“Halo” is one of the most controversial video game franchises in existence. It has been widely criticized and acclaimed, with sales sky-rocketing every time a new version is released. It was created by Bungie and it has so far been owned and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The game centers on three main characters – Master Chief, a human super-soldier who is cybernetically-enhanced, Cortana, his AI (artificial intelligence) companion and their experiences and adventures. Master Chief’s duty is to protect and help humanity in their battle against a theocratic alliance of aliens, called the Covenant. In the game’s context, the “Halo” represents a ring-like structure. 

“Halo” is considered to be one of the best game console first-person shooters, and is probably one of Xbox’s most coveted games. Its popularity has sprouted the term “Halo killer”, describing a game that is better than “Halo” or at least aspires to beat Xbox’s “killer app”.

As it usually happens with a successful franchise, the game’s makers have decided to extend their marketing to novels, of which there have been five – all bestsellers, two graphic novels and the usual goodies, like action figures, posters, clothes and insignia. 

Although “Halo’s” third installment was supposed to be “Halo 3: Recon”, as advertised so far, it seems that Microsoft decided to call the game, programmed to be released in 2009, “Halo 3: ODST”. For those of you wondering, ODST stands for “Orbital Drop Shock Trooper”. 

The time for the name change seems oddly inappropriate, given that “Game Informer” – one of the most popular and informative game magazines in the United States – already has the game on this month’s issue, under its former name – “Halo 3: Recon”.