Lots of Details on Halo 5's Upcoming Free Expansion

With just a few more days to go before Halo 5's biggest-ever Warzone Firefight expansion launches on June 29, 343 has now shared loads more new information about it.

343's latest weekly update is stuffed with details and developer insight, one major piece of which is a thorough breakdown of the new Warzone Firefight mode and how it's changed since the beta in April.

First, after considering fan feedback from the beta, 343 took measures to make sure players' objectives are clear. "We added a brand new splash feed that shows up at the beginning of each round. It shouts, loud and clear, the round number and what you need to do to succeed. It's front and center and literally comes in with a 'splash' (hence the name)," 343 said.

Additionally, the mini scoreboard in the bottom-right of the screen now shows your team's progress toward current objectives; previously it only displayed your own personal scoe.

"Depending on the goal, the scoreboard will look and act different in order to inform your squad as to how the round is shaping out," 343 said. "For instance, if the goal is to eliminate 100 Grunts, a red bar will fill from right to left as your team takes each one out. Or if, for example, your team needs to defend the Armory, a blue bar will slowly shrink from left to right as the enemy AI captures the base."

Warzone Firefight has also been changed to make sure your personal score stands out better.

"We wanted to make personal score more obvious, and more fun," 343 said. "With that in mind, we've added a round-to-round scoreboard. During the intermission phase in between each round, we'll post a report card of sorts that displays how you've done in the previous round. The scoreboard will show every point you've earned this round, as well as highlight any bonuses you've received for awesome play.

Also included are some "small" UI changes, including event feed notifications and navpoint updates, among other things. Additionally, there is a new "Protect Object(s)" display that shows up in every map.

343 also confirmed there will be six maps, one of which is new, for Warzone Firefight. The beta only had one. These include:

• Escape from A.R.C.
• March on Stormbreak
• Raid on Apex 7
• Skirmish at Darkstar
• Urban
• Attack on Sanctum (new)

For a much deeper dive into Halo 5's new Warzone Mode, as well as the other content coming in the update--including a new grunt boss--read the full 343 blog post.

Warzone Firefight is Halo 5's eighth free expansion. Others included The Battle of Shadow and Light (November), Cartographer's Gift (December), Infinity's Armor (January), Hammer Storm (February), Ghosts of Meridian (April), Memories of Reach (May), and Hog Wild (May). Warzone Firefight is the largest and most substantial Halo 5 expansion ever.

In other news, Halo 5--the full game--will be completely free starting on June 29. The offer expires on July 5.