Gears of War 3 delay pretty much confirms no Halo in 2011, sparse line-up

Microsoft and Epic Games announced earlier today that they were holding back Gears of War 3 until Fall of 2011 to make it a "marquee title." The Xbox 360 maker has made it a point not to have Halo games and Gears of War titles out at the same time and cannibalizing each other’s sales. The announcement appears to make it certain that no new Halo game is coming in 2011 now but it also raises questions about the Xbox 360 lineup for next year.

[Gue1]

People were expecting a new Halo next year? lol

[Joule]

Well according to Microsofts pattern this is true.

Holiday releases: 2006 (Gears) 2007 (Halo 3) 2008 (Gears 2) 2009 (ODST) 2010 (Reach) 2011 (Gears 3)...

[redDevil87]

Don't know why people are disagreeing with El Jugador. He's simply stating a fact, go check the release calender if you don't believe him.

[ico92]

Microsoft relies heavily on those 2 franchises every year, there no doubt about it

[sack_boi]

I can't wait to see what i343 has been doing all these years. With people Frank O'Connor and Corrinne Yu I know it's going to be awesome.

[jetlian]

2005!! problem came from gears it totally messed up the cycle

[AngryTypingGuy]

This is a good thing. Not that Gears is delayed, but that a Halo won't be releasing next year. When games release annually, they begin to not become as big of a deal when they're released. It's called over-saturation of the market.

No game gets more buzz than Halo. If MS is smart, they'll keep it that way by skipping at least one year in between releases.

[Hideo_Kojima]

2012 should come with a new Xbox and Halo 4...

2013 should be the year of PS4.

1996 PS1
2000 PS2
2006-US/7-EU PS3
2013-US/EU PS4

[8thnightvolley]

which idiot would think halo would come out in 2011>??

[lonix]

M$ is free to make as many Halo games as it likes
So be ready for some hyped up shovelware

[StanLee]

Well, I think there was some expectation of a Halo title, maybe an expansion along the lines of Halo 3: ODST, after comment made recently by Microsoft that a Halo game every 3 years wasn't enough. On the flip side, I never expected Gears of War 3 in April. It's a holiday title, it's a November game. It was always going to be release in November for the Thanks giving and Chrismas Holidays.

[El_Colombiano]

Wait Halo ODST was $60. There's no way it was simply a little expansion.

/sarcasm

[mastiffchild]

I was told that there WILL be a Halo named title next year but it would be a sequel for Halo wars-IDK if I was being lied to and didn't really like the first one anyway(not a big RTS man as it is let alone on consoles)but it's a fair amount of time to have another one out isn't it? Also it wouldn't harm, Gears3 at all.

The thi9ng I'm pissed off about, though, is that they didn't have to delay Gears til after the summer, did they? In the summer I think it would possibly have sold even better as there's generally sod all about and Reach released in Sept this year so are Ms saying that they won't have another decent, large game to release holidays 2011 if Gears shipped earlier? I do dearly hope that isn't the case cause Gears34 would sell like mad whenever they released it and I feel like I'm just being forced to wait for something that could be here a lot sooner-which always winds me up!

[Elven6]

lonix: You think Bungie was holding Microsoft back? Microsoft owns the IP, they can do what ever they want with it whether Bungie agrees with it or not.

But the fact that a few ex Bungie employees who were key members of the Halo team are now at 343 I think there will be restraint.

[Blacktric]

@Gue1

That's what we call as "secret exclusive desperation".

[InTheKnow]

The fact that 343 studios is not putting out a Halo game in 2011 does make the argument for a new xbox 360 in 2012 more plausible. There have been rumors of the next Bungie-less Halo for years going back to the release of Halo 3.

It would seem to me that 343 studios is pretty useless at the moment. When are they gonna make a actually game. They ruined the Halo movie that Peter Jackson was suppose to make, that turned into District 9. The Halo MMO was shelved...what are these guys good for???...comic books and that kind of crap I guess. When 343 Studios came out and said that they were looking at Halo Reach as Halo 4, I new something as up. It's a PREQUEL...how the heck is that a Halo 4??? Master chief is Halo and I for one am disappointed they have decided to shelve the game AGAIN until who knows when. So Far 343 studios has been just a waste of time.

[Evoluti0n]

How do you know what 343 is up to? As far as I know they're already working on a halo title, and prob for some time now.

Where are the facts, to backup your opinion?

[Rubberlegs]

Do you even know what your talking about? They had nothing to do with the Halo movie, that was all MS and Bungie. The production was going nowhere so Jackson and Neill Blomkamp left and went on to District 9.
Ensemble Studios (which MS owned) did Halo Wars and they closed down after Halo Wars was complete.
Reach is based off the book, there is a couple books that take place before the first game. Notice how its called Halo: REACH and not Halo 4.

343 has worked on map packs and Halo Waypoint, they created Waypoint. They will be the lead devs for whatever next Halo game comes out.

[Evoluti0n]

Refer to previous post.

*sigh*

[KillerPwned]

Yeah can`t we just take a break from halo damn MS. I understand hes like your own little mario in a metal outfit.

[tplarkin7]

I doubt that we'll see another Halo on 360. I would bet on the next Halo by 343 Industries to be a launch title for the next platform.

[Queasy]

How many articles were there recently about MS possibly moving to a yearly release with Halo? A bunch.

http://www.google.com/searc...

[Mr_Bun]

Hope natal/kinect work out for 360 owners as that seems to be all they have to look forward to in the near future

[maxcer]

you know some of us 360 owners do have ps3's

[lucifon]

Indeed we do. Not only that but theres a ton of titles hitting next year, you know...multiplatform games?

[siliticx]

I buy multiplats on ps3. Considering im getting fable III on pc, the 360 will be covered in dust for a year and a half... 2 good games a year just dont cut it.

[shoddy]

one you play for free online.

Graphic different is too small to mention.

[Gamer_Z]

Who needs Halo next year we have kinectimals! :P

[LordMarius]

I dont think anyone is asking for more Halo

[Convas]

Exactly, Halo: Reach just came out. Not even the most hardcore Halo fans are thinking about another Halo right now.

[gamingdroid]

Halo: Reach is a fantastic game so no need for a new one right now.

[DaBadGuy]

Agreed. Halo 3 came out in 2007 and I was still playing that when Reach came out. With all the crap Reach has in it, I'll be good till the 720 comes around.

[Gam3s4lif3]

Yea about 700000 ppl are still playing halo 3 so beat tht

[Raikiri]

good

[BigKev45]

Like no one knew? Come on, author.

[Queasy]

Yes but consider the recent comments by Phil Spencer about releasing Halo games more frequently.

Plus, the reason for the delay for Gears of War 3 paints a troubling picture for next year's Xbox 360 first-party lineup.

[Convas]

Who didn't know this?

Be that as it may, this doesn't change the fact that MS is bring but 2 X-clusives to the table next year, hell, Codename Kingdoms may not even COME OUT next year.

They really are throwing us core gamers under the bus.

[Baka-akaB]

There will be more exclusive than that truth be told , we can just easily guess what will be MS' focus in 2011 ... like it or not , it's kinect and kinect games

[BabyTownFrolics]

to report on or investigate? I gotta stop coming here.

[Unicron]

Yup. And crap keeps getting approved. It's sad.

Wanna help me bury a rooster?

[mastiffchild]

Cook it Uni! Don't bury it, well stick him in a pot with some onions, garlic herbs, spuds, carrots and stock and slow cook him til that ornery old bird is tender once more! I'll make the dumplings, add some spices and red wine and we'll have the inaugural N4G Rooster Stew In! I've got Flu as well so a bit of that liquor will do me the world of good-as would sweating it out over the pot!

We can all sit down and mourn the passing of actual news on N4G and, hell, since I'm in a good mood I'll even save a bowl for Old Bobby Kotick and show him the milk of human kindness. He'll eat and sup at the table of the gamers and go away with a new found understanding of al that is gaming, paid for demos and milked franchises will be a thing of the past and in the new found unity piracy will wither and die alongside the corporate greed.

Erm, yeah, as I said I've got Flu. I might not be seeing things that clearly right now. Be nice though-Rooster Stew and all that. Coq au N4G we could call it. You and me Uni mending the gaming world via the medium of slow cooked poultry. Hell, I'll even lay on a nice vegetable Thali for our vegetarian and vegan gaming brethren-and the hearts of twenty virgins if Bobby REALLY insists on them(though I did hear he actually eats like a fly does-puking on his meal, stamping on it and then sucking up the juices-but I can't confirm if that's really the case). Ah, bliss...

[likedamaster]

@mastiffchild

lulz. Funny stuff.

[BeaArthur]

Nice observation captain obvious.

[gamerdude132]

There probably won't be a new Halo until late 2012 or 2013. Remember the new company?? Yeah...

[pacosanchez88]

damn it microsoft, up until now i kinda assumed you had to have something up your sleeves for next christmas, but now this? is this the only thing i have to look forward to on my 360 next year?

[STICKzophrenic]

Kinda relieved that Gears is delayed until Fall.

I was looking at purchasing five titles in approximately the first five months, so this will help me out some, as well as allow Gears to be a birthday game.

This will definitely give me more time with Killzone 3, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Dead Space 2 and inFamous 2.

[bobdog626]

If Gears was delayed Killzone 3 will be also ,mark my words they will come out at about the same time i bet

[Queasy]

Killzone 3 is February.

[TheBlackSmoke]

erm...why?

edit:

That's why his statement confuses me. Its not like SONY don't have a full AAA line up next year.

[Pennywise]

KZ is Feb and will stay Feb.

EDIT: You're forgetting, Sony has plenty to spread out.

[UP]

Guys do not listen to him. Before E3 he posted many comments about how MS with own E3 and Sony should give up. and these comments as well.

"Just sit back and relax Sony fans
The Show is about to Begin.Grab Popcorn and Soda.Don't be Afrade of the Big Bad Wolf.Just close your eyes Sony FB Just close your eyes .LMAO #22

Natal will Change Everything
Don't Hate just sit back relax and watch the Show #7

Natal will steal the Show
If this hand gesture thing is true Sony and The Big N better Watch Out .Can't wait 4 E3. #4

looks1000000000000000000000 times better than the PS3
The first Blow before E3 Starts.Better Run Sony Better Run Far Far away." #1.6.2

[bobdog626]

I did not Stutttttter .I still believe that Kinect will steal Christmas.Its all about the Marketing son

[UP]

Those comments were about E3 there were no sales mentioned in those past comments you posted. You cant even read your own comments.

[mastiffchild]

WTF has KZ3 got to do with Gears3? Hell, Sony even made sure KZ2 released WELL after Gears2 so if anything history would dictate Sony wouldn't try to put KZ3 anywhere near Gears3. They know a lot of serious gamers own both systems and that Gears is a massive franchise that could affect KZ3 sales so your assertion makes absolutely zero sense.

R2 came out around Gears2 time and it now seems like R3 and GeoW3 will be doing a similar dance but KZ3 will be Feb like it's predecessor. Whetrher Socom4 gets moved again so KZ3 gets a clearer run is more of an issue for Sony but, again, we'll see but I just see no reason for Sony to follow Gears around with Killzone and would think they'd like to have a bit of space between it(and the inevitable COD2011)any of their own shooters this time round.

[CantHaveOpinionsHere]

yearly games always suffer quality from what I see or the improvements aren't worth the purchase

[midgard229]

isnt halo and gears always the line-up for xbox???. i mean well fable is coming soon so should be safe. tho i wont touch fable if people dont hit me back when i stab them......for a game about consequences it sure doesnt have any.

and if gears is delayed it just means it will be better, i mean look at what happened when part 2 was rushed, even worse final boss and ending with horrible multiplayer.

delays are normally a good thing guys. just sux when all u play is gears halo and cod

[ceedubya9]

If owners of the 360 only play those three games, then that must be all that they want to play. There are a lot of different games from a variety of genres to be played if someone only has a 360. They just have to buy them, or at least play them. There are other games available besides hardcore exclusive titles.

[midgard229]

oh no what you say is true......for the gamer like me and you. While working at gamcrazy for 2.5 years Ive seen customers who seriously only play those games till the next come out.

they sometimes pick up a little something in the used section to side track them but they go back and keep playing.

why? maybe because its the only thing they are good at?

im not saying all 360 owners only play gears and halo, lol that wud be dumb, but there are alot who do.

me and im figuring you both like to buy any good game that comes out but just like the avid madden player, theres always that game they always play.

I cant be stuck on one game for to long if ive finished it already. resident evil 5 and lbp were the only exception and thats me and my gf were playing it thanks to the replayability.

people who are on this website are generally in the gaming community because we all seek different games.

the average guy just knows COD, Gta, Halo, madden and gears

[ceedubya9]

Every year there is a question about Microsoft's lineup, and then as the next E3 rolls around, more games start to come forth. Of course, Microsoft has never had a heavy release of 1st party titles, but there are alwasy a few surprise games that we didn't know about before.

And, like it or not, Microsoft will have a bunch of exclusive Kinect games despite how we may feel about them. And Multiplatform games do still exhist, last time I checked. So there will be plenty of games to go around. Xbox only owners will be fine, and aren't complaining.

[R_aVe_N]

That sucks for Gears fans I know my friend is pretty upset about the delay for no other reason but to give them something for that time frame. Gears would have sold just the same in April. I don't think it has anything to do with Killzone 3 at all.

[Workshyskiver]

Your all assuming M$ have announced everything for next year......

[Hades1337]

I know, just because Sony have played all their cards doesn't mean Microsoft have.

[mastiffchild]

I agree that MS will have things up their sleeve but to say Sony have played all their cards too is a stupid thing tom assume as well. We're yet to have a lot of games confirmed that MUST be being made(Starhawk, SFPS3 and so on)and we've also got a ton of Sony studios that haven't said what they're working on at all-and they surely are.

No, both of them will have games up their sleeves, trust me.

[jukins]

sounds like dirty business. im hoping the game really just needed more time instead of "we have no huge exclusives for next years holidays lets hold back gears of war so we now have one" not sure who made this decision but this could potentially put gears of war head to head with the next call of duty which, sales wise, would be a crazy idea. funny how the xbots where fanboying all over the lbp2 delay and now look pretty much the only 360 exclusive thats going to come out next year is delayed.

[HuGi]

At probably the same time as Forza 4 and Kingdoms... this wont end good Kingdoms may end up like alan Wake in sales. sad.

[DJLIVENYC]

@ceedubya9

You Right. But I Feel Better When I Have Both Systems That Way I can Laugh At all The People Who Talk Shit & Only Have One System

[bjh089]

They really are relying on Kinect looks like I won't even be touching my 360 next year and my ps3 is gonna be nice and cozy haha

[slugg]

has more to do with Bulletstorm releasing in Feb.-- Epic do not want to compete with themseves for sales.

[0oAngeluso0]

We could still see Halo Wars 2, Halo Wars 1 was amazing and sold very well.
I am guessing Microsoft is going to surprise quite a few people. Just like this past year. personally I'm hoping for Perfect Dark, Halo Wars, Gears 3, Forza 4 and a few other high quality titles. I own a PS3 as well, but to be honest most of the games like God OF War 3, infamous are rentals only via Gamefly. They just cant compete with the XBL enabled games.

[Britney Spears]

rare is not even the real one anymore.renting those classics you mentioned is dumb and a waste of money,buy them. you mentioned the same franchises every time,no variety at all. face it they have no games just in 2009 and barely in 2010. this time it could be even worse. enjoy paying for p2p while i play dedicated servers and games with high player count.

[likedamaster]

Halo 4 to come at New Xbox launch?

[omi25p]

and people really think ms wouldnt have already started the hype train by announcing it at this years e3?

[ozone3000]

When was the projected line up for fall of next year actually accurate this far ahead of time? sure it does look like microsoft is in a bit of trouble but im bettin that some ps3 games get pushed and some unannounced xbox games emerge.

[Rageanitus]

their most competitive franchises...