Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed that Halo 4 will be released on Nov. 6.

Pre-orders are now being accepted by Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart, and the Microsoft Store for $59.99.

"November 6 is an important date in Halo's vast and fascinating history. For the uninitiated, that was the day the Master Chief found a weapon, a parched Grunt stumbled upon the starship, and Staff Sergeant Avery Junior Johnson discovered the answer to one of life's most perplexing questions," Microsoft wrote on the Xbox website.

Halo 4 director Frank O'Connor and executive producer Kiki Wolfkill will appear on Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show tonight at 11pm to divulge "how Conan O'Brien and his side-kick Andy Richter are connected to Master Chief and Halo 4."

Halo 3 ended with the Master Chief "deep in cryogenic sleep, drifting toward a mysterious Forerunner planet, with Cortana instructed to wake him if she needs him." Microsoft says the chief's alarm clock is now officially set for Nov. 6, when he will return to action.

The new game marks the start of a new triology, Microsoft said.

PC Magazine