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Halo 4 trailer 'Scanned' hits Web, courtesy of David Fincher

The famed "Fight Club" and "Social Network" director produced the video, which combines live-action footage and CGI.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
Halo 4 is launching on November 6.
Halo 4 is launching on November 6. 343 Industries

The official Halo 4 launch trailer, "Scanned," has hit the Web. And it is impressive.

The two-minute trailer takes a look at Master Chief's back story, examining his time as a child and then his path to war hero. The trailer also shows off his new antagonist: "an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe," to quote 343 Industries, the Microsoft-owned development house that built the game.

The trailer is notable for featuring both live-action footage and CGI. In addition, it was created by two Hollywood big shots. David Fincher, famed director of "Fight Club" and "The Social Network," produced the clip. Visual effects lead Tim Miller, who worked on "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," directed it.

There's a lot riding on Halo 4. The title will be the first of a new trilogy in the series, and the first to add on to the storyline developed in Halo, Halo 2, and Halo 3 by the franchise's creator, Bungie Studios.

Halo 4 is launching exclusively on the Xbox 360 on November 6. A standard edition will retail for $60 and come only with the game. The Limited Edition version will include an extended 90-minute version of the live-action series "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" and other bonus features. The Limited Edition will be available for $100.

Watch this: Game trailer: Halo 4