Despite a general distaste for Halo: The Master Chief Collection after its numerous launch-day, launch-week, and launch-month problems, fans of Microsoft’s flagship franchise still seem eager for new content. It’s a good thing, then, that Halo 5: Guardians is on track for a 2015 release, if prior comments by developer 343 Industries are to be believed.

But, while most assume that Halo 5: Guardians will launch in the fall of 2015 – likely some time in November – a new rumor has developed that suggests the game might release a little earlier. In fact, if proven true we could be looking at a release date for Halo 5 that’s as early as August.

Rumblings of the August release date have surfaced after Amazon dated the Halo 5 Art Book with an August 11, 2015 release. Many figured that because past Halo art books have launched alongside or slightly before Halo games that this would also be the case with Halo 5: Guardians. Therefore, Halo 5: Guardians, according to this rumor, would launch in August.

Halo 5 in August?

However, this is all based on past practices with the Halo franchise and not confirmed in the slightest. Past practices are what led us to believe Halo 5: Guardians would release in November, considering nearly every major Halo release has hit in November (or late September).

So, in essence it’s drawing connections where there might be none. There’s nothing that says the Halo 5 art book is supposed to release alongside the game, and for that matter we don’t know if the August date is just a placeholder. Perhaps Amazon wanted to start accepting pre-orders, but needed to nail down a tentative release date.

What About November?

More than anything else, the art book should inspire discussion about when Halo 5’s most ideal release date may be. Given what has happened with Halo: The Master Chief Collection, we’d expect that 343 Industries will take as much time with the game as possible, to ensure that there are no multiplayer problems. They also want to keep out of the way of any other major 2015 releases, especially those that may go after a similar demographic. Whatever major expansion Destiny has planned, for example, it might be best to steer clear of that.

Still, Halo is a major brand and this fifth numbered entry will certainly do well regardless. Look for Microsoft to spill the beans on release plans for Halo 5, or at least show us more from the game’s story, at their E3 2015 press conference.

When do you think Halo 5: Guardians might release? Would you like to see the game hit store shelves earlier?

Halo 5: Guardians releases in 2015 for Xbox One.

Source: Amazon