Hey everyone,
To help alleviate my boredom during the current content drought, I decided to rewatch the two E3 trailers. As many others will have done before, I was interested in closely analysing them to see if I could spot any interesting details that might provide clues about the game.
Specifically, I decided to look closely at the codes associated with UNSC issued equipment: crates, vehicles, etc. I think I’ve found some interesting stuff, so I thought I’d share here. Some of the linked images have been digitally enhanced so as to make individual characters easier to read. I’ve only included things which I couldn’t find had been mentioned/discussed extensively online already. There’s nothing I’ve found which I’d consider groundbreaking (as far as I can tell); however, any speculation or information pertaining to my findings would be most welcome.
E3 2018 Trailer – Crates
Image: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/4806/jNsXzz.png
YouTube timestamp: 1:00
As you can see from the linked image, the left and right crates are marked with the codes INF-01 and INF-02, respectively. Clearly, it is likely these codes detail that the origin of both supply crates is the UNSC Infinity. However, after some research online, I discovered that the code INF is the code for all Infinity-class supercarriers, with UNSC Infinity having the Hull Classification Symbol (HCS) INF-101. While the code on the first crate is not identical to Infinity’s HCS, due to the omission of the first ‘1’, it is indeed very similar. Although this may be a long-shot – I wonder if the 02 code on the second crate could indicate that its ship-of-origin is the one built immediately following the Infinity: HCS INF-102 – as, ‘the hull numbers are usually assigned to each ship consecutively’, according to Halopedia. If this were the case, the crate would have to come from another Infinity-class supercarrier, and the only other known ship of this type is the (incomplete as of 2558) UNSC Eternity. Hence, this makes me wonder if it is possible the Eternity has been completed by the time the events in Halo Infinite take place, and whether it could perhaps make an appearance in-game.[1][2]
E3 2019 Trailer – Possible Model of the New Pelican Variant
Image: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3979/yCVZhn.jpg
YouTube timestamp: 0:43
This is perhaps my most interesting find. I have brightened an image taken from the mid-section of the unknown Pelican model featured in the Discover Hope trailer. It includes a white symbol with the code B-42 below it, both upon a red background. This style of code bears a striking resemblence to the model numbers used for UNSC aircraft types – e.g. the Shortsword has model B-65. The only oddity of this is that, when considering military aircraft type designators, ‘B’ usually refers to aircraft with the role of Bomber. This would seem an unlikely role for the large Pelican we see in the trailer. However, anything is possible, and I would be grateful to hear your thoughts on this. If anyone has knowledge of the various symbols used in UNSC vehicles, it might be possible to understand the meaning of the white symbol above the code, which may help to determine whether the code B-42 does indicate the model of this Pelican variant.[3]
E3 2019 Trailer – Additional Signals Displayed on Pelican Instrument Panel
Image: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7893/ZrYyZw.png
YouTube timestamp: 2:27
On what looks to be the Pelican’s radar display – in the centre is a large-sized, green, crossed-diamond symbol – with the designation S_117. While this particular designation is obviously that of the Master Chief, there are numerous other signals surrounding it – some with character-based designations. These other signals include 15 medium-sized, white, crossed-diamond symbols and 42 small-sized, white, diamond shaped symbols. The 42 small-sized symbols are most likely indicative of small pieces of debris floating near the ship. This is supported by later footage in the trailer (from 2:33), as the location of the small pieces of debris seen floating near the Chief look as though they closely correspond with the location of the small-sized signals surrounding the large S_117 signal. However, the 15 medium-sized signals seem to indicate something else entirely, as each has a designation in the form A_xxx, where xxx are seemingly random numbers. Not all of these designations can be seen clearly, but here are a few of them: A_343, A_702, A_721, A_425. Displaying three random numbers in each of these signals – as opposed to displaying consequent designations for each signal – might imply that these designations are pre-determined, and do not just represent random pieces of debris. What they do represent, however, I don’t know. Please feel free to speculate.
E3 2019 Trailer – Pelican Supply Crates
Image: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8754/teev85.png
YouTube timestamps: 2:54 & 3:15
Nothing particularly noteworthy here; I have posted this just to catalogue the find, and mainly for your speculation. The link features a merge of two digitally-enhanced images of UNSC crates: the left and right images show crates with the codes F-2149 and MD-2125…, respectively. The latter crate’s full code is obscured by a clipboard. As I said, nothing overwhelmingly interesting here. The only thing I note is that both crates include ‘21’ within their code.
That concludes all of my findings. I appreciate that some of my speculation may be a bit far-fetched, but I’d very much like to hear your thoughts on it, as well as any speculation/information of your own. Thanks for taking the time to read!
References
[1] Hull classification symbol - Halopedia, the Halo wiki
[2] UNSC Eternity - Ship - Halopedia, the Halo wiki
[3] Category:UNSC aircraft - Halopedia, the Halo wiki