Microsoft is happy to announce that pre-orders for the highly-anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive Halo 3 have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations, setting records at almost every retailer.

Although it is still hard to believe that the launch of Halo 3 will shatter the record established by The Burning Crusade (World of Warcraft’s expansion, launched on January 17 this year) which has sold more than 2.4 million copies in the first 24 hours of availability, it’s clear that the Xbox 360 exclusive will be by far the most successful launch for the platform.

Today, Microsoft Corp. announced that preorders in North America for the highly anticipated title have exceeded the 1 million milestone. In addition, Microsoft unveiled the first details of upcoming promotions from leading consumer brands, including Mountain Dew, 7-Eleven, Pontiac, Comcast and Burger King Corp.

The popularity of the Halo franchise has also attracted major retailers worldwide, since the release of Halo 3 is similar to the release of Hollywood blockbuster (Microsoft’s PR machine worked pretty well this time…)

Best Buy, GameStop and a bunch of other major MS partners for the H3 launch have registered combined pre-orders that top 1 million units, which is certainly a premiere for the Xbox platform, and probably a record for other gaming platforms too.

Halo 3’s launch revolves around the number 3 and Microsoft thought this is a good occasion to triple its revenues by offering gamers three versions of the game.

The Legendary Edition ($129.99) will come out in limited supplies, being wrapped up in a highly collectible Spartan helmet case, along with two bonus disks full of supplemental content. The first disk will provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage and videos, including a high-definition “Making of ‘Halo 3’” documentary showcasing the Bungie team and its effort to create the most anticipated title in the industry’s history; numerous high-definition featurettes documenting the creative design processes involved in developing the game; and even a look at some early game concepts and their evolution through the game’s development. The disk will also include an audio-visual calibration tool, never before seen on a video game and custom designed by the “Halo 3” graphics and audio team to make the most of fans’ high-definition home theaters, for the ultimate “Halo 3” and Xbox 360 audio and video performance.

The second bonus disk, an exclusive to the Legendary Edition, will include completely remastered cinematic material from “Halo: Combat Evolved” and “Halo 2,” supplemented with developer commentaries, to provide a refresher course on the thrilling “Halo” story so far, and a featurette documenting a day in the life at Bungie. Exclusive content from the creative minds behind Machinima artists “Red vs. Blue” and “This Spartan Life” will also be included.

Finally, fans who purchase the Legendary Edition will receive an illuminating collection of original “Halo 3” storyboard art from artist Lee Wilson, depicting key moments and pivotal scenes from the epic cinematic production of “Halo.”

The Limited Edition ($69.99) will also include a bounty of extras. Within a sleek metal collector’s case, gamers will also receive the first bonus disk found in the Legendary Edition, as well as a special “Halo” fiction and art book. The piece is an elaborate guide to the species and factions that inhabit the worlds of the “Halo” universe, with never-before-seen art and story elements that expand and illustrate the depth and breadth of the “Halo” fiction.

And for those who crave nothing more than the highly anticipated third chapter to one of the greatest gaming trilogies, the Standard Edition ($59.99) will consist of the “Halo 3” game.

Since the Legendary Edition is so full of content, gamers have been drawn to it first, despite the hefty price. Microsoft reports that demand has been so strong for the LE of the game that it is expected to be sold out by the time the game launches on Sept. 25. Retailers have also noted that the presales for “Halo 3” are the fastest in video game history.

“What we’ve experienced is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop Corp. “‘Halo 3’ has eclipsed many previous records and will prove to be one of the must-have items of 2007.”

“The excitement for ‘Halo 3’ is incredible,” said Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy. “From our preorders online and the buzz we’re hearing in our stores, we know this release is going to be one of the biggest entertainment events of the year. We’re thrilled to be able to bring it to our customers.”

Some of the world’s biggest consumer brands have also joined the Halo 3 boat, in order to boost sales for their own products using Masterchief’s appeal.

“This September, ‘Halo 3’ will push video game entertainment into the forefront of mainstream culture,” said Chris Di Cesare, director of creative marketing at Microsoft. “Teaming up with some of the world’s strongest and most recognizable brands is trailblazing new paths and cementing video games as big entertainment on par with major event films, and is a testament to the excitement and anticipation intrinsically linked to ‘Halo 3.’”

Mountain Dew will unveil the first beverage co-branded with a video game, Mountain Dew Game Fuel (available nationwide for a limited time starting Aug. 13, 2007), while 7-Eleven will unveil three “Halo 3”-branded collectible Slurpee cups. During the Halo 3 promotion with Mountain Dew Game Fuel and Doritos, 7-Eleven will have thousands of “Halo 3”-themed prizes, including, as grand prize, a chance to win a role as a voice actor in the upcoming Xbox 360 video game, “Halo Wars,” by Ensemble Studios.

Pontiac will host Pontiac Gamers Garage events in select locations, giving hard core fans the chance to play the single player campaign for the first time, even before the official September 27 launch. Other 1,000 lucky fans will get a free copy of the game (no mention as to what edition they’ll get…) and one lucky gamer will win a limited-edition “Halo 3” G6 GXP Street car.

Burger King will “Halo 3”-themed packaging, with exclusive content inside, starting September 23, while Comcast will host exclusive video content, including user-generated movies and machinima, on its Web sites http://gameinvasion.net and http://www.ziddio.com.

Other goodies include the chance to meet the members of the Linkin Park band, during exclusive Halo 3-themed VIP events.

NEWS FROM : www.efluxmedia.com