Halo 5 release date rumors ‘are false,’ says Microsoft

Responding to an image that supposedly leaked the release date of Halo 5: Guardian, Microsoft told IGN that the rumors "are false."

"The recent rumors regarding the release date of 'Halo 5: Guardians' are false," the statement reads.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, last week a photo posted to Twitter by a new employee at Halo 5 developer 343 Industries showed a mysterious countdown clock in the background. It was believed that the "382" in the photo indicated the number of days until Halo 5 will be released, which if true would land on November 10, 2015 — a Tuesday. It certainly makes sense considering past Halo games have also released around similar times.

At the time of the leak, 343 Industries community coordinator claimed that the "'clock' reads different numbers everyday," adding that he didn't think "anyone actually knows what it stands for."

So while we don't have a confirmed release date for Halo 5, we at least know that anyone who purchases Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be granted access to Halo 5's beta which runs from December 29, 2014 through January 17, 2015. I guess that's good enough for now, right? For those who absolutely can't wait that long, Microsoft and 343 Industries will offer a first look at Halo 5's multiplayer next month during HaloFest.