While a new entree into the ‘Halo’ franchise isn’t due out until 2015 if you have an Xbox One and need your ‘Halo’ fix the ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection’ just got a release date! Coming to a console on November 11th, 2014 you’ll have a chance to catch up on everything ‘Halo!’ There has long been a rumor of a compilation of the first four core games and now we know when it will finally be coming out. Not only that, but each of the previous games will get a next-gen makeover to update their graphics to take advantage of the latest Xbox’s processing power.

The release in November 11th isn’t just a random date picked out of a hat either. For ‘Halo’ fans, this also marks the release date of the premiere of the live-action series that has Ridley Scott as the executive producer, ‘Halo: Nightfall’. For fans looking for new content, the ‘Halo 5: Guardians’ is still slated for a 2015 release date which is being executive produced by Steven Spielberg however, this release will help tide you over in the meantime.

How exactly? Well anyone that picks up ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection’ will also get beta access to the multi-player portion of ‘Halo 5: Guardians’ to get a feel of the look and game play for the upcoming game (while helping come across any early bugs.)

The ‘Halo’ franchise is one of the best selling first person shooter franchises to date and has been a feather in Microsoft’s cap with its ongoing popularity. The series has sold over 50 million units and that trend looks to continue on a brisk upwards path with how popular the games still are today. The collection will sell for %59.99 and run at 60 frames per second in 1080 high-definition. It fits on a single disc and also includes a new prologue to ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ and a new epilogue after ‘Halo 4’ giving an increased experience to the story.

According to Bonnie Ross, general manager of 343 Industries who took the series over from Bungie, “When we first started 343, we made sure we actually paved and deepened the foundation of the universe. I feel that’s critical to have success and people loving the universe over the next 10-20 years. This is about a universe worthy of devotion, of being able to tell hundreds of stories. At 343 we put a ton of emphasis on the fiction, the foundation.”

On purchasing the collection players will have access to “any mission in any game of the series and on any difficulty level, and each game will run on its original engine to preserve the feel of each game. The exception will be select levels of “Halo 2,” which will receive a grander treatment as part of the game’s 10-year anniversary”. On top of this they will also have access to the live action series ‘Halo: Nightfall’ whose plot will lead into ‘Halo 5: Guardians.’

Are you excited for the expanded take to the ‘Halo’ universe? Are you planning on picking up the collection of currently released titles starring everyone’s favorite Master Chief for the upgraded graphics and new introduction and conclusion? Which portion are you looking forward to playing the most in updated HD?

Source: LA Times