The Master Chief is back. Poised to become the biggest entertainment launch of the year so far, "Halo 4" is the first chapter of a brand-new saga in the genre-defining, $3 billion franchise that has shaped entertainment history and sold a staggering 46 million games worldwide.
Hailed by NBC News as "breathtaking, heart-breaking and awe-inspiring,"1 "Halo 4" has garnered universal acclaim as one of the top-rated video games of 2012, according to Metacritic.2 In a year jam-packed with record-breaking Hollywood movies and games, "Halo 4" is expected to break all previous day-one entertainment sales records in 2012, cementing its status as the must-have blockbuster of the year.
Excitement for the return of the Master Chief has swept the globe. In London, a massive illuminated glyph soared over the River Thames, a symbol of the new threat that has awakened in "Halo 4." The glyph, which measures 50 feet in diameter and weighs 3.2 tons, was illuminated by 113,096 LED lights and represents one of the largest objects ever to be flown by helicopter as a lighting art performance. On Oct. 30, the European country of Liechtenstein was reimagined into a real-life replica of the "Halo" universe, marking the first time a brand has taken over an entire country for an entertainment launch. For one day only, Xbox 360 transformed some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, including a 13th-century castle and a working mine, to create a mysterious alternate universe in the heart of Europe — all inspired by "Halo."
Microsoft and 343 Industries today unveiled that there will be more content to come in the months post-launch, and the "Halo 4" War Games Map Pass is your ticket to getting it all at a 15 percent discount.
Retailing for $24.99 USD2 (2,000 Microsoft Points), the "Halo 4" War Games Map Pass confirms your access to three War Games map packs as they become available in December, February and April, and represents a savings of more than 15 percent versus purchasing the packs individually. In addition, Map Pass purchasers will receive two bonus in-game helmets, as well as a unique in-game emblem.
Stoking the excitement for launch, 343 Industries also premiered the gameplay launch trailer for "Halo 4". Learn all about the three new Map Packs and watch the official Halo 4 launch trailer just after the break.
Yusuf Mehdi, Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Division, has announced details about a major new update to the Xbox dashboard and the launch of Xbox SmartGlass, which brings games, music, TV and movie experiences off the console and onto your phone, tablet and PC.
Steve Ballmer recently stated that 2012 will be "the most epic year in Microsoft’s history."
Not only do we have major releases coming to the PC, tablet and phone, but we have worked extremely hard to ensure those screens work together with the other major screen in peoples’ lives, the television. People often call out the role Microsoft design style is playing in this new wave of experiences from the company. Whether you are using a phone, PC, tablet or console that is running our software you have an experience that is distinctively Microsoft, elegant, intuitive and integrated.
Now, there is another common thread that ties all of these experiences together – Xbox entertainment.
Today marks the beginning of two major launches for Xbox entertainment.
First, on top of what is the greatest year for games in Xbox history, beginning today a brand new update will roll out broadly for every Xbox 360 owner in the world that brings entirely new TV entertainment experiences. We are bringing the Web to the TV like never before with Internet Explorer, launching a brand new music service, and making it even easier to find the entertainment you love using Kinect and Bing voice search. This release is the next step in our journey to transform Xbox 360 from a games console to an all-in-one entertainment system.
With Halo 4 scheduled for a November 6 launch, Microsoft is seriously upset over the leak, and they're not sitting back to allow it with no response.
"Playing pirated copies of games, such as Halo 4, is a violation of the Xbox Live Terms of Use and will result in enforcement action, such as account and console bans." Microsoft stated.
The bans are being reported to be instant, playing the game offline wont save you, since you will ban you next time you log your xbox 360 into Live.
343 Industries also addressed the leak: "We have poured our blood, sweat, and tears into Halo 4, and we want you to have the best possible experience with our game, come November 6. If you're interested in staying spoiler-free, we encourage you to exercise caution when visiting various websites, social networking services, and forums."
Microsoft announced today that U.S. based Xbox 360 owners will soon have the opportunity to interact live, for the first time ever, via a presidential debate through its new Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE - Watch three of the four debates tomorrow Wednesday October 3rd, 2012 and be awarded with a Halo 4 Warrior Armor avatar.
Throughout the debate, the Xbox LIVE community (Xbox LIVE gold membership required) will be able to weigh in with their opinions by responding to real-time poll questions about the candidate’s performances, their responses to questions and views on issues. Participants will be able to view poll results of the Xbox LIVE audience throughout the evening. All Xbox LIVE participants are also encouraged to submit poll questions via Twitter – #XboxPoll. Submitted questions will be reviewed and some of the best will be asked to the Xbox LIVE community during each debate.
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