In preparation for the launch of Halo 4, Microsoft funded a phenomenal 5 part web-series on Machinima Prime which tells a story taking fans back to the beginning of the human and Covenant war, and leading into the events of Halo 4. It was incredibly well done - I ended up watching all 5 parts back-to-back.

Thomas Lasky came to Corbulo Academy of Military Science with his mother and brother's impressive military careers hanging over his head. Haunted by ghosts from his past, he has serious doubts about the war he's expected to fight. As fellow cadet Chyler Silva tries to help him find his place at the academy, tensions with other squad members approach the breaking point.

Halo: Helljumper is an unofficial web series (made by fans) based on Microsoft's video game franchise, Halo. Adapted from the short story, "Dirt," By Tobias S. Buckell, it tells the story of a few human ODSTs as they fight through 27 years of brutal war with the Covenant. They evolve from a rag tag group of recruits in the UNSC to being cold battle hardened veterans that are shadows of their former selves. Halo: Helljumper - Episode 2 is out now.