Microsoft and 343 Industries today launched the live-action digital series, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. You can watch the first episode below!

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn tells a 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, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn follows a group of cadets who 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 the 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 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. The story will unfold weekly through a series of five episodes, setting the stage for the worldwide launch of Halo 4 on November 6.

Directed by Stewart Hendler (“H+,” Sorority Row), written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing ("Smallville," "Spartacus") and backed by a top-tier production team, including Executive Producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively, 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.

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 Blu-ray, DVD, Xbox Video, iTunes and video on demand services this Dec. in the U.S. and Canada.