Win the Battle, Prepare for War: Halo for Windows Trial Version Available Now

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the trial version of Halo for Windows is now available at the game's official website, http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/. With the trial version, gamers can test their combat-readiness on a small scale before plunging headfirst into an interstellar war to save humanity. The full version of Halo for Windows is now available in North America for a suggested retail price of .95 (U.S.). Halo for Windows was the No. 1-selling PC game and No. 2-selling PC software title for the week of September 28 through October 4, according to NPD Techworld.

In the trial version, gamers can experience both single and multiplayer gameplay, including limited vehicle combat. In the single player campaign level "The Silent Cartographer", gamers assume the role of super-soldier Master Chief as he takes on the fierce alien faction known as the Covenant. In the multiplayer map "Blood Gulch", up to 16 human opponents can light each other up with devastating weaponry and combat vehicles, including the new Rocket Warthog and the Banshee, either online or via LAN connection.

Halo, the critically acclaimed best-selling Xbox game, stormed Windows gamers on September 30, 2003, offering new exclusive features, including online multiplayer support, new maps, vehicles and weapons. Halo is optimized for the PC with the precision offered by the mouse-and-keyboard and full support for high-end hardware. Halo's online multiplayer features enable players to battle it out with fellow gamers worldwide in a variety of individual and team-based games. Halo for Windows was developed by Gearbox Software in conjunction with Bungie Studios. For more information, please visit the official site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/.

Bungie was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve the real goal of total world domination. Over the last 10 years it produced games like the Marathon Trilogy and the first two Myth games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. "Halo: Combat Evolved," its latest game, has achieved phenomenal success on the Microsoft Xbox video game system. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.Bungie.net/.

Gearbox Software was founded in January of 1999 by a group of experienced 3d game artists, designers and engineers in Dallas, TX. The developers at Gearbox Software have contributed to many of the most acclaimed franchises in interactive entertainment - including "Civilization," "Duke Nukem 3d," "Quake", "Half-Life", "James Bond 007", "Counter-Strike", "Doom", "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" and now "Halo: Combat Evolved." More information about Gearbox Software can be found at http://www.gearboxsoftware.com.

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for Windows, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (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 network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart.