Today at San Diego Comic-Con International, the world’s largest pop culture convention, 343 Industries and Microsoft Corp. unveiled the official trailer for “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn,” the landmark live-action digital series based on the best-selling Xbox franchise. The series will be initially distributed worldwide by Machinima, debuting on its new channel, Machinima Prime, as well as on Halo Waypoint, on Oct. 5, 2012. “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” will unfold through a series of five episodes, setting the stage for the worldwide launch of “Halo 4” on Nov. 6. The official “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” trailer is now available on Machinima Prime (http://www.youtube.com/MachinimaPrime) and on Halo Waypoint (http://halo.xbox.com/ForwardUntoDawn). Machinima will also be releasing exclusive content, backstory and character pieces leading up to the launch of this highly anticipated series.

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” tells an exciting story of heroism and sacrifice on a scale never before seen in the “Halo” universe, taking fans back to the beginning of the human and Covenant war and leading into the events of “Halo 4.” Set against the backdrop of a United Nations Space Command (UNSC) military academy, a group of highborn cadets are training to be the next generation of soldiers in the UNSC’s ongoing war with insurrectionists in the outer colonial planets. Among these cadets, Thomas Lasky struggles with his doubts about this war, and with the burden of expectations he may not be able to carry. As Lasky comes to terms with his potential as a military leader, the terrifying alien alliance known as the Covenant arrives and turns his world upside down. Inspired by the Master Chief, he must decide what it means to be a hero. “Halo” fans who experience Lasky’s thrilling origin story in “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” will be rewarded with special insights into the story of “Halo 4” and the “Halo Infinity Multiplayer” experience.

Directed by Stewart Hendler (“H+,” “Sorority Row”) and written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (“Smallville,” “Spartacus”), “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Tom Green (“Dance Academy”) as Thomas Lasky, Anna Popplewell (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) as Chyler Silva, Daniel Cudmore (“X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “The Twilight Saga”) as the Master Chief, Ayelet Zurer (“Angels & Demons,” “Munich”) as Mehaffey, Mike Dopud (“Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol”) as General Black, Enisha Brewster (“Footloose”) as April Orenski, Masam Holden (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Elizabethtown”) as Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Osric Chau (“2012”) as JJ Chen, Iain Belcher (“Supernatural”) as Vickers, and Kat De Lieva as Dimah.

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” is backed by a top-tier production team led by executive producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively. Continuing its involvement with the “Halo” franchise, Legacy Effects (“The Hunger Games,” “The Avengers,” “Avatar”) is creating specialized costumes and armor, and visual effects are being designed by an award-winning team led by John Sullivan (“The Pacific”). Production services are provided by Herzog & Co.

An extended, 90-minute Special Edition featuring additional footage and bonus content will be available Nov. 6 in the “Halo 4” Limited Edition and on on-demand video services.

•                                                                                                                                                                                     “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition. Available as part of the “Halo 4” Limited Edition game bundle for $99.99* (U.S.), the “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition is an extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series that will bring the “Halo” universe to life as you’ve never seen it.

“Halo 4” Limited Edition also includes the following bonus content:

•                                                                                                                                                                                     In-fiction content expanding the characters and stories of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”

•                                                                                                                                                                                     Special Featurette: “Bringing Gaming into Reality”

•                                                                                                                                                                                     Making of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”