(Reuters) – “Halo 2,” the sequel to the best-selling
Xbox game ever and one of the most-anticipated titles of 2004, will ship this
fall, Microsoft Corp. said on Friday, dashing hopes that the game would be out
sooner. Many industry observers as well as fans had expected “Halo 2″
to ship as early as the spring — possibly in March or April — and retailers
had been counting on a June release date.

But a spokeswoman confirmed on Friday that the “Halo 2″ launch is
now set for the later part of the year. A firm launch date was not available,
although it would be in Microsoft’s next fiscal year, which starts in July,
the spokeswoman said.

As of Friday morning, the Web sites of specialty game retailers GameStop Corp.
and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. still listed “Halo 2″ as being
scheduled for a June 1 release.

Bungie, the Microsoft-owned developers of the original “Halo,” which
has sold more than 4 million units since its November 2001 release, posted a
note about the timing of “Halo 2″ on its Web site on Friday.

“So, remember last year when we told you we don’t announce release dates
until we’re confident well meet our deadline? Well now were confident. Halo
2 will ship in fall 2004. Please make a note of it,” the site said.

Source: www.reuters.com

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