Halo 4 is Microsoft’s biggest game expense by far

Microsoft has pumped more money into the Halo franchise than any other games — no surprise there.

Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Studios, told Polygon that Halo is a $3 billion brand. Halo 3 alone cost $60 million to develop and market, making it one of the most costly games ever produced. In its first week, it achieved $300 million in global sales.

Halo 4's budget is rumored to be even bigger.

Spencer confirmed that the game, releasing on November 6, is indeed the company's most expensive: "Absolutely. Nothing's even close."

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