Halo 4 - Will it ever become a reality?

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Just to clarify, I’m not a prophet. Nor am I a psychic. I’m not a Microsoft insider. I’m not a video game industry insider. I’m just a gamer with an opinion. I am slightly biased because I’m really counting on a Halo 4 video game. I’m just one of the millions of Halo fans who think that Halo is the top video game franchise on the planet. So, the question that is on everyone’s mind is will there be a Halo 4. Let’s look at this from a rational perspective.

Yes they are creating a RTS Halo game named Halo Wars, but I’m talking about the real deal. We all want Master Chief and the Halo story in a FPS environment. We all want the same Halo engine that we have come to love and rely on for hours and hours of entertainment. Are you telling me that all the skills we have acquired in Halo, Halo 2 and Halo 3 are good for nothing? We won’t be able to bring those skills and talents to a Halo 4 video game? Say it isn’t so Mr. Microsoft!

Why do I think Halo 4 is a safe bet? I just do. It’s such a safe bet that I am going to a tattoo parlor and getting Halo 4 tattooed on my rear end. I’m kidding but I’m extremely confident that Halo 4 is coming to the next Xbox video game console. Here are my reasons:

Halo 4 – Will it ever become a reality?

Reason #1 – Money

This reason is essentially the blanket reason that covers this entire editorial. You could also consider this the only reason why there will be a Halo 4. Take this one to the bank baby! Money. It’s all about the money. No corporation can turn away from it. Halo 4 to Microsoft means huge heaping amounts of money. Changing a game series or renaming it after attaining such success doesn’t make sense. It’s called branding and Microsoft has spent years investing in building up the Halo franchise. Halo 4 isn’t just a name anymore. It’s much more than that.

Reason #2 – Halo is the biggest video game franchise on the globe.

GTA is perhaps as big, but I would consider it a tie between Halo and GTA for the biggest video game franchise on the planet. How so? Look at 2008. Look at the massive, and I mean massive releases for Halo 3 and GTA 4. Incredible launch hype and it was unlike anything ever seen in the video game industry. Presales also indicate just how massive the demand was for Halo 3. Looking at this realistically why would there not be a Halo 4 video game. With each release in the Halo series, there has been a bigger and bigger splash and increasing demand. Microsoft is not going to cut the cord on something that is such a huge money and marketing machine.

Reason #3 –People buy Xbox video game systems just to play Halo.

Can I back this claim up with figures? No. There haven’t been any official polls on this. Look at the Nintendo 64 and GoldenEye. GoldenEye was responsible for selling massive amounts of Nintendo 64 consoles. You can say the same about Halo and the Xbox systems. If you remember the original Halo, I bet a lot of you bought an Xbox just to play it. No company should ever discount the value of an exclusive video game title. If it’s a huge seller like Halo is, then certainly that demand translates into even larger buckets of money for the Xbox hardware division.

Reason #4 – Major League Gaming (MLG)

With Halo 3, it became very clear just how valuable MLG was to Bungie. Instead of ignoring MLG, they embraced them and actually listened to some of their requests. The Halo 2 era was different because Bungie didn’t really give MLG the time of day. Bungie ignored MLG during the lifespan of Halo 2.

It’s funny how things change when money is involved. Obviously MLG grew large enough since Halo 2 and carries enough weight in the video game industry. That apparently is what it takes to catch the ear of companies like Bungie. They saw some financial benefits in associating with MLG so the relationship became one of mutual admiration.

How does this affect the Halo 4 discussion? Well ditching Halo and Halo 4 of the FPS variety essentially squashes the relationship with MLG. Halo 4 would obviously be MLG’s next big title with the next Xbox console. Not having Halo 4 means that MLG would be switching to other FPS games. That means the competition will get the exposure and marketing value from the MLG featuring their game in their competitions. Microsoft would lose out in this situation definitely. MLG now with ESPN backing garners a lot of value and staying power in the video game market.

Reason #5 – Halo 3 Story

Like any movie, if the creators leave a door open at the end, be assured this means more is coming. If you watch the ending of Halo 3, you see that a continuation of the story is inevitable. I’m certain that somewhere in the world, there are people scribbling on paper or typing away on their computers putting together a solid storyline for Halo 4. In fact, I’m sure this process has been going on since the release of Halo 3. Good stories and good video games take time.

Reason #6 – Xbox 720 Needs a Launch Title

I’m not certain that Microsoft needs a launch title like Halo 4 for the next Xbox console but imagine what that would be like. With the Xbox 360, Microsoft decided on launching with Perfect Dark Zero as a launch title video game. We all know how that turned out unfortunately. Halo 4 would be a sure fire success. Can you think of a game title other than Halo 4 that would have a bigger splash? I can’t. Beyond just having Halo 4 as a possible launch title, Microsoft need the power of a Halo 4 to keep their Xbox console sales on par with Nintendo and Sony.

Conclusion:

Halo 4 is coming soon to an Xbox near you. It’s all about the money baby!