The game is the third title in the Halo series and ends the story arc begun in Halo: Combat Evolved and continued with Halo 2.

Halo 3 features up to four player cooperative gameplay over Xbox Live or System Link and two player cooperative split-screen. Up to sixteen may participate in a single match over a LAN or Xbox Live. A match may use either of these methods (LAN or split screen) or a combination of both.

Halo 3 contains various environments for the player, including lush jungles, battle-damaged cities and sparse desert environments. The story progresses chronologically, following the Master Chief and his fight against the Brutes and the Flood.

-Next-generation experiences. With the power of the Xbox 360, "Halo 3" raises the bar on the next-generation gameplay experience with non-stop action, an incredible story, massive battles, and visually stunning worlds.

- Stunning single-player action. Epic and compelling storytelling on a scale never before seen in interactive entertainment with new weapons, characters and challenges. You can experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he transcends greatness and becomes a legend.

- Xbox LIVE multiplayer redefined. Working in concert with Xbox LIVE on Xbox 360, "Halo 3" builds upon the unique social multiplayer experience of "Halo 2" and promises to enhance the innovative and evolving online gameplay of "Halo 2" on Xbox LIVE.

- Evolution of a Blockbuster. Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, "Halo 3" will expand on everything that has made the "Halo" franchise great and will add a wealth of technical advancements

-Next-generation, high-definition visuals. Presented in stunning HD, see the well-known "Halo" universe as it’s never been seen before. State of the art HDR (High Dynamic Range) lighting makes every scene look and feel like the real thing, from terrifying gloom to dazzling sunshine, adding more detail to every weapon, more texture to every character, and more realism to every battle.

-Enhanced AI. Countless foes, each with their own distinct personality, strategy and fighting style, make for better encounters and more replay value, which will culminate in larger scale combat than ever before witnessed on the "Halo" battlefield.

- Split-screen support. Staying true to the original games, "Halo 3" will support four player split-screen and system link gameplay, letting gamers battle it out both online via Xbox LIVE or with a group of friends right in their own living rooms.

-In-depth stat tracking and standings. Made famous as a key component of the renowned "Halo 2" multiplayer experience, Bungie.net will continue to innovate how gamers track their progress, as they view their rankings and stats in real-time.

-Fully positional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Duck as a rocket sizzles over head. Take action as the footsteps of a Covenant adversary echo in the distance. Every sound in "Halo 3" is fully positional, bringing the world of "Halo" to an even more vivid level of realism.

The game was released on Sept. 25, 2007.