Master Chief Returns in Halo 4 this November!

It was a bit of a surprise when Microsoft announced that Halo 4 was already well under development back at E3 last year, but we had few details on when we could expect the return of Master Chief.  Until today.

In a press release issued earlier today, Microsoft announced that the next installment of the massive franchise will be released simultaneously worldwide on November 6, 2012!

Set four years after the events in Halo 3, Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Naturally.

More details will be released, interestingly enough, via late night talk show host Conan O'Brien and his Team Coco crew later tonight (presumably on his show tonight at 11PM on TBS), as announced via Twitter by Microsoft's Major Nelson.

In any event, we're sure that there were plenty of people happy to see the armored Spartan awaken from his Odinsleep to take up arms again.  If you want a little more to whet your appetite, check out this developer preview to give you a small glimpse into the makings of Halo 4!

We'll see how well the game fares now that the torch has been passed from the hands of the now-independent Bungie to the capable hands of 343 Industries.  There's a lot riding on this to both reinvigorate the series, while keeping the hordes of Halo fans happy.  No pressure, guys.