Fans lining up for ‘Halo 3’ game

More than a million copies have been pre-ordered, Microsoft said.

By MATT SLAGLE

AP TECHNOLOGY WRITER

Can “Halo” hero Master Chief blast his way past “Spider-Man 3” too?

We’ll soon find out as the third installment in the “Halo” video game franchise debuts today for the Xbox 360 console.

Microsoft Corp. won’t divulge exact sales predictions for “Halo 3” (and won’t specify just how many tens of millions they poured into developing it) but seems confident of outdoing the “Spider-Man 3” movie, the summer blockbuster that grossed $151 million in its first day — a comparison the company has embraced itself.

Released in 2004, “Halo 2” grossed $125 million during the first 24 hours of its release, according to company sales statistics.

“We know we’re going to clear that,” Microsoft spokesman Ryan James said.

For months, the “Halo 3” hype machine has been in overdrive with star-studded events where celebrities effuse about how chic it is to be a “Halo” geek. And then there’s a merchandising juggernaut that would make George Lucas proud: From “Halo 3” edition Mountain Dew soda bottles to novels, comic books and action figures.

Even for some self-professed “Halo” fans, it’s all getting to be a bit much.

In Atlanta, 25-year-old insurance worker Graham Jones plans to be among the first in line at a local GameStop store to snag his pre-ordered $69.99, “limited edition” version of the game that includes an art book and other extras.

Pre-orders

More than a million copies of the game already have been pre-ordered, according to Microsoft. There’s also a $59.99 “regular edition” that comes with just the game; a $129.99 “legendary edition” complete with a replica helmet worn by Master Chief; and a $399.99 special edition Xbox 360 with a “Halo”-themed custom paint job — but no “Halo 3” game.

“I’ll be there at 12:01 a.m. with all the other 14-year-olds to get my copy,” said Jones. “I gotta work and I gotta eat, but I can sacrifice my sleep.”

A Best Buy Co. store near Times Square also will be open at midnight, when rabid fans can get their hands on the game as soon as possible.

“Halo 3” promises to tie up the loose ends in “Halo 2” that left some fans confused, even angry, said Brian Jarrard, an executive for Bungie Studios (which Microsoft acquired in 2000).

With the tagline “Finish the Fight,” it resumes the saga of hero Master Chief, a masked human soldier of the future, returning to Earth in the midst of a battle for humanity’s survival.