The first ‘epic’ Halo 3 ads are set to hit UK TV screens next Tuesday, as Microsoft reveals the details of its advertising campaign for the last in the trilogy.

Microsoft says that the clips will bring Halo 3's "epic battles to life in the style of a museum "diorama".

The first TV airing of the ad hits UK TV screens next Tuesday, at 9.35pm, but fans can get a sneek peek at the ad by visiting www.xbox.com/halo3 from 5pm tomorrow, Friday 14th September.


Don't know what a diorama is? Think of a school trip to a local museum with one of those "Scenes from Stone Age Life" exhibits in which models of bearded men (and possibly women) crouch down around a dead sabre-tooth tiger on rocks that look like they come from Star Trek - The Original Series while the Arizona desert is painted on to the wall behind them. We're sure Microsoft's will be a darned sight more impressive than "Scenes From Stone Age Life" though. In fact, here's what we're told:

The diorama featured in this ad is a 100% accurate replication of a key moment from a climactic battle taken from the Halo universe. At over 400 square feet in surface area, reaching a height over 12 feet above the ground and with each handcrafted human figure standing 8-inches high, it was large enough to fill an entire studio at Stan Winston, the Los Angeles model makers responsible for the creature models from films such as Aliens and Jurassic Park.

Stephen McGill, Head of Gaming and Entertainment, Microsoft UK said, “It’s amazing to see such the legendary world of Halo brought to life in such a creative way through the construction and filming of this ad. I’m sure the epic shots and dramatic scenes in the commercial will be a hit with Halo fans and newcomers to the franchise alike, giving them just a taste of what they have to look forward to when the game comes out on 25th September.”

Stay tuned for more on the countdown to the release of Halo 3 on 26th September as we get it.