'Halo 4' Release Date: Trailer and Leaked Art Reveals Multiplayer Map, But 'Halo 2' Most Popular [VIDEO]
The widely popular first person shooting franchise "Halo" is expected to launch its fourth installment in the second half of this year, and fans are anticipating the release. New concept art has just leaked revealing the game's upcoming multiplayer map. Microsoft

Microsoft has just unveiled its San Diego Comic Con schedule, which will feature numerous Xbox 360 panels and some hands-on gameplay with Halo 4.

Xbox Live's Larry Major Nelson Hryb, known for revealing info to fans, has said that fans will get to experience Forza Horizon, Fable: The Journey, Dance Central 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Resident Evil 6, Borderlands 2, Hitman: Absolution, Sleeping Dogs, Deadlight, and Wreckateer among others at the Xbox Lounge in the Hard Rock Hotel.

From July 12 through the 15, Xbox 360 will collaborate with Zachary Levi's Nerd Machine as the official console of the event's NERD HQ. But perhaps one of the most exciting events for gamers are the Halo 4 panels titled The Fiction of 'Halo 4' which will take place at the San Diego Convention Center on July 12 and 'Halo 4:' A New Campaign and 'Halo Infinity Multiplayer' on July 14.

'Halo 4' heralds the return of one of gaming's most iconic heroes, the Master Chief, in a new, epic sci-fi saga, reads The Fiction of Halo 4 panel description. This discussion will focus on the development of stories across the Greg Bear Forerunner saga, the Karen-Traviss Kilo-Five trilogy, Halo 4: Unto Dawn Halo 4 Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer.

Gamers also have the premiere of the trailer for Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn to look forward to and a Q&A session with franchise writer Brian Reed. With the second Halo 4 panel, fans will learn about how the storyline of the game has developed and grown through different mediums.

'Halo 4' marks the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers, the description reads. Developed by 343 Industries, get a glimpse at how they have taken 'Halo 4' in new directions, introducing an ancient threat and the Master Chief's greatest challenge, as well as an innovative and fresh new take on multiplayer in War Games and Spartan Ops.

The Halo series has grown and evolved with Microsoft's Xbox console, and has become a benchmark title of the gaming system.

If we lose our way with 'Halo,' we lose our way with Xbox, Microsoft Games Studios vice-president Phil Spencer said to the Official Xbox 360 Magazine UK.

A recent leak has also revealed that Halo 4 will include 10 new weapons and 10 multiplayer maps available upon launch.

Be sure to check out Hryb's blog for the full list and schedule of Xbox events at Comic Con 2012, and see the 'Halo 4' trailer below.

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