In a world where Collectors and Limited Editions are all the rage, Microsoft has decided to continue the trend and announce a Collectors Edition for its upcoming console RTS, Halo Wars. The catch though is that the Collectors edition will only be availble through participating retailers, so keep an eye out!

In addition to the standard retail version, “Halo Wars” will be offered in a Limited Collector’s Edition through participating retailers and will feature:

• Three New “Halo 3” Multiplayer Maps – Be one of the first to experience the Mythic Map Pack from Bungie which includes three new maps, “Assembly,” “Orbital” and “Sandbox”
   
• Halo Wars: Genesis – a beautiful graphic novel by Phil Noto, Graeme Devine and Eric Nylund chronicling the first military campaign against the Covenant. The novel centers around the Sprit of Fire on a mission to discover why the Covenant are so interested in the world of Harvest
   
• Unique In-game Vehicle – “Honor Guard” Wraith
   
• Six Leader Cards – Leaders possess elite skills which can turn the tides of battle
   
• Spirit of Fire Patch – Start the journey as an official Spirit of Fire crew member

As an added bonus, fans eager for their chance to battle the Covenant will be able to pre-order “Halo Wars” and receive a pre-order card to download a special in-game Warthog vehicle with flame decals from select participating retailers.

The standard edition of “Halo Wars” will have an estimated retail price of $59.99 and the Limited Collector’s Edition will retail for an estimated price of $79.99. “Halo Wars” is rated “T” for Teen.

Halo Wars is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360 in Early 2009.