Microsoft and Bungie announced this morning that their upcoming HALO: Reach would be released in most parts of the world on September 14th. Gamers in Japan, however, will have to wait until September 16th. Furthermore, the statement went on to tout the success of the beta test, which saw more than 2.7 million participants. Gamers have wondered why the two companies have chosen now to announce the release when E3 is only a few weeks away.

Could it be that Microsoft wants their E3 showings to be more Project Natal-focused? Only time will tell!