FileForums - Halo 2 Rumors

As November 15 steadily approaches, rumors are flying around the Internet regarding Microsoft's big surprise for the system's second anniversary. November 15, 2001 marked the launch of the system (along with the game that put Microsoft on the mat, Halo), Nov 15, 2002 marked the launch of Xbox Live and rumors are currently stating that 2003 will be the biggest surprise releases in the history of videogaming.

While this is only a rumor, an actual Microsoft Xbox public relations representative has contacted managers for both EB and Game Crazy retailers releasing some rather interesting news. The district managers of both stores were told that Halo: Combat Evovled will be joining the Platinum Hit's list on November 15, which sequentially drops its price to $19.99.

The current buzz is that Halo 2 will also be available on the 15th, that same day the original drops in price. A district manager of EB is saying the game will be available that day for numerous reasons. The "Vendor of the Month" at EB stores for November is the Microsoft Xbox, a mysterious Halo 2 trade-in deal has surfaced this month and the tentative ship date for the game is currently April 1 (April Fools Day). We are sure we'll have more on what may be the biggest surprise release in the recent history of videogames.

Update: Upon further research, The Digital Gaming Network acquired "EB Games Holiday Wish List" from a local EBX retail store and can confirm that the Halo 2 trade-in deal is imminent. The deal is titled "Snag a most wanted Xbox title for only $9.99." It states, "Trade-in 4 Xbox titles and receive any of the following for $9.99: Halo 2, Counter-Strike, Project Gotham Racing 2, Fable and Ninja Gaiden." On the similar note, Halo 2 is also listed numerous times in the back of the literature under the "Employee Wish List 2003."

The EB Games website, which still lists Halo 2 for an April 1 release date includes the following in bold lettering: "The ship date is subject to change and has not been confirmed by the manufacturer."

While we cannot confirm the following, some are saying that the Xbox's new spokesperson, Sean P. Diddy Combs, does a voice over in a commercial seen on NBC, where he states, "The world will know Xbox on November 15" accompanied by a picture of the Xbox logo with the Halo's series hero, Master Chief, seen in the backdrop.

Quote:

Not saying it is happening. But there are definitely signs pointing in that direction.

1) XBOX new ad campaign says on The world will know xbox on november 15th. November 15th is a Saturday. New games come out on Tuesday typically. November 15th however is the 2 year anniversary of xbox. Last year on that day we got xbox live, hence. It's been the biggest day for xbox thus far. And thus far there is absolutely zip scheduled for the 15th....kinda odd that xbox would do NOTHING for that day don't ya think?

2) Bungie had a press release on their website apologizing for the delay of halo2 and it had a statement saying flatly that the game would not ship in 2003. Mysteriously that statement is no longer on the site.

3) If Halo2 comes out on their scheduled day then gamecube and ps2 will release something to compete or take some of the thunder. A sudden release is perfect. Catches the whole industry offguard and cements xbox as the new "top dawg" console. For quarter 3 of 2003, both ps2 and gamecube had losses while xbox sales increased 6% and xbox live sales gained something astronomic like 30%. This could be THE quarter for xbox. A first or second quarter release of halo2 is fine but a holiday release right now would be a shakeup.

-Spree

Hmmm. What do you all think?