Microsoft announced that the Windows equivalent of Xbox Live debuts on May 8, 2007, simultaniously with the launch of the Windows Vista version of Halo 2. Games for Windows — LIVE will connect Windows gamers to gamers already in the Xbox LIVE community, read more for all the details ...

Designed exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios, known for the Age of Empires series, Halo Wars is the next major real-time strategy title (thanks RTSCommunity).

Windows Vista gamers will be able to experience the epic story of “Halo 2” as Master Chief delves further into the mystery of the Covenant in the aftermath of Halo’s destruction. What he discovers will soon threaten the fate not only of Earth, but of the Universe itself.

Straight from Comic-Con in New York comes the announcement that Marvel will be publishing an ongoing monthly Halo comic. It's scheduled to debut later this year, possibly to coincide with, or ramp up to, the Halo 3 launch. In charge of the writing and art are DareDevil team Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.

Audio solution provider Audiokinetic announced that Halo Wars developer Ensemble Studios will use Audiokinetic’s audio solution, Wwise, for the development of its highly RTS title.

An ebay charity auction is charging $1,000 for a voice over cameo appearance in Bungie's upcoming Halo 3, but also makes mention of Halo 4. "Voice over will be recorded at Blindlight Studios in Hollywood, CA before May 15, 2007 or this package will have to redeemed for Halo 4." Bungie has previously stated the series was meant as a trilogy, so is this mention of a 4th installment a typo, a leak, or a misguided joke?

UPDATE: Bungie responded saying this is not a Halo 4 announcement, but merely a joke.. true or damage control ?

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, in this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. In its latest update, Bungie revealed Halo 3 would be released 'Fall 2007.'

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios announced two new ways for gamers to receive an invitation to participate in the Halo 3 multiplayer beta program coming this spring through Xbox Live Marketplace.

Crackdown pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first-ever truly 3-dimensional persistent playground, highly innovative co-op gameplay and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly-stylized urban center. Scanned pages from the latest GamePRO magazine reveal that Crackdown will, for a limited time only, include a Halo 3 mulipayer beta when it's released this February.

Certain Affinity is a new development studio based in Austin, TX founded by Max Hoberman, former multiplayer team lead for Halo 2 and Halo 3 over at Bungie. Certain Affinity's first project is developing multiplayer maps for Halo 2, while currently also creating a new X360 title to be announced at a later date.

The Halo 3 website has gone live, providing the first way for North American and European gamers to gain access to the Halo 3 public multiplayer beta on Xbox 360. This is not the only way Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the beta, and beta registration is not limited to a first-come-first-served basis, additional ways to gain access wioll be announced in the coming weeks.

On Monday December 4, 2006 Microsoft and Bungie launch the Halo 3 offensive with the unveiling of the official Halo 3 website, openinig sign-ups for the Halo 3 multiplayer beta, and simultaniously launching a new pre-rendered CGI TV ad which will air on ESPN's Monday Night Football between 8:50 pm and 9:20 pm EST, which will then be downloadable at Xbox.com.

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, in this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.

For the first time since its launch Halo 2 is not the most played game on Xbox Live. Last week there was some controversy by adding Halo 2 to the Xbox 360 list, but this week it is clear, Gears of War reigns supreme and dethroned Bungie's sequel. Even if the Xbox 360 list and the original Xbox list were combined, then Gears of War would be the top Xbox Live title.

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today celebrated 5th Xbox Anniversary by announcing an Halo 3 Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, scheduled for spring 2007. Also On Dec. 4, a new Halo 3 trailer will be released, while next spring all-new Halo 2 multiplayer maps will be released.

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, in this third chapter of the Halo trilogy, Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. Starting tomorrow GameStop allows you to pre-order Halo 3, which comes in 3 versions : Standard ($59.99), Collector's ($69.99), and Legendary Edition ($99.99).

Contrary to what was indicated last week, it seems "Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen."

A few days ago 20th Century and FOX announced they were withdrawing their financial back of the Halo movie, putting a dark cloud over the project. An article on United Press International claims that Microsoft plans to finance by themselves. Whether this is an actual statement or a mere misinterpretation of the official announcement is not clear at this point.

Universal Studios and Fox have abruptly backed out of financing the Halo movie deal, to be produced by Peter Jackson. Reason for the sudden withdrawl is said to be a ballooning budget concern and the fact that both studios played hardball and unsuccessfully tried to get the filmmakers and Microsoft to reduce their profit participation.

A little while ago Microsoft sent a community mod team a cease and desist order for their Halo based Halogen mod for C&C without much clarification. Today at the X06 briefing it has been revealed why. Microsoft and Bungie are working with Ensemble Studios, known for Age of Empires series, on Halo Wars for the PC and Xbox 360.

The new Video Games Live concert features music from the most popular video games performed by top orchestras and choirs, combining exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers (Steve Vai and Dweezil Zappa), electronic percussionists, and interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

Halo 2 Vista will offer gamers both the single-player campaign and multiplayer experience of the original, as well as the additional maps offered in the "Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack." Gamers will also have the exciting opportunity to build, create and customise their own multiplayer levels.

Halo, produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, has finally announced a director. The Halo motion picture will be helmed by Neill Blomkamp, making his feature film debut. Blomkamp is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and original artists currently working in short films and commercial advertising.

During last weekends Comic-Con, Marvel and Bungie announced that apart from the 128 page Halo Graphic Novel, it would also release a monthly new comic book based on the Halo franchise. Halo Ongoing is scheduled for later this year, although details such as writers, and plot line were not revealed.

In a community Q&A on the Bungie website, project lead Jo Clowes reveals a few more scant details on the upcoming Halo 2 Windows Vista edition. Confirming there will be no cross platform multiplayer gaming between PC and Xbox, Jo did reveal you could send invites and msg's to Xbox users, part of the Live Anywhere service, as well as the fact that multiplayer sessions will be capped at 16 users. Mod tools, dedicated server files and more customization options, so you can tweak mp sessions to your liking, will be part of the PC exclusive package.