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Microsoft shows off Halo 4 at E3 in run-up to Nov. 6 launch

The long-awaited Halo 4 will be hitting store shelves on Nov. 6; Microsoft showed off key details at E3.

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Don Reisinger
Halo 4 is launching November 6.
Halo 4 is launching November 6. Screenshot by John Falcone/CNET

The wildly anticipated Halo 4 will be launching on November 6, and Microsoft today showed off the title during its E3 keynote address.

Microsoft kicked off its E3 keynote today with a trailer and gameplay footage of the new title. The official Halo 4 homepage shows the game's logo, and a date that reads "November 6 2012."

Unlike the first Halo trilogy, which was created and developed by Bungie Studios, Halo 4 has been developed by Microsoft-owned 343 Industries. As one might expect, the studio is facing considerable pressure to fill Bungie's shoes.

Halo 4, which was given full trailer and gameplay treatment, is set in the aftermath of the events in Halo 3, and will follow Master Chief as he "returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe."

According to Microsoft, Halo 4 will kick off a new trilogy in the franchise. The game will be available only on the Xbox 360.

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Watch this: Halo 4 trailer debuts at E3 2012