While annual iterations of popular brands is all the rage these days, Microsoft won’t be pushing out a new Halo game every year. That’s in theory, anyway – in reality, the series has seen pretty regular releases over the last few years, with Halo 3 in 2007, Halo Wars and Halo: ODST in 2009, and Halo: Reach in 2010. The company recently confirmed the upcoming November launch of the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remaster at E3, as well as Halo 4 in 2012.

But wait, the remake doesn’t count.

“People shouldn’t look at Anniversary as part of an annualized franchise,” Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer tells IGN. “I love the fact we’re doing the Anniversary edition because I loved Halo 1. We just looked at it and thought it needed to be refreshed.

“It wasn’t part of us trying to get into an annualized rhythm with the franchise. It will be done in time for this holiday that is the 10th Anniversary for Halo. It felt like a good time to celebrate it.”

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