After announcing Halo: Spartan Assault in early June, Microsoft has finally released the top-down shooter for Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone . But as good as the game itself looks, the launch of Halo: Spartan Assault falters in a few frustrating ways.
On Windows Phone, the game is now available worldwide—except in the United States, where it's a Verizon exclusive until August 16. Why isn't the game available on other U.S. carriers? Microsoft doesn't say. Are people going to switch carriers for a video game? Unlikely.
Nokia's new flagship Lumia 1020 won't get Halo: Spartan Assault until August, because it's an AT&T exclusive.
Verizon hasn't even been the biggest supporter of Windows Phone in the past. That distinction goes to AT&T, which has routinely sold Nokia's biggest flagship phones (such as the upcoming Lumia 1020) as exclusives and even chipped in with Windows Phone marketing. For Windows Phone fans who've stuck with AT&T for its exclusive handsets, the extra wait for Halo: Spartan Assault is a slap in the face.
Even if you can get Halo: Spartan Assault on your Windows Phone, you might not want to. The game costs $6.99 on all platforms, but it's a separate purchase on phones and PCs. Although your saved games will transfer from phone to PCs, you'll have to buy the game twice for the privilege. Compare that to Apple's universal iPhone and iPad apps, or to the cross-buy capabilities that Sony has built for the Playstation 3 and PS Vita, and Microsoft looks woefully behind.
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