[Setekh]

News at Bungie.net: http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9182

Summary -
1. Bungie breaks its own rule and gets some guys to make a pre-rendered CGI Halo 3 TV ad.
2. New maps coming for Halo 2 multiplayer next year... but you'll need a 360 (and a hard drive).
3. Halo 3 public beta coming mid next year. Ummm, that's an interesting move. Very unlike Bungie's "when it's ready" mentality of the past.

Well, cool I guess.

[Deepblue]

XBLM is going to CRASH when the beta hits.

[aldo_14]

Beta mid next year?  That seems a bit later than they (seemingly) intended.  Perhaps the botched PS3 launch has made Ms confident enough to give them time to actually finish it.

[Inquisitor]

Yeah, I was hoping for a holiday Halo 3. Sounds like I'll get it... in Christmas 2007...

[Deepblue]

Beta mid next year?  That seems a bit later than they (seemingly) intended.  Perhaps the botched PS3 launch has made Ms confident enough to give them time to actually finish it.

It's always been known to be a 2007 title.

They're starting a private beta with MS employees next month too.

[aldo_14]

Beta mid next year?  That seems a bit later than they (seemingly) intended.  Perhaps the botched PS3 launch has made Ms confident enough to give them time to actually finish it.

It's always been known to be a 2007 title.

They're starting a private beta with MS employees next month too.

I seem to remember Bill Gates saying it'd be out to meet the PS3 launch.

[Taristin]

I've seen GameStop selling pre-orders already...

[FOX2PRO]

Bah. Halo Sucks. Crysis FTW!

[Mefustae]

Bah. Halo Sucks. Crysis FTW!

Indeed! An already well-established and somewhat high-quality gaming franchise pales in comparison to the might of a hitherto unreleased game of unknown quality!

[vyper]

Meh, it was alright, but I wouldn't celebrate it's 5th birthday any more than HL's.

[Nix]

Yeah, I was hoping for a holiday Halo 3. Sounds like I'll get it... in Christmas 2007...

Don't feel bad, It's been that way with me with Stalker, for two..three years now?

[Deepblue]

Beta mid next year?  That seems a bit later than they (seemingly) intended.  Perhaps the botched PS3 launch has made Ms confident enough to give them time to actually finish it.

Bill Gates != Bungie.

It's always been known to be a 2007 title.

They're starting a private beta with MS employees next month too.

I seem to remember Bill Gates saying it'd be out to meet the PS3 launch.

[Inquisitor]

Well, some people thought the PS3 would launch in 2007

[aldo_14]

Well, some people thought the PS3 would launch in 2007

(arguably, it is......)

Not many at that point, AFAIK... and certainly not mid-to-late 2007.

[Thor]

isn't it always  safe to add about 6months - 1 year to any official MS release date?

vista's late, Office is late, halo is late....the official MS Christmas party isn't going to happen until march (put off due to licensing issues in Europe with Santa Claus Corp.)