1UP and IGN agree! Halo 3 in September

by Christopher Grant { Mar 16th 2007 at 11:53AM }

Why is everyone so interested in knowing precisely when Bungie's pre-blockbuster, Halo 3, will hit retail? Why, so we can fill up our Mr. Fusion, program our time machines, and "finish the fight" without the meddling interference of space and time. How embarrassed would you be if you landed in November '07 to discover all your future-peers have been blasting Covenant -- not to mention using the elusive X button -- for months?

Applying some nimble, Gregorian gymnastics to an interview with Microsoft's Shane Kim, 1UP has managed to deduce that September is the month that will be vying for skin real estate on Peter Moore's muscled bicep (note: September has one more letter than November ... should have picked October, Pete). So, one site assumes something based on creative calendaring, where's the news in that? Well, coupled with IGN's revelation that not one, but two independent sources have confirmed a September release, and our ears have perked up. Getting a jump start on the competition is certainly a strategy that's been working for Microsoft lately, but how often have you heard about a major title being released earlier than expected?

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Gallery: Halo 3

Read - Shane Kim on Halo in September (1UP)
Read - Halo 3 Slated for September (IGN)

Tags: Bungie, Halo3, Rumor

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Fierce360 @ Mar 16th 2007 11:59AM

it makes sense, they will have the beta up and running around april, and beta is one step before final version.

LaughingTarget @ Mar 16th 2007 12:06PM

They'd be better launching it the week before Black Friday. Need to keep the image fresh when it matters. Halo 3 should sell systems and what better time to sell those systems than during the critical holiday season?

Blink @ Mar 16th 2007 12:08PM

Games? Where we're going, we don't need games.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 12:08PM

Moore: "You got tickets"

Fat Nerd: "To what?"

Moore: "The Gun Show" *lifts his sleeve*

Fat Nerd: *Screams with excitment*

Moore: "You can touch"

Allard: "Pick me Pick me!"

LunarDuality @ Mar 16th 2007 12:10PM

Who cares as long as the game is truly "done".
I see the value in them launching early to swing potential GTA IV people over to the 360 ("I can get both...so I'll get a 360 instead of PS3.") but I see the value of having mindshare during Black Friday.

But again...will the "when" question matter more than if the game is good? I highly doubt it. Hype + Bad game = failure.
Hype + Good Game = Gears of War...I mean, success.

SynikaL @ Mar 16th 2007 12:10PM

Not gonna happen.

The game will sell just as well as in either Sept or November, but my reservations hold simply based on the fact that Bungie is developing the game. No way the game will go gold by August.

-Kimosabae

Tim @ Mar 16th 2007 12:13PM

I'm not buying into September. The game Peter Moore's "guns" originally alluded to should come out first if MS is going to keep their boot on Sony's neck.

Dolla Dolla @ Mar 16th 2007 12:15PM

@LaughingTarget

Well, everyone will move a greater amount of systems in November/December, due to simply the holiday rush. Having it release sooner could increase the lead Microsoft has sooner rather than during the holidays. Besides, GTAIV is dropping in October, and releasing that close to a high profile title, they could theoretically cannabolize each other's sales.

I think it would be smart to release sooner. Then, the week before Black Friday, release an Xbox 360/Halo 3 bundle with a 3/12 month gold subscription.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 1:00PM

Halo 3 should not come on september because Crysis is comming on the same month......

qbix @ Mar 16th 2007 12:21PM

Earlier than expected? Didn't Gates say it would launch at the same time the PS3 launched? Just saying.

Still very much looking forward to it.

shase @ Mar 16th 2007 12:21PM

are there any other people here who thinks Halo is "meh"? UT is still my favorite FPS... followed by Counterstrike..

deaftly @ Mar 16th 2007 12:23PM

yay!

SynikaL @ Mar 16th 2007 12:24PM

And heeere we go.

"The Halo series is overrated" Joystiq implosion shall commence in 3..2..

-Kimosabae

leejon @ Mar 16th 2007 12:27PM

November just seems more likely to me. With Bioshock pushed to August, it would make more sense to go with with Forza for September and hold Halo for November. If they are worried about the PS3 picking up people in October with GTA just start some heavy Halo hype and commercial advertising in early October to remind people what will drop soon after.

Fhaze @ Mar 16th 2007 1:07PM

GOW2 for November confirmed. It will feature 2 new levels where you play as Marcus, with the other 19 levels being you running around as General RAAM who is blamed for the failure of the initial invasion. The story will be filled with political intrigue about the locust and their religious beliefs, and the moral internal conflict within General RAAM.

Can't wait!

FrankTheCrank @ Mar 16th 2007 12:48PM

@12

Agreed. I got it for my PC gaming rig and I really didn't understand what the big deal was.

Half Life 2 blew Halo out of the water.

What is the big deal?

Mark Felps @ Mar 16th 2007 12:28PM

There are plenty of people who think Halo is overrated. They're just washed out by the millions of people who think it's just fine. Halo 2 did enormous numbers for MS, and if Crackdown's Beta buy-up is any indication, Halo 3 is going to be a monster.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 12:50PM

Halo is very popular because it raised the bar for "console" FPS with vehicles, multiplayer and story. The last FPS to does this was Goldeneye on 64.

LinkerX @ Mar 16th 2007 1:08PM

EB just called me to confirm sept and a price increase in the legendary edition. I guess it is true.

maylon @ Mar 17th 2007 2:38AM

I am sorry, but Half Life 2 nearly put me to sleep. Technically it was great, but it just didnt interest me. I played through Halo and Halo 2 several times however. Just goes to show that you cant really argue taste, people like what they like. Now you can commence with the insults about my being retarded, idiotic, etc, etc.

PARSONS @ Mar 16th 2007 1:09PM

HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT BUNGIE IS OBSESSED WITH THE NUMBER SEVEN!! THIS IS THIER ONLY CHANCE TO RELEASE ON 07/07/07. THEN AGAIN MICROSOFT WOULDN'T CARE ABOUT THAT ANYWAY.

yodaforsale @ Mar 16th 2007 1:15PM

Halo 1 - November 15, 2001
Halo 2 - November 9, 2004
Halo 3 - ?

hmm well if they would stick to there trend November. anyways september is a shitty month for sales. If they are smart November is the key to success, with christmas right around the corner. I hope it's not released in Sept.

Jason B @ Mar 16th 2007 1:13PM

"GOW2 for November confirmed. It will feature 2 new levels where you play as Marcus, with the other 19 levels being you running around as General RAAM who is blamed for the failure of the initial invasion. The story will be filled with political intrigue about the locust and their religious beliefs, and the moral internal conflict within General RAAM."

Not possible. I killed general RAAM at the end of act five.

Jake @ Mar 16th 2007 1:22PM

I love the "Halo is over-rated" crowd. They're funny cause they're so dumb with their argument.

They always talk about the PC version. It is a console game. The PC version was an afterthought. I played Counterstrike on Xbox and it sucked major balz. Doesn't mean Counterstrike sucked.

At least the PC version of Halo was still good. When Counterstrike was ported to the box it just cemented in my mind the fact that it was a game built on a simple, fun, and very addictive twitch shooting mechanics and mod support. Take that away, and there is absolutely nothing there. I'm just talking about Counterstrike multiplayer and such, I really liked the half-life games, especially for their story.

They also always diss Halo2 by giving one or two examples of a game they prefered, almost always a PC game. wtf? So it is only the third best game ever on a platform it was ported to long after its initial release? Wow, really over-rated. If you want to diss it, say it isn't as good as F.E.A.R. or something more middle of the road.

There are two reasons people think Halo is big. Critical acclaim and popularity (people with 360's still play it). Hell, Halo is tied on metacritic for highest rated game of last generation. It isn't just some fanboys that think it is good. The critics really love it too.

It is okay to not like a game that most people like. I honestly don't like Halo2 all that much because I'm more into Tom Clancy shooters and Gears, not run n gun like Halo. But to say it is over-rated implies you don't think it is a great game. It is a great game by any reasonable standard in gaming. Halo 3 has been in development a long time. It almost certainly will be another blockbuster smash hit.

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/halo2?q=halo

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/halo?q=halo

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/halo?q=halo

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/counterstrike?q=counter-strike

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/halflifecounterstrike?q=counter-strike

raquor @ Mar 16th 2007 1:24PM

"20. HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT BUNGIE IS OBSESSED WITH THE NUMBER SEVEN!! THIS IS THIER ONLY CHANCE TO RELEASE ON 07/07/07. THEN AGAIN MICROSOFT WOULDN'T CARE ABOUT THAT ANYWAY."

GUH!? You realize September is 09 right? OH...you're saying they SHOULD release it in July. In any event lay off the caps dude. No need to shout.

Fhaze @ Mar 16th 2007 1:25PM

"Not possible. I killed general RAAM at the end of act five."

Cloning, Twin brother, Twin sister, Mutant healing powers. Take your pick.

Grant @ Mar 16th 2007 1:26PM

It's a simple fact.

Halo 3 will sell en mass.

January is a DEAD period for game sales.

Every year christmas shopping starts earlier.

The longer H3 is out before christmas, the more time it will have to sell out, reship, continue.

timing for a game like halo isn't really an issue either way, this is THE game of the 360, this is Microsoft's Mario, especially when you are looking at the timing to sell the most. you actually have to REVERSE the timing. What do i mean?
you need to launch H3 so it won't kill all the other games sales and have them all get lost in the ripple. The sooner the better.
the logic of when it will launch based on timing really only applies if you can stick it will effect all the other fall launches, which is really ASAP.

m ike @ Mar 16th 2007 1:38PM

makes sense for a few reasons

1. they have stated they wantt to manage the lirbary better. there been no hit game rumored for sept

2. gta is comming in oct, and lost odyyssey(sp) in nov likley.

makes sense to let halo shine on its on in sept. but either way so many kille rgames the next few months who cares when it drops

guitar hero april 3.
comand and conquer
forza 2 may
shadowrun june
mass effect june or july
blue dragon august
bioshock aigust
halo 3 (sept?)
assasisn creed(holiday 2007?)
gtaIV(oct)
lost oddyssey(holiday 2007)
alan wake(possibly holiday 2007 i expect q1 2008)

and i am sure i missed a few.

Yup...overrated, with the same cliched "alien" story @ Mar 16th 2007 1:42PM

Well there are many hyped games, you cant blame Halo 3 for that
But is the most redundant "hyped game" ever?

For one thing, this probably wont move too many consoles.
Its a must-have for xbots who have no clue about gaming beyond Halo (was there ANYTHING else to play on XBOX1?)
But they have already bought 360 - WHO else would pay 399 for a defective, noisy console with no multiplayer, no BC, no HD / HDMI, pathetic hard drive space?
For non-xbots there are at least TEN shooters as good on PC or other consoles over 2006-07 (STALKER, CRYSIS, UT3, R:FOM, Gears, Army of Two, etc etc)

It might hurt the 10 million xbots out there - but Halo3, with its stale "kill all aliens" story, is inconsequential for everone else

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 1:42PM

@m ike

Thanks for reminding me why 360 is a BAMF.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 1:50PM

@ 28

HAHA! Go check the games that are released or are going to be released "THIS YEAR". There is nothing on Wii,PS3 or PS2 that stacks up to the 360 list of games "THIS YEAR". Next year will be a even better. STFU and go buy a 360.

Show me a list that is better than the 360's for games being released "THIS YEAR". Sorry but you can't.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 2:20PM

Number 30 Jack of No Trades a better game than HALO will be CRYSIS for PC it`s going to be a Halo Killer.........

CaptNink @ Mar 16th 2007 2:25PM

@ 28

Does it feel good to post a worthless comment that everyone will disregard as nothin more than mindless fanboy drivel? I bet you jerked off in a corner after typing that little gem, didn't you?

Cuppa_Ace @ Mar 16th 2007 2:38PM

LOL @ "Halo Killer"

So many have tried, and so many have failed...

KillZone R.I.P.
Black R.I.P.
Gears R.I.P.
Resistance R.I.P.

etc. etc.
The haters jump on board and scream Halo Killer... they fail and jump on the next ship... Dont get me wrong, all fun games, and I'm sure crysis will be too... it just doesnt have the history and accesibility to ever make it a killer ESPECIALLY a Halo Killer.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 2:57PM

Nobody and even the media said that killzone,gear,black,resistance were Halo killer games, but i can tell you Crysis will be....

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 3:00PM

Crysis is "not" a halo killer.

It only has fancy graphics.

Halo will have great graphics, great story, awesome multiplayer.

Crono @ Mar 16th 2007 3:03PM

Half-Life 2 already killed Halo.

Just as Reggie has already kicked phil harrison's ass, and took his name.

And then flowers sprang up in his footsteps for the children to enjoy.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 3:04PM

Crysis is not only about graphics is about gameplay,multiplayer and many other elements that developers will copy......

m ike @ Mar 16th 2007 3:05PM

Yup...overrated, with the same cliched "alien" story

your so wrong. many many mnay halo 2 fans continue to play it on the xbox. i have friends on my list that are waiting to get a xbox 360. they hope it drops in price but said when halo drops they will buy one.

i can name atleast 15 people off my 80 or so friends list. how many more do you think there are?

alot of halo 2 fans are those causal gamers. thats why when halo 2 dropped the xbox sold like crack. they have no reason to have a 360 yet u said it yourself. they only play halo. why would they pay 400 to play a game they already can play on last gen hardware.

dom;t be a fool. halo 3will sell hardware just as bioshock will, blue dragon, mass effect etc

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 3:10PM

Yeah you are right # 36 Crono Half life 2 already is a Halo killer.......

Cuppa_Ace @ Mar 16th 2007 3:09PM

*ahem*

Gears:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2007/03/halo_3_beats_gears_of_war_as_x.html

Black:
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/515/515421p1.html

Resistance:
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2006/09/09/the-ps3-has-its-halo-killer/

KillZone:
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/561/561669p1.html

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 3:12PM

Halo 3 will sell more than double than Crysis.

You know why? Because Crysis is PC only and most PC gamers don't have the gaming rig to enjoy the game.

Halo 3 only requires a 360. It already has a fanbase in the millions.

When you mention Halo to the general public, they know what your talking about.

If you mention Crysis to the general public, they say "whats that?"

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 3:59PM

Yeah because this is the 3rd Halo game are making, of course people will now about Halo.

Cuppa_Ace @ Mar 16th 2007 3:20PM

LOL AGAIN @ "Halo Killer"

I know it bugs you guys that Halo is so popular... but you have to get it through your heads... it's the top of the food chain.

I LOVE Half Life 2 and I'd go as far to say it's a better game when it comes to the single player experience.

HOWEVER, like the poster said above... talk to 10 people on the street, Halo is a much more recognizable name... thats like trying to prove to someone that Jak and Daxter is a better platformer then Mario... People wouldnt know who the hell Jak is!? (with the exception of the titles fan base).

I'm sure Crysis will be great, just dont expect it to change the world.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 3:25PM

@ Cuppa_Ace

See now that we proved them wrong they wont post again in this thread. lol

Poo Jangles @ Mar 16th 2007 3:29PM

Makes great sense to release Halo in September. MS wants to have the majority of mindshare when GTA4 is released, and Sony's already started a great deal of buzz about their big Fall addition, PSH. They can steal some thunder from Home AND make room for third parties to drop big titles over the holidays. What would be the big MS offering the week of Black Friday? $300 Premium with Halo 3 pack-in? Damn, that'd do some damage fo'sho'.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 3:37PM

Many PC games already killed Halo long time ago, but becacuse many people cannot afford for a gaming PC that does not mean that games like Half life 2, far Cry did no killed Halo already, now Crysis is only onother game that we can say; already killed Halo even when is not out yet............