steve and Jen will be spending as much time as possible with the community so expect meet and greets, signings, and photo ops through the weekend. We will share their detailed schedule later this fall ahead of the big event.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING & VENUE UPDATE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-166928" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



After building HaloWC each year and growing our attendance, we set a lofty goal of making Halo Fest double the size of HaloWC and the community has blown away our expectations. We did not think there was a real chance it would sell out this far ahead of the actual event.



The demand from this community has been incredible, and we want to meet it. To do that, we’re moving Halo Fest to a bigger venue. We’ve worked closely with the city of Seattle and have decided to relocate from the Summit building of the Seattle Convention Center to its next-door neighbor, the Arch building. If the Arch sounds familiar, it’s because it’s where HaloWC has been held each year. However, that was in just one of the halls. Halo Fest will be held in all of the major halls that the venue has to offer making it nearly twice the size of HaloWC 2025.



A bigger venue means a better Halo Fest. We’ll be able to include more activations and space for attendees to enjoy the weekend – and it also means more of you.



Because of the additional space, we’re also able to sell more tickets starting on June 9 at 10AM PT at <a href="https://halofest.com/tickets">halofest.com/tickets</a>.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



We are very grateful that Halo has such an amazing community and it’s a privilege for us to host an event such as Halo Fest where all of you can share your love and passion for Halo. Thank you to everyone who has made plans to attend, we can’t wait to see you in December!



Thanks,



Tashi

Tashi

Halo Fest – Special Guests, Bigger Venue, More Tix! (May Update)

Waypoint Chronicles

Coinciding nicely with the launch of <a href="http://aka.ms/WaypointChronicles">Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume One</a>, our latest episode of Spartan Chatter featured none other than Senior Franchise Story Lead Jeff Easterling and Franchise Writer Alex Wakeford, and it was an absolute treat!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Chronicle compilation</h2>



From initial inception to published work, we set out to learn how this dynamic duo brought this anthology to life. (It all started with Halo 4‘s tenth anniversary if you’re wondering!) From there, the Waypoint Chronicles project blossomed into a vehicle to continue telling the story past the launch of Halo Infinite and more.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Spartan Chatter: Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume 1" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fKX1dEwgjCE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Today, it is a full fledged novel with all the previously released Chronicles included, and ten brand-new never before seen stories. Additionally, the audio book is comprised of a rich cast of talent from well known voice actors to Halo community members using their skills to bring the stories to life.



<a href="https://aka.ms/WaypointChronicles">Pick up your copy from Simon & Schuster today!</a>



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Spartan Chatter is an audio series, a podcast if you will, hosted on our <a href="https://wordpress.admin.halowaypoint.com/article/halo-outcasts-spartan-chatter/discord.gg/Halo">official Halo Discord</a> which brings members of the studio together to discuss all things Halo with a live audience.



You can find previous episodes of Spartan Chatter on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SWLEPaTx4c&list=PLn5QvCoiY3w7t84T_MFkGl8qvYI_q148-">YouTube channel’s Podcasts page</a> and on our Discord server.

snickerdoodle

Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume 1 | Spartan Chatter

Book Preview

Games

Halo Infinite

Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume One, a new anthology novel from Halo Studios’s own Jeff Easterling and Alexander Wakeford, is out now!



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Delve once more into stories of legendary heroism and star-spanning conflicts—from the time of the ancient Forerunners to the perils of a twenty-sixth century clash between the United Nations Space Command and the Banished alien alliance.



Halo: Waypoint Chronicles—Volume One collects over thirty short stories from all corners of the Halo universe, including twenty-four adventures previously only available online, plus ten brand-new tales exclusive to this collected volume! Also included are dozens of additional pieces of lore-laden intel items and story vignettes connected to the Halo Infinite game experience.



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<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Waypoint-Chronicles/Jeff-Easterling/Halo/9781668215227">Halo: Waypoint Chronicles is available in trade paperback, ebook, and unabridged audiobook formats.</a>



The stunning cover art is illustrated by Levi “Leviathan” Hoffmeier, known for official artwork in the 2022 Halo Encyclopedia and the beloved fan-made comic A Fistful of Arrows.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Waypoint-Chronicles/Jeff-Easterling/Halo/9781668215227"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2048" height="1420" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover.jpg" alt="Full Halo: Waypoint Chronicles - Volume One cover art illustrated by Levi Hoffmeier depicting a Halo ring, a UNSC frigate, a Warthog driving past a Forerunner beam tower, Despondent Pyre, a Promethean Knight, Ilsa Zane, a Flood-infected Spartan, Laurette Agryna, Escharum, Fahl 'Nto, and Jun-A266" class="wp-image-142581" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover-300x208.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover-768x533.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover-1536x1065.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/WC_FullCover-1568x1087.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></a></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONTENTS</h2>



The stories included within this vast volume include:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Vertical Umbrage</td><td>Winter Contention</td><td>Precipice</td><td>Duality</td><td>Sunrise on Sanghelios</td></tr><tr><td>Saturn Devouring His Son</td><td>Battle for the Blood-Moon</td><td>Trial of Reckoning</td><td>Hippocratica</td><td>Fireside</td></tr><tr><td>The Third Life</td><td>Anvil Accord</td><td>The Machine Breaks</td><td>Venezian Sonata</td><td>Age of Retribution</td></tr><tr><td>Whispers From The Pyre</td><td>From The Soil To The Stars</td><td>Tulpamancy</td><td>Battle for the Academy I</td><td>Battle for the Academy II</td></tr><tr><td>Moonrise Over Mombasa</td><td>“Ghosts & Glass” by B. Giraud</td><td>Ascension on Atropos</td><td>The Eridanus Twelve</td><td>Fifth Canticle</td></tr><tr><td>Rendezvous With Ramen</td><td>Ghosts of the Gyre</td><td>Bella Corsa</td><td>London Calling</td><td>Aileron</td></tr><tr><td>Worlds Uncharted</td><td>First Rain</td><td>Axios</td><td>Graveworld</td><td>Connectivity, Part 2</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Also included are all of the seasonal Intel texts that appeared in Halo Infinite‘s main menu and the Armory Infinitum entries from the last few years of Canon Fodder issues, detailing a moment in time when the special weapons in Halo Infinite were used.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Waypoint-Chronicles/Jeff-Easterling/Halo/9781668215234"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2160" height="810" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025.jpg" alt="Collage of all Waypoint Chronicle cover art from 2022-2025" class="wp-image-166106" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025.jpg 2160w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-300x113.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-1024x384.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-768x288.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-1536x576.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-2048x768.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/04/WaypointChronicles_2025-1568x588.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px" /></a></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AUDIOBOOK NARRATORS</h2>



For audiobook listeners, strap in because this volume includes over thirty narrators, including legendary Halo voice talent, new readers, and even several members of the community!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Waypoint-Chronicles/Jeff-Easterling/Halo/9781668166727"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2300" height="1437" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-165520" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast.jpg 2300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-300x187.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-768x480.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-2048x1280.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/WaypointChronicles_Audiobook_FullCast-1568x980.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2300px) 100vw, 2300px" /></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Vertical Umbrage Fred Tatasciore  </td><td>Winter Contention Kevin R. Free  </td><td>Precipice Gideon Emery  </td><td>Duality Fred Tatasciore  </td></tr><tr><td>Sunrise on Sanghelios Cary Hite </td><td>Saturn Devouring His Son Stewart Crank </td><td>Battle for the Blood-Moon Jean Gilpin </td><td>Trial of Reckoning Helen Laser </td></tr><tr><td>Hippocratica Daniel Henning  </td><td>Fireside Erika Soto  </td><td>The Third Life Tamara Taylor  </td><td>Anvil Accord Austin Murphy  </td></tr><tr><td>The Machine Breaks Jen Taylor </td><td>Venezian Sonata Tricia Helfer </td><td>Age of Retribution Luc Allcock </td><td>Whispers From the Pyre Sarah Elmelah </td></tr><tr><td>From the Soil to the Stars Lisa Flanagan </td><td>Tulpamancy Jacques Roy </td><td>Battle for the Academy I Tran Trieu </td><td>Battle for the Academy II Camilla Arfwedson </td></tr><tr><td>Moonrise Over Mombasa Yinka Ladeinde </td><td>“Ghosts & Glass” by B. Giraud Pierce O’Toole </td><td>Ascension on Atropos Stewart Crank </td><td>The Eridanus Twelve Jeff Steitzer </td></tr><tr><td>Fifth Canticle Jen Taylor </td><td>Rendezvous With Ramen Martin Smith </td><td>Ghosts of the Gyre Jenna Sharpe </td><td>Bella Corsa Lottie Van-Praag </td></tr><tr><td>London Calling Suzie McGrath  </td><td>Aileron Jeff Easterling  </td><td>Worlds Uncharted Kat Peterson  </td><td>First Rain Gideon Emery  </td></tr><tr><td>Axios Darren O’Hare </td><td>Graveworld Alexander Wakeford </td><td>Connectivity, Part 2 Jen Taylor </td><td>Intel & Armory Infinitum Scott Brick </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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Whether you’re looking to read the physical or digital version of Halo: Waypoint Chronicles, or listen to the audiobook, you’re in for a wide variety of stories, settings, and characters across the Halo universe’s vast tapestry of lore.



<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Waypoint-Chronicles/Jeff-Easterling/Halo/9781668215227">ORDER HALO: WAYPOINT CHRONICLES</a>

Halo Studios

Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Vol. One | OUT NOW

NOVEL DATABASE

Official Halo Book Guide

Your Halo Story: Chapter 5

Seconds into your first match of Firefight: Gauntlet, you’ll understand the name.



This deviously difficult PvE mode introduces upgradeable attributes, elimination objectives, and auto-scaled difficulty settings to a boss-filled Firefight experience designed to challenge even the toughest Spartans.



Bring your mightiest warriors, because each phase of the Gauntlet is harder than the last.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The GAUNTLET is here! ⚔️" width="540" height="960" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9JNf0ZRXLd0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SLAY TO SURVIVE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked.jpg" alt="A Spartan with a Rocket Launcher on its back fighting a giant Sentinel and Banished forces in the Gauntlet." class="wp-image-166413" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/GauntletPressKit_02_1080_Watermarked-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



As endless enemies rush from all sides, your team’s only hope is to eliminate the bosses in each arena to halt their reinforcements and progress to the next encounter.



Combat ranges through five maps connected by a supply area where you can gather ammo and equipment, roll for power weapons, or level up your personal buffs (Speed, Resistance, Regeneration, and Damage) for the onslaught ahead.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001.jpg" alt="The armor hall on a map for upgrades." class="wp-image-166427" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/platform_store_H6_W4_001-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Between rounds, you’ll get a chance to upgrade your stats and kit out before the next attack—so make those choices count! Survive five rounds, and victory is yours.



Pro tip: If you can retrieve the Oddball from the Harbinger, bring it back to the supply zone to activate Skull modifiers and boost everyone’s Personal Score during the match.



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Gear up, load out, and hold on for dear life. Play Firefight: Gauntlet with up to four players in Halo Infinite’s Firefight playlist now.

Mutinous Core

Enter Firefight: Gauntlet

Anniversary Angle: Memorable Campaign Moments

Your Halo Story: Chapter 4