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Halo: Reach landing September 14

Multiplayer beta participation falls shy of Bungie's estimates; simultaneous near-global retail launch confirmed, game coming a day later in Japan.

Halo: Reach is coming on September 14, Microsoft confirmed today. The sci-fi first-person shooter is the latest entry in Bungie's multimillion-selling Halo franchise and acts as a prequel to the other games in the series. The game will be launched simultaneously worldwide, except in Japan. Gamers there will have to wait until September 15 to get their hands on a copy, according to an Associated Press report.

The existence of Halo: Reach was first confirmed at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, and the launch window was narrowed to fall 2010 days later when Bungie demoed Halo: ODST on the GameSpot stage at the show.

Gamers who bought ODST gained access to the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta, which ran for a little over two weeks. More than 1 million ODST owners logged into the Reach beta on day one, with a further 1.7 million joining the action online until last Thursday, when the extended beta closed.

Get ready for more outlandish packaging with the legendary edition.

Get ready for more outlandish packaging with the legendary edition.

The number of players who joined the beta did not, however, match Bungie's expectations. Talking to the Seattle Times in April, Bungie community director Brian Jarrard said, "My expectation is it could be upwards of 3 million people. I think that's a fairly conservative estimate."

Halo: Reach is "probably" going to be Bungie's last entry in the storied franchise. It is set before the 2001 Xbox classic Halo: Combat Evolved, the first game in the series, and tells the story of the defense of Reach by a Spartan squad. The Halo franchise has so far sold in excess of 34 million games, according to Microsoft. The game will ship in three variant editions--normal, limited, and legendary--as confirmed in April.

Bungie recently tied up a 10-year exclusivity deal with publishing behemoth Activision "to bring Bungie's next big action game universe to market," with future games based on new IP coming to multiple platforms.

254 Comments

  • DerekKwok1

    Posted Jun 10, 2010 1:47 pm GMT

    What ever happened to "Finish the Fight!" in Halo 3?...they have already made 3 Halo games since Halo 3: Halo 3 ODST, Halo Wars, and this one...I don't know, I LOVED Halo 2 and the online play of Halo 3 was amazing and fun, but after Halo 3...I started getting tired of it...especially when they started making more and more "side stories" without changing much game mechanics. i hope this one is better..lol and Halo Wars was more of a rip off Halo RTS...

  • drknessfeeds

    Posted May 30, 2010 1:12 am GMT

    Cant wait for this one, don't think I was this excited for Halo since 2 but was dissappointed...heres hoping, loved the beta.

  • jsnixon

    Posted May 28, 2010 12:48 pm GMT

    In fact I fail to understand why if you don't like Halo games, you even bother caring about them. I don't like RTS games, yet I don't sit around reviews/previews of them saying how boring they are.

  • jsnixon

    Posted May 28, 2010 12:45 pm GMT

    I struggle to understand why people who obviously don't like Halo games come here to say they're all the same, and this one will be more of the same. If you like Halo..THIS IS A GOOD THING..too much change and it will become just another FPS.

  • Aural_Assault

    Posted May 27, 2010 11:12 pm GMT

    The beta was... disappointing. Everything that annoyed me in Halo 3 is still present in Reach. I'm still going to get the game though. I love the story of Halo and have loved the campaign in every game. However, I will either wait for it to drop price or I'll buy it used. No way I'm paying $60 for a game with a multiplayer portion I'm never going to use

  • metaltorn

    Posted May 27, 2010 4:36 pm GMT

    why is everybody saying "rehashed" use your own words instead of jacking other peoples vocab.

  • metaltorn

    Posted May 27, 2010 4:34 pm GMT

    cool, it's released a day later from my birthday

  • GamerLegend10

    Posted May 27, 2010 1:19 pm GMT

    i dont know about the other beta players but i really liked it and am sure to get this when it comes out.

  • Jock9

    Posted May 27, 2010 1:19 pm GMT

    Jesus god, another rehash. didn't they learn from ODST, its gonna blow with no innovations or anything new. They just want more money from us, good thing we've got other choices out there

  • mikefas

    Posted May 27, 2010 11:06 am GMT

    not paying $60 buck for a rehash. looks like microsoft stikes again... lack of creativity, just trying to squeeze $$$ out of a franchise. tis a real shame because bungie roots were revolutionary. they used to make cool stuff.

  • BetardxFoosier

    Posted May 27, 2010 9:34 am GMT

    @Hamjam117

    I was disappointed with the beta because it didn't amaze me. It was rehashed Halo 3 multiplayer with a few extras thrown in, and still not nearly as fun as the multiplayer in Halo: Combat Evolved. I feel like they're making the multiplater too complicated and taking away the simple, fun aspects of it. Sure, the franchise sold a ton of games, but I gave up on the series after ODST, since they promised something for the original fans, but didn't give them anything worth while.

  • cody20

    Posted May 27, 2010 9:19 am GMT

    What makes me nervous is that they are knocking out 2 halo games in 2 years. if Reach is anything like ODST, I will be extremely disappointed. Terrible story, same ol' multiplayer and what was the deal with only being able to do firefight with friends and not everyone....stupid. I'll wait for ratings and people's opinion before deciding to buy...

  • fillup0

    Posted May 27, 2010 9:06 am GMT

    This game is looking stellar, the beta was great it uses what works and greatly improves it.

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted May 27, 2010 7:33 am GMT

    The only reason it fell short of their estimate is that no one wanted to buy a stupid shell of a game that was ODST just because they want to play reach. I guess I'll get it when it comes out and play it then...

  • Hamjam117

    Posted May 27, 2010 5:46 am GMT

    I am really surprised at all the negative comments. Halo is one of the greatest game franchises of all time. Halo3 made 300 million in the first week. And when i played the beta i was amazed, i don't know why people are hating so much.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted May 27, 2010 12:03 am GMT

    @toptom924

    Dumbest. Comment. Ever. Why do you care so much if a game is released on X-box or both consoles? Why can't all people be able to enjoy a game. Like it really matters whether or not the game you're playing is on another console as well. Who cares?

  • elusivemelody

    Posted May 26, 2010 7:37 pm GMT

    Wait...they're STILL making Halo games? Hmm. I loved Halo: Combat Evolved (for the campaign; the multiplayer was okay), I got 2 and 3 but I'm not sure why...they really sucked and continue to suck. ODST didn't interest me in the slightest, and Reach? Meh. Campaign looks a little compelling but I already know it's just going to be a multiplayer game with a campaign that will only appeal to 12-year-olds who don't know any better (and who remain 95% of the player base anyway). Halo and Call of Duty: the two most overrated franchises in history.

  • ajgoesunlucky

    Posted May 26, 2010 5:45 pm GMT

    He is so true when he says Halo 1 was the best time at Bungie....
    Dont get me wrong the other 4 Halo games were good, but Halo 1 was such a *BAM* in the face it's hard to macth that now

  • Berget711

    Posted May 26, 2010 5:44 pm GMT

    beast

  • MountainManQ

    Posted May 26, 2010 4:15 pm GMT

    sweeet, my exact bday

  • Beta_Ray_Thor

    Posted May 26, 2010 12:09 pm GMT

    cool I wish halo was not M

  • toptom924

    Posted May 26, 2010 11:13 am GMT

    w00t for reach but bungie working for Activision no and other systems NO STAY WITH MICROSOFT BUNGIE PLEASE!! no offence to PS3 owners but we need their great games for xbox

  • Excedra

    Posted May 26, 2010 5:05 am GMT

    x10000000000

  • cerberus1058

    Posted May 26, 2010 2:15 am GMT

    @gregdawg08 It's called a bandwagon dude. And GS is one of the many horses that pulls it. And you are just another fanboy riding it, shelling out your money on this completely mundane and burned out material.

    @badron11 The versions I was talking about are the more expensive ones. One is legendary or whatever, and it's around $150.00 from what I hear? Lol give me a BREAK. Only a straight SUCKER will pay that much for one title. And you think Gears is more overrated than this? Amazing! So, do you see waves of Gears merchandise? Do you see a crappy Gears anime series that only appeals to pre-teens being made? Lol whatever. I'm not someone dropping good money on this and that's just fine with me! Oh and I own both consoles and play pretty much all genres.

  • Excedra

    Posted May 25, 2010 10:01 pm GMT

    @twitchmonkey399

    whoah man, well said. HALO REACH!!!!!!!!!!!

  • MrNib

    Posted May 25, 2010 8:12 pm GMT

    This game just makes Halo 3 look even more obsolete.

  • hannify

    Posted May 25, 2010 5:13 pm GMT

    whenever i see japan i can't not but utter the words **** YOU DOLPHIN AND WHAALE

  • Flint247

    Posted May 25, 2010 2:17 pm GMT

    I would just buy the standard game. That's enough goodies for me.

  • twitchmonkey399

    Posted May 25, 2010 1:47 pm GMT

    @GameFan1983

    GameFan1983 wrote:

    of course the number falls below Bungie's expectations, I'm even surprised the number reached little more than half.


    Bungie expected 3 million, and they got 2.7 million. How does that come out being a little over half?

    GameFan1983 wrote:

    Bungie really need to open their eyes and realize where they stand between their competitors. they'd be insane to expect reach to sell anymore than the beta numbers when they keep coming back with recycled xbox1 graphic and little improved gameplay



    Look at it this way: Halo 3's beta had a total unique player count of around 1 million. And the retail game has sold over 10 million copies. Halo Reach's beta had a unique player count of around 2.7 million. Do you honestly think that Reach won't sell more that 2.7 million? I will bet every material possession I hold that you are wrong. What's more, you think it's insane to think otherwise.

    GameFan1983 wrote:

    Halo 2, 3, and ODST were straight line disappointments, and I don't expect reach to be any different.


    For you, Reach may not be different than the other titles you believe to be disappointments. It's your opinion, and I respect it. And I'm sure you realize that I also have my own.

    I await your response.

  • dstv

    Posted May 25, 2010 12:53 pm GMT

    couldnt play the beta(slow download speed) but will pick up this title anyway......hopefully its not like ODST

  • MW2GhoST

    Posted May 25, 2010 9:35 am GMT

    awesome! Beta kicked ass!

  • monson21502

    Posted May 25, 2010 9:08 am GMT

    @Fandango_Letho, your right. alot of people didnt keep their halo 3 odst games. i bought 3 copies of it at local pawn shop for 12 bucks each. i kept one to play the bta and sold the other 2 for 25 bucks each to friends so they could play it

  • theslimdavylp

    Posted May 25, 2010 9:00 am GMT

    Looking forward to Halo Reach

  • Carpe_Noctum

    Posted May 25, 2010 8:25 am GMT

    Ya cracktoad, I look forward to the campaign more myself. It's what drives the game for me. Online is just something to dork around with when I am bored. The online will be good though, it's Bungie running through the MS servers.

  • fi3ldsy

    Posted May 25, 2010 8:18 am GMT

    I am sooo stoked about the release of Halo: Reach. BUT! It'll be kind of sad knowing that this will be the last release of a Halo universe game. At least for a long time. I think overall greed is what will bring a new Halo game years after Halo Reach. It's a money making game!!!

  • cracktoad

    Posted May 25, 2010 6:53 am GMT

    I really am looking forward to the campaign. The Halo:CE campaign was the best and I hope Reach will get to the same level. Regardless, If it is just a little better than Halo 3 or ODST, I'll be satisfied. Can't wait to fight the Elites again!

  • Gamesmasterx

    Posted May 25, 2010 6:49 am GMT

    Halo 3's co-op was a lot of fun, hoping this will be too, I didn't like it in ODST as much.

  • orb_03_2006

    Posted May 25, 2010 6:49 am GMT

    While I would LOVE to get the legendary edition, I just can't. I'm starting college in a few months and I wouldn't have time to play online. Plus, it's a but pricey. All I really want is the statue anyways. Oh well.

  • King_Jeremy_77

    Posted May 25, 2010 6:39 am GMT

    People enjoyed the beta, but what about the Campaign?

  • me729

    Posted May 25, 2010 5:58 am GMT

    I'll probably get it, new video engine sounds nice. Halo 3 didn't really look that great at the time. Hopefully not the same old stale Halo too.....that's really what it is guys. Some people say overrated, I say it's kind of gotten stale and played out. The sales are big because it's the biggest fanboy game EVER. Some people think there are no games besides Halo, and they'd be wrong.

  • cejay0813

    Posted May 25, 2010 5:53 am GMT

    If they made it a public beta, the game probably would've exceeded their expectations.

  • Darkness7089 posted May 25, 2010 5:03 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Darkness7089

    Posted May 25, 2010 5:03 am GMT (hide)

    Yay another Halo game I'm just shaking with excitement.

    That was complete sarcasm.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted May 25, 2010 5:03 am GMT

    Halo: Reach is an awesome game!

    Now that I've said that, I think I should point out that $150 is way too much money for the Legendary version of Halo: Reach.

    I actually thought that $129 was too much for the Legendary edition of Halo 3. Raising the price by $20 is just stupid, in my opinion.

    Amazon.com has a really fantastic deal where you can preorder Halo: Reach for $59.99, and then get a $20 discount off of your next purchase of a game!

    This means you are essentially getting Halo: Reach -- the biggest game of the year -- for only $39.99 with free shipping and handling and possibly no tax (depending on where you live).

    This excellent deal on Amazon doesn't apply to the other two versions of Halo: Reach for some reason. I will probably get the standard edition because that is too good of a deal to pass up!

  • singhellotaku

    Posted May 25, 2010 3:58 am GMT

    I never really liked Halo 3 but the reach beta was awesome, i'll totally buy it

  • -HCMF-

    Posted May 25, 2010 3:42 am GMT

    The beta was great, and I look forward to this title.

  • x-2tha-z

    Posted May 25, 2010 3:15 am GMT

    Really looking forward to playing the Reach campaign. I've enjoyed the campaign in all Halo games.

  • CreedMasterXP

    Posted May 25, 2010 2:48 am GMT

    I will enjoy Reach. Probably get it on the first day too. Nothing to special about it, it's just a new fun halo experience. Maybe not for some people but you should try it before you come to a conclusion.

  • Bioshockraptor

    Posted May 25, 2010 1:41 am GMT

    I wish I had a 360 so I could play this.

  • Duckyindiana

    Posted May 25, 2010 1:30 am GMT

    Hey gamefan1983 you have looked at it wrong the total is 2.7m not 1.7 so its almost what they expected.

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