Bill Gates Confirms Halo 3 Launch Versus PS3

[TrackZero]

Gamespot is reporting (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/15/news_6124592.html) that Bill Gates has confirmed Halo 3 will be released at the same time as the PS3 launch:

"Note to the hard-core faithful: the next version of Halo will not, repeat not, be ready in time for the launch of Xbox 360. It will be part of the all-important second wave next spring. 'It's perfect,' Gates says, radiant with bloodlust. 'The day Sony launches [the new PlayStation], and they walk right into Halo 3.'"

Halo 3 is coming out rather quickly. This lends some creedence to the rumors that Halo 2 was split in two, with the remaining content ported into it's xbox 360 sequel.

[eatme]

No, the new content is going into Halo 2.5, the up-rezzed Halo 2 for 360.

[A-Team]

So even if Halo 3 does get finished before then, we won't see it until Q2 06 at the earliest. That's supposing Sony is even able to get their console out the door and onto shelves by then.

How... wonderful.

[sTubbs]

Good to see this confirmed. I always though that it was the logical thing to do, as Halo is obviously the killer app for Microsoft. However, I still have to wonder if releasing a highly anticipated game is enough to thwart the launch of a console. I guess we shall see.

[darkwarrior]

Only Halo fanatics will bother if its facing the PS3. Anyone who was going to pay full price day release for a PS3 will still do so regardless and if it launches with one of its popular franchises too then its going to be fine.

Smart but petty marketing.

[Tricky Thumb]

Oh, Halo 3.

It only shows how worried Microsoft is about Sony, which was obvious in the first place. If you look at Gates in those pictures you can see a glimmer of "I will take first place!" in his eye.

Lets just hope Halo 3 isn't rushed and that they get a better writer, oh please get a better writer.

[TrackZero]

So even if Halo 3 does get finished before then, we won't see it until Q2 06 at the earliest. That's supposing Sony is even able to get their console out the door and onto shelves by then.

How... wonderful.

Well, from the sounds of Gates, he wants Halo 3 ramped up and out just before the PS3 launch (a week or two maybe?). PS3 is supposed to be out March-ish right? So it's more like Q1 06.

[Taco]

Oh, Halo 3.

It only shows how worried Microsoft is about Sony, which was obvious in the first place. If you look at Gates in those pictures you can see a glimmer of "I will take first place!" in his eye.

We now talk about MS worrying about Sony rather than the other way around.

I'd say thats a victory of MS.

[Tricky Thumb]

We now talk about MS worrying about Sony rather than the other way around.

I'd say thats a victory of MS.

How, may I ask, is that a "victory of MS"? It seems like a pretty obvious thing to notice, otherwise why would you make a big deal out of it in Time magazine? Look, I'm not rooting for either console. I will get an Xbox 360 and when the PS3 comes out I'll get that and Halo 3 as well, unless the game blows that is. Nobody is going to have a victory if you ask me, unless Sony carpet bombs Microsoft.

[Varsity]

That link is redirecting me to microsoft.com?

Edit: proper link is http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/15/news_6124592.html

[Phades]

Oh, Halo 3.

It only shows how worried Microsoft is about Sony, which was obvious in the first place. If you look at Gates in those pictures you can see a glimmer of "I will take first place!" in his eye.

Lets just hope Halo 3 isn't rushed and that they get a better writer, oh please get a better writer.

If Microsoft wasn't worried about Sony they'd be idiots. "Oh, they're only the number one guys this generation so we're not worried about them in the next. We're sure they'll just roll over and die."

Personally I really enjoyed the story in Halo 2. I wish it hadn't ended so abruptly, but I still enjoyed it.

[Achilles]

'The day Sony launches [the new PlayStation], and they walk right into Halo 3.'"That’s one wicked quote to hear from a guy like Gates. I love it.

I'm not at all bothered that we'll have to wait till 2006 for Halo 3, otherwise it really would have been forced out the door with only a year of dev time.

[MosBen]

There's really no basis for saying that *only* hardcore Halo fanatics will be swayed by Halo 3's release right before the PS3 release. The Halo franchise has sold millions of copies and not all of them to hardcore fanatics. When a person goes into Gamestop or Best Buy to buy a new console in March (presumably they don't own the 360 yet), they'll be faced on the one hand with a console that has just come out and has maybe ten games out, most of which are going to be crap (it's avoidable). On the other hand they'll have a system with 40 or so titles out, most of which will be crap but which will contain probably at least a few winners from the launch lineup and a few good ones that have come out since then, plus the newly released Halo 3. It won't work on some people, maybe even most people, but it will work on some and perhaps many. Certainly more, I think, than simply the hardcore, but I suppose we'll all see.

[TrackZero]

That link is redirecting me to microsoft.com?

Edit: proper link is http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/15/news_6124592.html

It had an extra http:// in front of the http:// already there. Fixed it now. As for redirecting to microsoft.com...dude, stop using internet explorer. ;)

[Varsity]

When a person goes into Gamestop or Best Buy to buy a new console in March (presumably they don't own the 360 yet), they'll be faced on the one hand with a console that has just come out and has maybe ten games out, most of which are going to be crap (it's avoidable). On the other hand they'll have a system with 40 or so titles out, most of which will be crap but which will contain probably at least a few winners from the launch lineup and a few good ones that have come out since then, plus the newly released Halo 3. It won't work on some people, maybe even most people, but it will work on some and perhaps many. Certainly more, I think, than simply the hardcore, but I suppose we'll all see.Plus of course the Halo 3 media blitz, which will go some way to eclipsing the PS3's.

It had an extra http:// in front of the http:// already there. Fixed it now. As for redirecting to microsoft.com...dude, stop using internet explorer. ;)
Firefox here...

[CapnBob]

After reading the multiplayer feature list for Perfect Dark Zero, I have to wonder if XBox owners will really care about another Halo by then.

[sTubbs]

Does anyone else think it is cool that video gaming is now on the cover of Time magazine? Just thinking about how far the industry has come in the last decade boggles my mind.

[Taco]

Because of what Phades said. Seeing as how they have yet to even come close to Sony's level in sales its kind of a given they would be "worried" about them. You put it as if MS is miles ahead of Sony and it's surprising they are taking them seriously.

[LilBunnyFuFu]

What do you think Sony will try to do to combat this? Or do you think that they aren't sweating it.

[Heretic Machine]

You know, I love Halo, and I hate the PS3... But if I were planning on buying a PS3 at launch, Halo 3 wouldn't sway me. If anything, I'd just have to wait on purchasing Halo 3 until it dropped in price. This is going to do nothing but lose sales for Microsoft... WTF are they thinking? This should be a friggin December release...

[Taco]

No clue, MS has historically conquered everyone they set their mind to (except Intuit), so I doubt Sony isn't prepared for MS's best.

[Furious Wang]

I guarantee you they are sweating it and I guarantee you they have no fucking clue what to do about it.

[EvilBob46]

You know, I love Halo, and I hate the PS3...

Explain? How can you hate something that isn't even out yet for another year?

[Taco]

Furious Wang with all the inside information. Who can blame him, it's not like Sony is large successful company, they are just a tiny pretender.

[Kagger]

My bets are its not 'done' by when they want to release it, and if they decide to release it, it will be patch city

[mkelehan]

Halo 3 is coming out rather quickly. This lends some creedence to the rumors that Halo 2 was split in two, with the remaining content ported into it's xbox 360 sequel.

Rather quickly? The PS3 will launch next year, probably in the second half. That's a two-year turnaround from H2 to H3.

[Taco]

Triple-A titles take 3-4 years these days, minimum. I'd imagine this is especially the case if you are creating the tech for a next generation system as well as the gameplay.

I think they probably started development on it well before Halo2 was released. Probably put the lower level guys on it towards the end to finish it up and put the meat of the team on H3.

[ldi222]

This surprised the hell out of me because I thought Bungie already said their next game was not going to be HALO. I wasnt expecting HALO3 for a long time, 2nd quarter 2006 is much earlier than I had expected. Ill get a 360 on day one regardless but HALO3 on the 360 next year? That's going to be insane!

[KDups]

This surprised the hell out of me because I thought Bungie already said their next game was not going to be HALO.

Well Gates never said Halo 3 was being developed by Bungie. Granted it might be, but they could have put it in the hands of a trusted 3rd party.

[mkelehan]

This surprised the hell out of me because I thought Bungie already said their next game was not going to be HALO.

They said that it might not be Halo-related, never said that it definitely wouldn't be.

[if76]

Halo no longer excites me. Halo 2's one-player was boring as hell and the multiplayer, with it's toned-down physics from Halo 1, is really jsut another version of Unreal Tournament.

[LikeTheRazor]

Halo no longer excites me. Halo 2's one-player was boring as hell and the multiplayer, with it's toned-down physics from Halo 1, is really jsut another version of Unreal Tournament.
I feel the same way, although I am optimistic about Halo 3. However, the short release schedule doesn't help.

[bapenguin]

I'm a big Halo fan, but to think Halo 3 will have ANY effect on the PS3 launch is ludicrous.

[eatme]

Well Gates never said Halo 3 was being developed by Bungie. Granted it might be, but they could have put it in the hands of a trusted 3rd party.

It is being developed by Bungie.

Regarding the 2 year turnaround, they've had a few people working on Halo 3 since before Halo 2 was finished, though not as many as they'd like.

[Mason]

I feel the same way, although I am optimistic about Halo 3.

How the lazy game studios love people like you, shrugging off past disappointment in anticipation of a sequel that you know nothing about.

[jonchaos]

I hope bungie doesn't attempt to write their own engine for Halo 3. Pray to god that they use the Unreal III engine or something. Halo 2's graphic engine was terrible in my opinion (compared to something like SC:CT), but I would seriously buy Halo 3 without even thinking about the gameplay if it looked like some of those prototype shots from the Unreal III engine walkthrough.

I also hope they try to return to their roots and make Halo 3 more like the first Halo. Sure, I have problems with the 2nd one but I do still play it. I just don't enjoy it as much. Heck, I remember when the first one came out and I used to play lan games with friends for 10 hour stretches at a time and we had to fight ourselves to quit because we were enjoying ourselves so much. With Halo 2, I only seem to be able to play for around 2-3 hours at a time and I almost always quit angry. It just seems like bungie worked TOO hard on trying to make Halo 2 enjoyable so everyone could feel good about being able to kill something instead of actually having skill to play. I guess too many people complained that they sucked at the first one or that it was too hard. I guess they couldn't quite grasp the entire jump-duck trick.

Having skill does make you a better player but it sure does suck when you are the only one on the team that should be as ranked as high as you are and you end up losing because the guys on your team thought they were good. I have lost so much rank because of that. It sucks there are so many people on there that are just passengers on the gravy train. I hate causing someone else to rank up when they don't deserve it. Its like I am trying to punish other high rankers by forcing these guys on their team.

I just hope all these 360 titles can be everything they promise and more. I can't wait. I just hope they don't pull another Fable (high expectations, not as much delivered). Make me proud Microsoft.

[Mason]

I'm a big Halo fan, but to think Halo 3 will have ANY effect on the PS3 launch is ludicrous.

It mostly depends on Sony's launch lineup. But Sony will be way off their game if they can't blow Halo 3 and the currently-announced XBox 360 launch titles out of the water.

They early XBox launch seems more and more like a mistake. Predating the PS3 launch by a few weeks would be good strategy. But launching this far ahead of them lets Sony do what it does best: hype. They don't have to show much of anything, all Sony has to do is stay on-message about how incredibly superior the mysterious PS3 is to known-quantity of XBox360. Nothing can prove them wrong about it, and it won't take much to convince gamers who just picked up an XBox a few years ago to wait a while before tossing down money on a new console.

The early adopters will early-adopt, but most people will make a decision without much supporting information. If we had a concurrent launch, people would decide based on the merits of the actual games available. This staggered launch has people evaluating games against unknown future quantities, which more or less condemns us to another year ruled by hyperbole, not fact.

[Achilles]

I'm a big Halo fan, but to think Halo 3 will have ANY effect on the PS3 launch is ludicrous. Think of it this way: People will have a choice to early adopt the PS3 which has your average set of launch titles (though Socom could be something interesting), or get a system which was just price reduced, has a years worth of games under its belt, and a sequel to a game that sold to over 50% of people who bought Xboxs.

[TrackZero]

Rather quickly? The PS3 will launch next year, probably in the second half. That's a two-year turnaround from H2 to H3.

PS3 is reportedly next March/April. Halo 2 came out last november. Meaning 1 year, 4 months, or a year and a half if we add a bit, so yeah, that's very quick turnaround for what should be a quality title (and on a new platform).

[ldi222]

Well then Bungie must have changed their mind.

From Ferrago, "Bungie studio manager Peter Parsons told the BBC recently that the developer's next project will not be based on the Halo series, and confirmed that a brand new title is already under consideration - with November release Halo 2 all but complete now. 'After Halo 2 we are planning to do something different," Parson's confirmed. "We will do something else and we have a few ideas."

[Derwin]

"We will do something else and we have a few ideas."

Marathon 3!

[Blue]

How the lazy game studios love people like you, shrugging off past disappointment in anticipation of a sequel that you know nothing about.


I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's a generalization - that is, calling Halo 2 "past disappointment." I like Halo 2 as much, if not more than, the first. I thought the gameplay was better, the story more compact and interesting (branching characters, etc), and the multiplayer aspect I didn't even bother with on the first installment. Many of my friends aren't gamers so having Halo 2 over LIVE is just an added bonus for me. In truth, Bungie has yet to disappoint me with any of their games so I have high hopes for the third installment, even if I know nothing about it.

[Furious Wang]

Guys, guys. Home consoles don't come out in March or April. Period. Fall 2006 for the PS3 at the earliest.

[Furious Wang]

Oh yeah, the single biggest selling factor the PS2 (and the PS1) had going for it was when Joe Average walked into the Wal Mart video game aisle looking to buy a new system for himself or his kids. On the PS2 side he saw row after row after row of games. Microsoft and Nintendo *combined* didn't have half as many games as Sony. Joe's decision was made for him. Sony won't have that advantage this time around.

[Kelegacy]

How, may I ask, is that a "victory of MS"? It seems like a pretty obvious thing to notice, otherwise why would you make a big deal out of it in Time magazine? Look, I'm not rooting for either console. I will get an Xbox 360 and when the PS3 comes out I'll get that and Halo 3 as well, unless the game blows that is. Nobody is going to have a victory if you ask me, unless Sony carpet bombs Microsoft.

Halo is popular and all, but what if the PS3 somehow shipped with a new GTA? I know that's hardly plausible, but Halo would eat shit and choke if that happened. If there is one console series that cornholes the overrated Halo, it's GTA.

They are pimping their Halo license, hoping it will score some bonus points. I am not entirely sure, really. It's one game released against the launch of an entire system. However, it is true that without Halo alone, the Xbox would have been a failure. So maybe one game really can save the day...

[Blue]

Oh yeah, the single biggest selling factor the PS2 (and the PS1) had going for it was when Joe Average walked into the Wal Mart video game aisle looking to buy a new system for himself or his kids. On the PS2 side he saw row after row after row of games. Microsoft and Nintendo *combined* didn't have half as many games as Sony. Joe's decision was made for him. Sony won't have that advantage this time around.


I dunno - while I do agree with you for the most part, I still think Sony has more AAA titles than the other two consoles and while the extra games you're talking about most likely saved them up-front, had they not continued to put out good games, they would have ultimately lost in the end.

[Kelegacy]

You know, I love Halo, and I hate the PS3... But if I were planning on buying a PS3 at launch, Halo 3 wouldn't sway me.

I should point out that this is a totally moronic statement, but I wont.

On the other hand they'll have a system with 40 or so titles out, most of which will be crap but which will contain probably at least a few winners from the launch lineup and a few good ones that have come out since then, plus the newly released Halo 3.

I doubt there will be 40 titles for the 360 by then. I'm guessing DS-style...a meager launch and then waiting for months until the second wave, with maybe a tiny trickle of licensed guano splattering out every so often. Perfect Dark will probably entertain some people for a litttle bit (i'm not holding my breath, Rare!) but I dont think the real cream of the crop will come out until the PS3 has been established.

[Pumped'Up]

this decision by Gates and MS to release H3 on the PS3 lauch day is pathetic and truely high-schoolish. PS3 will be a huge success no matter what. MS has everything to loose to Nintendo and Sony. as it is right now, MS doesn't look too good. Early system looking unimpressive and something that you won't want laying in your entertainment system, launch games looking like current gen, and marketing strategies that a completely laughable.

[jwbxx]

I love playing halo 2 online, but any halo fan knows that halo 2 was chopped up just so they could make a halo 3. It is sad, but shit halo is microsofts bread and butter.

When i heard bungie say "We didnt put the rocket launcher warthog into halo 2 because of handleing issues." I knew it was bull shit. We all know they chopped up halo 2. And i bet 100$ that the rocket launcher warthog will be in halo 3.

It really makes me mad that they will push for a halo 3 release when ps3 comes out. If i was ms i would take my time with halo. Not just try to make some dead line. Because if they already know they can make that dead line whos to say they havent finished the game already.

I hope that halo 3 has new game play elements. Not just a new gun and maps. Halo 2 single player was really really boring. Maybe because its just like halo 1. And the funny part is halo 1 had way better single player, eatch level felt more epic.

If halo 3 just turns out to be halo 2 with a face lift and a new few guns. I will have to blow up bungie studios.

[Pumped'Up]

one other thing, PS2 came out 1.5 years before the XBox came out. Sony is still going strong today on supporting the system. Microsoft is ditching their XBox which has loads of power still to out-beat the competition for the soon to be 360. Fitting, Microshaft.

[mister_slim]

Think of it this way: People will have a choice to early adopt the PS3 which has your average set of launch titles (though Socom could be something interesting), or get a system which was just price reduced, has a years worth of games under its belt, and a sequel to a game that sold to over 50% of people who bought Xboxs.
I wonder where the Revolution is going to fit into all of this? Nintendo has implied they want to launch in between MS and Sony. And they'll probably launch at the lowest price point, with backwards compatibility, and "innovation." The next year will certainly prove interesting.

[Dirty Harry]

I dont honestly see the big whoop about halo what so ever...... its a very medicore shooter. I can understand that the console market really lacks any decent fps games but geez, to say halo is the best fps ever? you should be smacked in the cock for letting that thought even cross your closed off mind. Best fps of all time as we know is half life 1 currently.

[baz]

The reason I think this is shit, is that they have a release date based on a marketing reason, rather than a the game is done reason. Having made the statement they can't really back out of it. So if its two months to the PS3 launch and Halo 3 doesn't have a fully fleshed single player campaign, you think they are going to delay it by 6 months to do the job properly or release it not as good as it could/should be?

I guess I'm just bitter as I've had to work some pretty mean hours to make good sales guys promises that are made with little respect to any engineering reason.

[dr_wily]

whoohoo! even more hyper realistic graphix of slow ass moving and dumb floaty jumps that make max payne jumps credible.

ahem sorry, this is from a timesplitters guy. :)

[riposte101]

There's really no basis for saying that *only* hardcore Halo fanatics will be swayed by Halo 3's release right before the PS3 release. The Halo franchise has sold millions of copies and not all of them to hardcore fanatics. When a person goes into Gamestop or Best Buy to buy a new console in March (presumably they don't own the 360 yet), they'll be faced on the one hand with a console that has just come out and has maybe ten games out, most of which are going to be crap (it's avoidable). On the other hand they'll have a system with 40 or so titles out, most of which will be crap but which will contain probably at least a few winners from the launch lineup and a few good ones that have come out since then, plus the newly released Halo 3. It won't work on some people, maybe even most people, but it will work on some and perhaps many. Certainly more, I think, than simply the hardcore, but I suppose we'll all see.

That's really insightful. Good post.

[Achilles]

I wonder where the Revolution is going to fit into all of this? Nintendo has implied they want to launch in between MS and Sony. And they'll probably launch at the lowest price point, with backwards compatibility, and "innovation." The next year will certainly prove interesting.So do I, that's why I'm looking forward to E3 so much this year, and really the next console war in general. I also wonder what kind of on-line games they'll cook up. Will we ever get a Pokemon MMORPG?

[bapenguin]

Guys, guys. Home consoles don't come out in March or April. Period. Fall 2006 for the PS3 at the earliest.

Umm...it has happened plenty of times before. Just because the past generation launched in the fall doesn't mean it'll change this gen. Hell, PSP launched in march of this year.

[Roc Ingersol]

You know what I didn't like about Halo2?

I didn't like the perspective switch. No, I don't care to empathize with that character, thankyouverymuch. I also didn't enjoy having almost no visual distinction between that character's sidekicks and his enemies.

But mostly - it was the same damn game. I was all up for an earth-defense title. But this wasn't it. As soon as you got to earth, they turned you around and made you replay Halo 1. Slightly different story, sure. But I don't particularly care what Audrey II's been up to. Yeah, the perspective switch let you explore a little something different. but FFS, this title was pointless without more Earth. And the big climactic cliffhanger? Yeah, it's the same one they used to set up the opening of Halo 2. That should be a pretty big hint.

If Halo2 was all MC on earth - i might not have minded the perspective switch.

It was fun, but it was pretty much Halo 1.75 by itself, so I'm not too let down by the concept of Halo3 being a quick-n-dirty Halo2.5. The way I'm counting, it's more like they're finally getting Halo 2 out the door.

[Grimgrock]

Not sure if this has beeen mentioned yet or not but my opinion is that a single game regardless of what system its for will likely be unable to mute the hype of a new system from SOE. That said, I hope this ploy of *** doesn't lead *** to release Halo 3 or 2.5 or whatever before it is ready. *** is known for releasing software before it is ready. They've been doing it for years.

[Taco]

Why not $OE? It's just so clever.

SOE does not make the PS3, SOE(Sony Online Entertainment) is Everquest and other MMRPG type games. Yeah I know, I'm being anal.

[netcraazzy]

One reason for MS doing this that I don't think anybody has mentioned here yet is a term in marketing known as the Bandwagon Effect. Basically the theory goes that people are inclined to buy something when they see that other people have it and in gaming the bandwagon effect can be very strong. So, I think what Microsoft is hoping for is this. The hardcore Xbox and Halo fans will have already bought their consoles at launch most likely. But, many of their friends most likely will not own any of the new consoles yet. When Halo 3 comes out MS is hoping that all those faithful hardcore fans will go out and buy their new game, and hence the bandwagon begins. All the friends of those hardcore fans will no doubt come over and check out the game and start thinking to themselves, "Man I wish I had an Xbox360, it must be good since my friend that is way into games has one. If I did get one we could play this game together." So then they will go out and pick up an Xbox360 because they have a reason, in their mind, to buy it. And most likely they will not buy a PS3, untill the same scenario happens with a PS3 game that is!

Laugh if you want but this scenario happens a lot more than you might think, especially with people who are not big gamers. I have a perfect example from my own experience. My brother and I bought Halo 2 when it came out. None of our friends had played Xbox much and said that ps2 was all they really needed. Then we had a small Xbox LAN party and invited a bunch of people over and played some Halo 2. Suddenly they liked Xbox a whole lot more and it's not because we were sitting there trying to sell them on it or anything, they just had never really given it any thought. So within a few weeks 3 of our friends went out and got an Xbox, Live and Halo2 and started playing with us. Well then their friends saw us all playing Halo2 and decided they wanted an Xbox too, so a few weeks later 2 of them went out and got an Xbox, Live and Halo 2. So it does happen, and I almost feel guilty because I inadvertently influenced all these people to go out and drop $250 for something that they may or may not have really wanted until they came over and saw mine.

[Zanzibar]

this decision by Gates and MS to release H3 on the PS3 lauch day is pathetic and truely high-schoolish.

Speaking of high-schoolish - it's 'truly' not 'truely', Sparky.

Now, if Halo3 is the only factor on PS3 launch day as to whether to buy a 360 or the PS3, it's a toss-up.

However, if MS ALSO DROPS THE PRICE of the 360 on that same day...?

[Pumped'Up]

zanzibar, u got one big cucumber jammed up ur ass.