Halo 2 delayed
by VGLN Staff

Friday, January 30, 2004

Don't kill the messenger, that's what we say.

Microsoft informed VGLN.com today that Halo 2, the sequel to the best-selling Xbox game ever and one of the most-anticipated titles of 2004, will ship this fall. This about kills any hopes that the game would ship early this Spring.

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.

--- Paul