Halo 3 Slated for September

Microsoft pushes for early fall system-selling spree to kick off holiday season.

March 15, 2007 - Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios aim to ship Halo 3 in September, well before the biggest holiday rush begins, IGN learned last week from two independent sources who asked to remain anonymous.

A big-name publisher and well-established development house separately revealed to IGN that Microsoft intends on beating this year's stacked holiday rush with a September release, rather than the assumed November timeframe.

When phoned, a Microsoft representative said it has only publicly confirmed a fall release, with no specific day or month slated.

The developer, which is close with Bungie, said by getting Halo 3 out early it will sell more systems faster and give Microsoft a head start on its competition, which is likely to ship games in the more traditional months of October and November. Halo 3's popularity makes it the perfect killer app and system seller to give Microsoft an edge over Sony's and Nintendo's hefty set of games coming this fall.

The original Halo shipped with the launch of the first Xbox in November 2001. The sequel, Halo 2, shipped in November 2004. With both games, Microsoft's strategy was to give Bungie as much time as possible to hone and polish their title before reaching QA and the finalization process. But this time, Bungie is on schedule and aims to surprise the world by shipping two months earlier than assumed. IGN was told that was the goal, at least. With all development processes, nothing is certain, both added. Halo 3 could need another month or two, pushing it to October or the assumed November slot if necessary.


IGN.com

Nice! This is quite a pleasant surprise!

Sweet

I'll believe it when I see it.

The reasoning makes sense but I still wonder about the game. I am all for this if they are ready to release it. Halo 2 was rushed to make it in time for the release was it not? I know the online portion of the game is obviously coming along nicely but is the single player campaign coming along as well? I'm sure to play Halo 3 online for ages to come but I still want a story that is leaps and bounds better than that of Halo 2.

whens the beta coming?

The "Beta" will probably be a marketplace demo of the game that you can download with your code like a whole day before everyone else can which will of course be one week before the game actually hits shelves.

Anyone else remember when a game was released before schedule? I sure don't. Like supermallet said, I'll believe it when I see it.

So Bioshock in August, Halo 3 in Sept. and GTA IV in Oct. the 360 will have a killer lineup going into the shopping season. I wonder where Assassin's Creed will fit in.

That will be much better on my wallet than last years, Gears, Viva Pinata, Rainbow 6, Splinter Cell & FEAR logjam. Not to mention the Wii & Zelda released at the same time. What a nightmare.

I'll believe it when I see it tattooed on the arm of an exec.

If they can, there is no reason they shouldn't get the game out early. It will be a huge seller through the Xmas season regardless and will push a lot of 360s. I know several people that won't pick one up until Halo 3 is released.

Yes, but how long has this been in the pipe? There were rumors at one time that it would be out a year ago. They've got some very high expectations to meet, though.

Don't forget, Mass Effect is in there too.

Video games don't get released ahead of schedule nor do they get released when they're suppose to...they get pushed back instead.

1up has Mass Effect listed for May. As does IGN(in Europe).

Oh, I thought it wasn't 'till the Fall.

Speaking of which, more Halo 3 packaging shots:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/halo-3/gall...ing-244791.php

$150 edition? "This is how your wallet ends."

No thanks. I don't need a cheap plastic helmet taking up space. I will, however, pay extra for a tin case as those cases are naturally better.

September is a great time to release.

I think it was the 1up guys discussing the fact that both Nintendo and MS both have roughly one 1st party title every month this year. Impressive. I have to give the edge to MS though since most of theirs are new franchises, while Nintendo is just pumping out the sequels.

Knowing Bungie's record, I too, won't believe it until I see it.

However, this IS the game that will cause me to buy a 360, so I guess I'd better start saving my pennies, just in case.

You do know there are no Paladins or Druids in Halo 3 don't you Jedi?

One of my friends said that someone called him today about his pre-ordered legendary edition telling him that it had went up to $129.99 from the 'estimated' price of $99.99. Mine is pre-ordered at EB Games but I haven't heard anything yet may give them a call tonight. I'll still get it for $130.00 though anyway.

In the pictures that Xboxygen put up of the packaging it looks like the collector's edition is going to be in the same type tin case that Prey came in, and I didn't hear a lot of positive feedback on that one.

I was almost down for the $100 one but now that it is more than that, bare bones it is. I've learned my lesson on these "special/limited" editions. They are a waste of dough that could be going towards other games.

I thought $100 was a bit much, but $130? Standard edition it is.