[Rumor] - Halo 3 Set for September Release?

[fitbabits]

I'll let IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/772/772950p1.html) explain...

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.
I suspect I know where this rumor originated and it's by no means a certainty.

[Mdot23]

Blast, I just started a thread about this. Feel free to close mine in the Console Forums, Fit.

[Codicier]

From a business strategy standpoint that actually makes a lot of sense. In terms of how true it is, I have no idea other than that it would be a good idea on MS's part.

[reptilezero]

ha. maybe they'll only get half the game in again, so we'll have to wait for halo 4 :P

[automaton]

Halo 3 does not need the holiday rush to be successful. It would make sense for MS to just get this game out the door when it is ready, collect their buckets of cash, and save the holiday for some other title that would benefit from the season.

[Doctor Setebos]

How long until Zeal comes in and claims he's known about this for months? :rolleyes:

[Zanzibar]

From a business strategy standpoint that actually makes a lot of sense. In terms of how true it is, I have no idea other than that it would be a good idea on MS's part.
Why would it make sense? MS could CRIPPLE Sony if they put out THE X360 killer app at the same time that people are considering whether to purchase a PS3 for Christmas. Most people couldn't afford both a PS3 and an X360 at the same time, but 2 months's worth of saving could mean that they'll end up buying both. MS needs to force Christmas shoppers to choose between, and with a robust X360 library that includes Halo 3, it's an easy choice.

[Atorak]

How about a Halo 3 September release, at the same time the new X360 SKU hits the streets? Then, when Thanksgiving rolls around, Microsoft throws a bundle together with Halo 3 & X360 combined, for a price discount.

Now THAT would sell some systems.

[JazGalaxy]

Why would it make sense? MS could CRIPPLE Sony if they put out THE X360 killer app at the same time that people are considering whether to purchase a PS3 for Christmas. Most people couldn't afford both a PS3 and an X360 at the same time, but 2 months's worth of saving could mean that they'll end up buying both. MS needs to force Christmas shoppers to choose between, and with a robust X360 library that includes Halo 3, it's an easy choice.

If you could save up enough for a PS3 and a game in the extra month and a half we're talking about here, and would buy a whole new console just because you had the money, then you're probably not one of the ones who has to debate about which console to get.

Not only does this make sense, isn't it entirely precedented with the release of Halo 2 well before the christmas holidays?

[Itchyeyes]

From a sales standpoint it makes plenty of sense. Halo is a game that doesn't really need the holidays to boost sales. It's going to sell whenever they launch it, regardless. The one time they don't want to release it is in October, because they wouldn't want it to overlap with GTA. Better to get the console sales boost from both games.

[Venkman]

How about a Halo 3 September release, at the same time the new X360 SKU hits the streets? Then, when Thanksgiving rolls around, Microsoft throws a bundle together with Halo 3 & X360 combined, for a price discount.

Now THAT would sell some systems.

You don't discount the one killer app when people will pay full price for years to come.

How long did Halo 1 stay at $50 in stores? Quite a long time, because it kept selling.

[Zanzibar]

If you could save up enough for a PS3 and a game in the extra month and a half we're talking about here, and would buy a whole new console just because you had the money, then you're probably not one of the ones who has to debate about which console to get.

Not only does this make sense, isn't it entirely precedented with the release of Halo 2 well before the christmas holidays?
Well, November 12th was only 2 weeks before Black Friday.

EDIT: or was it Nov. 9th? Either way, that was 2 weeks.

[EyesNoMore]

Not only does this make sense, isn't it entirely precedented with the release of Halo 2 well before the christmas holidays?
... Halo 2 came out in November.

This makes perfect sense. Halo 3 will sell a ton of systems, which will put a strain on the supply chain, probably making it hard to find a 360 for a while. Then, November rolls around and they've had a chance to refill the channels and they'll make a 2nd killing with all the kids(and adults) that couldn't afford it and needed to wait until Christmas.

Edit: Plus, it will be fantastic for all game sales on the 360. People will buy a 360 + H3 in September, then come Christmas their family and friends will buy them games for their snazzy new system.

[Yeti2005]

If that's true then MS's release schedule might look something like this:

May - Forza 2
June - ShadownRun
July - Mass Effect
Aug - Blue Dragon
Sept - Halo 3
Oct - GTA 4 (multiplatform but a major title)
Nov - PRG4

Besides Oct, that's a strong exclusive title each month almost to the end of the year.

[Food Nipple]

I think this makes a lot of sense. The game is going to sell millions regardless of which month it comes out. Releasing in September makes 3rd parties happy, they now don't have to release against the biggest 360 game of the year.

[Codicier]

If that's true then MS's release schedule might look something like this:

May - Forza 2
June - ShadownRun
July - Mass Effect
Aug - Blue Dragon
Sept - Halo 3
Oct - GTA 4 (multiplatform but a major title)
Nov - PRG4

Besides Oct, that's a strong exclusive title each month almost to the end of the year.

I don't think Mass Effect has been dated yet. Though I hope I don't have to wait till July to get it. That would suck. :(

[CaptStu]

Wouldn't this make for a relatively short beta period for multiplayer? That is suppose to launch early summer, right? Or, am I mistaken?

[karak]

whats coming out in April?

[drakkarim]

that's all nice and good, but can anyone update me as to the status of the new/updated 360 i've been hearing rumors about?

[fitbabits]

that's all nice and good, but can anyone update me as to the status of the new/updated 360 i've been hearing rumors about?
No-one knows more than anyone else, except it's likely to see release some time. That may or may not be later in the year, say around Holiday 2007.

[Lord Nerdious]

whats coming out in April?

Guitar Hero 2. Booooyahh, Possum Kingdom here I come.

[karak]

Guitar Hero 2. Booooyahh, Possum Kingdom here I come.
Oh...well thats ok. But is anything amazing coming out that month or does everything truly start later.

[SPBTooL]

Word of mouth about a great game will sell more units come Christmas than just having a great game launch. launching Hallo earlier will allow that word of mouth to spread and influence those that are waiting till Christmas.

I also think that those waiting till Christmas are mainly waiting to see what the PS3 and it's games end up being like. When the word of mouth about games like Hallo, Mas Effect and several other big deal titles are on shoppers minds it will make a difference. The cherry on that for MS is the once exclusives like GTA.

I have a feeling that, starting soon, MS is trying to have a large AAA title coming out almost every month through Christmas. Sure, some will be bigger than others. But we all know that Forza is coming soon, Mass Effect is almost done, GTA is October, Blue Dragon is August and Shadowrun, GH:II, C&C:3 are all but guarantied before the holidays. This isn't even everything coming by years end.

It is still to early to tell what Sony is going to have this holiday since we haven't even had E3, or what ever we'll get, yet.

[Yeti2005]

Crap I forgot Bioshock is in August too. C&C 3 is in May and Too Human will most likely ship this year too. Someone mentioned GH II as well. Lots of good games are coming.

[Johan]

Wake me up when it's actually gone gold.

[Philonious]

Colour me a little wary... Seems to me like this is going to be a rush job, which certainly didn't improve the quality of Halo 2. Also haven't we been hearing lots of BAD things about Halo 3, such as it not being up to snuff? Hopefully they put together something quality, but Microsoft needs to sit back and develop a more Blizzard like attitude about these things.

[Sandman]

September might as well be November to me.

[bean19]

It makes sense to me.

1. If they are near ready to start a multiplayer beta then the game is done except for level design and "events" in the single player game. They are probably very far along on this stuff too (if not done with it except for testing and polishing).

2. They're right. A September release would sell more systems total. It would also help other Xbox 360 titles closer to the holiday sell better due to not being shadowed by Halo 3.

[fitbabits]

It makes sense to me.

1. If they are near ready to start a multiplayer beta then the game is done except for level design and "events" in the single player game. They are probably very far along on this stuff too (if not done with it except for testing and polishing).

2. They're right. A September release would sell more systems total. It would also help other Xbox 360 titles closer to the holiday sell better due to not being shadowed by Halo 3.
From what I heard at GDC, the game is more or less finished. Now it's just a matter of when to release it. The Fable example quoted by Shane Kim elsewhere is perhaps being taken too literally.

[bapenguin]

I suspect I know where this rumor originated and it's by no means a certainty.

Yeah...it came from here: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158031

[Zanzibar]

Colour me a little wary... Seems to me like this is going to be a rush job, which certainly didn't improve the quality of Halo 2. Also haven't we been hearing lots of BAD things about Halo 3, such as it not being up to snuff? Hopefully they put together something quality, but Microsoft needs to sit back and develop a more Blizzard like attitude about these things.
Maybe. However, the rumor is that the Halo 2 toolsets, by and large, needed only slight modifications to make Halo 3. Add to that the rumor that Halo 2's missing ending was because they amputated the battle-sequence-heavy last act of their storyline to be used as the first act of Halo 3, and you've already got your first series of level designs already done.

Speaking from experience, if those rumors are true, then I'm not at all certain this will be a rush job. I think 3 years is a good amount of time for a AAA title, particularly if the design toolsets are already in place.

[fitbabits]

Yeah...it came from here: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158031
I heard it from other sources at GDC, and I've heard it since then. I was aware of the Shane Kim interview, but that's not where I initially heard it.

[Dag-Sabot]

ha. maybe they'll only get half the game in again, so we'll have to wait for halo 4 :PNo this is the missing ending from halo2

[Royal Fool]

IBTZ! 12345

[Hemalin]

No this is the missing ending from halo2
Does it include all the missing features from Halo2 also?

[Dag-Sabot]

Does it include all the missing features from Halo2 also?Uh the missing features were in fact, a feature. The up coming release will also have ...features.

[Metal Jesus]

The scary thing for other publishers is that if Halo 3 drops early, there are many gamers who will buy that game, and ONLY that game for Christmas. Halo 3 will be all they need for months of gaming goodness.

[Wolfgang]

Halo 3 September, GTA November. Seems like a good holiday combo.

[Zanzibar]

... Halo 2 came out in November.

This makes perfect sense. Halo 3 will sell a ton of systems, which will put a strain on the supply chain, probably making it hard to find a 360 for a while. Then, November rolls around and they've had a chance to refill the channels and they'll make a 2nd killing with all the kids(and adults) that couldn't afford it and needed to wait until Christmas.

Edit: Plus, it will be fantastic for all game sales on the 360. People will buy a 360 + H3 in September, then come Christmas their family and friends will buy them games for their snazzy new system.

Jesus, I hadn't thought of that. The LAST thing Microsoft wants is for Halo 3 to come out, making the X360 impossible to find at Christmas, forcing Christmas shoppers to buy a PS3. Holy fuck. NOW it makes sense.

Okay, I take it all back. September it is.

[SPBTooL]

The scary thing for other publishers is that if Halo 3 drops early, there are many gamers who will buy that game, and ONLY that game for Christmas. Halo 3 will be all they need for months of gaming goodness.I disagree.

The majority of console gamers are still not in it for the online. Most console game purchases are for single player and friends on a couch player(?). Plus I have heard/read many comments from online gamers that they will not be getting H3 for it's multi. Sure they will play it but they are after the story and coop. There are games coming, and already, out that have better online.

Most gamers want the next new game and the farther away another game is launched from H3 the better. whether it is before or after wont really matter. H2 had less than 8 hours of single player on the normal difficulty. having it release 2 moths ahead of a game due in December is preferable.

[KSmitty]

Halo3 will move systems. Halo3 + 360 price drop would own the Holiday season for MS. It would be good for MS to avoid the rush, get the game out earlier keep a steady supply coming for the holidays.

[EvenStephen7]

Two interesting things that (to me) make this rumor juicier:

EB/Gamestop gave out a calender for free this past Christmas. Each month is represented by a game that is supposed to come out that month. For instance, Jan is World of Warcraft, Feb was Virtua Fighter 5, May is Spiderman 3, and June is Bioshock. Oddly, they chose Halo 3 for September. I always figured it was a way to drum up pre-orders...but now with all this, does this mean EB/Gamestop knew?

Second, maybe this is why preorders have been stopped for Halo3 at EB/Gamestop. While a lot of preorders have surely been taken, November is still a ways away. They could surely make more copies between now and then. Unless, that is, it was to be released in September.

Okay, there that's my little conspiracy crackpot theory. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I find it interesting nevertheless.

[Neuro]

EB/Gamestop gave out a calender for free this past Christmas. Each month is represented by a game that is supposed to come out that month. For instance, Jan is World of Warcraft, Feb was Virtua Fighter 5, May is Spiderman 3, and June is Bioshock. Oddly, they chose Halo 3 for September. I always figured it was a way to drum up pre-orders...but now with all this, does this mean EB/Gamestop knew?

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I find it interesting nevertheless.I don't think you're reading into it too much at all. That's interesting indeed.

[IrishWhiskey]

I don't think you're reading into it too much at all. That's interesting indeed.I'd say its interesting but not indicative, or even coincidental. We always knew it would come out in the September, October Novebmer range, and unless it wants to compete with GTA for sales, that basically leaves a 50-50 shot of guessing. It sounds like even Bungie and Microsoft have decided for sure yet when the release date is, so I doubt someone making an EB calender several months ago knew before they did.

[RorschachCCCLX]

ok, remind me again...what were sony's hefty set of titles coming for christmas?

MGS 4 : looks to be a long shot for 2007, and the franchise is not a mega-huge seller.

FF XIII: A mega huge seller, but officaly slated for mid 2008

Killzone 2: Who the hell knows.

No sir, folks the #1 PS3 game will be Madden 08, I will bet the farm on it.

Microsoft has : Bioshock, Blue Dragon, Forza 2, Grand Theift Auto 4, Halo 3, Kane and Lynch, Mass Effect and Project Gotham Racing 4.

[bean19]

Rorschach - DMC 4 and the next Ratchet & Clank? They'll also finally get some good games that are also on the 360 like Assassin's Creed and GTA 4. That won't make people who have a 360 already suddenly buy a PS3, but people who have been holding off on either system, would be tempted to get one for GTA 4. . . especially if they are guys who only own games in the GTA series and a few sports titles.

[Jack B]

Microsoft loves to release their games like the movie business. They spead them out, so they don't compete with each other.

It's great for the summer. We need more summer titles. Last summer on the 360 we had Lord of the Rings, then Chromehounds, then Dead Rising, then Saint's Row. It wasn't a lot of quantity, but each game took about a month of so of many people's lives... This summer looks like they're raising the bar. Software sales aren't just for the holidays any more.

Here are possible release dates...

Feb = Crackdown - Must get more orbs! I'm loving this game!
March = Settlers of Catan - Huh? No clue.
April = ShadowRun - Yeah! Very likely purchase.
May = Forza 2 - #1 for me.
June = Mass Effect - mmmm good. Guaranteed purchase.
July = BioShock - Probably a must buy.
August = Blue Dragon - not my style, but will be watching.
September = Halo 3 - Must try. No way around it.
October = GTA IV - not my style, but will be watching.
November = Lost Oddessy - not my style, but will be watching.
December = Alan Wake - hmmmm
January = PGR 4 - not sim enough, but I'll take a look.
February = Fable 2 - That Dog was awesome!

[RorschachCCCLX]

Rorschach - DMC 4 and the next Ratchet & Clank? They'll also finally get some good games that are also on the 360 like Assassin's Creed and GTA 4. That won't make people who have a 360 already suddenly buy a PS3, but people who have been holding off on either system, would be tempted to get one for GTA 4. . . especially if they are guys who only own games in the GTA series and a few sports titles.

we at GameStop aren't taking reserves yet on DMC 4 or Ratchet and Clank. Now I wouldn't say that means its going to be a no show for this year, but we are taking orders for GTA 4, Madden 08, and Halo 3. if they are, Sony really has no big heavy hitters for the holiday.

Missing from the 360 line up for reserve: Fable 2, Alan Wake, PGR 4
Nintendo's MIAs: Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Dojo.

But according to my estimate, they won't need them. as one wise sony rep said "we don't need games, people will buy it cuz it says Sony on the box."

Note this only holds true for consoles.

Though most of PSP owners are Sony brand loyal..

I wanna start a topic about race and its relationship to brand prefrance... does it have color? I've noticed an 80-85% prefrance of Sony over microsoft for African Americans, some familes buy PSPs for their 5 year olds over a DS because of the Sony name, despite the system's fragility and lack of kid friendly games....anyone else thinks this would be a viable topic, or am I just some sort of crpyto-racist?

[TheFlyingOrc]

I suspect I know where this rumor originated and it's by no means a certainty.
It was me and Gorvi in one of those weird match-ups where the hero and the villain work together. BUT ONLY UNTIL WE FINISH THIS! I'll have you yet, Gorvi! *shakes fist*

[IrishWhiskey]

But according to my estimate, they won't need them. as one wise sony rep said "we don't need games, people will buy it cuz it says Sony on the box."

Note this only holds true for consoles.

Though most of PSP owners are Sony brand loyal..

I wanna start a topic about race and its relationship to brand prefrance... does it have color? I've noticed an 80-85% prefrance of Sony over microsoft for African Americans, some familes buy PSPs for their 5 year olds over a DS because of the Sony name, despite the system's fragility and lack of kid friendly games....anyone else thinks this would be a viable topic, or am I just some sort of crpyto-racist?Nope. I don't work in a game store, but just my observation living in DC and New York revealed the same thing. I would suspect that it has a lot to do with marketing. Sony may advertise more during certain types of shows and events. We know they've tried repeatedly to go for urban underground marketing, and those black and white and squirrel PSP ads were desperately trying to appeal to African-Americans.

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/images/060410.jpg

[Neuro]

I'd say its interesting but not indicative, or even coincidental. We always knew it would come out in the September, October Novebmer range, and unless it wants to compete with GTA for sales, that basically leaves a 50-50 shot of guessing. It sounds like even Bungie and Microsoft have decided for sure yet when the release date is, so I doubt someone making an EB calender several months ago knew before they did.Yah, this is all very possible. Also, the quote in your signature -- I like it, heh.

[bean19]

I wanna start a topic about race and its relationship to brand prefrance... does it have color? I've noticed an 80-85% prefrance of Sony over microsoft for African Americans, some familes buy PSPs for their 5 year olds over a DS because of the Sony name, despite the system's fragility and lack of kid friendly games....anyone else thinks this would be a viable topic, or am I just some sort of crpyto-racist?

I think that a lot of our stereotypes are rooted in truth, but the only way to discuss them without hurting people's feelings is if you do so scientifically.

There were several black people in the line that I waited in to get my 360 on launch day, and I live in the Texas Panhandle which means that 1) it was very, very cold (black people can't stand the cold or swimming - but we didn't have to swim to get our consoles, so I just mention that for more ironic racism); and 2) there aren't many black people in my area; in fact, I am good friends with about half of the black people that go to my college (that hosts 15,000 students) - I can always tell which ones will make good friends by whether or not they play sports and/or like rap music (answers in the negative are a positive).

Additionally, I worked at a Gamestop for the experience of seeing the Nintendo and Sony system launches. I saw as much blind brand loyalty from white people and Mexicans as I did from black people - even when you consider the size of their demographics in my area.

[jromero]

MGS 4 : looks to be a long shot for 2007, and the franchise is not a mega-huge seller.

are you serious? how long have you worked at gamestop there buddy? when i worked at one, we sold the shit out of mgs3. i'd be willing to bet the MGS series is one of the most profitable series out there.

[RorschachCCCLX]

are you serious? how long have you worked at gamestop there buddy? when i worked at one, we sold the shit out of mgs3. i'd be willing to bet the MGS series is one of the most profitable series out there.

Since October 16th, 2004.

I was there for the Snake Eater and Subsistance releases, they sold O.K., but games like God of War sold twice as much, Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy thrices as much and Madden somewhere between 5-8 times as many. Now Metal Gear mainly sits on our shevels unloved.

MGS1 is my all time favorite game, just for disclousure.

[Zeal]

I find it really strange that the Halo 3 viral campaign hasn't started yet. And honestly, I don't think even Microsoft is quite sure when to release the game.

Interestingly, even less media has been released for H3 than what Bungie did with the lead-up to Halo 2. Doesn't anyone find it strange that only a single campaign shot (which looked embarassing, by the way) was released, and a handful of painfully obvious 'enhanced' multiplayer screens. Not only that, have we even seen the game in motion? Is there a single clip? Nope.

I sense a lack of confidence on the developer's part and possibly even development problems. I believe -- and always have believed -- that the game is more or less finished, so what seems to be the problem?

Other than playing a little mutiplayer crap, no one has seen or knows anything about the so-called most anticipated game of '07.

I'm a master of spotting bullshit and I can tell you the whole situation stinks.

If I were a betting man, I'd place 10k on something being not quite right.