Not sure if this is considered news here or not, but anyway - official from MS:
XBOX ANNOUNCES HALO 2 AVAILABLE IN UK FROM 11th NOVEMBER 2004
London, 9th July 2004 - Xbox®, the video game system from Microsoft®, today announced that the highly-anticipated Halo 2 will hit UK retail shelves on Thursday, 11th November 2004.
"Halo 2 is the hottest game heading to Europe for Christmas and it will be in-stores in UK from 11th November," said Michel Cassius, Senior Director, Xbox Platform and Marketing. "We know people are waiting for it and Halo 2 is everything people expect it to be . a fitting sequel to Halo and the most hotly anticipated title on any platform. With multiplayer online capabilities that expand online gaming to another level, Halo 2 is a significant launch..
Pushing the Xbox hardware to its very limits, Halo 2 will expand on everything that made the original game great, plus add a wealth of technological and gameplay advances. Significantly improved graphics, enhanced AI, an advanced real-time lighting engine and destructible interactive environments are just a small part of Halo 2.s evolution of design and technology. Every improvement in Halo 2 is designed to take gameplay to a new level; and in the end, to tell a better story.
Utilizing Xbox® Live. to redefine online play, Halo 2 delivers superior online multiplayer capabilities. Whether playing with a clan on a new multiplayer map, boarding a friend's Warthog, watching a game replay or checking player stats, Halo 2 will bring the social experience to a higher level via Xbox Live. Halo 2 hits store shelves on 9th November in North America and 11th November in UK.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Windows PC gaming, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises
as "Age of Empires*," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo," "Project Gotham Racing*" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN(r) network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart*."
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com <http://www.xbox.com/> ) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, .it.s good to play together,. captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in Europe for an estimated street price of .199.99/£129.99.