When Halo(R) hit the shelves with the launch of the Xbox(R) in 2001, it was an immediate sensation. This action-packed science fiction--military combat game, set on a distant, war-torn, artificial planet, became an instant triumph with gamers-and scored numerous awards for its innovations, irresistibility, and sheer thrills. "The Art of Halo" is a showcase of its stunning visual style, a fascinating guided tour through the making of the phenomenon-from bright idea to brilliant result-and a testament to the creativity of the artists at Bungie Studios. - Meet the brains behind Bungie, the birthplace of Halo- Feast your eyes on a panorama of "all-new" artwork from its spectacular sequel "Halo 2"-one of the most eagerly-awaited games of 2004- Discover the art of game design from the inside out, in interviews with-and illustrations by-the Halo creative team- Learn the secrets of designing gear from the artists themselves- Follow the construction of a crucial sequence from storyboard to completion, along with pages from the actual script- Thrill to a gallery of glorious Halo artwork, including action figure designs, game packaging, cartoon strips, posters, T-shirts, and more It's all here-the story behind the sensation that "GamePro" declares "above and beyond what console gamers have come to expect"-in one virtuoso volume