Xbox 360 fans now have a firm date to circle on their calendar as Master Chief will be coming out of cryonic stasis on the 6th November 2012 in Halo 4. This game will be pivotal in several ways, not the least of which it is the first shooter in the series to be developed by someone other than Bungie.
The game will be set four years after the events of Halo 3, as ”Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe.”
Naturally, Microsoft is ecstatic to share the news, as corporate VP Phil Spencer gushed, “We are beginning a new saga with Halo 4 and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences. Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and with Halo 4 leading the charge, we’re confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history.”
The game is being developed by 343 Industries, which has been given the task of shepherding the Halo IP since Bungie struck out on its own and signed a 10 year contract with Activision in April 2010.