Microsoft insists Master Chief remains "integral" part of Halo 5: Guardians
After actor calls playable Agent Locke "primary character".
Microsoft has responded to the recent debate about the main character of upcoming Xbox One first-person shooter Halo 5: Guardians.
Earlier today an interview with Mike Colter, who plays Agent Locke in the game, conducted by X-One Magazine hit Reddit - via Imgur.
"Yeah, I'm a playable character in Halo 5," he said. "Once Halo: The Master Chief Collection is released, and then Halo 5 comes out shortly thereafter, you're basically going to be playing a game with me as the primary character.
"I'll have some cool weaponry, and some cool abilities, because by that time I'll be a Spartan IV."
Colter's comments sparked a discussion about Halo 5: will it revolve around fan favourite Master Chief, as previous Halo games have? Or will it be new character Agent Locke, set to star in upcoming live action series Halo Nightfall, who takes centre stage?
We don't know how much of the game you'll spend playing Locke compared to how much time you'll spend playing Master Chief, but responding to a request for comment from Eurogamer this evening, a Microsoft spokesperson insisted Master Chief plays an important role in the game and confirmed he is a playable character.
"As we've said before, Locke plays a primary role in Halo 5: Guardians," the Microsoft spokesperson said.
"The Master Chief remains an integral part of the game's story and as a playable character."
That doesn't give away much, so we return to the interview with Colter, who teased more about how Halo 5's story will play out.
"What's not known, is whether I'm a friend or foe," Colter said. "The relationship between Master Chief and Jameson Locke is going to be interesting. Because what's the outcome?
"Is he dead or alive? Because that's usually what a manhunt comes down to, dead or alive, but you won't know what the purpose of finding Master Chief is [right away].
"Or what will happen if we do find him, what condition he will be in, and where he's at mentally. But I'm sure that'll be a plot twist in Halo 5."
Here's my speculation: POSSIBLE HALO 4 SPOILERS AHEAD.
Following the events of Halo 4, which saw Master Chief changed in some way, the disenfranchised super soldier goes AWOL. Agent Locke is sent to find - and secure - the UNSC's prized asset. You play Locke while on that search.
After you track Master Chief down - probably on some mysterious Forerunner world - some secret is revealed and you switch to play as Master Chief, who joins forces with Agent Locke in a bid to finish the fight. Again.
