Media Events and insane trips to commemorate the release of a video game are nothing new to the world of games journalism. This is just another one of those trips.

Microsoft, in conjunction with the country of Liechtenstein, transformed the picturesque landscape into a Halo 4 Battleground. This transformation included:

Reimagining a 13th Century Castle – standing on a 70-metre high spur of rock, Gutenberg Castle, one of the most important historical landmarks of Liechtenstein, took on a new guise as a futuristic military fortification where guests become among the first to play “Halo 4”

Overtaking an entire quarry – a working mine became a jaw-dropping arena for sci-fi adventure, with an appearance from the hero of “Halo 4”, the Master Chief, amidst a series of pyrotechnic explosions

Creating a Military Camp in the countryside – a local farmer’s field become a post-apocalyptic battle ground

Finishing touches included the use of bespoke props, special effects and pyrotechnics

Immersive theatre –15 actors took guests on a two-hour adventure which involved decoding a series of cryptic clues to help save mankind from extinction by fighting off the threat of an attack

This trip included super fans and journalists from over 16 different countries and thrust them into the action with a massive hunt for clues that included a pyrotechnics show from the middle of a warzone and dramatic recreations of events in the Halo Universe. If you haven't heard of the latest release for the "$3 billion blockbuster franchise which has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers" here is some copy from the press release for this event:

Developed by 343 Industries exclusively for Xbox 360, “Halo 4” ushers in the return of mankind’s greatest hero, the Master Chief, in a newly envisioned sci-fi adventure. Set nearly five years after the events of “Halo 3,” “Halo 4” follows the Master Chief as he ventures into a mysterious new world and discovers an overpowering ancient evil that threatens to annihilate mankind.

The photos of this event can be downloaded by clicking here.