Microsoft’s Halo movie may be stalled, but the hugely successful video game franchise is rolling on with a third, and supposedly final, installment slated for release this fall. In November of 2004, Halo 2 earned a record-breaking $125 million on the day it hit retail, and Microsoft and developer Bungie Studios hope to shatter that record when Halo 3 arrives at stores around the world on Sept. 25 and in Europe on Sept. 26. A multiplayer beta preview of the game launched today on Xbox LIVE.
“Halo 3 is much more than a video game release; it’s the biggest entertainment event of the year,” says Peter Moore, corporate VP of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. “On Sept. 25, we intend to deliver a finale that will go down in entertainment history and leave people around the world with an experience that will be shared and enjoyed for years to come.”
The Halo 3 multiplayer beta will be available on Xbox LIVE through June 6, providing players worldwide with an exclusive early look at new levels, weapons, vehicles and other game elements. Gamers who want to check it out will find an activation key in specially marked copies of the Xbox 360 title Crackdown.
The Halo games have spawned a series of best-selling books, graphic novels, collectible merchandise and a feature film script which Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson was set to exec produce before financiers Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox backed out over budgetary issues. Microsoft and Jackson’s Wingnut Films plan to move forward with the pic once they get financing back on track.
In a cross-promotional move, Microsoft will issue a special Halo 3 edition of its Zune digital media player, the company’s answer to Apple’s iPod. Encased in collectible packaging, the device will come pre-loaded with artwork, trailers and music from all three Halo games, as well as an exclusive new episode of the popular animated series Red vs. Blue from machinima creator Rooster Teeth Prods. Retailing for around $249, the gadget will be available exclusively at GameStop on June 15.
