GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Halo 4 is 99 percent complete

Franchise director Frank O'Connor says 343 Industries very close to finishing development on November's Xbox 360-exclusive shooter.

By on

188 Comments

New Halo series developer 343 Industries is closing in on completing its first original Halo title. Speaking to GameSpot sister site Giant Bomb, Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor said Halo 4 is 99 percent done ahead of its November 6 worldwide debut.

Halo 4 is 99 percent finished with 46 days until launch.
Halo 4 is 99 percent finished with 46 days until launch.

"It's just sort of getting it in shape for certification and then manufacture," O'Connor said. "And then just cleaning out last minute bugs and getting ready for launch."

Halo 4 is the first numbered entry in the series developed outside of Bungie Studios, which officially handed the franchise reigns to 343 Industries on March 31, 2012. It is a direct sequel to 2007's Halo 3, picking up four years after the events of that game.

At least two more core installments--Halo 5 and Halo 6--will follow as part of the new Reclaimer Trilogy. It is rumored that the next Halo game will arrive on a future Microsoft platform, as the company is openly hiring staffers to create next-generation visuals and infrastructure to "drive the future of Halo."

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Halo 4
Join the conversation
There are 188 comments about this story
188 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for Marky360
Marky360

5549

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Marky360

@Zulu1Tango

First off I'd like to say thank you for your service. And I agree I think everyone should hold judgment of this game til it releases but I'm sure it will do just fine.

4 • 
Avatar image for brainiac1988
brainiac1988

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By brainiac1988

cant wait!! Halo = best console FPS experience ever! Both MP and SP

2 • 
Avatar image for Derrick79
Derrick79

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Derrick79

Dont worry folks as a bonus to buying our game at launch your all granted added title of "QA Tester" ......

Please address any issues and we wil get to them in future updates.. Thanks again for participating in the Halo 4 retail release Beta !

BLah

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ecurl143
ecurl143

746

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

ecurl143

Yeah - it's the 1% that isn't complete that worries me.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5851d30844ac7
deactivated-5851d30844ac7

269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

deactivated-5851d30844ac7

@ecurl143

I wonder what exactly the 1% is???

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Petman8246
Petman8246

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Petman8246

@Hobbes444 @ecurl143 Well, we certainly know it isn't Valve Time.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for AlmityGuitarist
AlmityGuitarist

150

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

AlmityGuitarist

@Hobbes444 @ecurl143 Probably multiplayer maps -_-....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SolidTy
SolidTy

49991

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

SolidTy

It's been a long enough time, so it makes sense. 343's first solo effort in gaming using Bungie's engine should delight some gamers.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Newave
Newave

729

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Newave

Of course it's 99% complete when 99% of it is just Halo 3, which was 99% Halo 2, which was 99% Halo. All they do for a new Halo game is copy and paste the previous one and add 1% of "new" stuff.

5 • 
Avatar image for AlmityGuitarist
AlmityGuitarist

150

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

AlmityGuitarist

@Newave It's funny how offended halo gamers get when you hit so close to the vein. In their defense, a lot of them are probably 12 year old children who think gaming started when their older brother got his first xbox.But yeah, 99% and repeat hits it perfectly. Halo(Game) Halo 2(Dual weilding, better multiplayer maps) Halo 3(Throwable equipment/somewhat shittier maps) Halo 4(Generic sequel numbering system, COD layout ripoff, Hopefully better maps(But doubtful))

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jayjay444
jayjay444

158

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

Edited By jayjay444

@Newave lol u wouldn't know a good game if it jumped up and bit u on the arse, i noticed a few games u have rated (10) eternal sonata, heavy gear 2, kingdom under fire, your a fucking idiot u have never played a halo game before so why dont u do us all a favor and **** of and dont come back into a halo page again.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5851d30844ac7
deactivated-5851d30844ac7

269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

Edited By deactivated-5851d30844ac7

@Newave

wait, i think you're refferring to CoD.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Newave
Newave

729

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Newave

@Hobbes444 I've never played CoD, so that can't be true.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MajorasMask00
MajorasMask00

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By MajorasMask00

@Newave Then how do you know that it is bad?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Newave
Newave

729

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Newave

And of course Halo was mostly just Doom, so don't go thinking the first Halo was all that new and original either.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for brainiac1988
brainiac1988

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

brainiac1988

@Newave

haters gonna hate!

you go play CoD then :) NERD

4 • 
Avatar image for Marky360
Marky360

5549

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Marky360

@The-Neon-Seal @Newave

I agree I like being a NERD so much more cool stuff to do.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Marky360
Marky360

5549

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Marky360

@Newave @Marky360 LOL dude i don't know if you know this or not but if your a gamer there's a pretty good chance your a nerd as well just thought you should know. oh and don't try and deny it man just face it YOUR A NERD TOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MajorasMask00
MajorasMask00

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

MajorasMask00

@Newave @Marky360

ALERT! ALERT! NEWAVE GAVE SONIC 06 A 10/10! HE HAS UNDERLYING MENTAL ISSUES!

2 • 
Avatar image for Newave
Newave

729

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Newave

@Marky360 @Newave I'm not your brother, not figuratively or literally.

No, this site is for gamers, not nerds, sadly there are parts of it that are aimed at the nerd part of the gamers out there and that's very sad indeed, but the site itself is not for nerds, never was and hopefully never will be.

Also, I would never willingly go anywhere near amerika, for obvious reasons.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shockerguy00
shockerguy00

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

shockerguy00

@The-Neon-Seal, LMAO that sums up my life. Sleep, work, shoot guns, manage YouTube channels, booze/game, sleep. Oh shit... IM A NERD! Hahaha.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for The-Neon-Seal
The-Neon-Seal

612

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By The-Neon-Seal

@Marky360 @Newave Nothing wrong with being a nerd. I think nerds have more interests in life than none nerds, think of all the diffrent, brilliant and imaginative francises there are to enjoy besides, sleep, work, hobby, booze, sleep, work ect. NERD AND PROUD. (Not to be confused with 'Mutant and proud')

2 • 
Avatar image for Marky360
Marky360

5549

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Marky360

@Newave

News Flash bro this whole website is for NERDS so maybe your lost or something did you remember to take that left turn at albuquerque?

7 • 
Avatar image for Newave
Newave

729

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 21

User Lists: 0

Newave

@brainiac1988 Why would I play another bad game just because I hate this one? That literally makes absolutely no sense.

Also, Halo is for nerds, it's a Microsoft title, it doesn't get nerdier than that, except Half-Life which is king nerd material.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for camyers1310
camyers1310

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By camyers1310

Really excited to see the new direction. As a hardcore Halo fan, Reach really disappointed me. Not sure what, the maps, weapon balance, or maybe the drastic game changing armor abilities? After watching a lot of videos, it looks really good. Looks almost like the gameplay is returning to their roots. The weapons pack some punch and the sounds. My god the sounds are incredible. I'll be taking off a day of work for a video game. I haven't done that since Crackdown.... oh boy.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for The-Neon-Seal
The-Neon-Seal

612

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By The-Neon-Seal

@camyers1310 Reach was personaly my favorite... I thought it was better than 3. Then again, I thought ODST was brill.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for billlabowski
billlabowski

91

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

billlabowski

44 days left so very soon they'll be sending the gold copy for disk processing and boxing. I gotta bring out my Xbox and get used to controllers again.

2 • 
Avatar image for Spartan_418
Spartan_418

4505

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Spartan_418

@billlabowski but, this is a console game, isn't it against your PC mustardrace code to play this?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for billlabowski
billlabowski

91

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By billlabowski

@Spartan_418 Not Halo, everything else....why yes. Is that what you wanted to hear? Glad I'm known for appealing to the PC crowd.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5851d30844ac7
deactivated-5851d30844ac7

269

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

deactivated-5851d30844ac7

@Spartan_418

you're one of those idiots who think consoles are the best think ever arent you?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for cronos809
cronos809

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

cronos809

@PSYCHOV3N0M @dRuGGeRnaUt leave that to the people who get paid for ideas of games :P endless possibilities

but maybe not, on first thought, fps's could kinda hit the threshold, where it becomes like pinball is today. No one plays pinball anymore :P

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ghost688
ghost688

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

ghost688

99% complete.1% is for surprise us?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Lotus-Edge
Lotus-Edge

50513

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Lotus-Edge

Looks good....

2 • 
Avatar image for SlyMC182
SlyMC182

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

SlyMC182

This game may be 99% complete but it will be 110% AWESOME!

17 • 
Avatar image for XxOskarxXTBXx51
XxOskarxXTBXx51

151

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

XxOskarxXTBXx51

@SlyMC182

When a percentage exceeds 100, it is no longer out of 100, therefore, you are saying that 890% bad.

:/

Upvote • 
Avatar image for UncleAnesthesia
UncleAnesthesia

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

UncleAnesthesia

@XxOskarxXTBXx51 @SlyMC182 You don't understand what you are saying.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SlyMC182
SlyMC182

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By SlyMC182

@guy298

Ha funny and true. Halo does have a rich and complex backstory to draw from. That is why I bought the Halo encyclopedia and I read the novels to get more insight into the world. I am waiting for “The Thursday War” to be released so I can read it before the game comes out.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for guy298
guy298

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

guy298

@SlyMC182 @UncleAnesthesia @XxOskarxXTBXx51 But understanding the story of Halo is not far from rocket science.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SlyMC182
SlyMC182

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

SlyMC182

@UncleAnesthesia @XxOskarxXTBXx51

Oh please. What are you guys mathematicians. You know exactly what I am saying. Do not get so hung up on words. It is 110% unnecessary to over analyze this comment. This is going to be a great game, so just go with it and let us HALO geeks have our fun. In other words lighten up a little bit, this is HALO not rocket science.

2 • 
Avatar image for 10stargamer
10stargamer

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

10stargamer

guns are crazy ; getting this game now

3 • 
Avatar image for godzillavskong
godzillavskong

7904

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

godzillavskong

I'm 100% excited. I also can't wait to see what kinda Halo game gets produced on microsofts next platform. I imagine it will be huge!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ItchyIsVegeta
ItchyIsVegeta

203

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

ItchyIsVegeta

Please please PLEASE have some sort of classic mode playlist in matchmaking!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Ultra_Taco
Ultra_Taco

68

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 1

Ultra_Taco

@ItchyIsVegeta They have already done this....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jakethenoob
jakethenoob

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

jakethenoob

@ItchyIsVegeta They've already said a while back there will be

Upvote • 
Avatar image for thetravman
thetravman

3592

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

thetravman

...ok. We know about the release date, so how is this article relevant? I may be wrong, but 343 Industries has been spammy with their statements about their Halo game compared to Bungie.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Rat_King
Rat_King

144

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Rat_King

@thetravman Now, you are aware that 343 Industries is an off shoot of Bungie, consisting almost exclusively of Halo writers, developers, creators, dating back to Halo 1, right?

Even if it was, what exactly would you expect them to say? Ours is better than theirs?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for mrsniper83
mrsniper83

1552

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 114

User Lists: 0

mrsniper83

@thetravman

I really haven't noticed any spammy messages about halo....i have hardly heard that much about it compared to other games

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Ultra_Taco
Ultra_Taco

68

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 1

Edited By Ultra_Taco

@mrsniper83 Which is really good in a lot a ways. There is actually some mystery to the game which makes people want it more.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MrNWatson
MrNWatson

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

MrNWatson

@Ultra_Taco @mrsniper83 Indeed. Some developers give out so much information that you practically know the whole plot before it's released.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hey_Jay
Hey_Jay

7221

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Hey_Jay

@thetravman a) It's just another update. A nice-to-know for some people. It may not be the most pressing news, but it's news. I don't see why it's a big deal to address little news nuggets. It's not like other, big news won't be reported on. This is just another thing to hear about, to keep updated on.

b) It makes perfect sense that they compare themselves to Bungie. They're taking control of a now legendary franchise, with innumerable dedicated fans and an established atmosphere and general feel to this universe. They're taking on something that's been built for over a decade by talented (and successful) individuals. 343 is in somewhat of a precarious position. They have a lot to prove.

7 •