Halo 5 Release Date Set for December 2015, But Pre-Orders Already Available

In an indication of fans' interest in the game, the Halo 5: Guardians game is already available for pre-order at the Microsoft Store and priced at $59.99 even though its expected release date is more than a year from now – on Dec. 14, 2015 to be exact, and this has not been confirmed yet.

In a blog post, Bonnie Ross, general manager and studio head of 343 Industries, says Halo 5: Guardians is a bigger effort than Halo 4. "That applies to the content and scope of the game, as well as the technology in what's now a brand new and more powerful engine," she says.

"Certainly there are some core elements carried over from prior games, but we've invested a huge effort in retooling our tech to take full advantage of the Xbox One's hardware and ecosystem to create worlds and experiences worthy of next-gen," she adds.

Developed by 343 Industries and published by Microsoft Studios, Halo 5 is built for a new engine compatible with Xbox One.

Eurogamer reports that 343's goal is to align the game with the Halo TV series. The idea is to release the game in conjunction with the premiere of the Halo television series, which Steven Spielberg will be producing. The airing will be roughly around the same time of the game launching in the autumn of next year.

Meanwhile, 343 Industries has confirmed the arrival of a beta version of the game, as well as the "Master Chief Collection" which will be available for PC.

"We are intentionally putting out the beta a year early so we actually can get fans' feedback to make sure that we are building the multiplayer that they want to play," said Ross in an interview with Dualshockers.

'Halo: The Master Chief Collection" is scheduled for release next month. Many surprises await fans, sources say.

Mike Coulter, voice actor of Agent Locke, sparked rumors that Agent Locke, not Master Chief, will be the main character of Halo 5.

"Once Halo: The Master Chief Collection is released, and then Halo 5 comes out shortly thereafter, you're basically going to be playing a game with me as the primary character," Colter says in an interview with Polygon.